Black roof rails

[Primo4R]

What are my options for black roof rails, other than painting or plastidipping? Are there other models or trim levels that use black rails? Are they a direct swap, if so? I vaguely remember seeing a Limited that had black rails and silver end caps (opposite of mine) and wonder if those were OEM or the owner painted.

Thanks in advance.:thanks:

 

[nglayton]

What are my options for black roof rails, other than painting or plastidipping? Are there other models or trim levels that use black rails? Are they a direct swap, if so? I vaguely remember seeing a Limited that had black rails and silver end caps (opposite of mine) and wonder if those were OEM or the owner painted.

My 2011 Trail Edition had black rood rack rails. Sold the whole thing for $300 when I put the Gobi on.........

Check that, maybe it was only $200, IDK, I'm getting old!

 

[The Bza]

I removed the rails and took them to a local tint shop, where they were wrapped with 3m flat black vinyl. The channel for the cross bars was left open. Looks great.

 

[CentcomPete]

What are my options for black roof rails, other than painting or plastidipping? Are there other models or trim levels that use black rails? Are they a direct swap, if so? I vaguely remember seeing a Limited that had black rails and silver end caps (opposite of mine) and wonder if those were OEM or the owner painted.

Thanks in advance.:thanks:

I removed my originals (SR5) and replaced them with a set off of a Trail. Hated all the chrome up there. Direct replacement, same hardware/fit. Easy.

 

[Formidable]

Wrapped mine in anodized black brushed aluminum.

 

[roscoep]

just had my rails painted black. Didn't like all that chrome look up there without it being anywhere else. Also had all the SR5 logo's and TOYOTA lettering painted red to match the TRD red on the wheels. Not sure on the front and back in red yet

 

[Lenny33]

I took mine off and had them powder coated for $95

 

[4RunnerPro]

Painted

Removed rails and had them painted. Up close they look great.


I think the 10 or 11 to 13 TE 4runners came with cool all black roof rails but they are not the easiest to find used and are very pricey from toyota. They do look a little different than the ones on our runners now.

 

[Carolina Roscoe]

I took mine off and had them powder coated for $95

Do you think Powder Coating is more durable than paint? I was thinking about getting my powder coated. Looks great BTW.:thumb: Thanks

 

[bpwwer]

I plastidipped mine a couple of months ago. Made the mistake of not taking the main rails off and didn't do enough masking so had a bit of over spray to clean up on the side, but it's been holding up OK.

I'll be replacing them with a [MENTION=68079]drabbits[/MENTION] rack in a couple of months so I did the plastidip knowing it wouldn't be permanent. I do think the non-glossy black looks much better than the original silver.

 

[Lenny33]

Do you think Powder Coating is more durable than paint? I was thinking about getting my powder coated. Looks great BTW.:thumb: Thanks

Yes, I definately think so!

 

[aweaver65]

Do you think Powder Coating is more durable than paint? I was thinking about getting my powder coated. Looks great BTW.:thumb: Thanks

Powder Coating should be more durable. The difference between Powder Coat and Paint is just the application method. Paint is sprayed on in a liquid form and chemically bonds to the surface, Powder Coat is actually applied as the name states, in a powder form and then baked on. In the oven, the baking causes the powder to melt/flow together and bond to the surface. There is also ESP or electrostatic painting where there is a positive negative charge through the paint and surface to promote a bond.

Ultimately, the bonds are similar after the pigments are set up but Powder should be more resistant to abrasions to some degree. Having said all that, if you never plan to actually load much on the racks, you could probably sand them, prime them with a nice marine grade primer and top coat them and be just fine.

 

[roscoep]

Removed rails and had them painted. Up close they look great.


I think the 10 or 11 to 13 TE 4runners came with cool all black roof rails but they are not the easiest to find used and are very pricey from toyota. They do look a little different than the ones on our runners now.

