Removing Roof Rack

I need some help yall. Has anyone removed a trd pro roof rack? I'm trying to install a front runner roof rack but first need to remove my existing pro roof rack. I've seen videos on removing the factory side rails but these are not sockets they are torx bolts. And unfortunately have a lot of thread locker on them, the red stuff. Any one got some advice or tips? Or if you have removed side rails any help there? Thank you!

 

My advice

Keep in mind there’s a floating bracket which can fall off if the bolts are taken off individually.

To undo the bolts, loosen one bolt two turns and switch to the other one. The goal is to have both bolts still attached to the bracket until the very end. Continue and at some point you’ll hit resistance, this is the loctite zone. This is the crucial area, the loctite zone is where it becomes harder to turn the bolt and may cause the bracket to slip. But since both bolts are still in place, the bracket will not slip out. Continue to alternatively turn each bolt until your out of the loctite zone and your good

 

Do just what Daytonaviolet said. You cannot rush this. I removed mine no problem. There are guys that had to drop there roof liner inside because of the small brackets.

 

Thanks for the advice! The bolts are very difficult to even get started to turn. But hopefully if I take it slow I won't have to remove the headliner

 

My experience with removing the basket from the roof I found out how hard it is to remove. I went slow and still stripped out the bolt I used extractors and a dremel. I even dropped a retainer into the headliner. 3 days working the solution to extract bolts. I tried using heat and vice grips to turn the remaining bolt shafts, no luck. I may resort to removing the headliner and buying new retainers. Did you have any issues?

 

I had trouble from the beginning. Same issues. Stripped those shitty torx bolts and eventually drilled the heads off the bolts. Had to drop the headliner slightly so I could get the brackets with the bolt stuck in them and replace them with new brackets. Very frustrating and time consuming process but with the right tools not that terrible. If you have to drop the headliner I would recommend getting a trim removal kit off made it way easier

 

There is so much write up on removing the roof rack. I recommend to google search all the info before you remove the roof rack. The key is patients to doing this. You cannot rush this job. I removed my Pro rack and added the black rails and removed them and did the roof rack delete. I had no issues at all. Just giving my opinion without upsetting someone. I did a lot of research before I removed mine.

 

Would removing the roof basket on a 2020/2021 TRD Pro be similar to the video below on removing the rails of a 5th gen 4runr? Same bolt removal procedure?

5th Gen 4 Runner Rack Rail Removal Procedure https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qu7Plf8Leo

Here are two bolts from the video on a non-trd pro 4runr.



I’m assuming the bolts in the picture above go into the same holes in the TRD PRO basket identified by the red arrow below.


These are the bolt retainers/glides that has been noted that can drop into headliner.


These are the rail plugs Toyota sells for the 5th gen 4runr. In description it below it lists to model year 2020. I am assuming they are the same for the TRD Pro. I purchased them to remove my basket at some point in the future. I’m hoping it’s a straightforward process as I would like to have the option to have the roof basket on and off as needed.

 

My condolences. Keep us updated on the headliner as I’m sure others might encounter the same problem but could use your plight/ experience on a quick search.

I wonder why Toyota of NA decided with the torx bolts. Aerodynamics on a brick? Ain’t nobody trying to steal that monstrosity.

 

Sounds like it would be a good idea to have replacement bolts and brackets handy in case things go sideways. Return them if not needed.

 

It’s the same procedure as the Pro roof rack but the difference is Toyota puts red lock tite on the torx head bolts at the port. That’s why you go back and forth with each one with just a little turn.

 

Here is some pics after I removed mine.

 

Another.

 

The best part without. I don’t use the roof rack. Don’t need a roof rack. So much easier to detail and clean the top. Just my opinion.

 

dammit. I was happy with my full flat rack. But that just looks so darn clean now.

well done sir.

 

Thanks Max, Yeah I like it better. After I removed it the wife had to mess with me and she said she liked it better with the roof rack. But I new she was only kidding. If I had use for the rack would have kept it. But being so anal about cleaning my vehicles it is so much easier now.

 

Looks great man. What did you use to finish up the bolt holes?

 

Silicone and did not over tighten bolts. I did not crank them down. I just used my own judgment for how tight. Thanks for the compliment!!

 

There’s some rack delete brackets floating around somewhere that you can cover the bolts with and it looks like one continuous piece of trim. Let me see if I can find them

never mind @MA250 posted them a little ways up.

 

Looks so much better without that obnoxious do nothing rack. I think Toyota only puts that ridiculous monstrosity of a rack on to distinguish it as a Pro! That would be the first mod (de-mod) I would make on the Pro!

 

Aerodynamics is not a hi priory engineering design criteria for a vehicle w

I agree the 4runr looks better to me with it off. There are people in mid west (big sky country) that probably use racks more as the have access to numerous, and extremely large off-roading areas.

 

Had to bring this post back to life!! I see myself doing it again when I get my Pro. Lol.

 

@RusPro17 hahah patience right!? hope you still have the same control of your emotions