2019+ Toyota Rav4 Vanguard Roof Rack Mounting (Prinsu Look-a-like)

This is step by step how I mounted my new Vanguard roof rack to my 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime. This is a Prinsu look a like rack THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE DROPPING THE HEADLINER! I love the Prinsu roof rack. I think it looks awesome. But this was 2/3rds the price AND removable.
I also looked at the Front Runner Slimline II but it was almost 2x more expensive! The Front Runner Slimline II roof rack is also smaller. Watch this video and look at my photos. My Vanguard roof rack extends to the antenna on the roof. It spans the whole OEM Toyota roof rail. The Front Runner roof rack doesn't.
So to me, this rack is a NO BRAINER! It took a little bit of work to install but so far I love it.
I will post a review video in a little while after I have had a chance to live with it and after I do a noise test. Make sure you subscribe for future videos.
Thanks!
Roof Rack stuff-
Vanguard Roof Rack
amzn.to/3qujSg0
Door Edge Guards (optional)
amzn.to/33I4e7a
Spray Paint
Flat black
amzn.to/3qqoROU
Gloss black
amzn.to/2JPoAEc
Wheel Stuff-
Motegi MR147 17" Wheels - Black Painted
www.tirerack.c...
Firestone Destination A/T2 235/65R17
www.tirerack.c...
TPMS:
amzn.to/3lRTdr6
or
amzn.to/35KWlzm
amzn.to/3nBzCvC
Gen 5 Rav4 hubcentric adapters (for Motegi MR117)
amzn.to/35KvKSU
Black lug nuts
amzn.to/3feuDhj
Red lug nuts
amzn.to/35L2Z8x
or
amzn.to/3nGu4Aa
Fog Light stuff-
Diode Dynamics SS3 Yellow Fog Lights
amzn.to/3pPFMKA
2019+ Rav4 bezel
ebay.us/4lHkgL
16 Gauge Wire
amzn.to/3fgTiC6
20 Gauge Wire
amzn.to/36SVAU4
Split Loom (Flex Loom)
amzn.to/3frcFZi
Heat Shrink Tubing
amzn.to/3pObHef
Relays
amzn.to/3kM85pj
If you enjoy my content please consider becoming a Patreon for as little as $3 a month.
/ jamesklafehn
My Amazon Store -
www.amazon.com...
My Ebay Store - CONTACT ME DIRECTLY FOR THE BEST DEALS! www.ebay.com/s...
Tesla referral code.
ts.la/james37302
Thank you so much for subscribing, sharing and liking my videos! It really means a lot to me! If you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave them below.
#Rav4Prime #Prinsudesignstudio #Motegi #vanguardoffroad

[@paulsanders1]

You are SO patient! I would've given up long ago! Great job!

[@naturalexpressions8148]

An issue with stainless bolts is once together they do not like being removed. There are some thread compounds that can help but if they are stainless bolts that's just what is going to happen. I have had several issues in the past working with stainless and once you put the nut and bolt together they almost always lock up and strip the threads.

[@Anavllama]

You are very patient I would be livid to be sold a product that had defective parts (bent in wrong spot), didn't line up front brackets and with a front air deflector that simply does not work. This is what I would call be ripped off LOL. Luckily you are also very handy to fix these issues.

[@JamesKlafehn]

Thank you. It wasnt too bad though. And I really wanted this look so it was worth it to me. Wait till you see the fairing I built. That was a little bit of work but only a few hours. I am currently painting it in my kitchen because its 15 degrees outside. It stinks!

[@juketreks2192]

That front bracket, are you sure you have them on the correct side. Did you try mounting the. On the opposite side to see if you still have that problem?

[@kierrakallunki1879]

What's the weight rating for it? Load wise?

[@ricksanchez4825]

Great job ,Thank's for sharing,

[@xxjimmahoxx]

You need to be their product manage or something. Lol, looks great due to your hard work.

[@KP-DID]

Hey there! looks like Vanguard no longer offers this roof rack. Anyone know if they are bringing it back or if there are alternatives now in 2024? I have a 2021 RAV4 XLE. Thanks!

[@richy275]

You have the main plates on backwards

[@boricurei1]

I would love you to do a Roof Tent review with the rack

[@JamesKlafehn]

I would too! Very expensive though. Id love one for trips with my family but it will have to wait.

[@th3crack3r]

at 3:06, the replace the oem galvanized bolt (too short) with a SS m6 bolt + washer. The mount will be way tighter this way.

[@JamesKlafehn]

I did.

[@chir0pter]

3:00 i would guess the roof rails are alu? and hardened steel screw means easy to cross thread & strip

[@superlight47]

Being creative to tackle problems is good. I like the idea of the fiberglass or Corban fiber panel. I think you should do it.

