Adding Factory Roof Rack - Proper Mounting

[Crispy]

So I purchased a factory roof rack from a junk yard near me. They told me it has all of the mounting hardware and to me it seems like it does.

I have two questions:

Where is the proper mounting location?

How is it attached to the roof? Do the screws go right through the roof or are they screwed into threaded inserts?

Any pics or info would help.

Thanks.

Heres where I mocked mine up after looking around online a bit.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[bucket]

There was a thread about this recently, it seems that they were installed in slightly different locations. That one looks like the '89-'91 style. Mine is the older style, but the mounting screws are machine thread and thread into nutserts in the roof skin.

 

[bigcountry78]

I was going to say, I don’t have any hands on experience with a roof rack but I would think that they would have used nutserts.

 

[yevgenievich]

The one removed from my 88 were sheet metal screws and did not use nut serts. Around 14" from rear I believe was general install.

 

[Backfoot100]

Back in the day...Jesus that makes me sound old...
Anyway when I ordered my new Sub back in 88 I made sure it had a roof rack. It was actually a dealer installed option and mine was just installed with sheet metal screws.

 

[Crispy]

When getting parts from that yard I usually walk the yard and pick stuff out but this time I had them pull it for me so I didnt see how the roof skin was after removal. They did give me a bunch of sheet metal screws which is what led me to believe it goes right into the metal without a nutsert. The rack came off of an 88 GMC Suburban 1500.

I'm leaning towards laying down some painters tape, drilling pilot holes and screwin it.

 

[yevgenievich]

It should have came with a set of rubber gaskets that can be used as templetes.

 

[Crispy]

It should have came with a set of rubber gaskets that can be used as templetes.

Yes, I have 8 gaskets. 4 large for the forward and rear most mounting points and 4 smaller ones for the center mounting points. They are hard plastic though, not rubber. Should I get some some sort of thin weatherstrip foam in addition or is that all you have on yours?

 

[yevgenievich]

Yes, I have 8 gaskets. 4 large for the forward and rear most mounting points and 4 smaller ones for the center mounting points. They are hard plastic though, not rubber. Should I get some some sort of thin weatherstrip foam in addition or is that all you have on yours?

That was all that I have. To be safe can put a day of sealant around the holes before putting the gaskets down.

 

[Crispy]

Finally got around to installing it. Install went quickly with 2 ladders, some painters tape, and gutter sealant for the screws.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

I didnt install the bars that go on the roof to protect the paint yet because I want to seperate the mounting tabs from them without any breakage. So once my patience level is high enough I'll get to it.

The roof rack will serve as the base for a kayak rack and some more chrome bling.

 

[idahovette]

Is your kayak a sit-in or sit-on? How far do you have to go for water and is it river,stream, or lake? We go about a 100 miles to McCall for our kayaking trips. The roof carrier will be handy for transportation, definitely

 

[Crispy]

Is your kayak a sit-in or sit-on? How far do you have to go for water and is it river,stream, or lake? We go about a 100 miles to McCall for our kayaking trips. The roof carrier will be handy for transportation, definitely

Its a sit on Pelican 10 footer. We have a reservoir less then 2 miles from the house, we also have a lake about 5 miles away. River access to the Delaware is about 8 miles away depending where you want to go. We also have the Delaware Water Gap and its access points about 12 miles away. A few bigger likes are 20 and 30 miles away. Its a pretty good area for boating.

Right now the kayak goes upside down into the bed of my truck and its a quick load and unload but I think the roof carrier, and more importantly, taking the Suburban, is nicer.

Thats a hell of a ride to go kayaking. Do you make it a weekend trip?

 

[idahovette]

We have a summer cabin up there and we are retired now so it's easier. We have 4 grandkids and 6 kayaks . Took a Harbor Fright trailer and redid it to haul all 6 boats. All of ours are 9 1/2 foot sitins and they are stored at the cabin. Had to make a place inside the storage for all of them. We had a 5 person paddle boat when the kids were little, wife had a great time with all 4 of them in that, but the dang kids grew up! Now they are happy to have their own kayak. It's kinda fun and you get a little excersize, so that helps too. (Depends on how much beer you take with you). Keep on paddlin'

 

[Crispy]

We have a summer cabin up there and we are retired now so it's easier. We have 4 grandkids and 6 kayaks . Took a Harbor Fright trailer and redid it to haul all 6 boats. All of ours are 9 1/2 foot sitins and they are stored at the cabin. Had to make a place inside the storage for all of them. We had a 5 person paddle boat when the kids were little, wife had a great time with all 4 of them in that, but the dang kids grew up! Now they are happy to have their own kayak. It's kinda fun and you get a little excersize, so that helps too. (Depends on how much beer you take with you). Keep on paddlin'

That sounds like an awesome setup. I'd like to see a pic of the trailer if you have one handy. The wife and I just started with the kayak this year so the beer is staying home...for now.

 

[idahovette]

The trailer is kinda redneck. I used aluminized 1 1/2 exhaust tubing. Put 1/2 inch OSB (4x8) for the floor ,covered with indoor/outdoor rug, 4 posts evenly spaced vertically at each end, about 5 feet tall ,then a crossbar at each end for the second tier. They sit on their sides while transporting. You can take however many you want up to 6. Use good old Harbor Fright ratchet straps to secure. We won't be up til mid June , try to get a couple of pics then. We have hauled them to and from Weiser to McCall without any problems , YET. Used to have a muffler shop/ alignment shop til 2017. Sold out and moved to a smaller operation and kind of retired. Still do alignment work on street rods and muscle cars and hot rods for the guys I like!! Plus keeping my stuff going ,the kids stuff and the grandkids stuff. I got job security