roof rack mounting?
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dilly
Topic author - I get chills without my van.
- Posts: 55
- Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2008 7:13 pm
- Location: b.c canada
roof rack mounting?
my 95 doesn't have a factory roof rack. i was just wondering how it is mounted to the roof as theres no rain gutter "lip" to clamp to. i've seen contractor style ladder racks which just bolt to the roof (requires drilling holes in the roof!!)i don't like that.
95 safari awd-2" overland lift,29" ATs on 15x7 chrome truck rims
2000 astro 2wd g80-company truck/work van
2000 astro 2wd g80-company truck/work van
Re: roof rack mounting?
That's how the factory ones are installed as well. Holes in the roof.dilly wrote:my 95 doesn't have a factory roof rack. i was just wondering how it is mounted to the roof as theres no rain gutter "lip" to clamp to. i've seen contractor style ladder racks which just bolt to the roof (requires drilling holes in the roof!!)i don't like that.
98 Safari RWD. Stock.Do you smell what Barack is cookin ?!?!
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Astrophysics
- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 974
- Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:23 pm
Re: roof rack mounting?
My 2003 Astro AWD does not have a OEM factory roof rack either.
You could get one from the wrecking yard. I uses a Torx 45 fastener type bolt.
I had trouble getting the bolts loose at the junk yard.
If you just want ski racks or snow board racks, you may be able to get a Yakima or Thule "Aero" style (ie no gutters) type set of towers and cross bars that you could fit up by the front doors only.
the other idea I have been entertaining is to go to the http://www.RackNroad folk who also sell some aftermarket roof rail kits. but they are pricey (about $300 installed ) Some of the kits use what is called a "riv nut" this is kinda like a pop rivet. but it has a threaded insert. you carefully measure and drill the holes in the sheet metal of the roof and then insert the riv nuts. then install the roof rails and bolt in the fasteners.
the riv nut idea is neat since you get a threaded insert instead of just using sheet metal screws/
and of course no one wants to remove the headliner inside the van to intall hex nuts on the inside.
good luck.
I decided for now to not install roof rack, I put rear trailer 2 inch receiver and got one of the Bully brand 48 inch wide metal storage racks that mounts to 2 inch reciever.
Astrophysics
You could get one from the wrecking yard. I uses a Torx 45 fastener type bolt.
I had trouble getting the bolts loose at the junk yard.
If you just want ski racks or snow board racks, you may be able to get a Yakima or Thule "Aero" style (ie no gutters) type set of towers and cross bars that you could fit up by the front doors only.
the other idea I have been entertaining is to go to the http://www.RackNroad folk who also sell some aftermarket roof rail kits. but they are pricey (about $300 installed ) Some of the kits use what is called a "riv nut" this is kinda like a pop rivet. but it has a threaded insert. you carefully measure and drill the holes in the sheet metal of the roof and then insert the riv nuts. then install the roof rails and bolt in the fasteners.
the riv nut idea is neat since you get a threaded insert instead of just using sheet metal screws/
and of course no one wants to remove the headliner inside the van to intall hex nuts on the inside.
good luck.
I decided for now to not install roof rack, I put rear trailer 2 inch receiver and got one of the Bully brand 48 inch wide metal storage racks that mounts to 2 inch reciever.
Astrophysics
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dilly
Topic author - I get chills without my van.
- Posts: 55
- Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2008 7:13 pm
- Location: b.c canada
Re: roof rack mounting?
do you have to remove the headliner to install a factory roof rack?
95 safari awd-2" overland lift,29" ATs on 15x7 chrome truck rims
2000 astro 2wd g80-company truck/work van
2000 astro 2wd g80-company truck/work van
-
Astrophysics
- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 974
- Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:23 pm
Re: roof rack mounting?
The riv nut idea is neat since you do [b]not[/b] need to remove the head liner.
and a riv nut is more secure than a sheet metal screw.
the hole you drill is slightly bigger than the diameter of the fastener.
Be aware there are different length factory roof racks! The short Astro uses a slightly shorter roof rack !
the longer XT Astro uses a slightly longer one!
I you really want a full coverage roof rack that goes over the front seats as well , you could get one from a Suburban since it is even longer!
anyway. carefully set the new rack on the roof of your Astro and apply blue masking tape on the sheet metal of you Astro. Then align the rack and center it etc. then use a sharpie pen to mark the holes and then use an automatic center punch (spring loaded type) to mark the metal of the roof.
When you select the proper type of fasteners that you will use to attach the rack make sure to drill a small pilot hole. use a drill stop on the drill bit so you don't drill too deep. you can make a drill stop with masking tape wrapped on the drill bit which only allows about 1/4 inch penetration.
You can purchase an entire Riv nut kit from McMaster Carr on line for about $80. it comes with 8-32, 10-32 and 1/4 inch 20 fasteners and the insertion tool.
These are great fasteners.
Measure twice , drill once. you may want to drill some scrap sheet metal to practice inserting a riv nut.
after drilling your roof , put some primer paint or touch up paint on the exposed metal.
Astrophysics
and a riv nut is more secure than a sheet metal screw.
the hole you drill is slightly bigger than the diameter of the fastener.
Be aware there are different length factory roof racks! The short Astro uses a slightly shorter roof rack !
the longer XT Astro uses a slightly longer one!
I you really want a full coverage roof rack that goes over the front seats as well , you could get one from a Suburban since it is even longer!
anyway. carefully set the new rack on the roof of your Astro and apply blue masking tape on the sheet metal of you Astro. Then align the rack and center it etc. then use a sharpie pen to mark the holes and then use an automatic center punch (spring loaded type) to mark the metal of the roof.
When you select the proper type of fasteners that you will use to attach the rack make sure to drill a small pilot hole. use a drill stop on the drill bit so you don't drill too deep. you can make a drill stop with masking tape wrapped on the drill bit which only allows about 1/4 inch penetration.
You can purchase an entire Riv nut kit from McMaster Carr on line for about $80. it comes with 8-32, 10-32 and 1/4 inch 20 fasteners and the insertion tool.
These are great fasteners.
Measure twice , drill once. you may want to drill some scrap sheet metal to practice inserting a riv nut.
after drilling your roof , put some primer paint or touch up paint on the exposed metal.
Astrophysics