Roof rack Mounting Options

[CarmMontana]

Hey Guys

I am building a full length roof rack and wanted to know what you all have come up with for mounting. I noticed Whitson has used the factory mount but not the crossbars and I also saw a few that went straight to the body. What is best in your opinion? Thanks Guys

Any pics would be sweet.

 

[Qyota]

This is a good question. I'd like to see a rack that bolted simply to the existing holes in the roof (maybe 4 or 6 locations, out of 10 existing holes), doing away with the side rails. To me, this keeps things clean and uncluttered, and simplifies the whole set up. A siliconed machine screw could be threaded into any unused holes.

 

[Bill_Dunnigan]

This is a good question. I'd like to see a rack that bolted simply to the existing holes in the roof (maybe 4 or 6 locations, out of 10 existing holes), doing away with the side rails. To me, this keeps things clean and uncluttered, and simplifies the whole set up. A siliconed machine screw could be threaded into any unused holes.

I made custom mounts for my half length Rola Vortex rack. The mounts are 6061 T6 aluminum. They use the existing factory threaded M6 holes. I will be refining them a bit. I'm going to try and add aluminum side bars running from mount to mount on either side of the runner.

See pics below

 

[CarmMontana]

I like the idea of going straight to the body in the gutter portion. It would make a super clean and close install. Anybody done that before.

I like the way you installed your rack but I'd even like to go lower... Thanks for the pics

 

[jrm]

Thule or Yakima

You could also adapt your rack to use thule or yakima rack perches that hook into the existing OE rack.

A neighbor of mine made this work on his 98.

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

You can mount straight to the roof very easily like qyota mentioned. A member (Wastedaccount) purchased a rack from me and mounted it this way, even though i set them up for mounting onto the stock rails. Do keep in mind the roof's arch wont let you get too low, the rack in my signature sits about 3/16" off the roof at its lowest center point.

 

[Bandit Runner]

This is a good question. I'd like to see a rack that bolted simply to the existing holes in the roof (maybe 4 or 6 locations, out of 10 existing holes), doing away with the side rails. To me, this keeps things clean and uncluttered, and simplifies the whole set up. A siliconed machine screw could be threaded into any unused holes.

I designed a roof rack that will screw directly to the 10 roof holes. I had to do it this way to keep it low, so the truck will still fit into my garage. I will be building it later this summer/fall.