moving front rack forward?

[brother chai]

hey, i am looking into buying an '03 vibe. i surf longboards (9'8 long) and i don't really want to get into the SUV market because of the poor gas mileage. anyways, my problem is that the front bar of the factory rack is way far back on the roof. there's plenty of space to move it up to support my boards, but can this be done? would buying a thule or yakima rack to put in the front of the roof and work and use the back rack as the back rack...instead of buying two bars of thule/yakima? sorry this is very hard to explain but hopefully someone understands..any ideas on solutions or should i start looking at another vehicle??also, the 2nd problem is the antenna in the back. i realize i can just put the board over it and have it bent down, listen to cds. but will this damage the antenna? can it be moved, or removed?

[binary]

The antenna is removable - it just unscrews from the base.The rack only moves as far forward as the rails - so an aftermarket rail would be needed farther forward.The crossbars are removeable - so it you only want the rear rail and your aftermarket that is farther forward - that's 100% do-able) Search around here for Yakima (the search link is in the upper right corner) - many people have expressed opinions on aftermarket roof racks.

[brother chai]

thanks for the reply. i looked at a few pictures of different set ups. they look kinda awkward, but hey, if it works i guess thats what matters right?as far as the antenna, i had a question of whether the actual antenna can just screw off the base temporarily while i have a board up there. (so just the base would be up on the roof), then when not carrying the board put the stick back on? i am real close to a dealership so i may go check it out myself but i didnt know if anyone knew if this works?

[ColonelPanic]

Quote, originally posted by brother chai »as far as the antenna, i had a question of whether the actual antenna can just screw off the base temporarily while i have a board up there. (so just the base would be up on the roof), then when not carrying the board put the stick back on? i am real close to a dealership so i may go check it out myself but i didnt know if anyone knew if this works?Absolutely! The antenna just screws into the base. Screw it back on whenever... I take mine off each time when I'm at an automatic car wash that has the deflector for the blow dryer that hovers slighty above the car's surface.

[mcgusto82]

the antenna might be removable but the rails won't be going further back then with it on or off. there is a about 3/8 size bolt inside the roof rack tracks. they keep the rails from being moved so far back and smash the antenna. remove the antenna and unscrew the bolts and try moving the rails as much as you want them.there are 4 i belive. two in the front (i think, my car is parked a block away. can't confirm) and defenately two in the back.