Ok, so I just pulled off my TE OEM rack and 3 of the mounting points look as they should, 2 while cylinder posts where the mounting bolts go. 1 of them is missing the posts and I cannot get any bolt to catch in the holes, I tried the OEM bolts that were screwed in there to begin with, but no even those won't screw back in. Anyone else experience anything like this?
Help! - Gobi Install
- Thread starter Grape Ape
- Start date
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nop.. mine had posts in all 4 locations (with 2 posts each). Almost sounds like they fell into the sheet metal. when you shine in there with a flashlight, can you see anything laying around? I'm not sure how those posts are secured, so I can't speak for sure, but if the bolt grabbed something before and not now, that's what my first guess would be.
If that is what happened, I'm foreseeing a lot of trim panel removal in your future to try and find the pieces and maneuvering them back in place. :ak472: :redbrick:
Okki
If that is what happened, I'm foreseeing a lot of trim panel removal in your future to try and find the pieces and maneuvering them back in place. :ak472: :redbrick:
Okki
Sorry to hear dude... do you have a "magnet on a stick"? mine has an end that I can articulate and will lift 3 pounds. on mine the head is small enough that it would fit inside the tube. since there is metal in there (where the bolt grabbed) you may be able to pull them up and back in place that way.
I would not drive to the truck though to go buy a magnet on a stick if you don't have one so they don't sink deeper.
Okki
I would not drive to the truck though to go buy a magnet on a stick if you don't have one so they don't sink deeper.
Okki
DHeuschele
New member
Push button grabber
Similar to the magnet idea is the little grabber where you push a button and at the end comes out 3 thin pieces of metal (almost wires) for grabbing stuff. I have seen these at Harbor Freight at a very reasonable cost.
I am questioning if the plastic cylander will allow the magnet to work. If it does not the little grabber still could work saving some panel work.
Good luck
Similar to the magnet idea is the little grabber where you push a button and at the end comes out 3 thin pieces of metal (almost wires) for grabbing stuff. I have seen these at Harbor Freight at a very reasonable cost.
I am questioning if the plastic cylander will allow the magnet to work. If it does not the little grabber still could work saving some panel work.
Good luck
The main bracket is metal. It's the same shape as the brackets that are mounted between the rack and the roof. The plastic cylinder is just a cover over the metal post. Now that we have a plan to grab it, I now have to figure out how to "remount" it without removing the headliner
Thinking about getting it back to the top and threading a bolt in the free hole to secure it so it doesn't fall again and then I'll just have to be creative in getting the Gobi mount on. I'll provide a follow up.
Ok, I think I got lucky with this one. Just had to use a telescoping magnet, pulled the bracket back up to the roof holes and gently threaded a bolt into one of the holes so it wouldn't fall back in. Just had to attach one side of the Gobi mount and then rotated it into the correct location to get the second hole. 15 minute fix...whew!
Be careful taking your OEM racks off and don't jar the bracket that is under the roof loose.
Be careful taking your OEM racks off and don't jar the bracket that is under the roof loose.
reklov
New member
Ugh. This happened to me on the passenger tail side. Luckily i used the magnetic wands to get it back up. What a pain. It looks like they are just held by those plastic retainers and if one breaks then you're screwed.
Gobi should be installed today. Now I just have to see how one person can get the gobi on top the the truck by himself.
Gobi should be installed today. Now I just have to see how one person can get the gobi on top the the truck by himself.
Antman
Elite Member
Reata did it himself. Said you had to be a "manly man" though!
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/87848-reatas-build-thread-3.html#post806397
I did the install by myself. Get all the brackets on and then...I went on the drivers side of the truck, set the rack on its side with the top facing the doors and then lifted and squated the rack up over my head so I was under it. Then, this is the fun part, I climbed up a step stool to get high enough to set it down on the roof very gently and then slowly slid it across to the other mounts on the padded mounts. I would highly suggest laying a towel where the mounts will first sit and then slide it across on that.
After that its just a matter of tightening bolts.
