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 are different but have the same bar code numbers. I marked each with a magic marker ‘F’ and ‘R’ for future use. 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. Finally, the snap in plastic caps are difficult to remove and need a pry tool. Suggest you use a plastic molding trim tool to prevent damage to the rails. Hope this helps!
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 are different but have the same bar code numbers. I marked each with a magic marker ‘F’ and ‘R’ for future use. 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. Finally, the snap in plastic caps are difficult to remove and need a pry tool. Suggest you use a plastic molding trim tool to prevent damage to the rails. Hope this helps!
