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!
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!
