Anyone use their stock roof rack? If so, how?

[Ray.Klefstad]

Hi all.

It would be great to take advantage of that stock roof rack, but it is not clear to me how I would use it. I did a search without any luck.

Let me know you you have used yours. Do you use trays? boxes? Something else? Pictures would be great if you have any!

Also, has anyone repainted theirs with good results? Mine is peeling.

Thanks

Ray

 

[Ohio4R]

Your best bet would be to buy an aftermarket rack, which many people do.

 

[GoHideTheAsian]

i use it to strap my surfboards on top!

 

[Ray.Klefstad]

Your best bet would be to buy an aftermarket rack, which many people do.

Does that mean the stock rack is just for "looks?" And pretty much useless?

Ray

 

[Ohio4R]

Does that mean the stock rack is just for "looks?" And pretty much useless?

Ray

Yeah you could say that, I had my spare up there a couple weeks ago leaning on the rear bar, and now it's broken.

 

[BigRedAZ]

You usually have to buy the actual "rack" which goes on it like this http://www.thuleracks.com/product.asp?dept_id=8&sku=515 it attaches on to the rack and then you can put different sleds to hold bikes or snowboards what ever you want.

 

[TLMai]

Also, has anyone repainted theirs with good results? Mine is peeling.

Ray

Ray,

I am in the process of painting mine right now. I've already painted the rails that run front to back. I just took apart the entire cross bars and am currently prepping them by sanding them down to a smooth finish. I used Krylon Fusion because you can use it with metal and plastic without the need for primer. The other paint I planned on using was Rustoleum Satin for plastic and metal. I'll get pics up once I'm done, but its turned out great. I even did the rear visor.

As for carrying things, the bars are faily weak and have a 150lbs taing. I would suggest the Yakima Control Towers with bars if you plan on really carrying stuff up there. I couldn't justify 300.00 for cross bars I barely even use so I decided to repaint mine and buy some Yakima Mighty Mounts for my basket when I need it.

Good Luck

 

[glenyoshida]

It's handy to haul stuff around especially on those longer trips. I've used mine to load supplies, tools, spare tire, wood, etc. It's really handy when you start running out of room inside your cab. I had my spare up there for a short time but that was a pain and those cross bars are really not meant for that much load. Way down the road I plan to make a low profile aluminum box that's the same height as the basket to hold, spare clothes, blankets, and other light items that I want around but don't want to have to pack and unpack. I don't think they are mandatory but they are nice when you need them. I used mine a lot more in the beginning before I built the cargo drawer and stuff.

Sorry I don't really have many pics that focus on the basket but here's a few.

 

[Elton H]

i haven't used mine but to me with out a roof rack they look real ugly

 

[JeremyH]

Hey Glen,

Where'd you get that basket from?

 

[Martinjmpr]

I removed the high crossbars from mine but left the 3 low crossbars (the ones that sit on the roof.) When I carried a canoe earlier this month those low crossbars proved to have good attachment points for bungee cords.

 

[bju96]

I removed the high crossbars and the 3 low crossbars from mine long ago and installed Thule crossbars instead.

 

[SilverBullet01]

ray, if you want an easy solution, just look at those rooftop bags you can get. they do the trick for trips and whatnot, and you use the factory rails to secure the bag in place. looking at probably $60 bucks tops

 

[glenyoshida]

Hey Glen,

Where'd you get that basket from?

It's a Thule that I got off of ebay.

 

[theizzardking]

ray, if you want an easy solution, just look at those rooftop bags you can get. they do the trick for trips and whatnot, and you use the factory rails to secure the bag in place. looking at probably $60 bucks tops

yeah even try like a value village, i got one for my old jeep for $10 and used to to go down 101 for about a month and a half. was great,

 

[jspagna1]

I took mine off a long time ago. I only left the side rails running the length of the roof. I think I used it once in the 12 years that I have owned the truck.

 

[JeremyH]

It's a Thule that I got off of ebay.

Gotcha.....thanks!

 

[hang10]

i use it to strap my surfboards on top!

x2

 

[Ray.Klefstad]

Sorry I don't really have many pics that focus on the basket but here's a few.

Wow! That is a beautiful rack on a beautiful truck in some great spots.

Thanks for sharing! I can now see why not to stick with the stock rack.

Ray