PRINSU Full Rack Install - 5th Gen 4Runner

In this short yet detailed video, we will take you through the process of installing the Prinsu full length roof rack on the 5th Gen 4Runner. We are extremely happy with the install and how this rack looks on our 5th Gen 4Runner.
** Make sure to fill the metal spacer tubes to the top with sealant to prevent any leaks in your roof **
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[@1CommonView]

My favourite prinsu rack install video so far! 😜

[@Juan0481]

Hey man, just wanted to thank you. I followed your video and it helped me with my prinsu rack install. Thanks again!!

[@T4Rgarage]

Happy to hear that, cheers!

[@MCraven10]

One of the better Prinsu rack install videos out there. I used your video as a guide to install mine. Good job!

[@perrylamb6286]

I like this video very much. You do a great job of explaining things. Love the rack but I'm not sure I really need one, especially since I mostly carry just my kayak on my roof. The aftermarket cross rails I bought do a great job of holding my kayak saddles. But, I agree, that rack makes your 4Runner look sharp.

[@steventhuy5493]

Great video! Thank you!!

[@Seattle808]

Personally I went with FrontRunner, it’s crazy how many roof rack options they have nowadays!

[@tbird9726]

Shouldn’t need loctite when using lock washers. The purpose of the lock washers is to prevent the screws from backing out when torqued to spec

[@sparkyride78]

I would definitely do lock-tite , red color in the Assyrian bolts and blue on the mount to the vehicle.

[@sahakiap]

watched the video a couple of times before doing the install today. my kit didnt come with lock washers. i guess they are not needed since they provided their own generic loctite. didnt use that and just used some blue i had. i suggest not using red as its a pita to remove if you have to change a crossbar. i also didnt use a power tool as the bolts didnt look that strong. hand tight then a few turns with the screw driver was not hard or much more time. thanks for making this it made the install much easier.

[@T4Rgarage]

Happy you found it useful. I recently took two of the crossbars off with my roof top tent as it’s easier than reinstalling the tent back onto the bars/rack. I was surprised to find that red loctite doesn’t hold as well on aluminum and the bolts came off easily with a screwdriver. I was concerned though that they were on there permanently. Not sure if Prinsu supplies a loctite that works better on aluminum?

[@zervaladap.1211]

I want this roof rack on my Ford Expedition. It has a nice design and would like to keep open access for the Sun Roof, 👌👌

[@Subtlefocus]

Will you eventually be doing a hood swap for one with the hood scoop? If so can you do a detailed breakdown on what it would end up costing.

[@MarkCastillo-ey6vf]

When you were cutting the weather strip to put the bracket in the front did you put anything to make sure no water going down between the weather strip

[@mcwendel8066]

How do you like the rack so far? Any issues with it or concerns? Looks great by the way!

[@ryanperreault4848]

Hi Sean, question. I removed the OEM factory silver side rails on my 4Runner, and replaced them with identical black OEM side rails. Same thing, just color change. Would you still add the 3m seam sealer if you were just doing that?

[@chewminem2044]

What size are the T-Nuts that slide into the front rack? I’m just looking to replace them with Stainless steel…

[@ching-chauyu7064]

Interesting they went back with lock washers. I bought a prinsu for the 5th gen 4Runner in November 2022 and they replaced washers with some generic loctite. Problem was most holes in cross members were not deep enough to handle screws without washer. I ended up asking for 7 replacement crossbars and even then I had to tap some of the holes a little deeper. Just dumb to get rid of lock washers. Otherwise, I was very happy with very responsive customer service and performance of rack. Overall, a great rack and would buy again.

[@T4Rgarage]

That’s terrible, sorry to hear that. Sounds like a total screw up (no pun intended) on their part. I hope they corrected the issue right away. I bough this rack 2nd hand so I am not sure what year this one was released. I opted to use the loctite with the provided lock washers for extra insurance. I didn’t want to over torque the screws being that it’s aluminum

[@alex925-j4v]

I have exactly the same issue with washers. On my way to the store to buy washers :D

[@driggs8600]

Bought and installed the rack in early September from 4Runner lifestyle. They provided washer, the purple loctite, and no lock washers. Everything went together well.

[@LavaR0ck]

Check those fender washers! Mines rusted. Replacing with some 304 stainless steel washers instead.

[@joeythedime1838]

Great video! Is the "footprint" at the top of the video at ~1:00 mark from stepping in the sealer? LOL

[@T4Rgarage]

Hahaha I knew someone would notice that. That’s from when I sprayed raptor liner on my sliders. That stuff is crazy

[@slimshedridah7184]

Hey man love your content just got my 4runner. Just wondering hows the windnoise on this prinsu roofrack?

