Westcott roof rack issue: contact with roof rubbed paint down to metal

[bayleymay]

Just got this westcott roof rack on my 2025 TRD Offroad. I thought it fit perfectly drove around for awhile and then I went to see how close it actually was to my paint on the top and realized that it had actually been touching and rubbed the paint down to the bare metal.

Nothing I could currently do besides paint correct it and clear coat but had anyone else had this issue or know what might be up with it ? For basically a grand you would think this would not be an issue but it could just be me.

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[Clipse]

The key to fixing this will be making adjustment to the fairing. I'd recommend loosening the bolts to the fairing and all bolts attached to the footing. Then start at the driver side, push down on the fairing weigh your palm and lift the back while tightening the bolts. This should make the fairing more flush with the side rails, and also push the rack up from your paint. Now work your way around the vehicle, making adjustments needed if you'd like to raise it up.

 

[T_Pomp]

Just got this westcott roof rack on my 2025 TRD Offroad. I thought it fit perfectly drove around for awhile and then I went to see how close it actually was to my paint on the top and realized that it had actually been touching and rubbed the paint down to the bare metal.

Nothing I could currently do besides paint correct it and clear coat but had anyone else had this issue or know what might be up with it ? For basically a grand you would think this would not be an issue but it could just be me.

I noticed this while installing my low-profile roof rack from them as well. I initially thought I had the brackets set incorrectly, but eventually figured out that I was installing it correctly.

I had to lift the fairing and the rear to keep them from rubbing on the paint. Hopefully, they come up with a fix for this ASAP.

My issue was located towards the rear of the vehicle, where the metal was in direct contact with the paint. Like the other person who commented on your post, yes, you have to push the roof rack up and then tighten the bolts. I fear that when we start putting weight on these, the bolts will eventually become loose, and halfway through the trip, you'll realize that the entire roof rack is resting and rubbing against your (our) roof. I think this is going to be a huge problem with these roof racks.

 

[T_Pomp]

The key to fixing this will be making adjustment to the fairing. I'd recommend loosening the bolts to the fairing and all bolts attached to the footing. Then start at the driver side, push down on the fairing weigh your palm and lift the back while tightening the bolts. This should make the fairing more flush with the side rails, and also push the rack up from your paint. Now work your way around the vehicle, making adjustments needed if you'd like to raise it up.

I agree that is the way to make sure the roof rack is not rubbing your paint initially, but what's going to happen when we start putting weight on these things, driving over rough terrain, and they eventually come loose and start to lower again?

 

[bayleymay]

I noticed this while installing my low-profile roof rack from them as well. I initially thought I had the brackets set incorrectly, but eventually figured out that I was installing it correctly.

I had to lift the fairing and the rear to keep them from rubbing on the paint. Hopefully, they come up with a fix for this ASAP.

My issue was located towards the rear of the vehicle, where the metal was in direct contact with the paint. Like the other person who commented on your post, yes, you have to push the roof rack up and then tighten the bolts. I fear that when we start putting weight on these, the bolts will eventually become loose, and halfway through the trip, you'll realize that the entire roof rack is resting and rubbing against your (our) roof. I think this is going to be a huge problem with these roof racks.

Yep I went ahead and did that. Had someone push up while I bolted it on. But now the front valence is vibrating do to it not being fully in contact with the roof. I guess that’s the next issue to fix. For a thousand dollars tho I hope westcott will offer to do something because not only have I caused a couple hundred dollars in damage to my vehicle but now it’s making a vibration sound.

 

[T_Pomp]

Yep I went ahead and did that. Had someone push up while I bolted it on. But now the front valence is vibrating do to it not being fully in contact with the roof. I guess that’s the next issue to fix. For a thousand dollars tho I hope westcott will offer to do something because not only have I caused a couple hundred dollars in damage to my vehicle but now it’s making a vibration sound.

Sorry to hear that, yeah, my fairing was sitting slightly above the paint, but after realizing that I needed to lift the rack, I was able to create a slightly bigger gap. Obviously, I had to do the same in the back, where the end of the rack was basically rubbing the paint. I have not experienced any rattling, though.

 

[ToYoDaMan]

Sorry to hear about all the problems. I also like the low profile look of these aftermarket racks.

This issue with the rack rubbing up against the paint is definitely one of my concerns about actually purchasing one.

Right now I am currently applying Graphene coating on the entire ORP. after a week of curing, I can potentially get the Original Prinsu rack on my vehicle, installed by a highly rated shop here in the Bay Area.

But after hearing all this about clearance issues, I got a bit worried and having second thoughts. Paying all that labor for install and then I get the car back with roof scratches and clearance issues is worrisome.

Now, I might just look into the OEM 3/4 rack by ARB that are on the Trailhunters and install it myself. I'm sure this is a straight bolt on with no modifications and overall an easier install. I will be paying more but I guess that's the price for peace of mind.

