Roof racks greatly expand your cargo-carrying options and are particularly well suited to adventurous owners of sports-utility and all-terrain vehicles who lean toward outdoor sports: mountain biking, kayaking, snow skiing, hang-gliding, etc. Roof racks are, without question, the best choice for carrying the large gear that goes along with these types of activities. And, of course, they can be used in conjunction with ordinary luggage carriers so you can pack more travel gear with you when you take to the road. Many vehicles come with factory-installed roof racks, but some of these are rather generic, flimsy and limited in their usefulness. A number of companies now manufacture rugged roof racks that feature advanced design and can be outfitted with a number of options to fit specific needs. Many of them are also designed so that installation is easy and can be done utilizing existing rails or attachment points that are already on your vehicle -- no drilling required. It's important to keep in mind, however, that many roof racks are vehicle-specific. Consult with your dealer when purchasing one to be certain that the rack you select is compatible with your vehicle.
In our demonstration we installed a roof rack on an SUV using the existing rails on the vehicle. The rack attaches to the rails with side clips or stanchions (figure A) that mount directly into the rails. The cross-bars slide into the stanchions and can be either mounted so that they extend beyond the stanchions in a pass-through configuration (figure B) -- useful if you'll be carrying large cargo like canoes or kayaks -- or cut to length for a more finished look. In our demonstration we opted to cut of the excess for a custom fit, referred to by the manufacturer as a stanchion-fit finish.
Materials:
Roof-rack installation kit, including mounting hardware
Hacksaw
Socket wrench
Screwdriver
Allen wrench (may be provided)
Bar clamps
Marker
- Following the manufacturer's instructions, loosely assemble the cross-bar and clip assembly and, using the existing rails as a guide, position the elements as they will be mounted on the vehicle. Use a marker or sharp instrument to mark scribes on the crossbars to indicate where you'll need to cut to remove the excess length (figure C).
- Remove the elements and use a hacksaw to cut off the excess lengths, using your marks as a guide (figure D). It may be helpful to clamp the bars to a work table to make cutting easier.
- Once you've made your cuts, use a file to remove any burrs or sharp edges from the ends (figure E).
- The bottom of the stanchions fasten into the tracks by means of small metal plates (figure F) that, once fitted into place, are tightened down with screws. With the crossbars cut to their final length, slide the stanchions onto the ends of the crossbars.
- The crossbars are secured onto the stanchions with small bolts. Insert the bolts and the molded-plastic inserts (figure G).
- Use an Allen wrench to tighten down the bolts through the small opening in the insert (figure H).
- With the assembly of the components complete, carefully slide the stanchion plates into the tracks of the rails according to the manufacturer's instructions (figure I).
- Position the crossbar/stanchion assemblies in place and tighten them down with the screws at the base of each stanchion. The positioning of the crossbars may vary somewhat according to what type of cargo you'll be transporting on your rack.
Important: This summary describes the basic steps in the installation shown in our demonstration. Installation on individual vehicles may vary. If you decide to undertake a similar installation, read and follow the manufacturer's instructions that come with your kit. Be aware that many roof racks are vehicle-specific, so make certain that the one you purchase is compatible with your vehicle. Some racks may be installed using various configurations on a particular vehicle to suit particular types of cargo or styles of usage. Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions thoroughly.
RESOURCES :
Ultimate Auto Detailing
Model: 0879389419
Author: David H. Jacobs
(1995)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Motorbooks International
Auto Repair for Dummies
Author: Deanna Sclar
ISBN: 0764550896
Vehicles provided by Lance Cunningham Ford
Vehicles provided by Lance Cunningham Ford
4101 Clinton Highway
Knoxville, TN
Web site: www.lancecunninghamford.com
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