The 4RunnerRail™ Installation

The 4RunnerRail™

Step 1: Remove the top center dashboard from the vehicle.

There are many videos on YouTube that show how to remove the center dash from a 5th Gen 4Runner. It is important to see all the steps necessary for you to carefully access the hidden fasteners, detach wire harnesses etc. There are many to choose from, but this one is simple and informative.

Step 2: Remove the vent pieces that are part of the head unit.

The head unit will come away from the vehicle, but it will have the vent sections. You will need to remove the vent components including the black top plate and the side covers around the vent 'wheels' left and right.

Watch this video from SMITHEYS from time marker 9:05 to see how to remove the vent components.

 

The 5th Gen 4Runner Head Unit at the bench.

This is what your head unit may look like at the bench with the vent components removed. You do not need to remove the Hazard button. 

4RunnerRail™ hardware

The components you will need in the mounting kit are the Series 55 4RunnerRail™, 1 x left base, 1 x right base, 2 x 5mm countersunk socket fasteners, 2 x 5mm nylox nuts and 1 x l-wrench.

 

Step 3: Turn the head unit identify the area you will locate the fastener and point you will drill the hole.

Fastener location between the ribs.

The picture above shows the location of the fastener between two ribs. The 4RunnerRail™ has been designed to work with the accurate placement of fasteners between 2 rubs in the head unit. Place 3M Blue Tape at the location shown on both sides of the radio.

Step 4: Remove the 2 x pasts inside the head unit.

Remove these posts

In order to get accurate drilling of the fastener hole it is best to use a small Phlips head screwdriver to temporarily remove these posts from the dash head unit.

Step 5: Place the 5mm hex nut on the 3M Blue Tape.

Fastener location

Place the 5mm nylox nut between the two ribs as shown above. Move it forward to the raised molding and hold firm with your finger.

Use a good sharpie

With the nylox nut held firm between the two ribs and up against the plastic, mark a spot that you will drill in the next step. Repeat on both sides of the head unit.

Marked for drilling

Step 6: Carefully drill a small pilot hole using a Dremel or similar drill.

Dremel with care

At this stage you will appreciate why you did Step 4. You should have a nice and straight angle to drill the plastic. Go slow and be deliberate while not allowing the drill to wander around. This must be accurate so take your time!

Step 7: From the top, drill a 5.5mm hole through the pilot hole.

Drill a 5.5mm hole

Turn the head unit over. With the piece held firmly, carefully and accurately drill a 5.5mm hole through the polit hole. Do not use speed as the drill will go fast through the plastic.

Step 8: Reinstall the posts in removed in Step 4.

It is now time to re-install the posts you unscrewed in step 4. Just reverse what you did before.

Step 9: Slide the rail bases onto the 4RunnerRail™.

The bases slide onto the 4RunnerRail™ to provide a left and right side. Note the bases are asymmetric and the small section of additional base nylon should be pointed toward the front of the head unit (facing away from the windshield).

Check the holes you drilled can be seen through the bases when you carefully place over the head unit.

Step 10: Install the 5mm hardware through the 4RunnerRail™ and head unit.

The socket fastener should slide through the dash and leave the thread showing between the ribs on the underside of the head unit.

Step 11: Install the 5mm nylox nut on the 5mm bolt.

This next step will require you to place the 5mm nylox nut between the two ribs and carefully begin to tighten the fastener. As the fastener gets to the nylon part of the nylox nut it will begin to turn against the ribs.

The ribs are relatively soft and so we suggest a pair of small nosed pliers are used to hold the nut while you tighten down the 5mm fastener with the included l-wrench. Repeat on both side seating the bases to the head unit. That it, the 4RunnerRail™ is installed.

This is how the 4RunnerRail™ will look like if you temporarily installed the trackball, nano arm and device holder while at the bench.

Installed at the bench

Step 12: Reinstall the head unit in your 4Runner..

Whatever you did getting the head unit out, reverse the process and put your


Use Common Sense to Stay Safe: Never place any arm or device holder in an area that may in any way interfere with the unobstructed deployment of the SRS airbag. Only use the passenger side of the 4RunnerRail™ to mount high and small items like GoPro® or other close in devices. Use responsibly.

 
Thank you from everyone in the 67 Designs team for your support of US design, innovation and the manufacturing sector. To the un-creative IP thieves in the American Rust Belt and beyond who shill for the Asian knock-off industry, think first of the American jobs you are destroying by only fronting and pretending to be Patriots.

Patent Pending.