I have a 2000 4 runner. It had the same issue. I didn’t want to make and mods to the trim (it is very expensive), and the empeg will be with me longer than the truck. So i shaved a small (<2mm) portion off the trim so the empeg could slide in up to te handle. Its not noticable. I mounted the sled behind the Toyota trim piece. I had to modify the sled slightly. i moved the connector for the external side of the cage to the internal. This compensates for the 1 cm of trim between the empeg and the sled. Let me know if you have any questions.