5th Gen 4Runner Roof Rack Delete Mod

Delete/Remove Your Roof Rack on the 5th Gen 4Runner

Have you ever wanted to get rid of the roof rack on your 5th Gen Toyota 4Runner? Maybe you don’t use it, maybe you don’t like the way it looks, something else?

Well, I went ahead and “deleted” the roof, and I’m more than happy I did. What’s the purpose of doing this? Well, that depends on your taste.

I decided that I wasn’t going to use the roof rack for anything important anytime soon and that I’d like the “clean” or “naked” look that’d it have without one.

While it’s not exactly a cheap mod to do, it still isn’t a very expensive one either.

5th Gen 4Runner Sporting The Roof Rack Delete

Using all Toyota parts, and ordering through an online wholesale, the total to do the roof rack delete on my 2017 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro was roughly $70 total. To some, that may be steep or extreme for what it does, but for me, I’d do it again.

One of the major differences you’ll notice is the ride being much quieter. Much like anything on the roof, the more things you have, the more it catches the wind, and the louder it will become.

That’s what a lot of aftermarket roof racks come with windshields to help keep the noise down, as well as your MPG. While I haven’t noticed much of a savings and fuel, my phone calls have been much easier to hear.

Here is the complete part list (which I will put below) to help you achieve the delete. The original write-up for this post can be found here on T4R.org.

Replacement Parts:

• PTFE tape
• J-B Weld Clear Silicone
• The entire OEM Roof Rack Delete Kit 
  • 8pcs – Part# 90119-08C47 (roof bolts w/ rubber washers)
  • 4pcs – Part# 63185-42020 (roof brackets w/ foam pads – TE already have this under the installed roof rack)
  • 4pcs – Part# 75596-35030 (roof plastic covers)

The whole roof rack delete kit comes with the parts listed. The kit fits Toyota 4Runner 2004 to 2018 and the Rav4 2006 to 2017. The 4 moldings, 4 brackets, and 8 bolts are what you need if you choose to remove your roof rack. The bolts are necessary to securely fasten the roof panel clips for the moldings when the rack is not present. The kit below will include OEM sealed items straight from Toyota.

Finalizing the Roof Rack Delete

You will also want some sort of sealant to help prevent any sort of water squeaking through and coming through your headliner.

I have been in multiple rain storms, car washes, etc, and have not had any issues with water coming through, nor a mildew smell where perhaps it did come through where I couldn’t see.

I used J-B Weld Clear Silicone for my install, as well as put PTFE tape around each bolt I installed.

The install is as simple as popping off a few clips to unbolt the OEM rack, replacing and or adding new seals, tightening them down, and placing the cover on top.

It took me roughly 20 minutes from start to finish to complete.

Thoughts on Removing your Roof Rack?

Some have argued it makes the 4Runner look too “naked,” while others say it makes it no longer look like an off-road vehicle, but I personally like what I feel is a clean look, not to mention the lack of roof noise.