[@JamesKlafehn]

I am currently painting a wood fairing in my kitchen. It stinks! Video soon

[@superlight47]

@@JamesKlafehn lol. OK cool.

[@taipov2140]

Nice videos ! Good work) keep doing your thing👍

[@JamesKlafehn]

Thank you 🙌

[@zerokool-2058]

Tired size? And which ones ?

[@tinobedi5951]

What’s the sound like at 25mph and 60mph?

[@JamesKlafehn]

Not good. After using this for a couple weeks I have a lot to say in an upcoming video

[@mon5202]

eBay does not support shipping to Taiwan, please develop a list that can be sold to Taiwan

[@thatguyceek]

I stripped the mounting hole too, they definitely have some weaker type of material being used. It was 800 dollar fix from Toyota.

[@JamesKlafehn]

You installed this rack?!?!

[@thatguyceek]

@@JamesKlafehn not this rack but a front runner and I stripped one of the bolts that mounted to the rail brackets.

[@JamesKlafehn]

@@thatguyceek Im sorry that happened. How did you fix it? I was able to thread a new stainless bolt in and it held no problem. It was weird. I definitely stripped the oem bolt but it took a new one with the same thread pattern.

[@op-bi5rs]

Hello when u install prinsu you don’t need take off Roof Rack Side Rail Bars ? Because I saw many video they need to take off Roof Rack Side Rail Bars and headliner

[@JamesKlafehn]

Yes you need to remove the roof rails when installing a Prinsu rack.

[@nycenj3974]

Love the video, but my gosh that's a lot of work but it looks great, I don't think I have the patience....

[@JamesKlafehn]

If someone was looking for a rack with this style I think its worth the time because you are saving so much money over a Prinsu or Front Runner.

[@Raffaccino]

Buy the Front Runner slimline II. I put it on my RAV4. The installation took 30 minutes and quality looks better, but as mentioned more expensive.

[@motovinh7902]

This roof rack support less weight right?

[@JamesKlafehn]

I have walked on it myself and it holds me fine. Im 240 lbs

[@motovinh7902]

@@JamesKlafehn I’m thinking about putting a rooftop tent on it

[@richy275]

You need to switch them around to the other side and then flip them over

[@awtngsh]

Nice.

[@rj.parker]

I was thinking it was for the earlier gen Rav. Then you received the instructions that were probably for a different generation. Mystery solved - regardless of what their marketing materials said.

[@JamesKlafehn]

Nope. It wasnt for a different gen. I received the correct unit. The instructions were generic.

[@pagslinas]

Are connected to the grid? I know you got battery’s but you sell back to the grid and make money off doing it. I think utilities charge 5c kWh at least in CT that is. Same with PSEG in Long Island, on producing your own power selling back that is. Electrical is a language I’ll never understand lol

[@JamesKlafehn]

I am

[@syton745]

Will this rack work with panoramic moon roof?

[@JamesKlafehn]

I dont know. I have a regular sun roof. I would think so because you could make the rack higher if you needed clearance for the sunroof to open.

[@hurcorh]

Another quality product from Vanguard lol...

[@JamesKlafehn]

Have you had bad experience with their stuff? This is my only Vanguard product ever.

[@hurcorh]

@@JamesKlafehn wouldn't personally buy their products but i've seen a few posts on the forums/rav4 groups showing the front bar snap off at the vanguard mounts for example.

[@labmaamoura2435]

rav4 prime real top speed ? u got the num ?

[@JamesKlafehn]

IDK Im sure its been published before.

[@labmaamoura2435]

@@JamesKlafehn no, i just can't find it anywhere, even toyota themselves are saying 117mph top speed :/ the prius prime goes 124mph (my own test) which is just about 120HP .. this one is 302HP ... nonsense they're saying 117mph !!

[@williamp5119]

@@labmaamoura2435 its artificially governed, computer kicks it out @120

[@oddhv7688]

Was it just me? Or did the snowman move?

[@JamesKlafehn]

I noticed that too haha

[@internetabyss]

Ummm that makes no sense why things don’t line up.

[@JamesKlafehn]

Yeah, idk. It wasnt hard to fix it though. I looked at more photos on their site. In their photos they have the unit sit higher. I didnt want it that high.

[@jansturjillo9307]

really ? YOu showing us during the night time?

[@richy275]

That’s why it is not aligned

[@wanderer2955]

13:06 thats what happen when you try to make the video at night.🤷🏻‍♂️

[@JamesKlafehn]

We work with what time we have

[@machyne82]

This thing seems like a nightmare. No thanks

[@JamesKlafehn]

I just posted my final video on it. Its really not a nightmare at all. Its half the price of a prinsu or front runner. I LOVE IT