Roof rack cross members on 06

[Falls]

Is there a way to remove the cross bars on the roof rack ?? I know it causes wind drag and I dont use them so just assume remove them until I need them . I've been trying to get them off and cant seem to do so.

I suppose being a guy , I should check the manual ....lol before I ask.

 

[toto]

The crossbars on the roof rack slide in and out of the rails from the rear of the truck. You have to carefully remove the rear endcaps on the side rails, and then slide the crossbars out.

There's a pic of the endcaps in this thread to give you an idea of how they're attached.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

There's a guy, Backroad, at T120 that posted 'how to'. This is the name of the thread: 'Mod costs in MPG survey'; look on the 2nd or 3rd page.

I did it a couple of days ago, his instructions worked like a charm. Removing the crossbars is a semi-permanent thing. It involves wrenches and 30 minutues rather than just a quick on-off.

I haven't done any highway driving yet to know whether or not it's helping the MPG.

:cheers:

 

[Falls]

I just thought it would help with drag and windnoise. Thanks for the links Toto & CJ . I looked in the manual and played with them this morning. Looks like I will have to tale the end caps off. Thats not a big deal , but I thought they would pop off easy. I probably take them off and decide I need them for something the next day with my luck .

 

[CJ3Flyr]

When I did mine the car was out in the sun. The caps seem like they might be brittle in the cool/cold. I think letting it sit in the sun for a while is a good idea before tackling the end-caps:biggrin2:

:cheers:

 

[eskimochaos]

These attempts to save gas are getting really ridiculous in my opinion.

You bought an SUV embrace the fact that it needs more gas and live with it. The only thing that I ever do to save gas is ease up on the right pedal. NOTHING else is worth it. To save what $1??

 

[Falls]

These attempts to save gas are getting really ridiculous in my opinion.

You bought an SUV embrace the fact that it needs more gas and live with it. The only thing that I ever do to save gas is ease up on the right pedal. NOTHING else is worth it. To save what $1??

For one I wanted to do it for wind drag and maybe even quieter when the moon roof is open. Since I can't pop them in and out quickly I will just leave them on.

Second , I was just wanting to try it out see if it did anything. Personally I don't care what gas prices cost if I want to drive what I drive I pay what I have to pay....simple. It was just something to try. Yes I do not want to waste gas and I do drive a full time 4x4 V8 and yes drive pretty aggressive , but trying to change that a little. I also drive it about 25k miles per year , it all ads up.

 

[riverwolf]

If you plan to carry anything substantial up there, you might want to look into an aftermarket rack anyway. With the factory bars, width is limited to what fits between the side rails. Not long after getting my 4Runner, I removed the factory crossbars and went with Yakima Mighty Mounts and 54?" crossbars. After getting a feel for how the pieces work, install or removal of the Yakima rig takes maybe 5-10 minutes so installing as needed isn't too much of a chore.

I removed the rear rail caps using a metal cooking skewer (screwdrivers are too thick) to loosen the snap tabs. A diagram would have helped...I had to probe blindly and think I managed to break one tab, but the cap's still holding on after 4+ years. Even survived the dryer fans at an automatic car wash that somehow blew one of the rubber strips that sits in the channel below the side rails completely off the truck.

-Brent

 

[Falls]

If you plan to carry anything substantial up there, you might want to look into an aftermarket rack anyway. With the factory bars, width is limited to what fits between the side rails. Not long after getting my 4Runner, I removed the factory crossbars and went with Yakima Mighty Mounts and 54?" crossbars. After getting a feel for how the pieces work, install or removal of the Yakima rig takes maybe 5-10 minutes so installing as needed isn't too much of a chore.

I removed the rear rail caps using a metal cooking skewer (screwdrivers are too thick) to loosen the snap tabs. A diagram would have helped...I had to probe blindly and think I managed to break one tab, but the cap's still holding on after 4+ years. Even survived the dryer fans at an automatic car wash that somehow blew one of the rubber strips that sits in the channel below the side rails completely off the truck.

-Brent

Thanks I'll check into that. I dont carry anything up there really , it was just a thought. I did have some hay bales up there and tied them to the cross rails. Worked fine.

 

[6184Runner]

I removed my cross bars on my 2005 4Runner SE over the weekend with the help of Backroad's post at T120. One of the bars was loose with an annoying rattle and I use my Yakima setup for carrying anything anyhow. I found that a metal paint can opener works well to remove the end caps. Just slide the metal tool under the side edge of the cap and lightly pry/pull by each of the prongs. You'll feel the cap loosen, then just gently lift up on the cap to not break the top clip. The thinness of the opener works perfect without damaging the plastic end cap at all. Good luck.

 

[Zmtking]

I removed my cross bars about a week after I got my '07. Sole purpose was wind noise, and it made a big difference. I never thought about gas mileage, and doubt it would make much difference anyway.

The screws/bolts that have to be removed are sealed in and I would recommend getting some silicone when putting them back in.

FYI I did the front end removal method as opposed to the rear. Real simple.