2010 TE Crossbars issues

[GabrielM]

Hi guys, I've bought my 4Runner back in july and since then I have an issue with my factory crossbars. Here's the breakdown:

• 2010 Canadian TE
• Factory roof rack
• Factory crossbars
• Both crossbar are the same length
• Both crossbar have the word Front on them

The issue is that I cannot move the rear crossbars all the way to the back, it get stuck in the middle has the roof rails are not parallel (they shouldn't be) but the cross bar just cannot fit between the. The PO told me that he never used them as he had a Thule setup over the roof rails.

I've unbolt the roof rails, trying to get them apart, but with a slight improvement only.

I've read countless threads without finding anyting useful. Even some poster in this thread are saying that the have a front and rear crossbar (written on them) or both Front and some have same length crossbars or others have different length crossbars. I'm really confuse about this, I even went to the dealer and the part guy didn't have a clue and cannot find any info in his system.

Any clues or confirmed information about the crossbars lenght will be appreciated.

I've measured the distance between the roof rails at the rear and they are about 39" apart. The red line is the maximum position I can go or it will lift/pry the roof rails from the roof itself(This is not my truck BTW).

 

[oljedi11950]

Rack bars are same length , front means they must face fwd because they only fit in the slide bracket that way ! They are a little finicky on sliding so as loose as possible & push in the middle . If that doesn't do it well no clue ? I'm not familiar with TE racks there might be a stop on there but I don't think so .

 

[Vrrooom]

While on the subject, I installed mine on a 2015 and the rear bar won't tighten. I tighten the wingnut as much as possible but you can easily slide the bar.

On installation I let the Allen bolts loose, put the bars on the rails, positioned them, tighten the Allen bolts and then tried to tighten the wingnut. Front bar is nice and tight... The rears not so much.

Don't mean to hijack but I think they're related on the proper way to install and secure.

 

[Hawaiian4runner]

2010 TE. I have never been able to slide the bars with any ease. It's such a pain that I have not touched them in about 3 years now and I don't remember exactly what the problem was.

 

[bpwwer]

Hi guys, I've bought my 4Runner back in july and since then I have an issue with my factory crossbars. Here's the breakdown:

• 2010 Canadian TE
• Factory roof rack
• Factory crossbars
• Both crossbar are the same length
• Both crossbar have the word Front on them

The issue is that I cannot move the rear crossbars all the way to the back, it get stuck in the middle has the roof rails are not parallel (they shouldn't be) but the cross bar just cannot fit between the. The PO told me that he never used them as he had a Thule setup over the roof rails.

I've unbolt the roof rails, trying to get them apart, but with a slight improvement only.

I've read countless threads without finding anyting useful. Even some poster in this thread are saying that the have a front and rear crossbar (written on them) or both Front and some have same length crossbars or others have different length crossbars. I'm really confuse about this, I even went to the dealer and the part guy didn't have a clue and cannot find any info in his system.

Any clues or confirmed information about the crossbars lenght will be appreciated.

I've measured the distance between the roof rails at the rear and they are about 39" apart. The red line is the maximum position I can go or it will lift/pry the roof rails from the roof itself(This is not my truck BTW).

If I understand the problem, both crossbars are towards the front of the vehicle now and you can't get the rear one to move more than half way back?

When I installed mine, like [MENTION=115932]Vrrooom[/MENTION] mentions, I left the allen bolts loose until I had them both in and positioned. But I don't have a TE and the rails are different. I'd try loosening brackets on the crossbars and then try positioning them.

While on the subject, I installed mine on a 2015 and the rear bar won't tighten. I tighten the wingnut as much as possible but you can easily slide the bar.

On installation I let the Allen bolts loose, put the bars on the rails, positioned them, tighten the Allen bolts and then tried to tighten the wingnut. Front bar is nice and tight... The rears not so much.

Don't mean to hijack but I think they're related on the proper way to install and secure.

Did you try locking (or at least snugging up) the rear to the rails first and then tighten the allen bolts? It kind of sounds like the bar may be too short and you're not able to pinch the rail when you tighten the wingnut.

 

[GabrielM]

Rack bars are same length , front means they must face fwd because they only fit in the slide bracket that way ! They are a little finicky on sliding so as loose as possible & push in the middle . If that doesn't do it well no clue ? I'm not familiar with TE racks there might be a stop on there but I don't think so .

They do not have a stop anywhere, as I can move the H bracket Inside the rails without the crossbars.

