The point of this thread is to explain those very things...
Prinsu roof rack...any issues or regrets?
- Thread starter robbymartin
- Start date
The point of this thread is to explain those very things...
57HotrodVW
New member
Can you provide addt'l details, part numbers (OEM weather stripping), and pics related to this? Thanks!
coastie720
New member
IMHO, this is only a cosmetic addition and will not add any additional sealing capability. The best thing I believe to do is the following:
1) Go to the hardware store and pick up 8 flat washers 5/16 x 1 1/4 in size and two tubes of Permatex Clear RTV.
2) Follow the instructions: clean the area thoroughly and place a good amount of amount of RTV on the holes before putting the spacer in place.
3) Place the rack on top of the spacers and align it.
4) Carefully place the additional flat washers between the top of the spacer and the rack. Paint them black if you'd like them to match. I did this because the size of the spacer and the notch milled into the rack mounts are too close to being the same size. Only two semi-circles of material on the spacers engage the rack without the additional washers. Whether or not it adds any strength to the purchase between the rack and the roof is trivial, but it gives me some piece of mind. The second reason for the additional washers is that it covers the gaping hole between the spacer and the fender washer thats included! If water is going to get in, it's going to be here.
5) With the washers in place, fill the sleeve with a good amount of RTV. Fill the gap on top of the new washer to just above the mount (as the RTV will form to the bottom of the fender washer that goes on top of the mount when tightened down) thus sealing the entire spacer!
6) Torque bolts to 20ft/lbs
I included a picture of the washer placement if I confused you. Let me know if you have any questions...
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I considered the usual suspects FrontRunner, Prinsu, and Gobi along with LFD Offroad. I was committed to not having to drill which meant I was going to have to modify the install of the FrontRunner or Prinsu to use rubber feet for the front mounts. I was leaning heavily towards the FrontRunner from the start simply for the modularity of their mounts and accessories.
In the end I came across a deal on a Prinsu that I simply couldn't pass up so I went that route. I personally think that the Prinsu is the most aesthetically pleasing rack available, but I still find the FrontRunner to be the most friendly in function and use.
I modified the front to use rubber feet in order to avoid having to drill. A few months later and I am still happy with that decision and I am glad that I don't have two new holes in my roof.
I am not sure whether or not I used enough RTV sealant for the mounts, but the more I think about it the more I think it can't hurt to pull the bolts and add/replace sealant once every six months to a year. I haven't noticed any moisture or leaks but I do keep an eye on it. Unfortunately unless your aftermarket rack has a sealed gasket over the mounting areas (there aren't any that I am aware of) like the factory rack, you will always be at the mercy of your sealant in regards to leaks.
In the end I came across a deal on a Prinsu that I simply couldn't pass up so I went that route. I personally think that the Prinsu is the most aesthetically pleasing rack available, but I still find the FrontRunner to be the most friendly in function and use.
I modified the front to use rubber feet in order to avoid having to drill. A few months later and I am still happy with that decision and I am glad that I don't have two new holes in my roof.
I am not sure whether or not I used enough RTV sealant for the mounts, but the more I think about it the more I think it can't hurt to pull the bolts and add/replace sealant once every six months to a year. I haven't noticed any moisture or leaks but I do keep an eye on it. Unfortunately unless your aftermarket rack has a sealed gasket over the mounting areas (there aren't any that I am aware of) like the factory rack, you will always be at the mercy of your sealant in regards to leaks.
57HotrodVW
New member
I think I'm going to use some of the same sealing concepts as "mynameistory" did when mounting his EcoTechne rack, from the link below. I know the Prinsu rack mounts a little differently, but the butyl tape and silicone rubber sealing washer look like they can be used in a similar manner with the Prinsu.
https://www.4runners.com/threads/ecotechne-roof-rack-installation-5th-gen.7090/
https://www.4runners.com/threads/ecotechne-roof-rack-installation-5th-gen.7090/
brewpeddler
New member
I considered the usual suspects FrontRunner, Prinsu, and Gobi along with LFD Offroad. I was committed to not having to drill which meant I was going to have to modify the install of the FrontRunner or Prinsu to use rubber feet for the front mounts. I was leaning heavily towards the FrontRunner from the start simply for the modularity of their mounts and accessories.
In the end I came across a deal on a Prinsu that I simply couldn't pass up so I went that route. I personally think that the Prinsu is the most aesthetically pleasing rack available, but I still find the FrontRunner to be the most friendly in function and use.
I modified the front to use rubber feet in order to avoid having to drill. A few months later and I am still happy with that decision and I am glad that I don't have two new holes in my roof.
I am not sure whether or not I used enough RTV sealant for the mounts, but the more I think about it the more I think it can't hurt to pull the bolts and add/replace sealant once every six months to a year. I haven't noticed any moisture or leaks but I do keep an eye on it. Unfortunately unless your aftermarket rack has a sealed gasket over the mounting areas (there aren't any that I am aware of) like the factory rack, you will always be at the mercy of your sealant in regards to leaks.
Can I ask you about the modification of the front feet? I've ordered the full length rack and would much rather not drill if possible.
Where did you get the rubber feet? Any other tips to modify?
I used stainless hardware and installed the feet on front with washers and a nylon lock nut. I had to slide the feet all the way out (towards the side rails) in order to get them to set properly in the channel on the roof, but they haven't moved since.
