Check Your Sunroof Drains

Hi, Y'all.
This was on my list, but preventative maintenance turned into reactive maintenance.
Saw random water on the rear passenger wheel well and footwell.
Water had pooled in the front passenger side of the sunroof assembly (front rake plus road crown to the right in front of the house).
Water must have sloshed back then backward when I accelerated.
Headliner was dry, but water behind the plastic trim pieces where the rear seat attached to the side anchor.
Do your self a favor and at least check the front drain holes.
I couldn't find the drain hole on the passenger side because it was covered over with mud.
Will start checking this every time I replace cabin air filter.

 

If you find all the holes, can you let us know where they are? And are they in a spot where they could simply be brushed off periodically with a tooth or paintbrush?

 

Here's a link to the most comprehensive write up I could find. Fronts are easy to spot and easy to clean.
The problem with the fronts is if the gunk gets down in the tube, then it gets caught in the "trap" at the end of the tube. My holes were just clogged at the entry point and I was careful not to push the gunk in. Was going to use a toothpick, but ended up using a nail.

The consensus is that the rears need to be accessed from the end points up instead of through the sunroof frame. I can confirm this. I tried going through the sunroof frame to the rears to no avail. flying totally blind. But I water tested the rears and I saw water come out under the rear quarter panels where the exits are, so I am going to call it good for now.

Just wish I would have bee proactive. This is something that sneaked up on me even though I was aware of the potential issue.

 

I once read that weed eater line works well to run down (or up?) the drain lines.

 

I used 0.095in trimmer line to clean drain holes. Didn't disassembly anything, just pushed the line back and forth down the drain holes until I was satisfied that water drained reasonably fast to drain holes.

 

This is why I tried to get NO sunroof, but after 6 plus months waiting and the wife wanting the hole in the roof, I caved.

thanks for the tip on the trimmer line.

 

Checked both front drain tubes today. Clean as a whistle. However when inspecting passenger side I noticed an electrical plug disconnected. RES Diagnostic. Anyone know what this is for and should it be connected?

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/anybody-know-what-this-wire-is-res-diagnostic.56672/
Remote Engine Start?

 

Question, Do you park your vehicle outside? Under trees? My two vech are garaged and under most circumstances not much debris gets in there. But I will keep my eye on it.

 

If you pour water in each of the 4 corners of the gutter, where does the water exit for the fronts? I can’t see any drains from underneath? I guess they can’t get clogged with mud if you can’t see them. Maybe that’s smart? Do you guys periodically test with water to see if freely draining underneath?

 

Front drains run out of pinch welds under the truck.

 

No sunroofs ever at all. This is the way.

 

Then I’d still be waiting for my ORP, as I couldn’t find one with out a sunroof in the almost year I shopped.

 

Where is that? Any images?

 

Oh dang, really?! Crazy, didn’t know inventory was that low, or are they just putting sunroofs on everything now?

 

This was my problem when I was 4Runner shopping. I knew I wanted a pro, but I would never buy a truck with a sunroof. Every single damn 4Runner, Pro or OFP, has a sunroof now a days. So I bought a used 2015 Pro because Pros did not have sunroofs then and no TSS. That was a win for my family. Fuck sunroofs and go for longevity.

 

I wish I had that option when I bought new.
Not even for leaks the hail storm we had in May if I had my 4R outside it would have shattered the glass with that hail. If I had a solid roof I would also enjoy more headroom and less heat on hot summer days.

I have the same feeling for TSS. As someone in the S/W industry I don't want to allow critical items like brakes to be activated by S/W.

 

No sunroof over here! Got lucky with one that arrived without sunroof when I bought it!

 

Doesn't take much to block those tubes enough to cause an issue either.
Saw headliner in my truck getting wet while driving in a storm last year. When i got into a garage and looked, i found a dead bee at opening of a drain hole. Been fine since bee was removed.

 

I personally don't have a sunroof on my TRD ORP and I'm glad for the reasons stated in another thread.

However, the OPs suggestion / recommendation is a good one. Plain and simple, if you have a sunroof, then it should be viewed as a maintenance item. Check the drains, lube the seals and grease the track at a routine interval depending on where you drive and park it.

 

Found this video. Should help a lot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qalXo4etX3Q

 

It seemed to be standard equipment package applied to every ORP in my area. And Pros we off my list due to the hole in the roof. I finally gave in when the one we bought was in the top 2 colors and MSRP.

 

I got a sunroof on purpose, same for KDSS. I knew both require maintenence and both are due.

I've removed, cleaned, and coated wiring under the KDSS skid before but haven't addressed the sunroof yet. Will probably extend the AC drain tube while I'm at it.

Just subbing here as a reminder to myself

 

To each his own. That’s why “options”.
Sun roofs on almost every car I have owned in the last 35 years. Probably around 20 different vehicles. Never a drip. I don’t mind a periodic drain clean. I just enjoy driving on a pleasant morning or evening with everything front to back and above open. Great we now have forums like this one to keep informed.