Just removed the roof rail cross bars…

My GX550 came fitted with the port optioned cross bars which also added $440 to the bottom line. Didn’t want them but as you know you get them anyway, with a lot of other stuff Lexus pushes out as PIOs.

For me, I have 4 reasons to remove them,
1. Wind noise. 2. Added height. 3. Not carrying cargo on the roof. 4. Looks more streamlined without them.

Helpful Tips: If you decide to remove them, pay attention that the front and rear bars have different mounting patterns but have the same bar code numbers. I marked each with a magic marker ‘F’ and ‘R’ for future reference. Also the T30 torx bolts use washers for the front bar and no washers on the rear bar. I thought it would be best to reinstall the bolts in the roof rails to keep the thread clean and prevent losing them. They actually include a simple torque wrench with the kit. Finally, I found the snap-in plastic caps kind of tricky to remove. Suggest you use a plastic molding trim tool to prevent damage to the rails. Hope this helps!

Mine came with the tool (built in torque?) and the trim tool, with one page of instructions.

Is there a noticeable difference with the wind sound?

Honestly, wind noise with the cross rails mounted was not that bad, only noticeable on highways under windy conditions. Now it’s barely noticeable but keep in mind the vehicle is a “brick”, not aerodynamic by any means.

Yeah I haven’t noticed the noise too much on mine. Figured any noise was because of the windshield.

nmazz22 said:

Is there a noticeable difference with the wind sound?

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At highway speeds it was definitely noticeable and sounded like driving through a cross wind of ~30 mph. With the crossbars removed it's how it should be for a 5500 lb brick at 80 mph.

nopantz said:

Mine came with the tool (built in torque?) and the trim tool, with one page of instructions.

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This is super helpful. I'm picking up my GX tomorrow and will try to make sure I get these 2 tools. Sounds like the trim tool is helpful in preventing scratching the cross bars and even the rails themselves.

Mine also came with the two tool and a page of instructions in a plastic zip-lock bag. My question is if I remove the roof rails (not planning on doing that but maybe in the future) are there suppose to be any plastic caps that are included with the tools for covering up anything on the roof rails? I'm guessing not, but wanted to make sure because I didn't get any trim pieces that may have come off the roof rails to install the crossbars.

JPE said:

Mine also came with the two tool and a page of instructions in a plastic zip-lock bag. My question is if I remove the roof rails (not planning on doing that but maybe in the future) are there suppose to be any plastic caps that are included with the tools for covering up anything on the roof rails? I'm guessing not, but wanted to make sure because I didn't get any trim pieces that may have come off the roof rails to install the crossbars.

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No. I removed the factory rails on my OT+ to install the Victory roof rack. You would have 12 holes in the roof, which you can plug up with RTV silicone and see about replacing the rubber rain gutter cover with a full length piece. If you want the svelte look:

If you're only removing the cross bars no holes will need to be covered up.

Jesse H said:

Roof Rack Removal?

Just took posssession of a 2024 Lexus GX550 Luxury+. Drove home (to Connecticut) from Charlotte yesterday. The dealer delivered the vehicle with a roof rack and I am puzzled about how to remove it. Any guidance in this forum or other sources?

www.lexusgxforum.com

If you're only removing the cross bars no holes will need to be covered up.

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Thanks - only removing the cross bars is what I might do in the future.