Roof Racks

5393 Views 16 Replies 6 Participants Last post by captainbarred, Apr 16, 2009

captainbarred

Discussion Starter · Apr 11, 2009

2

Been wanting roof racks for a long time and now I am going to be hauling a couple 11 ft. kyaks so I think its time to buy...

Been looking at the different options, toyota factory, Yakima, Thule, etc....

And man... for using them only a few times a year, they are pricey!!!

$300 for a kit from a good company like Yakima or Thule... ouch!

In any case, looking at my truck roof, I see that I have the rubber inserts, and was wondering if anyone aside from toyota made a non-drilling mount that would sit in those slots.(see pics)

What is a decent yet still relatively affordable non-drilling method for installing roof racks?

Am I paranoid over nothing with the drilling? I don't mind them being permanent...

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Larzzzz

· #2 · Apr 11, 2009

Yes, mounting holes are under the pieces of tape.

captainbarred

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 11, 2009 (Edited)

I didn't even notice the tape before :lol:

How do you get at it from the inside? just remove the handles and peel back the panneling?

Any ideas if that only works with the factory Tacoma roof rack or with anything else?

Anyone have a link to the installation directions fo the factory roof rack system?

ETA - Hey, I found the directions... looks like its outside work only.... gotta read through it again though....

for anyone interested... http://www.toyotapart.com/installation/PT278-35055.pdf

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hsracer201

· #4 · Apr 11, 2009

thanks CB. i'm not trying to copy you or anything but i'm getting some of these soon as well. with fishing season right around the corner i'm gonna have the canoe on top of the truck 3 days at week at least. plus i'm getting 2 kayaks in late may from a couple that is moving out of state.

i'm curious to see which ones you go with and please show pics of the install. thanks bro. :thumb:

captainbarred

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 11, 2009

Will do my friend.

I am hitting ebay hunting for used parts, I think I can get the full Thule system used for a decent price. I just need to figure out what length bars I need.

If I don't do that, I will likely get the factory kit. I am definately getting a box in the next month or two. the truck accessories add up fast!!!!

toku58

· #6 · Apr 11, 2009

Yeah! Do a nice write up with good pictures and I will add it to the DIY sticky!

murdock1084

· #7 · Apr 11, 2009

Correct me if I am wrong but I believe Oakleytrd was and possibly still is selling his Thule setup for a DC on the for sale forum. I would def hit him up and check.

xedge

· #8 · Apr 12, 2009

2

Here is an option. Post #13 in this thread show how the op modded his roof strips, added a tk1 fit kit, towers, load bars.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211687&highlight=rack

I have a Thule rack for my two 12' Wilderness System Pungo Kayaks thats been on my truck since 2007. The load bars are 58" & J-Hulls due the wide keel on the pungos. The whole system has held up to winter & power car washes & boats stay put at 75+ highway speeds. Just watch out for low clearance spots like motels, drivethru banks, parking garages when the hull attachments are up there

Here's a pic

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captainbarred

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 12, 2009

That looks great Xedge.

Oakly suggested craigslist, and I actually found a few kits that may work. Most are 50in bars though so i'll need to sell/trade them for longer ones, and need the mounting kit... but can still get away a bit cheaper I think...

The factory taco rails are tempting as they rotate and fold down when not in use, but the thules and yakimas are a lot more heavy duty...

Larzzzz

· #10 · Apr 12, 2009

captainbarred said:
I didn't even notice the tape before :lol:

How do you get at it from the inside? just remove the handles and peel back the panneling?

Any ideas if that only works with the factory Tacoma roof rack or with anything else?

Anyone have a link to the installation directions fo the factory roof rack system?

ETA - Hey, I found the directions... looks like its outside work only.... gotta read through it again though....

for anyone interested... http://www.toyotapart.com/installation/PT278-35055.pdf

It's all done from the outside. I installed the factory roof racks and they came with everything you need, including little donuts to seal around the holes when you cut the tape. Just run your finger over the tape and you can feel the depression where the,"nut" is. It takes all of 45 minutes to install the factory racks.

captainbarred

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 12, 2009

Larzzzz said:
It's all done from the outside. I installed the factory roof racks and they came with everything you need, including little donuts to seal around the holes when you cut the tape. Just run your finger over the tape and you can feel the depression where the,"nut" is. It takes all of 45 minutes to install the factory racks.

They seem decent quality-wise?

Any problems/complaints with them. I like the Thule system, but the factory ones are nice with how they swivel to be lower drag and sleeker looking...

Can you tell me where you got them. Cheapest I can find them is about $240 shipped.

thanks again.

Larzzzz

· #12 · Apr 12, 2009

captainbarred said:
They seem decent quality-wise?

Any problems/complaints with them. I like the Thule system, but the factory ones are nice with how they swivel to be lower drag and sleeker looking...

Can you tell me where you got them. Cheapest I can find them is about $240 shipped.

thanks again.

I got them for Christmas back in 06. I assume that my wife got them at the dealer. The reason I wanted them was to protect my roof when loading a 32' extension ladder on my Thule X-Sporter racks. They also stay on the truck, so I don't have to install/ remove them or find them in my garage when I need them. Not to mention that the hook clips used on Xedge's rack could scratch the paint. No complaints thus far

captainbarred

Discussion Starter · #13 · Apr 12, 2009

Good to know. Thanks for the info brother.
Whatever i put on will likely never come off.

I see that the Thule and Yakima say your supposed to remove in the car wash....
I think I would be too lazy to do so :lol:

captainbarred

Discussion Starter · #14 · Apr 12, 2009

1 final question Larzzzz,

Do you need the adaptor kit for the factory taco racks in order to be able to attach something like a kyak J rack?

Larzzzz

· #15 · Apr 13, 2009

I can't answer that question. I don't kayak, way to hard to land a Blue fish in a kayak.......LOL. There are eyes inside the racks that you can tie to though.

captainbarred

Discussion Starter · #16 · Apr 13, 2009

Gotcha. Thanks man.

I did a little more looking around and found a few "universal" mounts that should work.

Looks like the adaptor runs cross bars.

captainbarred

Discussion Starter · #17 · Apr 16, 2009

well, I just ordered the OEM kit from toyotapartspeople.com - that was the cheapest I could find it at $240 shipped.

Got some more D rings as well as I am pretty sure I am gunna put a tool box in thus blocking the extra ones I had installed against the front of the bed. I'll be sure to do a write-up on the dealing with the company as well as a walk through of installation(though everything I read said its super easy...

My list is getting shorter :lol:

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