The bolt threads extend into the interior. My skull would be attracted to them like a magnet. A long piece of solid wood countersunk for the nuts could make a protective cover and edges to secure other things to, like netting, string lighting, small 12v fans.
Yeah, I was thinking of dremeling them off, leaving just enough threads to put rubber covers on them, but I like your idea better!! Thanks!! Also, thanks for watching my video!!
@@mdavis472000 Planning on doing the same for my Ram, except using unistrut, superstrut or something similar on the inside instead of fender washers or wood. Looks like an Excursion rack will be just about right! Yeah, I want the flush rail as well.
Yes! As soon as I saw you loading up the wheelbarrow with your tools, I said..."He's going to a junkyard!" I spent my birthday last year in several junkyards with my dad pulling pieces and parts for mine and my dad's trucks and it was so much fun and CHEAPER than buying retail if you just take the time to add a little bit of elbow grease. Excellent video!
Amazingly, I searched 20 years ago to find what roof racks would work with Thule feet, and also had respectable weight bearing capacity and came up with.... Ford Excursion racks, which I bought new from a Ford dealer! Same identical track as yours. I think back then, brand new dealer parts were only about $50.... Was amazed to find that new on the Ford, they are riveted, not through bolted. Still have mine working to this day, and they are indeed through bolted on my Tri-Glas (no longer in business) bed cap. Instead of washers, I ran a backing of 1 1/2" wide aluminum flat stock with drilled holes, sandwiched along the length of the cap roof interior. Today those through bolts do double duty, also holding up a storage net on the underside of the roof. Even have the exact same aero cross bars in your video that came with the track sitting in my shed!
I just did the same thing for my Tundra, pulled one off of an older Nissan Pathfinder. Looks bone stock and is sturdy as hell!!! Did this to my Tacoma as well about 5 years ago with a 4Runner rack. SO much money saved for other upgrades!!!!
Thank you for the inspiration! Hit the junkyard today to start on adding a rack to my truck shell, cost me a bit more than your yard but I’m excited for this one!
Great job and idea. Pool Noodles work great on the metal part of the roof with a PVC pipe insert and rope through them.. I'm gonna check my junk yard for a roof rack now. I'm not sure I'll need a whole metal rack on the topper, I'll find out soon enough when I get my Kayak. I can just transport the Kayak bareback on my topper i think, I can use boat cleats installed on the topper to tie down the Yak also.
Great video! Thanks so much for the great editing. Makes your video so easy to understand and stay committed to watching the full length. Also thanks for showing how you measured ontop of the roof top.
Just saw you excellent idea......That was a lot of holes to secure and keep from leaking...nice work. I have an old Thule ski box on My Volvo, and am about to order a product called Owitrol...apparently it restores the finish on material like racks, or boxes..amongst other products that need refreshing...just a thought......Your idea of going to the pick a part plan is ....yes....smart...I am going to look into that after my new 8 foot topper is installed...Thanks...
That's a great idea. I was thinking about getting some unistrut, but this could be cheaper if they don't try to price gouge me for it. Saves me from figuring out other mounts. I want to put my cargo box and PVC shower on top. It's going on my DIY trailer and topper.
Just depends what your time at the junk yard is worth i guess, but pretty awesome. Unistrut and hardware seems like a better way to go for me for strength.
Thanks for watching my video! Yeah, you can put some serious weight on those unistrut beams. For the things I put on the rack, a factory rack is plenty strong enough. Thanks again!
Do most roof rack tracks bolt through the roof with nuts on the other side (inside) like in this video? Or is that only for truck tops? I want to do roof rack tracks on my car but I have no clue about this stuff. Thanks.
I think you might be able to install this rack with just 3m outdoor mounting tape? Anyway fantastic idea, I have the same size truck and topper with the same dilemma. But I don't want to drill holes.
Thanks for posting this. I plan to put a rack on top of my camper shell, and this helps. I liked your presentation! How thick was your shell when you drilled through it?
It was not hard at all. I started with a really small drillbit, high speed, now pressure, went slow, then worked my way up in drill bit size until the hole was just a bit bigger than the bolt size. I did not see any cracks. But to be honest, right after drilling the holes they all got covered up with the rack rails. Thanks for watching my video!
So far so good on the silicon. I can't remember how long the screws are, but they're a little too long. I may dremel them off so I don't scrape my head on them, as other's have commented on here. Thanks for watching my video!!
Thinking about getting that leer canopy with the side sliding window/doors. Have not see them in person to inspect. Local seller suggests they could leak a little water in a downpour. Have you experienced this? Have any concerns or second thoughts about those “windoor sliders” as they like to call them?
I love the windoor sliders! I have not experienced any leaking (yet). They are amazing for getting things out of the back of the truck without having to climb in from the rear. I use them all the time. I would definitely get them again. Good luck!
