Removal of Roof Rack Slats

[WrexHAmm]

I was wondering if anybody else removed the factory slats? I don't know if this is the correct term for them but they are the three black plastic pieces that run along the top of the roof. I recently purchased some new Yakima bars and towers because I didn't like the factory cross bars, they seemed a bit cheap. What is the point of them? It seems like they are good for sitting items directly onto you roof and that's about it or am I missing something?

 

[lucky'99]

I took mine off recently. I think they are there for added tie down points. They twist off. I unscrewed them and removed the slats, then rescrewed it so I still have an extra tie down point, but no slat.

If you want I can take a picture later and show you. Maybe I didn't explain it well enough..

I really hope that makes sense...

 

[cj80cruiser]

I know what you mean. I need those 3 cheap cross slats to complete my restoration. Anybody looking to get rid of them?

 

[WrexHAmm]

I took mine off recently. I think they are there for added tie down points. They twist off. I unscrewed them and removed the slats, then rescrewed it so I still have an extra tie down point, but no slat.

If you want I can take a picture later and show you. Maybe I didn't explain it well enough..

I really hope that makes sense...

Thanks but not needed. I took mine off about a month ago but finally got around to removing the inner pieces. Didn't think about leaving the O Ring bolts for tiedowns. Those might be going back on now

 

[Maritimer]

I took mine off and found out there was discolored paint. I polished that up to par and have them in back in case I need them.

 

[lucky'99]

I know what you mean. I need those 3 cheap cross slats to complete my restoration. Anybody looking to get rid of them?

maybe! mine are just sitting around.

 

[WrexHAmm]

I found a nice line of wear and slight discoloration when I took mine off. Doesn't look like anybody ever moved them! With a little polish I was able to get it looks like the rest. Glad I did before it continued to fade. I almost want to keep mine for some reason, I don't see a lot of them being sold.

 

[jdmidwest]

Mine has scratches where they rubbed the paint on the top of the 4Runner, but I still have them on. I don't think mine has been moved in the 190k before me.

 

[KeatonMP]

I took mine off first thing when I got it too. I don't really understand the point of them either. They looked like they hadn't moved since the previous owner bought the thing...there was alot of dirt under them and it looks like some of it is rubbed into the finish.

 

[TheDurk]

Mine have been sitting in a closet corner since 1999. I never did have a use for it. The only thing I have had on top are mattresses. I just thought they got in the way of waxing the roof.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Would they add stability at all?

I took mine off to clean the roof and the paint was really dirty under them.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

I call em roof ribs, mine are just sitting around now if anyone wants to buy em.

I think they are just additional protection for the roof for when you are placing cargo atop the cross bars or using a roof basket. People that never use their roof rack never seem to bother moving them around-so the paint gets scuffed and dirt and debris just gather up there.

To remove just loosen up and remove the wingnut like connectors at both sides-angle them out carefully. Once you have one out then you have enough room to do the others easily. It's only that first one that is a bit tricky-move the cross bar pieces as far apart as possible -one all the way forward and the back one all the way to the back. Try to avoid taking off those end cap pieces as they break real easy.

 

[GottaBeTRD]

haha i was actually searching this same thing a couple weeks ago. i took mine off too. Did all of you just leave the little sliders they connect to in the railing?

 

[J.A.]

Yep, one of the first things to be done when new. Easier to wash/wax and avoids the scratched paint.

 

[TheDurk]

haha i was actually searching this same thing a couple weeks ago. i took mine off too. Did all of you just leave the little sliders they connect to in the railing?

I took mine out and left them screwed to the ribs. You just need to take out the torx screw and cap at the end and they slide out.

 

[WrexHAmm]

I Try to avoid taking off those end cap pieces as they break real easy.

Where were you a week ago when I broke one taking it off! Pain to get back on too. LOL

I would leave the sliders in. Somebody mentioned that if you leave the rings they would be good for a tie down if needed. Not to mention the end caps breaking when you remove them to get them out.

 

[410toy]

roof racks

any body willing to sell a few pieces off from there factory roof rack?