Install/Review Yakima Overhaul HD Truck Rack

Hi All:

After much research, I decided to purchase and install the Yakima Overhaul HD rack on my 2017 short bed Tacoma Off-road. This is not an inexpensive rack, but you get what you pay for. I chose this rack for three reasons: (1) it can be quickly and easily removed, (2) the crossbar arm height is adjustable, and (3) it comes with security hardware and locks that will (hopefully) deter theft from my street parking location (in DC).

This rack (between breaks) took about 3 hours to install. The hardest part was the first bed rail mounting pad, which wanted to be uncooperative. Also difficult were the HD cross bars, which require “blind” bolting (upside down) to the lower T-Slot.

I was impressed with the quality of this rack. While the supports are aluminum, all parts and hardware are steel, and VERY robust. Tools are included. There are many install videos out there, so I’m not going to do a step-by-step, just the highlights. Let’s start with the first mounting pad.

Don’t do what I did. Start in the back of the truck, near the tailgate. Modify the instructions. Instead of starting to tighten from the top, tighten from the side first, until snug, then hold an push up from the bottom to keep the mount in position and the bolts in alignment (see picture). Once you learn this trick, installing the pads becomes MUCH easier.

Once you get to fastening the cross bar, slide the plate in the track (from the bottom, or upside down) until it gets near the bolt holes in the cross bar arms. Then, use the smaller of the Allen wrench tools to slide it in, and then as a guide through the bolt holes in the arms to find the holes in the upside down (blind) mounting plate in the crossbar for alignment. Once aligned, it’s much easier to install the bolts.

Other notes on pictures that follow. GOOD LUCK!

Image #1: Bed rail mounting pad (looking down while raining), inward toward bed. Note bolt to left and index bolt to right. This is the “short” one. It’s critical to get this aligned correctly. Snug up the rail bolts, hand position the pad, then start tightening the bolt you see to the left. If you don’t do this (like I did), the index bolt can pop loose or not align right, causing the pad to become crooked (and you cursing it).



Image #2: Bed rail mounting pad (looking down while raining), outward from the bed. Note bolt in longer slot to right and index bolt now on left. This is the “long” one for adjustment. Again, It’s critical to get this aligned correctly. Snug up the rail bolts, hand position the pad, then start tightening the bolt you see to the right.



Images #3, 4 and 5: Finished bed rail mounting pads with crossbar arms attached. Note locks on one side. The rack cannot be removed from the pads unless both sides are open, and the plate securing the arms is loose.







Image #6: The bracket securing the mounting pads to the OEM bed rails. It looks weird, but it works. The lock nut for the mounting pad is inside a channel. This prevents use of pliers or a wrench to remove.



Image #7: The bolts mounting the cross arm to one side of the cross arm supports, looking up. Use the smaller of the Allen wrench tools to slide in the mounting plate on the underside of the cross arm, and then as a guide through the bolt holes in the arms to find the holes in the mounting plate for alignment. Once aligned, it’s much easier to install the bolts.



Images #8 and 9: The finished product, also with the side bar attached. Once completed, this is a very “tight” and solid piece of gear. It will not move. Note the use of security hardware bolts throughout.





Hope this helps with your install!