HELP... OEM Roof "Rack" Crossbars

Need some insight from you pros!!

Has anyone removed the Factory Roof Rack?
What can I expect as far as how to take it off, and if there is weather stripping there?

I've got a Prinsu on order, and want to have everything ready to go when it comes in.
So do I need to purchase weather stripping?

 

Take a look at your roof rack on top and you'll see it's just a few bolts to undo. Undo it, and toss in the prinsu!

 

Cool. I did notice a few by looking. I was hoping there wasn't any hiding. Looks easy enough...

Prinsu won't be in for a few weeks... .
Really didn't want to take off the Factory bars until it comes in, but I was hoping someone has done it already and had some insight as far as the weather stripping goes.

Thanks for the feedback so far.

 

Yep, no problem!! I'd just leave the factory bars in for now personally until the prinsu shows up. I believe you're right in there's no weather stripping and it shouldn't be a problem running without it, but I'll let someone else chime in.

 

Two weather strips get removed when the factory rack is installed unless your 16 is different than 2nd gens under there.

 

Interested in this as well. The wife and I bought ours with the factory rack already on it, dealer said they'd throw it in for free if we bought the truck. Neither of us are crazy about it, and i've been considering taking it off for a while.

 

I believe you need new weather strips for the roof, which you will then punch holes through to accommodate the prinsu rack. Weather strips get removed to install oem racks.

 

Thanks everyone for their insight.
Very much appreciated.

 

I'll give you what you paid plus shipping.

 

Damn.... You beat me too it.

I'll give you what you paid for it (dealer threw it in for free) plus shipping.

 

I just installed the factory rack yesterday. First step is remove the weather stripping completely on both sides. You won't have anything under your rack except the empty channel and 5 holes per side in your roof. Ideally I would think putting new weather stripping in first and then punching through for the 5 bolts per side would be the cleanest look, but I haven't read the Tacoma instructions or tips for the Prinsu.

Good luck and let us know how you like it! I was fearful of wind noise that drove me nuts on the Baja Flat rack on my 4Runner so kept things simple this time but prefer the look of at least something on the roof.

EDIT: As far as removal, remove the bolt holding the cross bars on first on each side. This will then give you access to the front two bolts per side holding the rack to the front bracket.

Following that, remove the back three bolts per side (1 middle, 2 rear) and rack will pop off once you unsnap the front yellow plastic clip at front bracket and free the tape at the rear just above back window.

Now remove the two bolts holding the front bracket on per side and you are officially removed at this point.

Do be aware, you will have fives open holes that will leak until you either seal them or install the Prinsu.

 

Thanks @be77solo . Great info.

I've looked around ebay, with no luck.
Anyone know where to find this weather stripping/channel or where to get a part number?

 

The stock weather stripping is 2 pieces per side: the main front piece and then a shorter piece at the back that curves down and tucks under the rear window rubber. If pics would help I can snap one. I'd offer to send you mine but still haven't ruled out a Prinsu myself down the road ha.

Have you downloaded the instructions from he Prinsu Design website? It might address this, not sure. I've only researched the 4Runner rack with already had the weather stripping on the vehicle.