Can I put a FE roof rack on my LCLC?

[lcat63]

Went to order a PT970-60241 roof rack for my LCLC, and the Toyota parts guy claims they aren’t for a LCLC with roof rails.

My take is you just unbolt the rails, and install the rack in its place. Is there something else to this that I’m not aware of?

The parts guy is reaching out to Toyota parts support to see if this will work, but from the posts I’ve seen it looks like folks here have been swapping both ways (rails for rack, rack for rails).

Can anyone confirm this? Thanks!

 

[lcat63]

Got a call back from the parts guy, and he said Toyota told him it will work, but there's something to be aware of. Apparently the mounts on a LCLC (built into the roof) designed to support the rails are at a different height than the 1958 and presumably the FE, and he was told this could lead to water intrusion. So I guess from Toyota's view, it can be done but it's not recommended.

Rats. I was sure hoping not to have to store a Yakima case somewhere.

 

[D-mac]

This doesn’t make a lot of sense, many LC trims and even some 1958s have the “first edition” roof rack installed prior to delivery as a Toyota port installed option. Doubtful that port based installers are any better or worse than a Toyota dealership or even DIY. Sounds like your dealership isn’t into doing accessory mods, but others can.

 

[munkeeboi]

all the roofs are the same between the LC and even the GX

 

[lcat63]

This doesn’t make a lot of sense, many LC trims and even some 1958s have the “first edition” roof rack installed prior to delivery as a Toyota port installed option. Doubtful that port based installers are any better or worse than a Toyota dealership or even DIY. Sounds like your dealership isn’t into doing accessory mods, but others can.

Part of me says Toyota should be the experts, but another part of me says the guy my parts guy called is just making stuff up. I thought hard about calling one of the aftermarket roof rack manufacturers and checking if they've run into this. I just have a hard time believing that the roof mounts on an LCLC would be any different. I might just go for it anyway.

 

[lcat63]

all the roofs are the same between the LC and even the GX

I'm inclined to agree. The answer I received just didn't smell right.

 

[EOD Guy]

If you want a factual Toyota dealer/parts advice, call Eric at Ed Martin Toyota. He's probably the most knowledgeable person on the planet of which Toyota OEM parts will fit what vehicle. His personal LC is out of this world sharp! I met him and he is straight forward with opinions ......... if something will, might or just "that's an interesting project".

There isn't any issue putting an FE rack on a non-FE LC.

 

[lcat63]

Thanks for the pdf. I already had a copy, but mine didn’t include any of the info about removing the stock rails.