If you're lucky enough in order to have a 3rd gen 4runner roof rack oem setup on your rig, you already know how much utility those manufacturing plant rails add in order to an old-school Toyota. These trucks—specifically the particular ones built in between 1996 and 2002—are legendary for their particular reliability, but the particular roof rack is definitely often the unsung hero of the whole "utility vehicle" vibe. Whether you're hauling a kayak to the lake or even just looking to look the part in the local cafe, that factory rack is a staple from the 3rd Gen silhouette.
What's the offer with the Factory Rack?
Back in the particular late 90s, Toyota wasn't thinking regarding rooftop tents or even heavy-duty overland equipment. They were thinking of skis, some suitcases, and maybe the mountain bike. The 3rd gen 4runner roof rack oem consists associated with two main aspect rails that are bolted directly directly into the roof's rain gutters or monitors, along with two adjustable crossbars.
The style is surprisingly smooth for the time. It's low-profile, which assists keep wind noise down when you're cruising at freeway speeds—well, just as much as you can "cruise" inside a 25-year-old truck. Many of these racks came in a textured dark finish that, when you're lucky, hasn't faded into the chalky grey simply by now. The crossbars are slightly arched, which adds a bit of tension and assists keep lighter a lot from rattling close to a lot of.
Exactly why Many people Stick along with OEM
You'll see plenty of men on the forums dropping $1, 500 on a full-length aluminum platform rack, and hey, those look cool. But there's a true argument for sticking with the 3rd gen 4runner roof rack oem setup.
First off, it's already there. A person don't have in order to worry about strange fitment issues or drilling new holes in your roof (unless your truck arrived without one, which we'll get in order to later). It also retains the weight of the vehicle down. Contemporary steel racks may weigh 60 in order to 80 pounds before you decide to even put any gear on them. Keeping the manufacturing plant rack means you aren't hurting your center of the law of gravity, which is already the bit at the top of these rigs when you throw a lift package and 33-inch tires on them.
Then there's the particular fuel economy. 3rd Gen 4Runners aren't exactly known with regard to being "sippers. " Adding a huge wind-catching basket on the top is essentially like driving with a brick on your roof. The manufacturer rails are much more aerodynamic. When you're using your 4Runner as being an every day driver, keeping the particular OEM rack retains your fuel useage through tanking even more.
The Limits of the Factory Setup
We have to be realistic here. The 3rd gen 4runner roof rack oem isn't meant for heavy-duty hauling. If a person look at the fine print out (or the label inside your glove box), the pounds capacity is usually rated for approximately 100 to 125 lbs. That's plenty intended for a couple of surfboards or several camping chairs, but it's not enough for a hardshell rooftop tent plus two adults.
If you push it too hard, you'll start to observe the crossbars flex. Over time, the plastic end hats on the track can become frail from UV publicity. In case you try to crank down a heavy load on a 20-year-old piece of sun-baked plastic, there's a great chance some thing is going to breeze. It's important to examine those mounting factors every every now and then to make sure almost everything is still tight and the rubber gaskets haven't dry-rotted apart.
Fixing and Refreshing an Old Rack
If your 3rd gen 4runner roof rack oem is looking the little tired, a person don't necessarily need to replace it. A lot of owners do a "rattle can" repair. Removing the bed rails can be quite straightforward—just some Torx bits and a little bit of patience. As soon as they're off, you can sand down the faded color and hit these a few clothes of trim paint or maybe bedliner intended for a more rugged look. It's the cheap weekend task that makes the particular whole truck appear five years younger.
Another typical issue will be the moving mechanism. The crossbars are designed to slide forward and back so a person can adjust them for different load lengths. Over years, dirt, pine fine needles, and grime obtain stuck in the particular tracks. In case your crossbars are seized upward, don't force them. A little little bit of penetrating oil and a great cleaning with a brush usually will get them moving once again.
The particular Best Middle Terrain: Hybrid Upgrades
One of the coolest things regarding the 3rd Gen community is the "hybrid" rack approach. Given that the 3rd gen 4runner roof rack oem side-rails are actually quite durable and well-attached towards the roof, several businesses make aftermarket crossbars that fit straight into the stock tracks.
These are usually made of heavy-duty light weight aluminum or steel and have a much higher weight rating compared to the flimsy manufacturer crossbars. It is a "best of both worlds" scenario. You retain the particular low profile and simple installation of the OEM tracks, yet you gain the particular ability to install things like recovery boards, hi-lift jacks, or even even a lighting rooftop tent without having to worry about the rack collapsing. It's a great way to modernize your rig without having to shell out a lot of money or making it look like a transformer.
Scoping A single Out at the particular Junkyard
Probably your 4Runner didn't come with a rack, or maybe the previous proprietor took it off. Finding a 3rd gen 4runner roof rack oem at a local pick-and-pull is really a pretty typical score. Since these trucks are everywhere in salvage back yards, you can usually grab the whole setup for much less than $50.
If you're retrofitting a rack on to a "naked" roof, you'll need in order to be careful. The particular trucks that arrived with racks from your factory have reinforced mounting points plus threaded inserts within the roof. In the event that yours didn't, you'll be looking in using "plusnuts" or a similar blind fastener. It's totally doable, however it requires a steady hand and a motivation to drill openings within your "forever" truck.
Final Ideas on the OEM Look
All in all, there's something special about a clear, stock-looking 4Runner. The 3rd gen 4runner roof rack oem is component of that traditional aesthetic. It fits the lines associated with the truck properly. While it may not have the particular "clout" of a full expedition rack, it's more compared to enough for 90% of the people out there.
If you're simply getting into the particular world of 3rd Gens, don't sense pressured to tear off your manufacturing plant gear right aside. Give the OEM rack a possibility. Clean it up, maybe throw some beefier crossbars on it, and observe how it handles your gear. A person might find the Toyota engineers really knew what they were doing back in the 90s. It's a simple, functional, and long lasting piece of gear that has stood the test of time—just like the pickup truck it sits on.
Whether or not you're heading out for a week of camping or simply running to the equipment store for some wood, that old rack is ready in order to work. Just keep an eye on those plastic hats, don't overload it, and it'll possibly outlast the rest of us.