want to use brackets only for roof rack...how?

[moloss]

ok has anyone removed the stock roof rack (all of it) and then only used the provided holes in the roof to mount a roof rack? I can't stand all the plastic up there.....I have two roof racks already (couldn't pass up great deals on craigslist)....I have a yakami mega warrior with extensions and two bike racks and a rola with extentions.....I would like to get rid of all the plastic up there and have some brackets that mount into the stock holes in the roof that I could then mount one of the racks I have....of the two I prefer the size of the yakami and it has the bike racks but either would be fine, also I'd love to mount them as low as possible b/c I take about a 2mpg hit with the yakami on top don't really take a hit from the rola when I mounted it low on the stock rack....any and all suggestions are needed and appreciated, thank you

 

[philskeeter]

ok has anyone removed the stock roof rack (all of it) and then only used the provided holes in the roof to mount a roof rack? I can't stand all the plastic up there.....I have two roof racks already (couldn't pass up great deals on craigslist)....I have a yakami mega warrior with extensions and two bike racks and a rola with extentions.....I would like to get rid of all the plastic up there and have some brackets that mount into the stock holes in the roof that I could then mount one of the racks I have....of the two I prefer the size of the yakami and it has the bike racks but either would be fine, also I'd love to mount them as low as possible b/c I take about a 2mpg hit with the yakami on top don't really take a hit from the rola when I mounted it low on the stock rack....any and all suggestions are needed and appreciated, thank you

I don't really know if this will help you but yes, a lot of people take their stock rack off and replace it with a gobi or whitson metalworks roof rack that mounts in the stock holes. Check them out to get an idea but they aren't like the type of rack you're talking about. You can see how far their mounting points are so I'm sure you could come up with something because it's just metal but I think you'll find it isn't worth it.

 

[moloss]

philskeeter thanks for the suggestions....I guess judging by all the replies I've received I'm the only one that doesn't like all the plastic on the roof

 

[t-man]

I don't like it either, but can't afford to put a metal one up there right now and I need the one I have to haul ladders, so I'm stuck.
The plastic caps from what I understand just pop off, but I have read that they are a serious PITA! After that there is just some bolts holding down the rack mounts that you unbolt and then you can fab yourself up some new mounts for your racks. Shouldn't be to hard overall.
Someday I'll get there...