OEM Tonneau cover issue with Thule Xsporter Pro

First off let me say I loved the OEM cover UNTIL I went to install my Thule Xsporter Pro that I used on my 2012 Taco. Purchased the new Thule adapters (XK4) needed as the new bed rail/tracks are slightly different.

The OEM rack has these "pins" which hold down the cover.



This pic show the Thule XK4 adapter that slides down the rail. OH NO, the pins are in the way!!!

So there is a solution BUT it's really painful.
1. Remove cover (easy)
2. Remove plastic bedrail caps (great plastic tabs that can probably break, don't really like this)
3. Remove plastic covers over pins (easy)
4. Remove bolts securing pins. (this should be easy....oh no)

These bolts have torx heads. No problem, I have a full Snap-on setup. Well, some of these bolts where so tight I ended up stripping the head just enough on 2 of them that i am screwed. No Thule going on the truck! Grrrrrrrrrr

I'll have to order some replacement bolts and I'm going to make the dealer screw out the stripped bolts as he put the cover on when I purchased the truck in September.

What a crazy issue.
This is what it should look like now (the 2012 Taco).

 

So you removed the pegs?

Also, what is the lowest bar height possible? It appears that the rear wheel wells prevent lowering that bar more than a few inches. Is the cross bar still above the cab at the lowest position?

Thanks