Great video! Thank you! I saw this video after pricing a Rhino Rack. Man, they're expensive. I went to the junkyard and forgot or didn't notice that you got yours off a Ford. I took a rack off an Expedition because it seemed like the only one that was solid against the roof, or in our case, the camper shell. Is there a reason that you didn't use the existing crossbars? Also, how has it held up? I'm planning on putting a fishing kayak on it and traveling at highway speeds. I want to make sure everything doesn't wind up on the freeway...:) Thanks for your response.
Those crossbars are from the one I pulled off. I think it was an Excursion? Maybe the crossbars are different between the two. It has held up great! And they didn't cost > $600, so BONUS!! Nothing has fallen off yet! LOL It is very strong. Thanks for watching my video!!
The bolt threads extend into the interior. My skull would be attracted to them like a magnet. A long piece of solid wood countersunk for the nuts could make a protective cover and edges to secure other things to, like netting, string lighting, small 12v fans.
Yeah, I was thinking of dremeling them off, leaving just enough threads to put rubber covers on them, but I like your idea better!! Thanks!! Also, thanks for watching my video!!
@@mdavis472000 Planning on doing the same for my Ram, except using unistrut, superstrut or something similar on the inside instead of fender washers or wood. Looks like an Excursion rack will be just about right! Yeah, I want the flush rail as well.
I like that idea too. I'll see what I have in the shop. I think I might have some of that stuff...
Lol, yes great idea.
Any sign of leaking? Getting loose over time?
Yes! As soon as I saw you loading up the wheelbarrow with your tools, I said..."He's going to a junkyard!" I spent my birthday last year in several junkyards with my dad pulling pieces and parts for mine and my dad's trucks and it was so much fun and CHEAPER than buying retail if you just take the time to add a little bit of elbow grease. Excellent video!
I’m watching this in the junkyard while doing this exact same project for a 1999 Dodge Dakota. Thanks for the video
That is awesome!! What vehicle did you get your rack off of?
Amazingly, I searched 20 years ago to find what roof racks would work with Thule feet, and also had respectable weight bearing capacity and came up with.... Ford Excursion racks, which I bought new from a Ford dealer! Same identical track as yours. I think back then, brand new dealer parts were only about $50.... Was amazed to find that new on the Ford, they are riveted, not through bolted. Still have mine working to this day, and they are indeed through bolted on my Tri-Glas (no longer in business) bed cap. Instead of washers, I ran a backing of 1 1/2" wide aluminum flat stock with drilled holes, sandwiched along the length of the cap roof interior. Today those through bolts do double duty, also holding up a storage net on the underside of the roof. Even have the exact same aero cross bars in your video that came with the track sitting in my shed!
That's awesome. Thanks for watching my video! I really like the rack.
I just did the same thing for my Tundra, pulled one off of an older Nissan Pathfinder. Looks bone stock and is sturdy as hell!!! Did this to my Tacoma as well about 5 years ago with a 4Runner rack. SO much money saved for other upgrades!!!!
Outstanding! And thanks for watching my video.
Thank you for the inspiration! Hit the junkyard today to start on adding a rack to my truck shell, cost me a bit more than your yard but I’m excited for this one!
Great job and idea. Pool Noodles work great on the metal part of the roof with a PVC pipe insert and rope through them.. I'm gonna check my junk yard for a roof rack now. I'm not sure I'll need a whole metal rack on the topper, I'll find out soon enough when I get my Kayak. I can just transport the Kayak bareback on my topper i think, I can use boat cleats installed on the topper to tie down the Yak also.
I was trying to accomplish this but I couldn’t figure out how. You just made my vision come true. Thank-you so much!!!!
Thanks Kevin! It was a easy and fun project. Let me know how your rack turns out. And thanks for watching my video!
just did this same project, I used an expedition rails. look identical to the ones you used
That's exactly what I need. Thanks for the video. Great job.
Great video! Thanks so much for the great editing. Makes your video so easy to understand and stay committed to watching the full length. Also thanks for showing how you measured ontop of the roof top.
Thanks for watching my video Josh!
Dude. Really good walk-through. Thanks so much!
Thanks Samuel! I appreciate you watching my video. Have a great day!
This is genius, nice ingenuity and thanks for the vid
My yard charged 100 dollars for one off of a Ford escape. Gotta love central coast Cali
Just saw you excellent idea......That was a lot of holes to secure and keep from leaking...nice work. I have an old Thule ski box on My Volvo, and am about to order a product called Owitrol...apparently it restores the finish on material like racks, or boxes..amongst other products that need refreshing...just a thought......Your idea of going to the pick a part plan is ....yes....smart...I am going to look into that after my new 8 foot topper is installed...Thanks...
Thanks man, I appreciate this video.
Thanks Troy!!
Excellent idea!!!!
