Roof Rack

[tpickering]

I'm looking into putting a roof rack on my 03 double cab. I like the roof rack they put on the nissan frontiers. Anyone know if a frontier roof rack will fit on a double cab tacoma? If not, what roof rack would you recommend?

['03DC3.4TRD4X4]

That Nissan rack is only rated to some 50 pounds. Kind of weak in my book. Toyota has offered a rack for the DC but it has been discontinued. You could probably still find one if you are motivated to do so. Ebay?
Other than that option which I believe will have the same limits as the Nissan's, I have used Yakima racks for two decades now and love them. I have put upwards of 400 pounds on my trucks camper shell rack-- this I do not recommend but as I said, I had no problem. Yakima sets limits to 90-100 pounds per bar, but this is for insurance purposes I suspect. These racks are stout.
Come up with some custom mounts and you could bolt down any number of aftermarket basket-type racks. Con-Fer, Jaos, etc. If you live in an aftermarket paradise like California, it should be a cakewalk to find a fabricator but I recommend getting some references first since you are talking about permanant bolts through the roof into the pillar structure. But this would allow you to carry copious amounts of gear--this will cause a center of gravity change which can make all the difference in a fun outing into the mountains or a nightmare scenario with your insurance adjuster!

[coolerthanice]

You can still buy DC racks. Go here: http://toyotaparts4u.com/ or try eBay. I think they are rated up to 70 lbs, but they fit and look slick.

[robsatx]

Anyone?

[robsatx]

Originally Posted by robsatx

Anyone?

How difficult to install? Anyone done it before?

[coolerthanice]

I installed them in my car and the installation is easy if you know what you are doing. The bolts that come with the toyota aftermarket ones allow for you to drop an the anchor in and screw in the screws without having to get under the roof, or above the headliner. I, however, had no idea about that and used my own bolts and had to remove my headliner, etc. Even by doing that it did not take long, maybe a few hours. I dont recommend you spend the $300 the toyota stealership, and actually a small bodyshop quoted me on.

[robsatx]

Originally Posted by coolerthanice

I installed them in my car and the installation is easy if you know what you are doing. The bolts that come with the toyota aftermarket ones allow for you to drop an the anchor in and screw in the screws without having to get under the roof, or above the headliner. I, however, had no idea about that and used my own bolts and had to remove my headliner, etc. Even by doing that it did not take long, maybe a few hours. I dont recommend you spend the $300 the toyota stealership, and actually a small bodyshop quoted me on.

Thanks for the info . . .

I like the roof rack on the Nissan better than the Toy, but like the Tacos much better . . .

[Natedogg34]

Originally Posted by '03DC3.4TRD4X4

I have used Yakima racks for two decades now and love them. I have put upwards of 400 pounds on my trucks camper shell rack

Does a standard rack like Yakima or Thule fit on a D/C (without a shell--ie., using tabs in the doorframes)?

If so, does anyone know which model to use?

Thanks