Removing the roof rack from your Toyota Highlander makes sense if you don’t use it and will make the car look more svelte. In fact, it might even help you get slightly better gas mileage!
You should: to take off the roof rack on a Toyota Highlander:
- On either end of the roof rack rails, you may find the plastic caps.
- Use a putty knife or other tool to pry them off. To prevent scratching or damaging the caps, use a plastic pry tool as opposed to a metal one, if at all possible.
- Remove the washers and nuts that hold the roof rack rails in place.
- Remove the roof rack rails from the car.
You will then have the slick, professional appearance you desired. You should carry auto insurance because you obviously take good care of your car.
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In This Article...
How are roof racks removed?
Roof racks that are aftermarket are often considerably simpler to take off. The majority just clamp against your door jamb or side rails, and they can be taken off by releasing a few bolts. Once you’ve done it a couple of times, most roof racks will come off in within 5 to 15 minutes. Find the spot on your roof where the rack attaches first (typically crossbars, a side rail, or a door jamb). Basically, you just perform the installation process in reverse. Your bolts’ end caps should be removed. Next, use the allen key or other tension tool that was included with your roof rack to loosen the bolts. You should be able to remove the system from your car after the component becomes sufficiently loose. For the majority of popular manufacturers, you can get a new allen key for your roof rack.
Of course, it’s great if you can remove fewer bolts. Some will need to have six or more removed, such as the Thule AeroBlade Edge (the AeroBlade requires 8). Some systems, however, let you simply remove the roof rack feet from the fit kit and leave covert parts on your car. In this manner, you can quickly and easily delete and reinstall the system as needed. By way of illustration, the Rhino-Rack fit kit can be permanently left on the car, and the remainder of the rack can be taken off by releasing two bolts on the legs.
For instance, when the legs are removed, this Rhino Rack fit kit includes molded inserts to cover the bases.
Why should a roof rack be taken off when not in use?
A roof rack will make a car more wind resistant, which will increase fuel consumption. Make sure to put it away when not in use. Wind resistance can be minimized to the barest minimum with the use of an aerodynamically built roof box or rack. When not in use, the box or roof rack should nonetheless be removed.
Roof rack denotes the additional weight your car is carrying; it can be too much. But this will force the car to accelerate more quickly at first. The outcome is that the car uses more fuel. Additionally, the extra work required to move the weight increases the energy required by the vehicle, increasing fuel consumption. When not in use, remove the roof rack to eliminate this hassle.
Can cross bars on roof racks be taken off?
is simple to remove. The plastic cover should be removable with a tool inside to access the bolt, however I was able to twist the cover with my fingernails. Anyway, it’s simple to remove with just one bolt.
How are roof rails made opaque?
You have a few alternatives if you want to blackout your rack. You may either take off the roof rack and paint the rails or take it off and Plasti-Dip them. In this article, we’ll use Plasti-Dip to black out the roof rails.
You will have a good look if you use this mod in conjunction with the blackout emblem kit. Please leave any queries or remarks in the space provided below.
The last component I needed for my 4Runner Trail to blackout was this straightforward alteration. Even though Plasti-Dip requires numerous coatings and requires drying time, the modification is actually quite simple.
Although there are many other alternatives available, such as paint, vinyl wrapping, and powder coating, I decided to utilize Plasti-Dip on mine. Your preference is quite valid, but because Plasti-Dip costs $10 per can, I figured I’d do this quickly and easily and, if the Plasti-Dip doesn’t hold up, try something a little more permanent down the road.
A set of tools for removing plastic trim must be purchased at your neighborhood auto shop. To remove the black end caps, use these. While a flat head screwdriver is an option, you run the risk of damaging the tabs. It can be expensive to replace them, thus for about $10, they are a great deal.