Ribbed Roof - removing ribs?

Are you 100% sure that the rack won't clear with the ribs? I ask since I have a ribbed roof and the shortest FrontRunner slimline rack does clear despite all marketing material saying otherwise...

Ribbed roofs are more rare and desirable to some. Any chance of swapping with someone local?

TheOneTen said:

Are you 100% sure that the rack won't clear with the ribs? I ask since I have a ribbed roof and the shortest FrontRunner slimline rack does clear despite all marketing material saying otherwise...

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schleven said:

I need to remove the exterior ribs on my 130 double cab roof, in order to create clearance for a custom RTT set-up I'm building.

I understand that the non-ribbed roofs had ribs on the interior.

Has anyone tried to convert an exterior ribbed roof, to an interior ribbed roof?

Also, I'm assuming if I simply remove the exterior ribs things will just flap around right? I'm going to have a roof rack and internal cage, so, I'm not too worried about structural integrity but I don't want to have to deal w/ noise. And, don't really want to spend $5k + paint on a new roof.....truck isn't a show truck.

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Roof swap maybe? I've got a 130 body with smooth roof somewhere in the shop...

Curious as to what you are attempting to custom fab that would require the ~1" less that a smooth roof offers on the DC. I just converted a 90 G4 type rack to double-cab length and that did require a smooth roof, but if you are making something then make it a little taller? Also I've run Autohome tents on the cab roof of a 130, in the bed of a 130, and even one trip with both so if you have a good tent that is self structural then only a couple roof bars are needed to make it work (I suggest minimum of three on the roof to spread the load across more of the roof channel, four if possible)

Ping me if you have questions - happy to help

B

(Owner of Autohome USA and Frontrunner dealer for the last 10 years so I do have bias)

Curious if anyone knows the purpose of the rails initially. I was thinking perhaps it was a way to load/transfer items on the roof without causing significant damage to the roof. Could use the hooks along the side as tie downs. Pipe dream?…

schleven said:

Thanks message sent.

For those asking, I'm planning on building a custom pass-through RTT set-up on top of my rear Tembo shell. The RTT will likely extend 20'' or so over the cab and the ribs currently sit higher than the top of the shell (I don't really want to space the shell up off the bed or space the tent up off of the top of the shell...or, raise the bed entirely).

Here's a quick photoshop mock-up of the general concept, you'll be able stand up in the truck bed and enter the tent.
View attachment 486188

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This is a fun idea. Have thought about similar pass-through RTT ideas without doing the pop-too conversion

That’s cool. Nothing like opening a roof top tent in a downpour. Except maybe closing it up soaking wet…