factory roof rack help

just wondering if anyone knows the dimensions of the factory roof rack...dimensions like: distance between the two bars(not when stowed), the width of the crossbar(not from one end to the other, but front to back), and lastly, the thickness of the bars. i appreciate any help. this stuff is impossible to find online.

 

Here is one listed on eBay. It looks like it is from a dealer, so you may be able to call them and get the info you are looking for.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Part...adiZ2865QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item230252774599&

 

ok, so i have cleared up two of the questions i had. now i only need to know how far appart the two crossbars are on the factory rack, while they are not stowed. any help is great! i even called the dealer and they couldn't go out and measure one for me because they only put racks on the trucks after someone has baught the truck and wants a rack.

 

I am actually going to stay away from the "factory bars" and get a thule or yakima to mount on either my snugtop shell or on the Tacoma's cab. I called Toyota and got info that the factory bars can only hold 60 lbs.. Not even 2 kayaks..

 

what kind are you looking at? i just don't like the one that clips in at the door, because last time i had one of those it rubbed the paint off, even with the rubber pads.

 

Actually going to go down to the kayak shop after work and talk things over. The guy did suggest the clip in model, and when I said I didn't want that, he asked why. I said it was for astetics and he agreed.. I am looking at either Thule or Yakima and trying to utilize the channels that are on the D-cab for a track of some sort. I do like the "look" of having the racks on the shell, but price will play a role as I haul kayaks maybe every 2-4 months...(nothing serious).. A Snugtop dealer here quoted me between $415 and $465 (installed) for the thule system on top of the shell.. I am also thinking of one rail on top of the cab and buying a "goal post" for the hitch.. yes that means you can't bring down the tailgate while in use, but if it is the cheaper way to go.. Like I said I don't use it all that often..

Will post later tonight when I get info from the store..

 

thanks, that would be great. i have a kayak, but i usually just strap it down in the bed (it's not a nice wooden one that can get damaged like that)i wish i had one like that. but anyways, let me know what you find out about roof racks. i'm more interested in that because i have to for my bikes

 

I looked at my Toyota Roof Rack glove box card that's included in the instructions and it said 100 lbs. max.

 

Options just got really low.. The kayak guy told me about the "factory" rails, and that (to his knowledge) toyota will not mount one if not ordered direct from the factory. This is because of the way that it is mounted and the prep and clean-up of the drilling areas to warranty against rust and such.
Here are my options for a tacoma D-cab L-bed (with snugtop shell)
1. Channel mounts - in the door
2. Attach a fixed point rail or attach a rail to the cab (not suggested by the store)
3. Fixed point or track system mounted on the camper.
4. Having one rail somewhere on the truck/shell, and using a "goal post" attached to the trailer hitch to act as the second rail..

Seems like I am going to go with #3. I will pay a little more to go with the track system to give me a little more flexability...

If you have an open bed, I do like the thule Xsporter. Just took it off my truck when I got the shell. With the short-bed you may not be able to bring down the front all the way... most people I see just take the crossbar out when not in use..

 

On my last truck, I had a track system on my cap like the one you are talking about which worked great for my kayaks.

On the tacoma DC, I mounted XT towers w/ crossbars & added a fairing. I keep the rack system up year round & have had no issues even on many long distance trips. It works great for the size & types of kayaks I use.

What kind of kayaks do you have & what hull attachments you plan on using? With the J-Hulls I can sandwich 3 12' kayaks up there, but usually its just two of them like in the pic. The hull attachments come off when not needed. Post some pics of your set-up when complete.

 

xedge, those pictures are great. i just came back from the store with a brand new rack for my 07 dc. i looked at your pictures, and it looks like i got the same thing as you (minus the kayaks). how do you like the fairing? was the wind noise bad without it/did it cut the noise down much? i haven't driven the truck yet with the rack on.

 

The rack makes no noise at all with the fairing. It costs like $50 bucks but is worth imo. The whole system has withstood the Vermont winter & many touchless carwashes . No noise either. Also, I put a tape over the empty lock cylinder socket above my driver door (electical tape) because I do not have the lock option and the spot did whistle slightly. The tape stopped that too.

Did you get the track system and cab towers or what? Post some pics, I love this rack setup big time.

 

Chris4x4... thanks for the info.. was going off what one of the sales people told me at the store.. Didn't lift up that rubber molding on top of the cab to see what is under there..

Has anyone lifted up the rubber and see holes?

I do like the look of the shell mounted though..


Edge.. We are in the market to buy a 2 man cobra or scrambler, and up to now rent maybe every 2-3 months..

How long have you had the gutter mount? How is the rubbing?

 

Been mounted on the truck for over a year with no rubbing issues. I clayed, polished & waxed the mounting area & made sure the rubber tower feet were clean by using a product called Just Once which is like 303. I do an inspection everytime I put anything up there plus check the tower tension regularly. I do know what you mean for I had the same set up on an older tacoma that I took off and on & it rubbed horribly. That is why I just keep it up there.

They do compress your weatherstripping inside the door but nothing has leaked for over a year in any of the 4 doors.


I do know over at Toyota Nation or maybe it was here where a member pulled up the rubber strips and mounted yakima towers I believe to the factory holes. I really didn't want to go that route or the factory rack so my trade off was the Thule setup. I am very happy
with it.

Oh yeah, I wanted to add that the XT towers actually have a litte lip on them that fit nicely into the factory strip rubber channel on top which hold the tower much more secure than more old tower setup. Its not like the tower is just sitting flush on the roof. The channel gives it a much more secure feeling if that makes sense to ya.

 

I got the exact same system you have, just without the fairing. i did some highway driving yesterday and today though, and the noise was prety loud. loud enough to almost drown out my flowmaster (which is not a good thing), so it looks like i'll be buying a fairing soon. it once i get my final bike rack and everything set up on it i'll post some pics.

 

OEM rack kept in the stowed position with Yakima Railgrab towers is awesome! This is an old post but let me know if you want pictures