OEM Roof Rack Removal?

When I bought my truck the dealer had the oem roof rack installed on it. I'm not a big fan of the way it looks. Can it be taken off, or was it drilled when installed? Thanks for any help

 

I'm not positive, but I think the holes are present on all trucks... I'm interested in the rack if you remove it...

I've heard that all I have to do to add the rack is to remove the trim pieces and the holes are already there... Maybe some others can shed some light on the subject...

We might be able to swap your rack for my trim pieces...

 

At this point I'm not interested in getting rid of the roof rack. I'm wondering if I were to remove it, would it be the same way it was before it was installed? Thanks

 

I believe wether or not a tacoma came with the roof rack, that they all have the threaded holes already drilled into them for mounting one. Of course we are only talking about the double cab models here. If you remove yours, you would probably want to get the drip channel trim strips and clips that hold them in place. There is probably some sort of rubber plug or similar that goes in the threaded holes where the rack mounting hardware once was. You may be able to find them used or new for sure from the dealership, ebay, etc. I saw a post on here earlier that said the trim pieces and clips that go in the place of you removed roof rack are $140 new from the dealership.

 

The previous posters are all on the right track.....All of the DC's come with the mount holes pre tapped under the drip channels.When you install the rack,you remove the drip channels and the holes are under a layer of tape.You cut the tape to expose the holes,and the front plastic clips that retain the drip channel are snapped off with a screwdriver.My thought is that when you remove your rack,cover the holes with a strip of duct tape so that the holes are not permenently disabled for future use.In the front,you can either buy new clips to re-install the channels or use silicon to secure it down.

 

I am going to remove my OEM roof rack this weekend. It sounds pretty straight forward. I plan on using silicone at the front and back to secure the drip channel trim strips. Any pitfalls I may encounter?

 

sounds like you may want to plug the threaded holes where rack was bolted down, not sure if the drip strip is going to keep water out 100%

 

This, to install the oem roof rack you had to remove or poke holes in the waterproof tape that was covering the threaded holes. Either fill those holes up with silicone or use some waterproof foam tape and you'll be set.

 

that's what I figured. I never removed the factory tape.

 

I actually installed a set on my truck. The rivnuts are there and on mine were covered with the stickers that have the vin number on the doors, tailgate, etc. They were put on before paint if I remember correctly

 

I'm looking at a 2015 Tacoma double cab that has the factory roof racks (which I would want to remove). I noticed that a portion of the rack sits on the roof next to the channels - Is there an impression left behind on the paint when you remove them ?

 

Yes. Follow these instructions in reverse: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oem-roof-rack-install.126753/

 

If anyone wants to get rid of their OEM roof rack im interested. Just putting that out there.

 

When I removed the oem roof rack, I filled the holes with silicone and further covered them with mastic electric tape. Been a couple months and some heavy downpours no issues.

You may find that in addition to the ditch mouldings that you'll want to grab a couple of the clips for the front. They are damaged or removed as part of the installation.

TOYOTA\LEXUS\SCION 7556102020 GENUINE OEM DRIP MOLDING CLIP

https://www.ebay.com/itm/162269982371

 

Anyone remove and replace the OEM rack with a different rack?

If so, are there any direct bolt on's or will there be mods required?

 

Yes it can be removed. If you aren't installing new rack, then put silicone around the holes then put waterproof tape. Then install weatherstrips in. If you plan to install alternative rack such as Prinsu, you can install in the threaded holes. Make sure to use silicone before you put spacers in for Prinsu rack.

 

Thanks for the reply, I'm looking to replace the rack with something heavier. With the replacement rack like the prisnu, would I need the new weather strips or leave as is?

 

Up to you. If you install the rack, you can place the strips between the spacers. Or you can drill holes in the strips for spacers in. Which you can see it in video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7g1rGOQqJU

You can even leave the strips out in case you plan to sell the truck and take the rack off then install the strips in. Like I said, up to you.