Is there a DIY out there on roof rack removal?

[SummerallGuard04]

I searched, couldn't find one.

The side rails & cross rails on my '99 are weathered and are in need of some sand blasting/refinishing. Is there a DIY out there? Is it hard to get EVERYTHING off?

 

[PhdNPrerunners]

The cross rails are super easy to get off. Just untwist the things at the end. Now of the side rails I don't know how those come off, never really looked. Im sure there are just bolts holding them on

 

[4runsport]

I just took apart my rack this weekend to do the Rola mod. The roof rack rails have end caps that are held on by torx screws. Once you remove the 4 end caps everything just slides right out of the tracks, i.e. crossbars, cross rails, etc... Then once everything is out of the tracks remove the remaining torx screws from the side rails down in the track (note, I did not remove the side rails for my project)

 

[KHoffRunner]

Its like 8 or ten screws, just unscrew them and there is is.

 

[cj80cruiser]

Yeah, there are 10 screws. Spray with some PB blaster or the like and remove. You can remove as one solid piece if you slide the crossbars around to gain access to the screws.....up to you.

 

[Tom P.]

If I can do it, you can, too. You'll need a torx set. Some people have used a flat head instead but I wouldn't risk stripping it.

Have some silicon to put in the holes to seal out water, and if you're going to work on the rack I'd suggest just putting the screws back in to keep out the rain. (It hadn't rained here in Texas for months until I took off my rack. Now I know; whenever the drought gets bad just take off my rack.)

I'd also caution against getting too "Marine" on the clean and paint. See my experience: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/119114-3rd-gen-rack-broken-end-cap-fix.html
If I had to do it again, I wouldn't be so gungho. I'd pull the rails, towers, and cross bars off, lightly sand the rails and sidebars and primer/paint them. I used a wire brush and had to work harder to get rid of the scratch marks it left, including the ones in my hand and leg.

When all was done, I left the ribs off and only put on the two main cross bars. Easier to wash/wax the roof. I did install the rib tie downs for, well, tying things down. Personal preference. Good luck!

 

[Dous]

If you don't have torx heads, use an allen wrench if you've got it

That's how I removed mine, and they were rusted in, didn't strip a single one.

 

[that$pit]

Klein or craftsman 10 in 1, I use it for everything,

 

[SummerallGuard04]

Did this today. Thanks for everyone's input. It took me 15 minutes. And...and, most importantly, I SAVED the end caps! If I can do...anyone else can do it. But MAN, you should have seen the dirt residue it left...and apparently more work I need to do (face palm!).

I put the screws back in and pit electrical tape squares over the top of the other 4 holes. If I take it somewhere to have it sandblasted, would you say that's a wise idea? I found a shop that would do it for $40. I figured I can paint it myself.

Thoughts?

 

[Tom P.]

Sandblast for $40? Deal. That'll do the job right and you don't have to hassle with it. Or, wear some crappy clothes, get some fine sand paper out, dust down the loose stuff, primer a couple of coats, satin coat a couple more, and you're done. (mas o menos) And you have about $40 left over for beer.

 

[cj80cruiser]

My vote is DIY

 

[SummerallGuard04]

My vote is DIY

I think I'm going to stick to the DIY. What grade sandpaper would you recommend? Is there a primer/paint in one or do them separately?