In Regards To Roof Rack Removal

[OG 91 LC]

Fellas I'm onto my next project. I'm thinking, yes still thinking, of removing my factory roof rack. Reason being it leaks just a little into the truck via the roof rack and down the front passenger side A pillar. I definitely know it's the roof rack and not the windshield nor the sun/moon roof.

I was curious to find what the Toyota dealership had for their roof rack part numbers and if they had part numbers for bolts/washers and such for those trucks that came without roof racks. They didn't have a part number for bolts/washers. I was able to order drip covers. They're on their way.

I did purchase a few parts from Lowes as was suggested by Roof Rack Removal thread.

8mm x 1.25 x 20 bolts and a few rubber washers.

Are these the correct bolts????

Do you suggest some washers???

Are the rubber washers a good idea?

I was also able to purchase 3M sealant.

I prefer to remove the roof rack. I like the way other trucks look like without the rack and I don't use it at all.

I'm not sure if I need to apply the sealant. Eventually I will be purchasing a aftermarket roof rack to hold my RTT and I don't want the sealant to hinder the removal of bolts and the addition of a new rack.

Anything else you may have experience with roof rack removal that I need to consider.

Thanks fellas.

 

[Rigger]

Good idea. I bet the truck looks great with no rack. Post up pics.

Will you have to fill in the gutters?

 

[jLB]

Be prepared for a few surprises along the way.

You might find some of the mounts holding water, which may cause the T30 bolt to rust to the point that you'll need a screw extractor.

You might find that some of the rack mounting points no longer have threads, so you may need a rivnut or 2 and a tool to set them.

Factory roof rack removal

For those with OEM racks

With a "6 footed" rack, we used:

(1) T30 socket (& wrench)
(12) M8 8mm x 1.25 x 20mm button head hex stainless screws
(12) 5/16" ID "O" rings
permatex thread sealant on the threads of the screws
permatex flowable silicone at the screw head
(6) Toyota P/N 75557-60010 garnish/covers​

In addition, you may need (we did):

Cordless drill
SpeedOut screw extractor to remove any damaged factory T30 bolts
M8 Rivnuts http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W8TUIHG?tag=ihco-20
Rivnut tool http://www.amazon.com/Astro-Pneumatic-Tool-1427-Rivet/dp/B004KLVJAA/?tag=ihco-20
11mm drill bit​

 

[OG 91 LC]

That's what I'm afraid of. Surprises.

It's been a SoCal truck all of its life.

 

[jLB]

Ours has lived it's entire life in Texas, (w/ no rust issues) and I was quite surprised when I looked in the center mounts and found them holding water, even more so when I found 1 of the T30 bolts was just a rusty blob.

 

[OG 91 LC]

Not cool.

 

[Saddletramp]

Removed mine, 2007, lived almost 4 years in Toronto and 4 years in Scottsdale and surprisingly no rust.

 

[re_guderian]

I must be the only guy on MUD that uses the factory rack? But yeah, be prepared for the unknown. I bought my rig without one, and got hardware and rails from a parts rig. I guess it depends on install quality whether you get rust/leaks.

 

[jLB]

For us it was the middle mounts (of the 6 "footed" rack) that had issues. From what I remember that was a common theme with others that had problems as well.

 

[OG 91 LC]

I have the six mounts on the LX.

@jLB What were the issues with the middle mounts??

 

[jLB]

The middle mounts seem to be the ones that hold water, which cause the factory bolt head to turn into a rusty blob.

 

[ScubaJon]

I removed my broken rear spoiler and the roof rack yesterday and the 4 corners were a breeze after reading the how to's here on mud. Then slid the rack back poped it off removed the passenger middle foot. Wondered why I could not feel the torx bolt on the drivers side opened the door and looked to see a melted rusted out head .

The other one was fine. Un did it and then pried up on the plastic bracket till it broke. Took some channel locks and grabbed the rusted bolt and it turned out easy as the others. I did not mind busting the bracket it was 15 years old and sun faeded anyways. But if I had just ground a slot in the head of the rusted bolt it would have came out easy.

 

[OG 91 LC]

There's a chance of rain forecasted for SoCal on Sunday/Monday. I will wait until after the rain to see what I may find underneath those covers.

So will those bolts above work okay??
I want to use the sealant, but not if its gonna make it an issue once I get my aftermarket rack; that will be a while though.

 

[ryanCA]

I must be the only guy on MUD that uses the factory rack? But yeah, be prepared for the unknown. I bought my rig without one, and got hardware and rails from a parts rig. I guess it depends on install quality whether you get rust/leaks.

I use it as well even though I like the rackless look

With 3rd row up there is no trunk space

So 21 cubic feet Thule goes up on rack for camping