Roof Rail Cap Removal
Mudding
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 186
Likes: 20
Funny that I came across this forum and post while doing a search to locate some new rail caps.
I also installed a Front Runner Slim Line, (or more correctly, am in the process of). I too, destroyed my rail caps in trying to install the FR mounts. By the time I got to my 6th cap, and had marked up the black LR rails (even after applying tape as you all had done), I figured out (1) the caps were disposable, and (2) if they were disposable, I would rather destroy the cap and not scratch the rail. To that end I drilled two holes in the cap with a spade bit and pried it out.
After all that (which I figure was the hard part of the job) I went to install the FR supports, only to find that their aluminum spacers were about 1/4" taller than the factory rails. This left an ugly gap between the rail and the support. I spoke to FR and they had to discuss it with the designer in S Africa, which took about a week. The answer I received back was the spacers were correct, and had been revised to allow room for the sunroof.
Not loving the process or the look, i got some 1-1/4" EPDM foam rubber gasket and tried applying it to the bottom of the support legs to fill the gap. That became a pain in the ***, since the aluminum spacer needed to go through the gasket.
About the same time, a fellow from England contacted me about the installation through FB and let me know that his FR Slimline came with these really nice clamp on supports, no cap removal and no bolting needed. I contacted FR and they agreed to take the bolt down kit back and send me the 'new style' clamp on kit, which is supposed to be here today.
Now I'm trying to replace the caps, which I could only find on line through a JLR dealer in Tennessee. Look like the shipped coast for all 6 is around $60.
Dan
I also installed a Front Runner Slim Line, (or more correctly, am in the process of). I too, destroyed my rail caps in trying to install the FR mounts. By the time I got to my 6th cap, and had marked up the black LR rails (even after applying tape as you all had done), I figured out (1) the caps were disposable, and (2) if they were disposable, I would rather destroy the cap and not scratch the rail. To that end I drilled two holes in the cap with a spade bit and pried it out.
After all that (which I figure was the hard part of the job) I went to install the FR supports, only to find that their aluminum spacers were about 1/4" taller than the factory rails. This left an ugly gap between the rail and the support. I spoke to FR and they had to discuss it with the designer in S Africa, which took about a week. The answer I received back was the spacers were correct, and had been revised to allow room for the sunroof.
Not loving the process or the look, i got some 1-1/4" EPDM foam rubber gasket and tried applying it to the bottom of the support legs to fill the gap. That became a pain in the ***, since the aluminum spacer needed to go through the gasket.
About the same time, a fellow from England contacted me about the installation through FB and let me know that his FR Slimline came with these really nice clamp on supports, no cap removal and no bolting needed. I contacted FR and they agreed to take the bolt down kit back and send me the 'new style' clamp on kit, which is supposed to be here today.
Now I'm trying to replace the caps, which I could only find on line through a JLR dealer in Tennessee. Look like the shipped coast for all 6 is around $60.
Dan
Please post pics of the clamp version when you receive.
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Dont pry them out from the edge. I tried all different tools and methods of protection and nothing worked all that well. If you do pry them, once you get them started, you pretty much have to destroy them to to get them out.
I found it it made more sense to drill two holes down through the caps, and pry through those holes so you were pushing against the cap itself. The cap is obviously still ruined, but you don’t ruin the rails.
i would suggest doing one as a test. Remove the cap, test fit the spacers, and test fit one of the front mounts. I ended up not loving the way the mount fit (gap under the mount) and ended up buying the clamp on mounts from FR. I installed the rack last night and it worked out really well
Dan
I found it it made more sense to drill two holes down through the caps, and pry through those holes so you were pushing against the cap itself. The cap is obviously still ruined, but you don’t ruin the rails.
i would suggest doing one as a test. Remove the cap, test fit the spacers, and test fit one of the front mounts. I ended up not loving the way the mount fit (gap under the mount) and ended up buying the clamp on mounts from FR. I installed the rack last night and it worked out really well
Dan
I’m installing a Frontrunner roof rack that requires the removal of the caps covering the mounting bolts of the OEM roof rails.
Frontrunner’s instructions show a screwdriver, but nothing else as far as how to actually do it. I’ve also looked at LR’s install instructions to understand the tabs holding it in place.
