Is Roof Rack Removeable?

[dcyco1]

I was wondering if anyone has ever taken the roof rack of completley? I you have, do you have any pics to show what it looks like.Chris

[ragingfish]

Probably looks a lot like this: I don't believe it can be removed entirely...holes will be left where the rack attached...

[millster]

OK, you wanted to see it... (The image is a bit grainy. I dropped the quality to make it more manageable in size.)I don't know how you could ever do this though. Ragingfish is right, it would leave a mess in your roof.

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[dcyco1]

Is that a real picture or is that photoshoped? I would like to see what kind of holes exposed ofter the removal of the rack. I just have no use at all for the rack and that is why I am thinking of removing it.chris

[huy397]

(removed), that roof-rack-less Vibe looks just like a Honda CRV!I like my roof-rack and I am keeping it, although I hardly have any use for it. hehe

[millster]

quote:Is that a real picture or is that photoshoped?Oh, it's as fake as it gets, but it is my car. I'm not sure how bad the holes are. I'm too afraid to try too. I seem to remember someone trying and having a tough time geting it back on when they saw the holes. I think if one wanted to do it it would be best to take it to a body shop or a "rod" shop.

[dcyco1]

Cna't be that hard to remove. Even with the holes there are good solutions to them. 1. Stainless steel screws.bolts to fill them. 2. Some one can make some plate that canbe screwed in to cove the area. just a couple of ideas.

[millster]

The plate is a possibility. I would think in the long run aside from having a shop (or if you're so inclined, yourself) fill the holes and repaint that section, this would be the best way to go.

[joatmon]

a different fake pic of a rackless vibe from a previous thread If you remove the black plastic base that that the roof rack front-to-back rails attach to, there will be some ugly dijointed metal exposed. You would need to come up with some sort of filler piece to give it a smooth line, otherwise it would look very much like a piece was missing

[disneydj]

Removing the rack is simple... just undo four bolts and slowly pull up. There are self tapping screws similar to those that hold your insulation to your hood. Once you've removed the rack you need some kind of cover to keep the water flowing over your roof. You also have a gaping hole near the rear glass. Here are some photo's of one of my racks removed. It is a nice clean look. Also, the Vibe GXP has no rack.

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[disneydj]

Here's the Side View, see what you'll need to cover.

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[disneydj]

and finally the rear view. It would really clean up the roof, and look kinda cool... but you gotta cover that whole top piece. Now if I could just get my fiberglass friend to do some stuff for free. You know what that's a great idea... I'm giving him a call in the morning!Stay Tuned!

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[AKLGT]

i have the top spoiler on mine. i wonder what it would look like without the rails even? I may have to do some experimenting.

[slbpsi63]

Slovibe on cardomain took his roof rack off. It looks like he had a custom mold made to cover the holes left by the roof rack. It looks clean except for the ugly metallic spoiler.

[disneydj]

Closer inspection of the SloVibe pics on Cardomain, all three of them, and the fact I removed mine last night. He has not covered or done anything special after removal. Just cleaned off the black gunk that is there when you remove it. Good luck all.

[robdog]

Looks better with the rack on IMO

[Triton]

I like the rack as well. I think it gives the Vibe character. I think the Vibe looks bare without them in those Photoshop pics.

[joatmon]

I like the rack, one of the reasons I went with a Vibe over a Matrix.

[dcyco1]

Thanks for the pics disneydj. I think if someone created some stainless, aluminum, or fiberglass covers or accent pieces to cove that area is would look pretty good. Hope some motivated/skilled with these things, can come up with something.Chris

[MadBill]

Maybe a pair of giant aluminum fins? You could bolt a huge wing between them, and...

[disneydj]

Talked to my Fiberglass tech, and we took some measurements tonight... we're attempting to build a cover. I'll send pics of the production process. Who knows, maybe we'll make them available to the public...

[AKLGT]

that would be great!