Removing the roof rails

[Guest Close Guest]

Does anyone know how to remove the roof rails that come standard with the GXL without damaging them? I would like to fit Rhino roof bars to increase storage space.

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

why don't you put the rhino bars on the factory rails, my mate have these and the rhino rack.

[Guest Close Guest]

That's an option I guess but I was just concerned that Rhino specifies 3 bars to hold the alloy tray and I think I can only fit 2 on the rails.

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

is your tray the 1500mm long version, were do you hang out.

[pradorob Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close pradorob]

I think its the 1800mm long one. Haven't been able to try it out yet as I don't get my new TD until May!

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

I think its the 1800mm long one. Haven't been able to try it out yet as I don't get my new TD until May!

Yes, 1800 does require three bars.

[Guest Close Guest]

Removing roof rails

Like rmckimm, I would like to remove the roof rails on my 2007 VX so I can fit a 1800 x 1240 Rhino Alloy Tray directly to the roof. I have a diagram (from Rhino) that show the mounting procedure for the 3 heavy duty bars but it doesn't show how to remove the plastic covers on the roof rails mount points. I don't want to force anything and break the plastic. I've asked a few after market suppliers and my local Toyota dealer, but they aren't very forthcoming with answers. Can anyone help me and explain how to get the covers off without destroying them?

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

http://www.pradopoint.com/viewtopic.php ... roof+rails

Cheers
Chippy

[Signature035 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Signature035]

Beat me to it Chippy.....is this the same link?

http://www.pradopoint.com/viewtopic.php ... roof+rails

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

That's the one :lol: :lol: :lol:

Great minds think alike. :roll:

Cheers
Chippy

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

I have the Rhino rails and I am not impressed with the rigidity or water proofing. For what it is worth unless you plan to use the rails on their own I would look at a different mounting kit like that used by ARB. You can buy the kit separately as I did for my Jarram rack. I only fit the rack when going camping or needing the roof capacity. I have posted elsewhere but the time putting the Rhino rails on and off and fitting the rack was ridiculous. The mounts rely on four 'o' rings for water sealing and because of this the mounts are always a little flexible if the bolts are tightened to the specified torque. This would not be an issue if the rack was permanently fixed to the rails.

[dustie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dustie]

This would not be an issue if the rack was permanently fixed to the rails.

I have the rails permanently fixed to the rack. Put On and take it off when required. Otherwise it can be a time consuming job.

Never had any problems with water sealing where the legs mount onto the car.

[Guest Close Guest]

Well done .... thanks guys. I'm new to this Prado thing. What a great resource you all are. I'm building up the vehicle for a NT trip in October and I have already got heaps of valuable info.
Cheers

[pradokit Find all posts View Profile Close pradokit]

No need to remove rails-Rhino racks fit on them

I have fitted a 1500mm Rhino rack to my GXL Prado. I was concerned more with keeping the height below 2050mm. I looked into removing the longitudinal rails but the Toyota dealer wasn't very keen and wouldn't warrant any leaks that may follow and TJM were not keen at all to remove the rails.

So TJM fitted it directly onto the original equipment longitudinal rails. The width of the Rhino allow rack fits exactly onto the Prado's rails. A rubber strip (an insert from a heavy duty cross rail I think) was inserted the full length between the rack and the longitudinal rails and 6 U bolts were used to secure the rack to the rails. It feels very secure, the total load including the rack is 100kg (the maximum allowed on the longitudinal rails) and the total height is under 2050mm, so I can leave it on to go to work where I park in an underground car park with a height limit of 2085mm.

This saved the cost of the cross rails. The Rhino Rack (tray only) cost $615 and about $20 for the U bolts - TJM threw in the rubber strips.

A disadvantage is that removal of the rack requires undoing 12 nuts on the U bolts (+ 12 lock nuts!), but I'm not intending to remove it very often,

cheers,

Kit.

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

Hey Kit

Have you got any pics so we can see what it looks like ???

Cheers
Chippy