Isuzu SUV Forum banner

2001 Trooper Roof OEM Rack Install

24K views 18 replies 11 participants last post by  floatzilla 
#1 ·
The first step is to remove the plastic trim that runs along the edges of the roof. Start in the middle and gently pry with a screwdriver. Once it starts you can pop it off with your fingers and can set down the screwdriver. You need to start in the middle because the front and back ends tuck under other trim so by gently bending it up in the middle you can free it from the trim at either end.

Once the trim is removed look for the three sets of mounting holes. There is a pair at the back, a pair in the middle and a pair at the front on each side. They are normally covered with tape and painted over, although on a '92 Trooper we had there were bolts in those holes and the bolt heads were painted over.

This is what you are looking for:


You need to cut through the pant and tape like so:


Then cut in a circle until the paint and tape are clear from the holes:


Once the holes are open you can mount the roof rack pads using the short bolts in the kit:


After that mount the roof rack bases to the pads:


Then the assembled crossbars can be attached to the bases:


And finally snap the covers back onto the truck:


Take a step back and admire your work:


-Tad
 
See less See more
8
#7 ·
On some (most) installations, you will also have to notch the trim to clear the rack bases before snapping it back in, but this only adds a couple of minutes to a really fast install (I think we did my old 94 start to finish in about 20 minutes, and one of us was just watching).
 
#8 ·
Tug said:
On some (most) installations, you will also have to notch the trim to clear the rack bases before snapping it back in, but this only adds a couple of minutes to a really fast install (I think we did my old 94 start to finish in about 20 minutes, and one of us was just watching).
That's true of the Surco mounts, but these OEM mounts didn't require any notching. The metal is thin enough and shaped so that it just sits under the edge of the trim.

You'll certainly have to trim or notch the thick Surco mounts however.

-Tad
 
#18 ·
Afraid I can't answer that one...I would guess somewhere in the #10 to 1/4" range...been a long time. If I had some in front of me, I could probably get you in the ballpark...probably metric though.

If it were me, I would pull the trim strip and drive to your local hardware store...not Lowe's or Home Depot, but an Ace or Do-It-Best hardware type store where they have tons of nuts and bolts and you can buy just *one*! :) Ask them if you can take a couple different ones out to your Trooper to figure out which size (and length - too long and they won't work either) you need to purchase...

Regular phillips or flat head should work, but my recollection is that they were a pan-head hex type screw.

Wesley
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top