Anyone have tips on how to remover the covers/caps? I assume I need to get a lever in there and pry them, just don’t want to damage the covers or rails.
Thanks!
Frontrunner’s instructions show a screwdriver, but nothing else as far as how to actually do it. I’ve also looked at LR’s install instructions to understand the tabs holding it in place.
Anyone have tips on how to remover the covers/caps? I assume I need to get a lever in there and pry them, just don’t want to damage the covers or rails.
Thanks!
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
Funny that I came across this forum and post while doing a search to locate some new rail caps.
I also installed a Front Runner Slim Line, (or more correctly, am in the process of). I too, destroyed my rail caps in trying to install the FR mounts. By the time I got to my 6th cap, and had marked up the black LR rails (even after applying tape as you all had done), I figured out (1) the caps were disposable, and (2) if they were disposable, I would rather destroy the cap and not scratch the rail. To that end I drilled two holes in the cap with a spade bit and pried it out.
After all that (which I figure was the hard part of the job) I went to install the FR supports, only to find that their aluminum spacers were about 1/4" taller than the factory rails. This left an ugly gap between the rail and the support. I spoke to FR and they had to discuss it with the designer in S Africa, which took about a week. The answer I received back was the spacers were correct, and had been revised to allow room for the sunroof.
Not loving the process or the look, i got some 1-1/4" EPDM foam rubber gasket and tried applying it to the bottom of the support legs to fill the gap. That became a pain in the ***, since the aluminum spacer needed to go through the gasket.
About the same time, a fellow from England contacted me about the installation through FB and let me know that his FR Slimline came with these really nice clamp on supports, no cap removal and no bolting needed. I contacted FR and they agreed to take the bolt down kit back and send me the 'new style' clamp on kit, which is supposed to be here today.
Now I'm trying to replace the caps, which I could only find on line through a JLR dealer in Tennessee. Look like the shipped coast for all 6 is around $60.
Dan
I also installed a Front Runner Slim Line, (or more correctly, am in the process of). I too, destroyed my rail caps in trying to install the FR mounts. By the time I got to my 6th cap, and had marked up the black LR rails (even after applying tape as you all had done), I figured out (1) the caps were disposable, and (2) if they were disposable, I would rather destroy the cap and not scratch the rail. To that end I drilled two holes in the cap with a spade bit and pried it out.
After all that (which I figure was the hard part of the job) I went to install the FR supports, only to find that their aluminum spacers were about 1/4" taller than the factory rails. This left an ugly gap between the rail and the support. I spoke to FR and they had to discuss it with the designer in S Africa, which took about a week. The answer I received back was the spacers were correct, and had been revised to allow room for the sunroof.
Not loving the process or the look, i got some 1-1/4" EPDM foam rubber gasket and tried applying it to the bottom of the support legs to fill the gap. That became a pain in the ***, since the aluminum spacer needed to go through the gasket.
About the same time, a fellow from England contacted me about the installation through FB and let me know that his FR Slimline came with these really nice clamp on supports, no cap removal and no bolting needed. I contacted FR and they agreed to take the bolt down kit back and send me the 'new style' clamp on kit, which is supposed to be here today.
Now I'm trying to replace the caps, which I could only find on line through a JLR dealer in Tennessee. Look like the shipped coast for all 6 is around $60.
Dan
~Matt
Overlanding
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 20
Likes: 10
I’m also trying to install the FrontRunner Slimline II and also scratched up the rails trying to remove the covers. I scratched up one so just used the same technique but tried to minimize the damage.
I purchased a T40 bit but was unable to loosen the bolt, as a matter of fact I broke it. Curious what did everyone else use?
I purchased a T40 bit but was unable to loosen the bolt, as a matter of fact I broke it. Curious what did everyone else use?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 30
Likes: 3
From: Coastal South Carolina
Thanks for the pics! That looks a little higher than. would have thought (looks great though)! Did you consider the LR roof rack? I saw one at the dealer and it look like it sits a bit lower.
Overlanding
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 20
Likes: 10
At last I was able to install the FrontRunner rack. While I was at it, also installed the WeBoost at the rear.
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