[@T4Rgarage]

I didn’t notice any significant increase in noise

[@slimshedridah7184]

@@T4Rgarage thanks for the info. Im leaning towards the uptop overland since i had no issue with their roofrack with my tacoma before but i like the prinsu design.

[@andrewfisher9755]

will the sealant come off after several years inside?

[@HesperianHorsePower]

Great video. I just bought a Prinsu and I’m gathering all my tools together prepping for the install. I have a question you might be able to answer since you’ve had yours installed for awhile. I noticed you used one of 3M’s products. Specifically the 3M urethane seam sealant. Funny enough that product is the exact same as what I bought to use on mine. After looking at what seemed like 1000 different sealants I settled on the urethane 3M. A lot of folks seem to use RTV or straight up Home Depot silicone. RTV is a great product but silicone, over time, has its issues. Any insight you have on how that product is working for you and any tips on its application would be awesome and much appreciated. Thanks and again, great video. Had to follow you!

[@T4Rgarage]

It is working great, no leaks! You can go as far as to even fill the black spacers with it if you want extra protection. I used to use this exact product when restoring classic cars, usually along the drop mouldings and I’ve never had an issue with it

[@HesperianHorsePower]

@@T4Rgarage perfect! Thanks a ton for the reply. It makes sense to use this product above anything else in my opinion and it sounds like you’ve had plenty of experience with it. I’ll take your advice and fill up the spacers too. Might as well. The excess sealant should act as a sort of thread locker when ratcheting them down through the plus nuts! The more waterproof the merrier. Thanks again for your help.

[@HesperianHorsePower]

@@T4RgarageI just wanted to say thanks again for the advice. That 3M seam sealer is ideal for the task and as you mentioned, I filled the black spacers with it after using it to seat the + nuts. The whole rack is solid as a rock. Assembly and installation of the rack itself is pretty simple. The time suck in my case was having to drop the headliner due to it being an Outback.

[@aksalaman4689]

Any wind noise on the freeway? Thanks for the video.

[@T4Rgarage]

None that I’ve noticed, seems very quiet

[@RicardoGonzalez-gf5tn]

This is awesome! But how does it work with the sun roof? Would you be available to adjust the metal bars?

[@T4Rgarage]

I think there is one metal bar over the sunroof. It doesn’t interfere with the function of the sunroof though. You can raise open the sunroof as you normally would. If you want you could remove that bar but they do have fixed positions so relocating isn’t an option.

[@RicardoGonzalez-gf5tn]

@@T4Rgarage thank you!

[@burnn3]

Could you theoretically leave the first 2 cross members off to allow for an unobstructed view from your sun roof without compromising structual integrity?

[@T4Rgarage]

I leave one 2 off most of the time, it’s the one right above my sunroof and in the rear. My roof top tent is just easier to reinstall if I leave the bars on the rack itself

[@jude-cg7ho]

Moon roof?

[@andrewjust4480]

Do you have to cut off the weather strip?

[@T4Rgarage]

It’s not a seal, it’s literally just a piece of plastic that stops dirt from building up in the channel.

[@1990fjz]

What are your thoughts on the gobi roof rack?

[@T4Rgarage]

I like the gobi, people seem to be vary happy with it

[@bradK5NFB]

I gotta find me a beautiful woman to help with these projects. Love your videos.

[@ORG4Runna]

Wouldn’t it be a pia getting out those screws with red Loctite? You’d probably strip them

[@T4Rgarage]

I just tried removing the screws and they came off with a screw drivers quite easily. With the amount of torque used and the fact that it’s aluminum and not steel, the red loctite didn’t bind the same way. Definitely not permanent

[@ORG4Runna]

@@T4Rgarage good to hear 👍🏽

[@joyriddle9029]

That was my question too, as part of the reason I ordered this rack was the ability to change the crossbar position. Thanks!

[@hurpaderpp]

wow they dont even use torx bolts anymore. cheaped out

[@topshelf30]

cutting weather stripping👎🏽👎🏽👎🏽

[@MrGPlays]

are you not supposed to cut the weather stripping?

[@T4Rgarage]

@MrGPlays you are suppose to, cutting the weather stripping does nothing, it’s no a seal it’s for aesthetics to hide the channel

[@MarkCastillo-ey6vf]

When you were cutting the weather strip to put the bracket in the front did you put anything to make sure no water going down between the weather strip

[@T4Rgarage]

Hi there, It’s not a seal just a cover for the channel, basically just prevents dirt from building up