Roof Rail Installation questions

I'm considering installing roof rails on my 2014 double cab, mainly to use some of the Thule attachments I already have. However: Not knowing what's underneath the roof strips, I'm very nervous about removing them. Will I find open holes into the interior under them; threaded otherwise? Other surprises? I just got finished dealing with a sharkfin leak on the roof that was a nightmare, so if removing a currently perfectly sealed (and dry) rail-strip is going to open up a can of worms and cause a new leak up there, it's not worth the risk to me and I'll move on.
Thanks in advance.

Re: Sharkfin antenna: Don't mess with it, don't touch it, don't talk to it.... don't even look at it! It's mounted with a strange collapsing pressure nut gizmo to seal it that has to be installed by someone with the knowledge and skills of Mr. Spock. It took two tries by the dealer to get it water-tight. Even though it was a used truck, the dealer covered it because it leaked two days after I brought it home in one of those monsoon downpours we kept getting up here this summer in the northeast. It also took two new antennas to fix it. Apparently, you get one try to seal it right and that's it. They had it for over a month. (but they gave me a brand-new loaner to use, so all good) Those antennas are HUGE money too: let's just say if you have to ask the price, you can't afford it. lol

 

You will remove the weather stripping and see painted metal with a sticker or tape-like covering the threaded holes for the roof rack.

It is a very easy install, the screws should seal it without problems but to be safe just make sure you use some sort of silicone sealant with the screws to ensure no leaks with rain. I used 3M Marine Silicone Sealant to ensure salt resistance on mine (canadian).

The screw holes are a direct hole to the headliner so yes there is always potential of leak.

edit: Picture from the webs

 

Under the strip, there are a few bolt holes covered with rubber stickers sealing them. Not much to see without peeling off the sticker. And I don't think the sticker would go back easily and seal. When I installed my Prinsu rack, I added silicone to the bolts to seal them when installed. So I wouldn't mess with them unless you're actually adding a rack. Also, the rubber strip is not really clipped in very good. I added silicone to stick it down during the rack install, so I wouldn't mess with it until you are ready to install something, or it may come off later.

 

Thanks to you both!! I really appreciate it! Great pics. I had a previous vehicle (Volvo) which had threaded bolt holes factory pre-installed in the body just inside the door lips at the top. They were over all four of the doors and were made to work with the Thule gutterless feet attachements. They worked great. My other hesitation is the appearance of the strips: (not surprised) On my truck they have weathered some and have taken on a "wood-grained" look in the the plastic. I was worried they wouldn't survive the removal. One even has a small hair-line crack at the front where it meets the windshield. Does the rack kit come with new strips? Thanks again.

 

I think the OEM rack replaces the weatherstrip so you shouldn't need them, but I do not have experience with it, just going purely off the pictures I've seen.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oem-roof-rack-installed.215764/

 

I don't think any of the roof racks include a replacement strip. The Prinsu instructions says to punch holes or cut out a portion of the strip where the bolts line up. I have read where others have just left the stip out entirely. Once a rack is on, it's not very visible and would be fine without the strip. At least with something like a Prinsu or other rack with solid side rails.

 

For the OEM rack the 6 inches of weatherstripping all the way in the back that goes down to the window…. I’ve tucked it in to the seal above the back window but the mid section of it is coming up a bit. I need to re glue it but was wondering if there is any risk of a leak by not having that piece tightly adhered to the channel? I don’t think there will be but wanted to pose to anyone who has experience with this rack and the roof channels in general.