Garin

my 4runner doesn't have a factory rack. can anyone tell me if there are already some sort of backing plates or bosses under my head liner.

thanks,

snap-on

WFG on my part but i would say no.

sandcrawler

i'd say no, too. actually, thule doesn't recommend carrying large items or cargo boxes using the factory rack-rails b/c apparently their testing has shown that the rails won't hold up.

then again, there's lots of folks who've seemed to have no problems. caveat emptor, i guess.

good luck and welcome to YT.

Garin

thanks

tc

Check with a Yakima dealer - they have a track that can be screwed into the roof and help spread the load, then the Control Towers mount to the track

http://www.yakima.com/home.html

rbmc

There are no backing plates, I installed a factory roof rack on my buddies 4Runner. The rack came with little screws and little round squish nuts, the first time you put them in they tighten down and fill up the hole, kinda like a rivet and they are non-removeable.