2020 Tacoma - Sherpa Grand Teton + Extreme LED (to SPOD SE)

Spent this evening installing a Sherpa Grand Teton Roof Rack w/ 44" Extreme LED X6 Series single row amber/white light bar (connected through an SPOD SE).

A couple things I learned / re-learned:

1. (new) I really like Sherpa's design of using rubber blocks for connecting the rack to the roof (no need for silicon, etc.). Instructions weren't really clear about how to re-install gutter cover, so I called Sherpa - their answer: cut out 4" section for each connection point. It works, and looks fine. Going on a long trip soon; will see if they survive the trip.
2. (new) Sherpa provided brackets for the lightbar (I ordered it with the rack), but they didn't provide instructions. And, there were no instructions on their website. The brackets kind of work with the lightbar -- but the bracket arms which connect to the light bar need to be ~1.5mm longer so the lightbar can rotate past the heads of the bolts which hold it to the rack.
3. (re-learn) The SPOD SE rocks for wiring in accessories. Just cut the wires right before the relays (removes relays, fuse, battery connection, and switches), and wire directly to the SPOD SE (handles up to 30 Amps / connection, so no problem with current). The only "tricky' part was the remaining lightbar wiring harness which had three wires: Blue, White, and Black. As expected, Black was a common ground, but had to play around to figure out that the Blue wire was the positive for the white lights, and the White wire was the positive for the amber lights. For me, blue & black to switch 1; white & black (jumper) to switch 2 -- lets me control white and amber independently.

A little cleanup, and the job was done.

 

I didnt read any of that, but welcome to Tacoma world!

 

I just installed a Sherpa rack myself and I’m about to mount a Plano rifle case to it. Have you found any good t nut bolts that fit well in the channels?

The only thing I’ve seen on here is having to grind down carriage bolts. I can’t find the size on their site either.

 

I ordered a bunch of the Sherpa drop-in T-nuts, and buy whatever length bolt I need at either Home Depot or Ace Hardware. The only "hack" I've had to do is for a water container where I needed a 4 1/2 " long bolt - I ended up cutting off one bolt and using lock-tite into the T-nut (essentially making a t-bolt), then using a turnbuckle between that and a short bolt on the water container. It allowed me to manage the slack more easily.

 

Thanks! I just ordered more from Sherpa. I like that those can be dropped in, way easier than taking off the end caps to slide in.