FJ Cruisers of Northern California

Window Columns?

I have a question about the front windshield columns: how easy are they to take off? I'm trying to push my lighting wires underneath it because they run from my roof down the crack where the weather stripping of the windshield is and into my engine compartment. Only problem is that there isn't enough space so the wires are partially exposed. I tried to take the panel off, but it seems pretty stuck on there and I didn't want to force anything with the possibility of breaking something (I removed the screws from the handles on the inside and took that small nut off the inside as well, but it still wouldn't budge). I'm assuming it's the weather stripping that's still holding it down?

I just don't want to break anything while trying this.

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Permalink Reply by FJEssence on November 10, 2009 at 10:13am

theres some clips holding the panel on, they are a one time use clip, so you just take it off and make sure you buy the clips from toyota before you do

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Permalink Reply by FJJeremy on November 11, 2009 at 11:00pm

just pull straight back towards you. they won't budge if you dont pull hard. i have installed my blue tooth mic in my rear view mirror and pulled off the panels. very easy to do and i have never broken anything

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Permalink Reply by Markie Sharkie on November 11, 2009 at 11:39pm

That's the inside panels. I'm talking about the exterior panels.

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Permalink Reply by FJJeremy on November 12, 2009 at 12:07am

my bad :)

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Permalink Reply by TRD Black on December 22, 2009 at 9:46pm

I think a lot of people have come up with creative ways to do this installation without cutting a hole in the roof. I went with these instructions I found online and paid the guy I bought my switches from like $80 to do all the install as I had to work:
http://www.purefjcruiser.com/docs/Gobi%20Roof%20Rack%20and%20Lights...
The only issue with running the wires down the pillar is that they are visible for a tiny bit between the pillar and the roof. Other than that small space, however, the whole setup looks pretty clean. I did see someone at one of the workdays with their lighting wires run to the back of their rack and then through the back door. It also looked very clean and appeared less intrusive. If you want to know how to pop off those panels though there are step by step directions on the link above. If you want to see how it looks in person I can meet you for a cup of coffee after you get back to Stockton.