Roof rack install dilemma

[CentcomPete]

I have an Artec Industries roof rack that I initially struggled with to install. Nothing crazy, just tried first by myself and realized I needed some help to completely install. End result was the stock roof rack bolt sleeves that the bolts screw in to have dropped into the small void under the roof in two of the corners. I inquired previously and know that this area can be accessed via the headliner but I'm just not able to handle accessing this area and don't want to go down that road on my own. Paying for someone else to access the area and re-seat the bolt sleeves and mount the rack seems ridiculous and I don't even know who would do such work. Maybe I just need to start calling around, I live in Tampa.

I don't think Rivnuts will work on such thin metal in this application.

Is welding an option for the two corners to mount the rack or is that a bad idea?

Of course, of ultimate concern, is leaking.

The Artec roof rack was only about $500. I have no rack on now and need to fix this. I wouldn't be surprised if more of the bolt sleeves "fall down" and become inaccessible during the next install attempt! I feel really stuck.

All opinions Welcome - Thank you!

 

[flyrv9]

Can you fish those sleeves up with a magnet to where you can grab them with some pliers? You could then secure them (so they don't fall back in) and then epoxy them in hopes they stay until you can get your rack bolts in. It seems the OEM racks were installed before the headliners went in. Pretty thin metal for welding; and no place for heat with the headliner in.

 

[daytonaviolet]

i believe your looking for this bracket. unfortunately, this retainer bracket falls onto the headliner if the bolts holding aren't taken off at the same time. good thing is you can reach in the headliner and re-install the retainer bracket.

 

[itr1275]

Probably doesn't matter too much now, or I'm just confused but I thought that rack attached to the stock rails?

Why do you need to unbolt the factory rack?

 

[daytonaviolet]

Probably doesn't matter too much now, or I'm just confused but I thought that rack attached to the stock rails?

Why do you need to unbolt the factory rack?

Good point

 

[daytonaviolet]

YouTube

 

[AZ Craig]

Find an offroad shop that does rack installs near you in Florida. They can probably sort everything out with a few hours of labor.

It all comes down to how much you value your time. Otherwise, Youtube is definitely a good resource at this point to try to see if you can figure everything out. You're probably pulling your headliner no matter what.

I had a disaster when moving my Front Runner from my 2016 to my 2020 (yup; I was fishing parts of from my headliner also). Ended up needing to pull in a shop I've used for install work to clean it all up for a few hundred bucks since I honestly didn't have the time or energy to try to sort it out on my own.

 

[CentcomPete]

It was too tight of a fit with the side rails mounted. I loosened them first to allow some wiggle room to slide in the cross rails but it just wasn't enough and I was by myself. They have a decent install video on their website but it just didn't go that way for me!

Thanks for all the replies - looks like I am headed to a local shop as soon as I find one.