Do I really need my Weatherstrips?

Hello, long time lurker, first question that I haven’t seen already answered...I think. A while ago the roof weather strip came from my 18 Tacoma and I haven’t bothered to replace it since the factory holes were already sealed with the rubber piece that gets painted. I recently Installed a Prinsu Rack and used silicone around the washer as well as in the hole before bolting it down to keep it water resistant. Is this enough? I suppose I should have asked before doing it but I got so excited to install it. So I guess my question is, do I really need that weatherstrip? How well does it ACTUALLY keep water out? I want to keep this truck as long as possible and don’t want to have to worry about rust. I live where it doesn’t rain much, but i do like trips to the snow and i do like to take the truck on a lot of road trips.

Thanks ahead of time

 

You don’t need them, they don’t seal anything. They’re a cosmetic cover for the drip channels. I took mine off right after buying the truck.

 

Oh okay, thanks.

Whats the point of the drip channels? Why not just not have them and water will flow over the side?

 

Water would land on you and in your truck.

It's also a nice area to hide things like body seams or vinyl wrap ends.

 

They prevent water from falling directly into an open window or open door as you’re getting on the vehicle. Similar to gutters on a house- they redirect the majority of the water.

 

Oh okay thanks. Thanks for the replies fellas. I feel a little better about it all now.

 

Why would you take them off it looks horrid without them .

 

I hole punched mine, but you can just section it off if easier to you.

 

I have a black truck and a roof rack. You can’t notice they’re gone unless I point it out to you. It shows a lot more on light colored trucks though.

 

can i have yours?

OP was told in the AZ for sale thread they are just cosmetic. I just noticed my driver side is missing.

 

Sold them a long time ago.

 

I don't have one of them. That was the point. One of mine blew off at some point and I think it would look silly with just 1 and didn't want to spend $100 on another from Toyota If I diddnt need to