Adventure Roof Rails

jonrodzpr said:

Hi! Still have them?

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Fiziuhtrist said:

Hey guys,
I own a 2019 Rav4 hybrid, and earlier this week I came across this forum looking for quick answer as to how difficult it would be to swap the hybrid roof rails for the adventure model rails. I looked elsewhere on the internet as well but couldn't find anything. My local dealership was not sure if it could be done. I went ahead and purchased the adventure rails anyway, and found out that it's a little more difficult to swap out the rails than I anticipated, but it can be done. It requires that you remove the celing/headliner to access the bolt nuts on the underside of the roof, which was somewhat difficult. you have to remvove all the ceiling handholds, the sunvisor and sunvisor clips, and the front light console in the middle. You also have to unclip the plastic sidewalls around the entire cabin including the back trunk/cargo area (you must be very careful as some of these contain airbags). Once you do all this the headliner can be pulled down a bit and you can have a few inches to reach the 8 underside roof rack bolt nuts. Once the ceiling/headliner was lowered, it was actually pretty easy to exchange the rails. Feel free to direct message me with any questions.

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sinbad said:

I have a ss red R4P just into port, so in a month or so, I'll pick it up. I too plan to exchange the low roof rails for Adventure rails, to use with my versatile 58" old square style Thule racks that the foot base wraps around the roof rails. I have three bike rails, mast holders, ratchet straps, etc to fit this style Thule racks. I've had them since my 2003 WRX wagon was new, and use them on my current Forester. I easily remove them when not in use, which cuts wind noise and fuel use. I know I would not be satisfied with the reduced functionality of what is available with the stock R4P.

The Toyota Adventure roof rail part number shown above is changed on the BAM website, it's the same for both gas RAV and R4P vehicles when you search for PT278-42190-RH (or LH) :
"RAV4 Rfrck Side Rail
Part Number: PT278-42195-RH
Replaces: PT278-42190-RH"

There is no picture to confirm that the replacement part numbers are for the Adventure roof rails, not the low rails. The left side listing has the same change. I'd hate to buy and pay shipping on the wrong ones. I wonder if a Toyota parts department person would have access to a picture to go with the part number to confirm the roof rail type.

OR....If anyone with a current model Adventure or TRD wants to swap roof rails over the winter, I'm coastal DE and Lancaster, PA, with two car wide garages.

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browneyesvictim said:

Hi japoki,


I wish I could answer your question by experience as I am looking to do the exact same thing as you. I have the flush rails and need the raised rails. But I did go to my dealer to see what was involved and get a quote for the parts for switching to the raised Adventure rails. They scratched their heads a bit but said it looked like it was doable. The adventure rail parts were over $1,500, so that ended that. I may still go that direction, but I think I will wait for an adventure to show up in a salvage yard with good rails somewhere. I hope you have a line on the parts! Definitely interested what else you may come up with or if you go that route.


I need long cross bars that extend out beyond the rails and the OEM (adventure) cross bars do not do that. I already own Thule 450R Rapid Crossroad foot packs that are designed to strap around most any raised rails. I have Thule 60"Aeroblade bars to go with them. These were taken off the Dodge Journey that was sold before buying the Rav.


Alternatively, I've been waiting for Thule to release an actual bolt-on foot pack kit for the 2019+ Rav4 and would sell the universal 450R foot packs. I'd be happy either way...

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Fiziuhtrist said:

Hey guys,
I own a 2019 Rav4 hybrid, and earlier this week I came across this forum looking for quick answer as to how difficult it would be to swap the hybrid roof rails for the adventure model rails. I looked elsewhere on the internet as well but couldn't find anything. My local dealership was not sure if it could be done. I went ahead and purchased the adventure rails anyway, and found out that it's a little more difficult to swap out the rails than I anticipated, but it can be done. It requires that you remove the celing/headliner to access the bolt nuts on the underside of the roof, which was somewhat difficult. you have to remvove all the ceiling handholds, the sunvisor and sunvisor clips, and the front light console in the middle. You also have to unclip the plastic sidewalls around the entire cabin including the back trunk/cargo area (you must be very careful as some of these contain airbags). Once you do all this the headliner can be pulled down a bit and you can have a few inches to reach the 8 underside roof rack bolt nuts. Once the ceiling/headliner was lowered, it was actually pretty easy to exchange the rails. Feel free to direct message me with any questions.

