The PRINSU How To Thread

I am seriously considering the Prinsu cab rack for my 2013 DCSB Tacoma. $700 is not too bad, and I think I want the cut out for the 40" light bar. Spending $1000+ on a 40" light bar seems crazy. What other options are there? Should I skip the 40" light bar cut out, and just mount some cheap LEDs someplace else on the rack or elsewhere? Does anyone have a source for a more affordable 40" light bar that is compatible with the Prinsu rack? Will the Prinsu light bar mounts work with any other 3rd party cheap 40" light bar out there?

 

@Lineback For a more budget friendly LED setup, have a look at @CaliRaisedLed. If I recall, they have the mount adapter and a nice single row LED bar that will fit nicely. That's the route I plan to go someday, when I'm ready to change my current setup.

 

I think I am going to go with the Prinsu rack, no light cut outs, and then just bolt on 1 cheap light bar to the front and a bunch of cheap light pods to the sides and rear... kind of like the truck Will Smith used in I Am Legend

 

Now I see @CaliRaisedLed , wow.... yeh, I need to do more research

 

Here what the Caliraised looks like. This is a 32” on top and in the bumper. I got an older Prinsu when they had option for the 32” but I think now all you can get is the 40” cutout.
Honestly if you have to choose, go with the bumper light, if it’s foggy or raining, the roof light will reflect off the water droplets right back into your eyes. It’s not blinding but the glare does reduce the reason for having the light

 

the main/only reason I need a roof rack is to 1) carry a canoe 2)mount lights and tools and gear 3)look cool , I think I will go with no light cut out and just mount lights all over the place

 

Anyone have any recommended T-Nuts that they use for their Prinsu? Mounting the rotopax plate my only option at this moment is carriage bolts coming UP into the plate, but that isn't Ideal because they rub on the tanks.

 

You can buy shorter bolts or cut them

 

These are the best option but at a buck each gets expensive quickly. But, compared to price of the Prinsu, why go cheap on the T-Nuts

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...nbolt-crossbars-or-drill-access-holes.503835/

 

Anybody have long term feedback on how the awning is holding up when attached directly to the side plates on the Prinsu? Specifically those who used a combination of washers, nylon locking nuts and spacers. I'm preparing to order an ARB awning and would like to mount it directly to the side without using any brackets. I barely fit in the garage as is so I would like to have the top of the awning flush with the top of the crossbars, without any rubbing against the body.

 

After reading through 25 pages of this thread, I'm SO thankful you posted this. My Prinsu is on order and I have been using the exact same Malone rack on my Golf R. It's been working great (for the price). Just didn't know if it would fit on the Prinsu bars, but now I can just swap it over.

 

Installation is a little bit of a balancing act and mind the length of the mounting bolts so you don't risk scratching the roof. That said, it should mount right up. I've added some under-hood mounting hoops for my front line, which will boost my confidence on highway toting.

 

What's being used to hold the rear wheel down in the mountain bike pictures?

 

I need ideas on what to mount to my Prinsu.... Already have a Plano mounted.

 

Solar panel max track water port another plano awning axe shovel? RTT side pod lights leveling stick lightbar

 

Well looks like I’ve got my work cut out for me. Axe&shovel are already mounted to the bed though. Are XBulls any good as recovery tracks?

 

Yes! any recovery board works well! Better than nothing HAHAHA!!!

 

each kayak rack is bolted on with 1/4x20 1-3/4in stainless bolts (qty: 6 per holder, 24 total).

I ordered the t-nuts from TNUTZ.COM
I ordered the bolts from McMaster-Carr

 

So I ordered my Prinsu cab rack today. Prinsu wanted to charge me $75 for ground shipping, but RoofTopOverland offered free shipping for about the same price, and then after I placed my order I called and found out that RTO has the part shipped from Prinsu anyway, lol , so yeh free shipping hooray. I elected to order the wind deflector without the lightbar cut out , and I plan to mount some cheap LED pods all over the top, and keep most of my light up front below the hood line. I have do alot of 4wheeling in the dense woods, and roof top spot lights never work as good as lower mounted bumper lights for the trail, I really do prefer all my light to be as low as possible, maybe thats just me but I find it easier to navigate that way. And, dang those big light bars are so crazy expensive.