PrInSu Design Studio Roof Racks BS Thread

2-3 hours with a buddy and lots of BSing.

Measure for the holes, use a hole punch (DO NOT DRILL), reinstall the weatherstripping, install the side rails first (leave them a little loose, install the front most and rear most crossbars and tighten down the side rails for good. Install the remaining crossbars and fairing and you're done.

 

Do not drill bc, of the metal strip in there etc it'll just tear and twist and not get a clean hole? And when you say punch a hole like a hollow punch? What all is needed for that, just the hollow punch or do you need a press or some extra tool? and what size hole punch?

Thanks

 

Look at the bottom of this page. Youll see all the products people have linked in this thread. Hole punch on Amazon you need is right in that list

Otherwise you should just need a BFH, and some work surface you dont care about like a 2x4. Also doing it on the ground/concrete/asphalt (vs a workbench) is supposed to work better.

 

Ah Thanks a bunch did not know thread items could be and were linked down there. I see it, just wasn't 100% on how they worked but I see now, hammer, holed puncher, bang bang

 

I used a drill (I'm sure a punch is better)....i just used a brand new sharp paddle bit. But yeah...a punch would be better.

 

For the metal strip, take a Dremel to the metal strip where you need to make the punch, take a fresh razor blade to cut the rubber between the underside of the weatherstripping and before the metal strip starts and then make the punch.

Do not punch it until the metal strip is removed.

 

This is exactly what I did. Mark the stripping for the holes while it's still on the vehicle, remove & cut the "T-Shaped" rubber channel on the underside of the weatherstripping with a box cutter, then dremel the metal that's exposed. 5 Holes each side. It's a very time consuming process, especially when you take the proper effort to mark the weatherstripping to insure you're making the holes in the right location. The 3/4" punch is the exact size of the OD of the Prinsu spacer, so the process isn't very forgiving if you don't punch in the exact right spot.

Take your time and do it right. It's definitely worth it.

 

This.

I would definitely make sure you give yourself enough time. After work might not be the best option @Manbun525

If time is not on your side when you decide to do this, you will rush it and the end result will not be favorable.

 

What if you're a #RandyFab deciple? But more so along the lines of Dopey, one of the 7 dwarfs?

 

Also, on the first page of this thread are all sorts of links to anything Prinsu including this Hole Punch post:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...f-racks-bs-thread.317754/page-18#post-8670146

Just wanted to help/add to what others have already said.

 

SOL?

 

Lots of help all, just prepping myself to get it done as smoothly as possible, one last question, I plan on just going to lowes with one of the star bolts to see what fits, but does anybody know ahead of time what size star bit the bolts are? They shoulda def came with a bit.

I see I believe its T30

 

I was going to say T25 or T30 IIRC

 

Rack is on, I had like 2-3 holes about 1/4-1/2" off so the black weather strip bunched up in the middle, will take each side off separately and the holes that are slightly off I will cut into a more oval shape so the weather strip can shift over into place.

All in all not a bad install, once I get it tidied up and light bar installed ill post pics.

When in comes to the light bar also, how do yall run the wiring? Down the windshield, into engine bay, hook up to battery, then run switch through firewall into left cab switch area. Does that little left switch area, (in third gen) where the rear window button is and bed light etc, does that just pop off, I don't wanna force anything and break a clip. Do you just pop the whole panel out then I have 1 blank button space, remove that and replace with my light bar button.

Car electronics are not my strong suit

 

Correct. Down the a-pillar drip channel

 

does anyone know at the highest point of the rack from the roof how much height does this add?

 

Anyone have to use extra washers Between the topper rails and prinsu feet to help level the rack out? Before I had the washer the rack was pulling up on the rails causing leaks. Still have a little pull but not as bad. Took out the rail screws re-siliconed and put the washers on and haven’t had any leaks since, just curious if anyone else has had to do the same.

 

Lots of people have issues with the feet pulling up the tracks. Most people stack washers, but not how you did it. Instead they stack them on the outside two carriage bolts that attach to the cross bars. Which requires longer carriage bolts for those outside attaching points depending on how many you need to stack.

 

I’ll try and grab some pics if I remember but yeah I ran the wiring down the windshield (there’s a pretty perfect size channel my wire fit in) then yeah go through the firewall and on that left side you can use a plastic trim tool to pop out just the panel that has the small cubby and 3-4 switches including the blank. I think there are 4 to 6 plastic clips along the sides

 

Thanks for the info, I will search around the form and try to find pictures of where people did that. Sounds like it could look cleaner.