I had a lease on a 2011 Trail, came in black. Was looking at some pictures of the old trail vs new SR5 and saw the black rails and realized immediately that it looks so much better. Had them off and painted within a week.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Do you think Powder Coating is more durable than paint? I was thinking about getting my powder coated. Looks great BTW.:thumb: Thanks

I have a good amount of experience with powder coating on motorcycles and I can tell you it is most definitely tougher than sprayed paint.

Where you have to be careful is this:

1) Depending on the current surface the part will likely be bead blasted.
2) All screw holes should have throw away bolts threaded into them. Not all the way down - enough to protect the threads but not disturb the finish around the bolt.

Be very clear about what areas are and what are not to be powder coated (I used Scotch Blue painters tape).

Whenever I have the option I will always choose powder over spray.

 

[VTtrout]

I removed my originals (SR5) and replaced them with a set off of a Trail. Hated all the chrome up there. Direct replacement, same hardware/fit. Easy.

I will be doing this to my 2013 sr5 in the next week or so. Any advice? I've read some folks used their sr5 hardware with the TE rack. Is that what you did? You mentioned it was the same hardware/fit but I've read the TE bolts are shorter and that the TE has the "delete" brackets. Did you use the "delete" brackets I keep reading about?

I'm most concerned with leakage. How did you seal yours? Did your white tube thingy's pop out or fall down into the headliner?

I know this is a minor mod but I don't want leaks so I'm concerned with properly sealing. TIA

 

[CentcomPete]

I will be doing this to my 2013 sr5 in the next week or so. Any advice? I've read some folks used their sr5 hardware with the TE rack. Is that what you did? You mentioned it was the same hardware/fit but I've read the TE bolts are shorter and that the TE has the "delete" brackets. Did you use the "delete" brackets I keep reading about?

I'm most concerned with leakage. How did you seal yours? Did your white tube thingy's pop out or fall down into the headliner?

I know this is a minor mod but I don't want leaks so I'm concerned with properly sealing. TIA

I believe I used the Trail rack's hardware (bolts and washers). I didn't notice a different length between the 2 sets of bolts but there could have been. Not sure what "delete brackets" are. I liberally coated each bolt with clear silicone rubber sealant. I squeezed some in the whole and coated the bolts. I don't remember any issues with the white tube things. You mean like a hard sleeve liner in the whole? No issues. I would clean very thoroughly the bottoms of the rails where they seat to the roof and make sure the rubber around the edges is clean and intact in order to seal the front and rear of the channel where the bolts mount.

 

[arelendsee]

3M Vinyl Wrap

For an inexpensive and reversible fix, try 3M vinyl wrap, which you can order from Amazon or other preferred seller. I've only used it on my interior door handles (I deleted the roof rack). This was the first time I used the vinyl and I thought it was fairly easy. The roof rails and end covers should be easier, if you remove them first. I didn't like the glare off the chrome handles.

 

[-dustin]

For an inexpensive and reversible fix, try 3M vinyl wrap, which you can order from Amazon or other preferred seller. I've only used it on my interior door handles (I deleted the roof rack). This was the first time I used the vinyl and I thought it was fairly easy. The roof rails and end covers should be easier, if you remove them first. I didn't like the glare off the chrome handles.

so this was pretty simple? didn't have to take anything off? 2 things I don't like inside are the door handles and that piece of aluminum on the passenger side above the glove box. didn't like the center console, either, but i pulled that out and shot it with plastidip.

 

[4RunnerPro]

I want to do the same thing by painting them black. Today I took the 4runner a shower and I noticed it had 2 pairs of rails. Are the 2016 starting to come out with 2 pairs?

[/QUOTE]

I've never seen a 4runner come with any crossbars let alone 4. You usually have to order after you buy or I guess you could add them if you ordered your 4runner from the dealer. Some dealers just add them when the unit gets on the lot. Either way you have a couple hundred dollars worth of crossbars up there that someone put on there. Check your paperwork and see if you paid for them and didn't know it. If you didn't then lucky you. 16's are the same as 15's as far as I know so crossbars are an accessory add on.

 

[TrkyMfns]

Hmmm! Looks like I just paid for one pair. Anyways I was thinking of tossing them out.

How much would you sell them for?