That's a great idea. I was thinking about getting some unistrut, but this could be cheaper if they don't try to price gouge me for it. Saves me from figuring out other mounts. I want to put my cargo box and PVC shower on top. It's going on my DIY trailer and topper.
Great 💡 idea!!
great idea my friend! looking to do the same and throw a cargo rack up top. Still happy you did it?
YES!! I love the rack! Very useful!
@@mdavis472000 What were the length of the bolts you used?
Great idea
Yay! off to the junkyard
Rebecca: Thanks for watching my video!! Did you get a good roof rack at the junkyard?
Just depends what your time at the junk yard is worth i guess, but pretty awesome. Unistrut and hardware seems like a better way to go for me for strength.
Thanks for watching my video! Yeah, you can put some serious weight on those unistrut beams. For the things I put on the rack, a factory rack is plenty strong enough. Thanks again!
i did the same thing but it cost me $1000.00. The same trip i got the rack I bought a one owner Saab 900 Turbo from the junkyard
Great idea! Thx
Do most roof rack tracks bolt through the roof with nuts on the other side (inside) like in this video? Or is that only for truck tops? I want to do roof rack tracks on my car but I have no clue about this stuff.
Thanks.
Thanks man, just did the same on my truck
Thanks for watching my video Simon! Glad you liked it.
I like that low profile and price.
Awesome fyi...thanks
What was the hardware and sizes used
I think you might be able to install this rack with just 3m outdoor mounting tape? Anyway fantastic idea, I have the same size truck and topper with the same dilemma. But I don't want to drill holes.
Thanks for the info and saving us some money!
Thanks for posting this. I plan to put a rack on top of my camper shell, and this helps. I liked your presentation! How thick was your shell when you drilled through it?
Guess I am visiting a pick n pull
What a great idea. Thanks! Have you had a chance to put them under load? I'm thinking of copying your idea for a 75lb kayak
great idea! not something I would thing to check a junk yard for!
How hard was it to drill through the topper without splintering and having spreading cracks?
It was not hard at all. I started with a really small drillbit, high speed, now pressure, went slow, then worked my way up in drill bit size until the hole was just a bit bigger than the bolt size. I did not see any cracks. But to be honest, right after drilling the holes they all got covered up with the rack rails.
Thanks for watching my video!
how has the silicone held up for the water? I have the insulation as well, how long were your screws?
So far so good on the silicon. I can't remember how long the screws are, but they're a little too long. I may dremel them off so I don't scrape my head on them, as other's have commented on here. Thanks for watching my video!!
Thinking about getting that leer canopy with the side sliding window/doors. Have not see them in person to inspect. Local seller suggests they could leak a little water in a downpour. Have you experienced this? Have any concerns or second thoughts about those “windoor sliders” as they like to call them?
I love the windoor sliders! I have not experienced any leaking (yet). They are amazing for getting things out of the back of the truck without having to climb in from the rear. I use them all the time. I would definitely get them again. Good luck!
thanks for this info. how does it perform in the hi-way? does the roof flex when it has a load or canoe/kayak on top?
works great so far!! No flex detected. Well worth the $18.00!!! Thanks for watching my video!
I did the same thing for my ARE shell. Cost me like $20 though 😁
A great option, at an unbelievable price, especially compared to the aftermarket racks. Thanks for watching my video!
NICE!
Thanks Amish!
I’ve been there Orlando
@3:12 What is that plastic thing on the underside of you shells roof?
It's a pull down bar for hanging clothes. Thanks for watching my video!
Can you post a video or pictures regarding the front setup and the Thule slides in the rear?
Thanks for watching my video Kevin! I just put up another one with more details on the Thule slides I made. Thanks again!
Great video! Thank you!
I saw this video after pricing a Rhino Rack. Man, they're expensive. I went to the junkyard and forgot or didn't notice that you got yours off a Ford. I took a rack off an Expedition because it seemed like the only one that was solid against the roof, or in our case, the camper shell. Is there a reason that you didn't use the existing crossbars? Also, how has it held up? I'm planning on putting a fishing kayak on it and traveling at highway speeds. I want to make sure everything doesn't wind up on the freeway...:)
Thanks for your response.
Those crossbars are from the one I pulled off. I think it was an Excursion? Maybe the crossbars are different between the two. It has held up great! And they didn't cost > $600, so BONUS!! Nothing has fallen off yet! LOL It is very strong. Thanks for watching my video!!
At about 3:11 what is the black plastic cover?
That is a pull down clothes hanger bar that was an option on the Leer top. You can put hangers on it I think. I have never used it yet.
Are you sure that wasn't from a ford expedition?
I'm pretty sure, but I've been wrong before... LOL. Thanks for watching my video!!
Ty so much! I'm on a white privilege budget and this is perfect. I'm so doing this