Hey guys, I ordered those whispbar knockoffs on ebay suggested by a few of you. I've got a black trailhawk, and I'd like to keep the color scheme going. Would plastidip or spray paint be a better bet for painting these guys to get them matching? Should I go black, or is there some dark gunmetal like color that would better match the roof rails?
Well...plastidip works pretty well...I've sprayed my Silverado...emblems, grill, wheels (Anthracite/Dark Grey) and have since sprayed my Renegade...wheels, and cross bars (Matte black). I mean the best part about plastidip is if you don't like it, peel it off and do something else. Color wise is a personal choice. The Anthracite looked great on my silver truck...and has its place on the Renegades, just not sure about a black one. Again...it's fairly inexpensive and if you don't like it, peel it. I guess my only recommendation, which would be true for spray paint as well, but take your time...and apply light coats. 100 light coats will come out much smoother and look better than 5 heavy coats... #layers
So I checked the fitment on the site but they say its not compatible for a '16 T-hawk, just please verify that the :2x 39"/97cm Universal Roof Rack Cross Bar For 2012+Toyota Highlander Hybrid LE is the proper item??
Cool, I think I'll go with the plasti-dip then. Sounds like the rubberish coating will be a bit more durable as well. As far as the size, supposedly the should be right. The're supposed to fit vehicles that have 105-111cm (41.3-43.something inches) between the side rails. I measured the rails on my '15 Trailhawk and they came out around 42 (I don't remember exactly). They arrived to my office today, I should bet putting them on on Sunday afternoon so I can confirm the fit then. I also got one of the Highland baskets to go on top of them, which should also be going on the truck Sunday.
Finished installing the rails and basket today. For now, I've left the rails silver as they came from the factory. Figure I can always mask off the car and spray them in place if I want to later. Pics here on Imgur, the forum said my files were too large to upload directly. Took me about an hour and a half to do the install by myself, and another 30 to put together the basket. Keep in mind, I've never had to mount anything to the roof of a vehicle before so if you have, it should take you less time.
I ordered and installed identical (http://www.ebay.com/itm/171947405820) crossbars to my latitude roof rails. Looks good from a distance. It appears that the amount of arch varies between bars and some of the rubber and plastic parts are rough or have some damage. The name of this item is "2X Universal 1100mm Anti-theft Kayak Roof Rack Cross Bars Fit Toyota Highlander" See photos link below for snip of ad in case it changes at ebay. Scrap of paper in box: "DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY ANTI-THEFT PROTECTION". The quality is borderline as my photos can show http://pub.lavachamber.com/photos/tech/jeep-renegade/?drawer2=renegade*Roof Crossbars - ebay universal Security is not good given the metal clamp hinge is a small plasic tab and the cover lock does not hold well. Although time would be needed to to unscrew the clamp with a hex key even if a thief snapped the hinge with a screwdriver. If the rails are installed in the small gaps along the roof rails, than one of the clamps would have be fully unscrewed for removal. I installed them in by fitting the metal clamp in its hinge while lowering the rail assembly into place in the small gap in the rail. The serrated lock nuts fit in the hexagonal holes in the 'upsidedown' state; serrations pointing down to the roof. If the ends of the bolts get close to the roof, you missed running the bolt through the hole in the sliding plastic adjuster (see step 12 in the instructions - included in my photo link above. The rails have a track with a flexible rubber tube that can capture nuts and washers for binding baskets and other roof items.
I ordered the same Cross Bars. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1Pc-Univers...sh=item3ac7634eee:g:NBUAAOSwRQlXff76&vxp=mtr# However, when I purchased them, the seller was selling them single for ~$18 each, so I bought 2 for $38 instead of $52. I bought some Plastidip, and gave them 4 coats. Here are some pics: Here is how they look from the Front.
Yes, they sit high enough for the MySky powered sunroof to open, Here are some pics: Secondly, where I have the crossbars placed, the do not inhibit removing the MySky panels. I had the panels off this weekend at an offroad park. Sent from my Nexus 5 using ToasterJeep mobile app
Plasti-dip is only temporary. If I were you spray paint it with flat black enamel... but they are more permanent though.