If I understand the problem, both crossbars are towards the front of the vehicle now and you can't get the rear one to move more than half way back?

When I installed mine, like [MENTION=115932]Vrrooom[/MENTION] mentions, I left the allen bolts loose until I had them both in and positioned. But I don't have a TE and the rails are different. I'd try loosening brackets on the crossbars and then try positioning them.

Yes, you do understand the problem. I've loosen everything, the bolt connecting the side rails to the roof, adjusting nuts on the crossbars, the bracket (obviously). I even remove everything and tried reinstalling without success.

If I remove the rear crossbar, move the H brackets to the rear, I'm unable to reinstall the bracket because it's obviously too long...


I'll try to snap pictures tomorrow to better describing the issue.

 

[GabrielM]

I've measured and took some photos (truck is dirty).
1st Pic: This is my current setup, the rear crossbar is where it's start to pry the side rails. the inner dimension (from the inside on the side rails to the other:

• Front crossbar = 40"
• Rear crossbar (current position) = 39 1/2"
• Rear (where I wish my crossbar sit) = 39"

2nd pic: I've removed the crossbar adjusting nut and move the crossbar as far as I can. I cannot put back the nut as the hole is out from the slot. You can see the side rails prying.

3rd pic: A close up pic of the side rail, you can easily see the gap between the rail and the roof.

4th pic: I've removed the crossbar from the mount, move it to the rear of the rack ( [MENTION=78968]oljedi11950[/MENTION] the mount move freely from front to back). I've then try to put back the crossbar, but you can clearly see that I'm missing about 1/2" to make it fit.

 

[bpwwer]

4th pic: I've removed the crossbar from the mount, move it to the rear of the rack ( [MENTION=78968]oljedi11950[/MENTION] the mount move freely from front to back). I've then try to put back the crossbar, but you can clearly see that I'm missing about 1/2" to make it fit.

Just to double check, have you loosened the two bolts on the bottom of each side as shown by the red arrows here? I don't think they have much play but maybe enough to get it to fit.

When I installed mine, these bolts were loose, I think just on the passenger side. I didn't tighten them until after I had the bars positioned. I believe the crossbars were shipped with these bolts not installed (It was only about 3 weeks ago that I installed, them, you'd think I'd be able to remember that).

 

[GabrielM]

Just to double check, have you loosened the two bolts on the bottom of each side as shown by the red arrows here? I don't think they have much play but maybe enough to get it to fit.

When I installed mine, these bolts were loose, I think just on the passenger side. I didn't tighten them until after I had the bars positioned. I believe the crossbars were shipped with these bolts not installed (It was only about 3 weeks ago that I installed, them, you'd think I'd be able to remember that).

I've dissambled both crossbars and they do not have any play, but even if they have, it won't be enough.

 

[bpwwer]

I've dissambled both crossbars and they do not have any play, but even if they have, it won't be enough.

Do the crossbars have any part numbers on them? You should have: PT278-89102 not PT278-89100. The instructions for the 89102's specifically says that the rear bar is shorter than the front bar. I found the instructions here:

http://www.trdsource.com/product/Roof-Racks-black-crossbar-kit/ProdPDF/PT278-89102.pdf

I kind of sounds like you may have two front bars.

 

[9mmMike]

Did you try swapping the bars, front-to-rear? Sorry if I missed that post.

 

[GabrielM]

Do the crossbars have any part numbers on them? You should have: PT278-89102 not PT278-89100. The instructions for the 89102's specifically says that the rear bar is shorter than the front bar. I found the instructions here:

http://www.trdsource.com/product/Roof-Racks-black-crossbar-kit/ProdPDF/PT278-89102.pdf

I kind of sounds like you may have two front bars.

Thanks for the document, I've seen that part number during my search, but not the document. Funny thing is the part guy at the dealer( which he is usually good to find odd part for the Land Cruiser) did not find anything related to the crossbars in the systems, even with the VIN. I do not have a part number on the crossbar.

Since day 1 I suspected that I had 2 front bar, has they have both the word FRONT next to the directional arrow. But the 4Runner that is pictured in the first post (also a 2010 Canadian TE) have also both FRONT crossbar, but the rear distance for the side rails are 39 1/2" (1/2" more than me) and he doesn't have issue.

Did you try swapping the bars, front-to-rear? Sorry if I missed that post.

I did not explicitly said, but yes I've tried even if they are the same length.

