GX470 factory roof rack removal

[nakman]

I searched and couldn't find a thread for this. Maybe someone knows and will link it here. But I tackled this on Sunday, took a few pictures, what the heck here's the how to:

Start by prying the corner covers out. There are 2 tabs on each side... my tool was a galvanized pipe/fence clamp, worked pretty good. Once you have one side out, you can wiggle the plastic piece away from the center of the vehicle, once you clear the clips that run inside the long channels, the other side will pop out. After 2 of these, I was able to do the other 2 without breaking anything.

 

[nakman]

You can then remove the 2 bolts per tower using a 12mm socket.


Next step is the center covers. The cover is facing the outside of the vehicle, and I was unable to get this off without completely breaking the plastic clips that hold it on.

Once you get the cover off, you will see another 12mm socket-sized bolt facing you, which you remove then you can lift off the rack. Finally you are left with the center tower, which takes a 10mm socket to remove, despite having the identical M8 threads in the roof of the vehicle.


Last thing is there are some rubber strips up there, in back they are held on by a couple little clips (much like a 100 series) and in between the towers the rubber is just laying there. On mine, I only had one side of the rubber, the other side must have blown off years ago. Hope this helps!

 

[nakman]

Here is what your bare roof looks like. there are little plastic "sleeves" that surround the bolts going into the roof, which stick up about 1-2mm.

 

[little_joe]

Thanks for posting this, @nakman . Should we infer you have something in the works to reuse that space?

 

[470SNC]

nice write up, appreciate it!

 

[nakman]

Thanks for posting this, @nakman . Should we infer you have something in the works to reuse that space?

Yeah, you could say that..

 

[Nothinghead]

What are you doing with the OEM rack? I could use the front and middle plastic covers since mine broke in removal.

 

[nakman]

Both my middle covers broke, I think the fronts are good though. I will likely need to just stick this in the attic for a year or so, just in case we think we need to revert back for some reason.

 

[470SNC]

Is that a front runner rack I spy?

 

[OilHammer]

Is that a front runner rack I spy?

In the reflection on the first pics? No. He has "industrial" type racks in his garage to store all kinds of fun stuff.

 

[nakman]

Yeah but did you find the 40 bezel?

 

[Snowrydr01]

subscribed for later use and a great picture of mounts to make for a custom rack set up

 

[JLee]

Both my middle covers broke, I think the fronts are good though. I will likely need to just stick this in the attic for a year or so, just in case we think we need to revert back for some reason.

Don't drop it, lol. I had mine leaning up against my garage and it fell over - when it hit the concrete, one of the (apparently cheap cast metal) ends snapped. It's more fragile than I expected.

 

[tampacruiser95]

Bookmark.

 

[tlin]

20/20 hindsight, anything you can recommend to get the middle plastic support faceplates off without breaking those clips? Wanting to do this ASAP myself but need the plastic intact.

thx...

 

[James C]

Took mine off the other day. Contrary to everyone else, I broke all 4 corner covers and kept the 2 middle plastic covers intact.

So if anyone is looking for 2 white center support roof rail covers, let me know and I'll send them your way.

 

[GonzoShinyPants]

You can search youtube for some videos on how not to break those covers, but I broke the tabs on a few of mine, too - I would say it doesn't take as much pressure as you think. The hard part is just getting something under there and then prying just the right way and not too much.

And FWIW Tim's rack went on no problem!

 

[DRANGED]

brilliant!
Here's the question...Does the 120 have 4 anchors (like 80 and 100) once you get the rubber off, or just those three?

 

[nakman]

brilliant!
Here's the question...Does the 120 have 4 anchors (like 80 and 100) once you get the rubber off, or just those three?

just the three..