Click to expand...

sinbad said:

Finally got to this project. Got one side done. Learned a few things. Absolutely get a pick to loosen the covers on the inside grab handles. I wasted a lot of time until I did. Then it was easy. I had planned on through bolting the rails where the plugs are. All but two spots would have possibly interfered with the air bags. When I do the remaining sides I will likely skip the bolts. Shame I bought so many and ground them down to fit the slots in the rail. It was tough getting the nylock nuts on them too. I liberally coated the openings and fasteners with 3M 4000 marine sealant. That should prevent any leaks. I noticed the holes for the rack bolts were punched unevenly. I thought of pounding them flat, but elected to use lots of sealant. Didn’t want to crack the paint. I’ll start the second rail today. I wanted to do also my wife’s R4P right away before I forget how I did this, but I found one of the rails I bought from BAM arrived damaged. I’ll contact them and see if they will do anything since I had them for several months, even though I finally opened the box yesterday. It will be nice to use my Thule 66” wide racks again.

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JFox562 said:

Did you find that the holes for the clips also have this issue?

View attachment 187676

If so, I'm wondering if the uneven surface for the washers under the plastic clips not to seal and cause premature leakage?

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JFox562 said:

I too have a Limited but I have the pano roof. The reason I am telling you this is the Adventure/TRD rails require the headliner to be dropped. If you also have the pano roof, you might want to research how this headliner is dropped before purchasing the Adventure/TRD rails. I has to be possible, but all of the videos I've seen are for the standard sun roof and the pano headliner is mounted differently.

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shado_wolf said:

Like MVTTKIM I am also looking to swap. Anyone willing to? If you are willing to ship your flats my way I will send you my rails.

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Fiziuhtrist said:

Hey guys,
I own a 2019 Rav4 hybrid, and earlier this week I came across this forum looking for quick answer as to how difficult it would be to swap the hybrid roof rails for the adventure model rails. I looked elsewhere on the internet as well but couldn't find anything. My local dealership was not sure if it could be done. I went ahead and purchased the adventure rails anyway, and found out that it's a little more difficult to swap out the rails than I anticipated, but it can be done. It requires that you remove the celing/headliner to access the bolt nuts on the underside of the roof, which was somewhat difficult. you have to remvove all the ceiling handholds, the sunvisor and sunvisor clips, and the front light console in the middle. You also have to unclip the plastic sidewalls around the entire cabin including the back trunk/cargo area (you must be very careful as some of these contain airbags). Once you do all this the headliner can be pulled down a bit and you can have a few inches to reach the 8 underside roof rack bolt nuts. Once the ceiling/headliner was lowered, it was actually pretty easy to exchange the rails. Feel free to direct message me with any questions.

Click to expand...

@ravboomin said:

Picking up a set of adventure rails in a couple hours, going to attack this project. Will post how it goes over the weekend.

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sinbad said:

Please take a picture of your roof with the existing rail removed or the underside of the removed rails. I am curious how the 22 compares to the 21 with its many push pin holes. I have an extra set of Adventure rails that match my 21 with all the pushpin mounts, that I want to use on my wife's 22 SE (Japan built, delivered in May, build probably 2 - 3 months earlier). Some day I will get around to the install, but am curious if there is a difference in the rail design needed, and if I can use the 2019 to 2021 rails I already bought for it. This is the opportunity to seal any holes better than the OEM foam washers.

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