ubond007

Any tips on how to do this? I need to remove mine to get into our new apartment garage. The 22" rims dont help w/ clearance either!!

ubond007

Thanks to "jditom" i was able to order the right parts. It makes the GX look different (some may hate it) I actually like it! It makes it look wider and not as narrow and tall. Pictured with my new Nitto NT420S 275/40/22:

Bob GX

I think it looks fine - could you do a photo looking down on the roof to show how it looks - does it look unfinished in the places the rack was attached or where the side rails were?

antonio98

Very nice looking GX!

mann777

Bob, you get the rubber sleeves which fit right into the slot where the rack was earlier seated. I hope UB has done that, otherwise there are chances of the water to stagnate and cause rust at the lock down bolted areas

ubond007

I'll try to get pics of the top section. mann777 all of the brackets and screws I used are really for an RX but they fit the GX. The only part that doesnt fit are the covers that snap onto the bracket. I tried modifying it but cant get it to match the curve of the roof. So on jditoms advice I removed all the rubber from the gutter and left only the front since it runs down the windshield. You cant see the brackets nor does it look unfinished when you look from the front or back. As far as water issues, the bolts have a rubber washer similar to the rubber seal from the roof rack bracket so that should keep it pretty water tight i hope. i really will get some pics to help explain.

stiles_s

This is where the Prado cousin might come in really handy. I'd love to do this mod, but will only do it if I can find the right plugs for the gutters.

Anyone know of a good source for JDM parts who might carry Prado parts? Heck, we could probably just find a toyota dealer in the UK...

thoughts? Crazy?

ubond007

Well here are the pics (sorry for the iphone quality pics and dirt!)

From the top standing on the rear bumper:


Side View:


Front View:


As you can see you literally have to be looking from the top of the car to see the bracket and bolts. Standing from the front, side or rear you cant see it at all!

stiles_s

Did just a little more digging: the Prado 5-door, which we share nearly all of our body panels with, comes without roof rails for the "bottom" two trim levels. this tells me there's an OEM solution out there for those of us who'd like to remove our racks...

STDave

Anyone have luck locating the parts numbers and a dealer that will order them for you?
Dave

jditom

I am not going to put any weather stripping back on my roof.

You can't see up there so that is a non issue.
When I took the weather stripping off there was all sorts of crap stuck in them. Water flows much better without them. They are just cosmetic and hamper water flow so I say no

If you get the OEM bolts and brackets they will never leak plus the holes into your roof are lined with water proof nylon. Stick to OEM parts and do not go cheap on this Mod!

ubond007

Here are the part #'s and quantity I ordered from Sewell Lexus.

Product #:63185-42020, Lexus OEM Roof Rack Bracket Front, Quantity:4, Price:$2.78, Item Total:$11.12
Product #:90080-11724, Lexus OEM W/Washer Bolt, Quantity:8, Price:$1.49, Item Total:$11.92

stiles_s

thanks for the part numbers. Me, I'd rather get the OE Prado parts and do it so it looks "right". I need to eventually get off my *** and source a contact @ a dealer over in the UK to get the right caps.

have you tried to modify the RX caps to fit the GX rails?

jditom

My wife has a RX and I took hers off to see if I could do that.
Bottom line is no, the RX strip is to wide.
I would start by getting the parts above, remove your rack then look for Prado parts. Trust me if you never get the Prado parts after a couple of weeks you won't care anymore.
Nice thing is you can just reverse the procedure and put the old rack on in 45 minutes with a beer break when you need to.

ubond007

I couldnt agree more

Yes it looks "unfinished" without any caps to cover the brackets, but trust me and jditom it is not noticeable. If you do find the prado parts please share with us how it turns out.