Prinsu Access Cab Install

Knocked mine out a few weeks ago! Slowly getting my build back on track, excuse the lean need to get my AAL tossed in. Need to get my new faring ordered for my light install. I will say dropping the headliner was a must!

 

What has everyone done for their weather stripping? I would like to cut a whole and just overlay it on the spacers if possible. If you've done it, I would be interested in how.

Thanks,
Orin

 

Your truck is the only 3rd gen I have seen in this thread. How close were your holes to air bags? I'd like to know what issues I might run into when I go to install on my 2017.

 

I recently installed the Prinsu on my 2021 3rd gen Access cab.
A couple notes:
- I place my front hole 7-1/8” back from the weatherstripping on the windshield.
- I dropped and removed the headliner from the truck. (I added Noico sound dampening after the Prinsu install)
- 6 out of 10 of the supplied bolts were not long enough to reach the threads of the supplied rivnuts thru the sheet metal. I purchased 1/4” longer stainless steel bolts from Home Depot - problem solved.
- I used a lot of drill bits! Many folks have recommended using stepped drill bits. I found that they are too long and will make contact with the airbag if used to the diameter needed to install the rivnut.
- I didn’t count on making so many metal shavings. Save yourself lots of cleanup and use a drop sheet in the cab to catch them.
- I locked a pair of vise grips to each rivnut to prevent them spinning until they seated themselves.
- It took me most of a weekend including sound dampening.

Really liking the rack. I’m glad that the install is behind me though.

 

Currently have open holes in my roof and am finding I'm two riv-nuts and two spacers short. Storms are coming, no one local sells. Anyone know the exact size so I can order online and hope I don't have an open roof all weekend?

 

No clue what Prinsu sends you, but these are the ones I bought from McMaster since I got my rack second hand.
And sorry I don’t know the spacer, maybe just measure one and make sure it is 1/4” diameter?

 

The rivnuts are up to you. I believe prinsu used to supply m6 rivnuts and bolts, but that was before the cbi purchase so I’m not sure what they’re supplying now. You can honestly use any rivnut you want as long as you use the corresponding hardware. Your OCD may or may not bother you knowing that you have mismatched hardware but it will function and can be considered a permanent install. The spacers are a dofferent story. In my experience, they’re harder to find locally but I believe they’re 1” thick.

 

What a pain in the ass. The drilling and mounting of the roof rack was the easiest part. Just measure, measure, measure again, and measure one last time. The horrible part was dropping the headliner and airbags, then putting it back up. Definitely drop the headliner, the airbags are so close, you’ll hit them even if you’re careful. Like stated by other people, start with a punch, then a small drill bit and go up a couple of sizes, then go up a couple more, then a couple of more, the final size should be 3/8. Going up in sizes did give more control then going from small drill bit to 3/8. I didn’t go through many drill bits. I did use quality drill bits so that helped. I also used Seam Sealer instead of silicon. Figured it would hold up better, we’ll see. This took me about 6-7hrs. I did add the Cali 42inch bar, that took a little less than a hour. I did the light bar the next day bc I was so tired. Overall it looks great, again a pain in the ass. I was cursing Toyota the entire time that they didn’t put mounts in the Access Cab. I’ll post photos soon.

 

Keep some 1” gorilla tape on hand so if the job gets interrupted you won’t have to worry. Basically high quality duct tape. Since I dropped the headliner anyway I used SS washers and nylocs along with sealant.

 

looking forward to this when I add a rack...! But still glad you did it yourself?

 

Well I’m in Southern California and just bought a 23. It’s safe to say I’m not the most mechanically inclined. Are your services still available?