These are the feet that I used. I ended up cutting another .250" off of them in the end.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LDT7UHM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
If I had to do it over again I would buy these instead.
https://www.amazon.com/SMALL-ROUND-..._rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=YR6NRT5EDTY973NFBDKJ
I think I'm going to use some of the same sealing concepts as "mynameistory" did when mounting his EcoTechne rack, from the link below. I know the Prinsu rack mounts a little differently, but the butyl tape and silicone rubber sealing washer look like they can be used in a similar manner with the Prinsu.
https://www.4runners.com/threads/ecotechne-roof-rack-installation-5th-gen.7090/
I used the same style of rubber washers on my hardware at the base as well. I still used a liberal amount of RTV sealant around the spacers and inside of them as well for good measure. The last thing I wanted was moisture issues down the road and where we live it rains a lot.
ThePACavalryTRDPro
New member
Prinsu full drill rack install
Looking at the full size drill rack but not wanting to drill (found it used) and I too have the Old Town Dirigo 10.5 that I'm hoping to haul on here. Do you mind telling me what parts you bought to supplement drilling and if you feel that its nice and stable? Did you get the pieces from Prinsu or elsewhere? Did you have to cut into your weather strips on the roof? Are you able to haul the Dirigo upside down on this rack without needed a kayak rack/cradle? Looks great!I've had this rack for a year now, it's holding up beautifully. I used the rubber bumpers up front instead of drilling and it's had some pretty good loads on it both on and light off road.
YellowSnow
Banned
New Prinsu is no drill....
Just installed my no drill version today. The front no drill bracket looks like it might bolt straight to the original Prinsu rack and you could just replace the front bracket. You might want to give them a call and see if they'll just sell you the no drill bracket.
The new bracket mounts to the front with double sided tape and sits flush in the rain channel. I can't say how secure it is, i haven't tried any big loads on the rack yet.....
First wash with new prinsu rack and found that water leaks out of the cross bars, through the bolt holes that hold them onto the side rails, and onto the side of the 4runner since the rack hangs past the rain channels. How the hell do you prevent this? The rack was leaking water onto the exterior of the vehicle for hours and since I have pretty hard water here you get major hard water stains. Is the only solution to get an air dryer and blow the channels out fully?
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cloudrunner
New member
Don't wash the roof rack. Mine never gets dirty anyway.
rageandlove
Member
The Sherpa racks don't require sealant due to their (very cool) mounting system.
The Crestone (2010-2020 4Runner) — Sherpa Equipment Company
honda250xtitan
New member
2 or 3 year update....no issues with the prinsu drill. recently re sealed due to windshield company blaming rack for water getting behind the dash (it was the windshield like i told them lol) Love this roof rack, even the powder coating has held up great in the AZ sun.
Here's my issue with the Prinsu. I'd always really liked it, still do, but the cut quality on the cross bars sort of stinks. Working with metal is my hobby, and I've done a fair amount of plasma cutting.
My first Prinsu on my Land Cruiser had some rough cuts, but didn't seem too bad, so I just slapped it on there and was fine with it. It was most noticeable around their logos, that the cut was not clean or treated after it left the plasma table (aside from the dross being knocked off).
Well when I got the one for the 4runner the first thing I noticed was the ripples in the crossbars in spots. This tells me old consumables in their machine, or inconsistent cut speed. I'd go with the cut speed and maybe something in the axis of the cnc because there are parts of the bars that the cut quality is just fine.
On top of this, there is a fairly sharp edge to the bars in places as well. When you plasma, a little amount of material is left on the edges. You can knock it off easily with a straight edge, but depending on the quality of the cut, it can leave a sharp edge as well as an uneven edge. This can all be fixed with under a minute of a flap wheel on an angle grinder, but they (or their fabricator) is not doing this.
I emailed them, and they just said all of their racks go out like that. Well, I've got a bandsaw stand from SWAG off-road that has better cut quality, and you can see where they cleaned up the backside of their cuts.
Combine that with the wrong sized washers and oddball assortment of hardware left over, I'm kind of over the Prinsu name and design. I should have gone with the Victory.
Some of you may look at this and think I'm being nitpicky, and that's fine. But I shouldn't have to sand a sharp edge off a $900 powder coated roof rack, and the response from the company should have something other than "yeah they all look like that". If I was selling a steel planter box, I wouldn't let it leave my garage looking like the prinsu crossbars do.
My first Prinsu on my Land Cruiser had some rough cuts, but didn't seem too bad, so I just slapped it on there and was fine with it. It was most noticeable around their logos, that the cut was not clean or treated after it left the plasma table (aside from the dross being knocked off).
Well when I got the one for the 4runner the first thing I noticed was the ripples in the crossbars in spots. This tells me old consumables in their machine, or inconsistent cut speed. I'd go with the cut speed and maybe something in the axis of the cnc because there are parts of the bars that the cut quality is just fine.
On top of this, there is a fairly sharp edge to the bars in places as well. When you plasma, a little amount of material is left on the edges. You can knock it off easily with a straight edge, but depending on the quality of the cut, it can leave a sharp edge as well as an uneven edge. This can all be fixed with under a minute of a flap wheel on an angle grinder, but they (or their fabricator) is not doing this.
I emailed them, and they just said all of their racks go out like that. Well, I've got a bandsaw stand from SWAG off-road that has better cut quality, and you can see where they cleaned up the backside of their cuts.
Combine that with the wrong sized washers and oddball assortment of hardware left over, I'm kind of over the Prinsu name and design. I should have gone with the Victory.
Some of you may look at this and think I'm being nitpicky, and that's fine. But I shouldn't have to sand a sharp edge off a $900 powder coated roof rack, and the response from the company should have something other than "yeah they all look like that". If I was selling a steel planter box, I wouldn't let it leave my garage looking like the prinsu crossbars do.
