I recently bought a 4Runner with a ski rack installed. As the holidays are coming up I wanted to remove the rack so that I can go out and buy a Christmas tree.

I spent about 30 minutes looking at the ski rack from every angle before I realized that I must be an idiot and didn't know how to take it off. I then went and got my father-in-law who is more experienced with ski racks in general (he's a Pathfinder owner who is now very jealous of my 4Runner). He spent another 30 minutes looking at the rack before coming to the conclusion that we must both be idiots.

The ski rack is made (or at least branded) by Toyota and it has no identifying marks (part number, model name, etc). Does anybody know how to remove these?

Thanks in advance.

what kidn fo ski rack? are they the ones that mount to the rail system on the 4runners?

if they are they usually have a screw under the ski rack. I suggest you take a picture or you can check out yakima website they have instructions for generic ski/snowboard carrier.

The ski rack does mount on the cross rails. I did find a screw that I *think* I need to loosen. The problem there is that it is covered by a plastic tab. I can't see any obvious method of removing the plastic tab. I'll take some pictures tonight and post them in the morning.

In the meanwhile I'll follow your suggestion and look at Yakima's website.


Thanks for the reply.

I couldn't post pictures yesterday because my card reader wasn't working.

So here are (belated) pictures.

This picture best shows the screw that keeps the ski rack on. As you can see it is covered by a black piece of plastic. I can not get the plastic to move, but I think that is key in removing the rack. Also note the screw on the far side, the plastic covering is angled up, and not flat like the one in the foreground. It still doesn't move.



Another angle of the same thing.


The other side of the rack.




Here's a shot with the ski rack open. I couldn't see anything in there to release the rack.

Another note. I looked through Yakima's website. Their ski racks look different than the one I have.

Thule's looked more like mine, but their bracketing system looked different.

Does anybody know who actually makes Toyota's ski racks?