Considering a Roof Rack for My 3rd Gen Tundra – Pros and Cons of Drilling into the Roof

TRD JON · 2025-05-16T15:59:44+00:00

Toyota just revealed the new TRD Pro color for 2026, and it’s a bold one—Wave Maker. This bright, icy blue is made to stand out and brings a fresh, adventurous vibe to the already aggressive 2026 Tundra TRD Pro. The color was created by Toyota’s CALTY Design team and is meant to inspire the spirit of adventure. After a few years of earthy tones like Terra and Mudbath, Wave Maker is a big shift—meant to capture the look and feel of unexplored places, like icy landscapes and even space. Wave Maker continues the TRD Pro color tradition that started with Inferno in 2015. It’s exclusive to 2026 TRD Pro models and will be available on the Tundra, along with the 4Runner, Tacoma, and Sequoia. Expect them at dealerships in fall 2025. So—what do you think of Wave Maker on the Tundra? Love it or leaving it? No info yet on price or extra features added for 2026 at this time.

TRDLEGACY

Member

May 6, 2025

I’ve been thinking about adding a roof rack to my 3rd Gen Tundra (TRD Off-Road), but I wanted to throw this out to the community before pulling the trigger. Since Toyota didn’t include factory mounting points on the roof for this generation, I’ll have to drill into the roof to install a full-length rack.

Here’s where I’m at:
Pros:

Added storage for longer trips, overlanding, and hauling gear like recovery boards, fuel cans, and even a rooftop tent.
Better weight distribution, freeing up bed space and reducing clutter.
Looks awesome – let’s be honest, a low-profile rack really completes the aggressive look.
Opens the door for future mods like lighting, awnings, etc.

Cons:

Drilling into the roof is permanent – one wrong move and you risk leaks or damage.
Potential for rust or corrosion over time if not sealed properly.
Extra wind noise and a slight hit to MPG.
Adds weight up top, which could raise the center of gravity slightly.

I’ve seen a few brands that offer solid racks for this platform, but I want to make sure I’m not rushing into it. Anyone here done it and regretted it? Or on the flip side, glad they did it?

Would love to hear your thoughts, recommendations, or any tips for a clean install.