I'm still on the fence about the whole thing. I hope there is a way to fix the issues with the Westcott racks.

 

[Clipse]

I wouldn't let this issue from a few deter you from the rack itself. It's more of an user/installation issue rather than a manufacturing one. Westcott rack has slight adjustments in it to make it easier to install and after tightening it down, it's not going to shift. The issue here could be alleviated with putting towels down or using painter's tape down during installation. This is what I did while installing by myself and didn't have issues with it scratching my paint.

Alternatively, I'd recommend going with something like Sherpa if you'd prefer to not deal with the profile design and get stronger materials. I chose Westcott for the low profile look and the more corrosion resistant material--being a trusted brand focused on customer service within the community was icing on top.

You can't go wrong with either brand

 

[bayleymay]

I wouldn't let this issue from a few deter you from the rack itself. It's more of an user/installation issue rather than a manufacturing one. Westcott rack has slight adjustments in it to make it easier to install and tightened down, it's not going to shift. The issue here could be alleviated with putting towels down or using painter's tape down during installation. This is what I did while installing by myself and didn't have issues with it scratching my paint.

Alternatively, I'd recommend going with something like Sherpa if you'd prefer to not deal with the profile design and get stronger materials. I chose Westcott for the low profile look and the more corrosion resistant material--being a trusted brand focused on customer service within the community was icing on top.

You can't go wrong with either brand

The issue was not from putting it on from installation. When you bolt everything down and have it installed it doesn’t fit correctly it rubs the paint because there isn’t enough clearance. I’ve adjusted everything and talked to Westcott as well and they are thinking it’s a defect. So it’s not my fault. Westcott has been great to work with and not bashing the product it just sucks that it caused damage.

 

[Clipse]

Any update on this? Westcott is typically really good with customer support.

 

[bayleymay]

Any update on this? Westcott is typically really good with customer support.

I reached out and Jeff Westcott actually gave me a call and gave me some support and recommendations on what we could do to go fix it. First couple things didn’t work but he just kept giving me work arounds and we eventually were able to fix it. He called me multiple times and gave me his phone number incase I have any more issues. I could only really find one install video, and I might have been able to figure it out on my own but there were parts of the rack I didn’t know could move based off the install video I saw. He showed me a bunch of work arounds on how to get things to fix if they aren’t sitting flush initially.

 

[LennoB96]

4/2/26 : As many of you have , I've also encountered the same problem with installation of the Wescott designs lo-pro roof rack on my 6G 4runnerTRD PRO. No problems with the front of the vehicle cuz the wind deflector sits directly on the weathering strips. However the rack did make contact in the back.
Fixing that problem was easy for me. I loosened the two brackets in the rear, placed two 1/4" rubber grommets between the rack and the touch points, giving me the exact lift clearance I needed. i figured any higher would exert downward force on the front brackets, remember these brackets are not anchored to hard nuts so be careful. I then placed three metal washers of appropriate size between each standoff and the brackets, then removed the grommets and tightened down the bolts.
After building up the standoffs in the back of the vehicle essentially, with a total of 12 washers, I accomplished an even 1/4" of clearance between rack and touch points on the roof.
BTW, at this point there's already paint removal and bare metal exposed at the contact points, but minor, so nothing that OEM primer, original paint and clearcoat won't fix.
Hope my experience and solution help someone with similar applications.
Good luck y'all. {Arkansas here}

ALSO : in my opinion, this is not a design flaw of wescott designs. Their objective is to produce the best lo-pro racks for greater efficiency, sometimes we just need to think outside the box a lil bit.

 

[Furrypanda1121]

Woah. Didn't realize people were having issues with the westcott lowpro rack.

I installed mine back in Sept. Initially on install, I noticed the rear passenger side was resting on the paint. To fix, I loosened the bolts holding the roof mount bracket to the rack and pushed up and retightened it. Did it again on the driver side to make sure I had the max amount of clearance. After reading this I checked all around, still have good clearances with no rubbing anywhere. 2k+ miles since install with a handful of fire roads driven with the loaded rack.

 

[T_Pomp]

Woah. Didn't realize people were having issues with the westcott lowpro rack.

I installed mine back in Sept. Initially on install, I noticed the rear passenger side was resting on the paint. To fix, I loosened the bolts holding the roof mount bracket to the rack and pushed up and retightened it. Did it again on the driver side to make sure I had the max amount of clearance. After reading this I checked all around, still have good clearances with no rubbing anywhere. 2k+ miles since install with a handful of fire roads driven with the loaded rack.

I had the same issue, called them to discuss, and they didn't have a solution, so I did what you did. My only concern is when the rack is loaded for bear, it may eventually loosen up and rub on the roof (which would probably happen to me when I am in the mountains on a trail).

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