Roof rack DIY ideas? or racks for sale.

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tercelerator
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Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2019 8:27 am

Roof rack DIY ideas? or racks for sale.

Post by tercelerator »

Anyone have drawings or ideas on a simple roof rack using 2x4’s.
I was thinking notching the 2x4s where they meet the existing rails but am still humming and hawing on how to secure these snug and strong notched 2x4s to rails.

2006 vibe

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zbyers
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Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2014 6:12 pm
Location: Sheffield, Pennsylvania

Re: Roof rack DIY ideas? or racks for sale.

Post by zbyers »

Best bet is the OEM cross bars, or getting a set of aftermarket Yakima or Thule roof bars.

TBH, I can't really think of a way to properly secure a jury-rigged idea, while keeping it 100% functional.
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andrewclaus
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Joined: Tue Oct 03, 2017 6:38 pm
Location: Golden, CO

Re: Roof rack DIY ideas? or racks for sale.

Post by andrewclaus »

On my old Subaru wagon I was able to drill my old Thule bars and the stock rails and bolt them together with 1/4" carriage bolts. I wasn't about to pay the hundreds of dollars just for the Thule clamps, about 20% of the cost of the car. I've been hauling plywood, drywall and ladders, as well as skis and bikes, for eight years now.

I thought about doing that with the Vibe but it didn't look like enough working clearance between the bottom of the rail and the roof. But I don't really need to since I still have the Subie in service for roof-top hauling. So I didn't look to closely at it.
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joatmon
Posts: 10018
Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2003 5:19 am
Location: SMC MD

Re: Roof rack DIY ideas? or racks for sale.

Post by joatmon »

Looks like you can get some OEM crossbars on ebay for about $90

Don't know where you are, but a search in my area on car-part.com shows a bunch of roof racks (for an 04 to get the cross bars) for about $50 from various junkyards
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wally2000
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Joined: Sat Oct 20, 2012 1:57 pm

Re: Roof rack DIY ideas? or racks for sale.

Post by wally2000 »

sold
Last edited by wally2000 on Sat Aug 08, 2020 7:17 am, edited 1 time in total.
Law711
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Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2020 7:28 am

Re: Roof rack DIY ideas? or racks for sale.

Post by Law711 »

Wally do you still have the roof rack for sale?
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