 

[GabrielM]

If the money wasn't an issue, I would get a full roof rack. If I can sort it out, I may try to fabricate some custom bracket and put a basket on it (like this: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/186842-armor-tech-offroad-low-profile-rola-mounts.html)

 

[SilverKast]

That's an odd problem. The roof rack drives me crazy too though. I have a 2011 Cdn Trail and I lost one of the little wingnuts somehow. Turns out you have to order an entire cross-rail as Toyota doesn't carry just the wingnut.

So don't lose any parts while you have it apart! Although I do have an extra rail and some odds and ends as a result of my mishap...

 

[GabrielM]

That's an odd problem. The roof rack drives me crazy too though. I have a 2011 Cdn Trail and I lost one of the little wingnuts somehow. Turns out you have to order an entire cross-rail as Toyota doesn't carry just the wingnut.

So don't lose any parts while you have it apart! Although I do have an extra rail and some odds and ends as a result of my mishap...

Check my missing wingnut on the front crossbar in my pictures I lost it after fiddling with the crossbars and forgot to tighten it. I replaced with a bolt and washer.

 

[bpwwer]

Thanks for the document, I've seen that part number during my search, but not the document. Funny thing is the part guy at the dealer( which he is usually good to find odd part for the Land Cruiser) did not find anything related to the crossbars in the systems, even with the VIN. I do not have a part number on the crossbar.

When I did a quick search, I did notice that the crossbars didn't seem to show up for 2010 but did for 2011. So possibly they weren't available as an accessory until later in the model year or 2011.

Since day 1 I suspected that I had 2 front bar, has they have both the word FRONT next to the directional arrow. But the 4Runner that is pictured in the first post (also a 2010 Canadian TE) have also both FRONT crossbar, but the rear distance for the side rails are 39 1/2" (1/2" more than me) and he doesn't have issue.


I did not explicitly said, but yes I've tried even if they are the same length.

If they're both the same length the I think it's almost certain that you have two front bars. The "FRONT" with arrow is just indicating which edge of the bar should point to the front. My non-trail bars have RR,RF,LR,LF stamped on the ends to indicate which goes where. In addition, both bars have the FRONT and arrow.

It's interesting that one has 39" and one 39 1/2" inches. I think I'm out of ideas. If it was me, I'd probably try to modify the crossbar to make is a bit shorter, but then not everything I try to fix, works out.

 

[GabrielM]

When I did a quick search, I did notice that the crossbars didn't seem to show up for 2010 but did for 2011. So possibly they weren't available as an accessory until later in the model year or 2011.



If they're both the same length the I think it's almost certain that you have two front bars. The "FRONT" with arrow is just indicating which edge of the bar should point to the front. My non-trail bars have RR,RF,LR,LF stamped on the ends to indicate which goes where. In addition, both bars have the FRONT and arrow.

It's interesting that one has 39" and one 39 1/2" inches. I think I'm out of ideas. If it was me, I'd probably try to modify the crossbar to make is a bit shorter, but then not everything I try to fix, works out.

Thanks for the clarification. The think is that finding another 4Runner in my area is not easy, it's even harder to find a TE (I've seen somewhere they sold only 110 2010 TE in Canada)

I'm not a fabricator, I've disassemble the crossbars and was ready to chop it off. But with the way it is designed it's not a simple fix.

 

[oljedi11950]

Jeez I don't know about the TE racks but once the rails are mounted the only way I know to get them on is to remove both rear end caps to slide them back on/in , does that make any sense ? You can't get them on by bending them or anything like that ! If you check in the mods/quick links sticky you'll see a rack delete section & how to remove the end caps on a standard rack . Hope someone that replaced their TE rack will chime in ?

 

[oljedi11950]

I thought the rails were same length & only one way to mount them that they fit in their bracket ?

 

[GabrielM]

Jeez I don't know about the TE racks but once the rails are mounted the only way I know to get them on is to remove both rear end caps to slide them back on/in , does that make any sense ? You can't get them on by bending them or anything like that ! If you check in the mods/quick links sticky you'll see a rack delete section & how to remove the end caps on a standard rack . Hope someone that replaced their TE rack will chime in ?

I did my homework and read everything prior and after buying the truck. I've already disassemble the roof rack (except removing the side rails) and know how the rack should work. The end cap are easily removable and I don't know why someone will try to remove the brackets from the side rails channel by bending them.

And yes, I'm still hoping to come across someone that had the same issue as me, but so far I did not find anyone.

I thought the rails were same length & only one way to mount them that they fit in their bracket ?

I'm not sure what you mean here? The brackets can move front to back freely in the side rails channels when you loosen the nut.