ramonortiz55
Adventurist
I was able to obtain a 3rd gen 4runner Rago Fabrication Modular panel for my rear side windows.
These panels will require drilling trim and removing the back cargo panels for proper installation.
I highly recommend:
1. Beer.
2. A friend to help you - This is not a solo job.
3. Time - This is not a job you want to start after work, during the week. You will need at least half a day to install both panels.
You will need a rivnut tool, a drill, a step bit that steps up to at least 3/4" diameter, and 1/8" pilot bit, and a 25/64" drill bit.
The 25/64" drill bit is important since the holes for the rivnuts must be EXACT. I recommend making sure the rivnuts in the packaging are all the same diameter and the drill bit is sized accordingly. There can not be room for error here.
Make sure you have a helper. Even if it is your feline.
First order of business is to remove the rear cargo panels. The first thing to be removed is the hatch floor trim -
Next, remove the top panel where the hatch light is at.
This is done by removing the light cover:
Removing the four screws and the bulb:
Pry the lighting bracket away from the roof trim carefully and pull out the power plug:
at the ends of the roof trim there will be two small brass screws, remove these as well:
Now the top trim can be removed by pulling firmly:
Next we remove cargo cover brackets, removing the visible bolts will release them
The shoulder panel must now be removed (picture was taken before I removed the cargo cover bracket):
To remove the shoulder panel, the door floor trim must be removed, locate two screws and remove the door floor trim by firmly pulling away.
The shoulder trim can now be removed by pulling firmly. No screws are located on the shoulder trim.
The main cargo panel can now be removed. In this case, the passenger side:
We will now locate the TWO outer holes where the trim fasteners push into. In the picture below, you will see four holes below the window. It is the two outer holes.
Pointing at the left and right hole respectively:
Once they have been located - drill out the hole to the size of the rivnut:
Use the step bit to de-burr the holes. We want nice clean holes to set the rivnut:
Test fit and set rivnut:
These panels will require drilling trim and removing the back cargo panels for proper installation.
I highly recommend:
1. Beer.
2. A friend to help you - This is not a solo job.
3. Time - This is not a job you want to start after work, during the week. You will need at least half a day to install both panels.
You will need a rivnut tool, a drill, a step bit that steps up to at least 3/4" diameter, and 1/8" pilot bit, and a 25/64" drill bit.
The 25/64" drill bit is important since the holes for the rivnuts must be EXACT. I recommend making sure the rivnuts in the packaging are all the same diameter and the drill bit is sized accordingly. There can not be room for error here.
Make sure you have a helper. Even if it is your feline.
First order of business is to remove the rear cargo panels. The first thing to be removed is the hatch floor trim -
Next, remove the top panel where the hatch light is at.
This is done by removing the light cover:
Removing the four screws and the bulb:
Pry the lighting bracket away from the roof trim carefully and pull out the power plug:
at the ends of the roof trim there will be two small brass screws, remove these as well:
Now the top trim can be removed by pulling firmly:
Next we remove cargo cover brackets, removing the visible bolts will release them
The shoulder panel must now be removed (picture was taken before I removed the cargo cover bracket):
To remove the shoulder panel, the door floor trim must be removed, locate two screws and remove the door floor trim by firmly pulling away.
The shoulder trim can now be removed by pulling firmly. No screws are located on the shoulder trim.
The main cargo panel can now be removed. In this case, the passenger side:
We will now locate the TWO outer holes where the trim fasteners push into. In the picture below, you will see four holes below the window. It is the two outer holes.
Pointing at the left and right hole respectively:
Once they have been located - drill out the hole to the size of the rivnut:
Use the step bit to de-burr the holes. We want nice clean holes to set the rivnut:
Test fit and set rivnut:
