Roof rack installation questions
Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 4
From: .
If I may post again:
I used x6 1/3" gnarly sheet metal screws and some wide diameter washers on each track (12 in all), with the front end of the track held down by two screws, same with the rear. Ive hung off the side of the truck by the tracks. itll support some serious weight.
and the racks are super aerodynamic, they create such little drag that its not the tracks thatll come off, its the cross member between them. Id actually scrap the stock expo cross member bolt downs and develop your own "beefy" (if you can call it that) bolt downs thall hold the cross member down securely. I have had all 5 lights up top for as long as the racks been up and no issues for about a year now.
my experience may not work for all. I know my rack is secure but heck, drilling through the double layered roof and bolting her down with nut and bolt would make it SUPER secure. more power to you.
measure measure measure. only got one shot
I used x6 1/3" gnarly sheet metal screws and some wide diameter washers on each track (12 in all), with the front end of the track held down by two screws, same with the rear. Ive hung off the side of the truck by the tracks. itll support some serious weight.
and the racks are super aerodynamic, they create such little drag that its not the tracks thatll come off, its the cross member between them. Id actually scrap the stock expo cross member bolt downs and develop your own "beefy" (if you can call it that) bolt downs thall hold the cross member down securely. I have had all 5 lights up top for as long as the racks been up and no issues for about a year now.
my experience may not work for all. I know my rack is secure but heck, drilling through the double layered roof and bolting her down with nut and bolt would make it SUPER secure. more power to you.
measure measure measure. only got one shot
its a luggage rack dude...and you want to put lights on it...yea go for it!
here's an option...and you don't need to get all hung up with that pesky headliner
Attachment 53429
here's an option...and you don't need to get all hung up with that pesky headliner
Attachment 53429
Clarification: I'm putting a ROOF BASKET with the lights. Guess what... I need to have a way to mount the basket.
Can you guess what I'm doing about the mounting?
Yup... the roof rack.
Now go away.
If I may post again:
I used x6 1/3" gnarly sheet metal screws and some wide diameter washers on each track (12 in all), with the front end of the track held down by two screws, same with the rear. Ive hung off the side of the truck by the tracks. itll support some serious weight.
and the racks are super aerodynamic, they create such little drag that its not the tracks thatll come off, its the cross member between them. Id actually scrap the stock expo cross member bolt downs and develop your own "beefy" (if you can call it that) bolt downs thall hold the cross member down securely. I have had all 5 lights up top for as long as the racks been up and no issues for about a year now.
my experience may not work for all. I know my rack is secure but heck, drilling through the double layered roof and bolting her down with nut and bolt would make it SUPER secure. more power to you.
measure measure measure. only got one shot
I used x6 1/3" gnarly sheet metal screws and some wide diameter washers on each track (12 in all), with the front end of the track held down by two screws, same with the rear. Ive hung off the side of the truck by the tracks. itll support some serious weight.
and the racks are super aerodynamic, they create such little drag that its not the tracks thatll come off, its the cross member between them. Id actually scrap the stock expo cross member bolt downs and develop your own "beefy" (if you can call it that) bolt downs thall hold the cross member down securely. I have had all 5 lights up top for as long as the racks been up and no issues for about a year now.
my experience may not work for all. I know my rack is secure but heck, drilling through the double layered roof and bolting her down with nut and bolt would make it SUPER secure. more power to you.
measure measure measure. only got one shot
I'd prefer a simpler installation with self-tapping screws, but I'm just paranoid that it'll disfigure the roof with the weight that I'll be putting up there (possibly my 265/75/16 spare tire).
The "only got one shot" comment is why I'm so scared of doing it. lol
its a luggage rack dude...and you want to put lights on it...yea go for it!
here's an option...and you don't need to get all hung up with that pesky headliner
Attachment 53429
here's an option...and you don't need to get all hung up with that pesky headliner
Attachment 53429
the headliner is out.
NOW you can go away.
UPDATE:
I just finished the install of the expo roof rack. Since the site is lacking a COMPLETE how-to, I'll write one up soon. Luckily, I took pictures throughout the whole process.
Special tool I found at Harbor Freight and used for this install instead of self-tapping screws:
45 Piece Threaded Insert Riveter Kit
Sample video I found on youtube:
I just finished the install of the expo roof rack. Since the site is lacking a COMPLETE how-to, I'll write one up soon. Luckily, I took pictures throughout the whole process.
Special tool I found at Harbor Freight and used for this install instead of self-tapping screws:
45 Piece Threaded Insert Riveter Kit
Sample video I found on youtube:
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Want to Buy: Roof rack or roof bars - WA
2006crfrider
OLD - Interior, Exterior, Electrical, & Misc.
1
Sep 18, 2013 09:38 AM
Want to Buy: Roof Rack/Cargo Rack-AL
Kosmo04
OLD - Interior, Exterior, Electrical, & Misc.
0
Nov 23, 2009 02:59 PM
