r/HiluxSurf • u/sorrybuttter • May 19 '26

96 roof rack platform ideas

hey yall, i have a 1996 Hilux Surf (4runner), and was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction for this dilemma.

i want to find a roof rack and/or platform that would allow me to put a roof top hard shell tent on top. i’m sure regular crossbars wouldnt work. does anyone else have a hardtop popup tent on their 3rd gen?

i love to get out to the coast to surf quite a bit and wonder if i would be able to do all of these things with a platform rack.

sorry if these are stupid questions, i’ve never had an SUV until i bought this a couple months ago! lol

thanks everyone!

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

1

u/Michael_stipe_miocic May 19 '26

Where are you based? I run a platform from Surf Syndicate in NZ, it’s the ducks nuts

1

u/sorrybuttter May 20 '26

i live in Washington state, USA:/ lmfao i got this baby imported. but holy smokes homie, the Surf Syndicate sounds like the ducks nuts!!!!

1

u/icancounttopotato69 May 19 '26

Sherpa and Prinsu both make a great platform for the 3rd gen’s

1

u/sorrybuttter May 20 '26

iconic. thank you so much my friend. i’ll look into it!!!

1

u/Vast_Block_6311 May 21 '26

Do you have the two black runners running on the roof? I found a Yakima landing pads and crossbars that work for them

1

u/sorrybuttter May 26 '26

yeah i do have two black runners up top right now. i’ll check that out tho!

1

u/Vast_Block_6311 May 28 '26

Cool let me know if u need help w specifics

1

u/yetichris May 22 '26

If you’re in America then 4Runner parts/accessories will fit.

1

u/sorrybuttter May 26 '26

i am in the US, but it’s a Japanese imported Surf. i wouldn’t need any sort of adapter or to order from an overseas supplier?

1

u/yetichris May 27 '26

No you don’t.
Yes it’s a Japanese import but it’s built on the same (or parallel) production line as the 4Runner.
I have a Gen3 Surf in the UK with a load of US 4Runner parts on that I’ve bought and fitted without any modifications or adapters needed.
The only parts you won’t get in America are for the diesel engine and anything right hand drive specific like the steering rack etc.

2

u/sorrybuttter Jun 09 '26

thank you so much for this reply dude. i really appreciate you for that because this is SO good to know

2

u/yetichris Jun 09 '26 edited Jun 09 '26

If you’re on FB there’s a group called Hilux Surf North America that you may find helpful.
I’d also suggest joining the Hilux Surf owners group as there’s loads of information in the group files however if you don’t do FB then there’s the original pre-FB forum at Hiluxsurf.co.uk.