We are taking the X on a long trip and need to use a roof top carrier. What can I put between the roof racks and the roof to keep the paint from getting scratched off? Or, does the weight of the carrier and contents keep the racks from moving around, and therefore not scratching the roof anyway? Any help would be appreciated.
Hitch
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2004 F-250 XLT, Dark Shadow Gray, 4x4, V-10, CC, SWB, 4.30 LS, Donahoe Racing 6" lift, Donahoe signature shocks, 41x14.5x20 Iroks, 20x10 American Racing Mojave Teflon wheels, Bushwacker cut-out flares, N-Fab steps, Line-X, ORU hydraulic ram assist steering, TJM bull bar, Hanson Enterprise rear bumper...see webshots link below for pics.
2002 Limited Ultimate PSD Excursion
4.5" Donahoe Racing(Edge)lift, Donahoe signature shocks, 35" MT/R's, 16x10 Weld Velociti 8's, DVD W/3 monitors, Hellwig anti-sway bar, Husky Liners, PSD Badges, SCMT, AFE Magnum Force intake, Banks monster exhaust, Autometer guages in under cubby pod...see link for pics updated 7/20/06... http://community.webshots.com/user/hitch42
A lot of us here have found that the factory racks (crossbars) already rest on the roof, thereby already scratching the paint. I removed mine the first week I had the beast and now use a Yakima with Rail-Riders. This lets me use the existing rails, but keeps the load off the roof (no scratches!). Thule also makes a nice rack, so like most things you can have a choice. PS Welcome to the best site on the Planet [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]
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Proud American
01 4WD PSD Ex - EBM2 - Autometer's on the A, Mag-Hytec Tran Pan, Front Hitch, Dome Light Override, TTM, CCV Re-route, Coolant Filter, Hellwig Bar, Walker BTM, BTS Trans, DP-Tuner, BIG SMILE!
Yakima, Thule or Safari???? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] Is there a clear leader, or is it just a matter of personal preference? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] Opinions please.... I'll be getting my first X in a week or so (it left the plant on the 11th) and the first thing I'm doing is taking off the factory crossbars. Thanks for the benefit of your experience.
Milton
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2003 Excursion Limited 4x4, 6.0L PSD, Mineral Gray, Quad Captain’s Chairs, 3.73 LS, TT Mirrors, Rear Seat Entertainment System (DVD)
Yeah, I saw that...way to fix the problem FORD. I think I'd just-a-soon go with an after market rack that has a little more clearance and functionality. Think about it...what good are the factory cross members anyway? I'm not sure exactly what Ford was "thinking" with regard to their factory roof rack, but it certainly wasn't one of their best-engineered features. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]
Milton
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2003 Excursion Limited 4x4, 6.0L PSD, Mineral Gray, Quad Captain’s Chairs, 3.73 LS, TT Mirrors, Rear Seat Entertainment System (DVD)
The only reason they were designed to hug the roof line the way they were was to ensure that the truck had the clearence to fit in a "regular" sized garage, per their advertising. Put anything taller than the "low" factory units and you may have some difficulty in a normal garage.
__________________ TurboDave, EWCS(SW)USN Ret H&N Turbo 6 Racing
Seviervile TN A MAN AND HIS TRUCK, IT'S A BEATUFUL THING 01 Excursion LTD (EBM3) 7.3L, PSD, Turbo, 4X2, TTS Race Magnum (original owner) 86 GN (original owner) 87 GN (second owner) 08 Honda Accord EX-L
Dave is correct. I would also add in my opinion, 99.9% of the users never use the rack. I have told at least 50 owners of Excursions about the possible roof rack damage and most of the time I get blank stares and then a thanks. Usual question is how do you get up there to look at the roof. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]Has nobody heard of a ladder? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] Then it hits me why Ford has none done anything; most people do not know. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]
There loss I guess,
John [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
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2000 Excursion Limited PSD 4X4 Dark Satin Green/Medium Parchmant Born 7/00 In-Service 10/00 All Factory Options except Transfer Skid Plate
I use the thule product. I like the square bar but the real reason is that my round bar rusted over time on one vehicle and is fine with the square bar. I live on the west coast so the rusting should not have been a problem but my round bars did rust while the square bars did not. The safari bars are quite nice as a friend of mine has one on his Land Cruiser. It seems to hold up very well. He is able to walk on top of the rack as we load it up. The safari rack is heavy and is not easily removed by one person. Check my signature on the bottom and view my pictures and you can see my PackaSport box on top of my Thule rack. Any questions, you can post here or contact me directly at yellowman@phantonemail.com.
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2002 X 4X4 PSD, limited ultimate, white, 4" pro comp lift, 35" BFG, centerlines, banks 3.5" exhuast, SCMT, aFe intake mod, pre pump mod, HX mod, weather techs, packasport box on top. http://www.superford.org/registry/index.php?vID=1457
Yellowman,
Thanks for the info. After doing some research on-line, I've decided the Safari rack is a little heavier than I need right now. I may take you up on your offer for some additional info when I start digging a little deeper. So far, it looks like the Tule and Yakima cost about the same. I think I was "sold" on the Yakima, but now I'll rethink that based on your info. Thanks again.
Milton
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2003 Excursion Limited 4x4, 6.0L PSD, Mineral Gray, Quad Captain’s Chairs, 3.73 LS, TT Mirrors, Rear Seat Entertainment System (DVD)
MoStubbs, my .02 worth. I've had a Yakima Space Cadet cargo carrier since 1996. I LOVE it. It has been on my '87 Volvo 245 and coast to coast on a '92 Suburban during a cross country move. (Retired Navy nomad.) I removed the factory crossbars from my X when it was two months old (already scratched, but not badly) and will replace with Yakima railrider towers. For me it's a no-brainer since I've already got the box and crossbars. Never had any rust problems with any of the parts and they have been out in the weather a bit.
I also think with a pop-rivet gun, I could make a pretty good air deflector wing out of the box and some sheet aluminum. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]
Good luck!
- Gary
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'02 X LTD, 4X4, PSD, 3.73LS. True Blue & Gold. 21K miles. Pretty much stock. (Sigh!) Have upgraded load range E Steeltex tires. Roof rack bars removed. Ford spare tire organizer. Overdue for gauges... 30ft, Sunnybrook 30FKS travel trailer, 8000lb.
I remove my factory rack after I discovered it scratched the roof. Ford re-painted the entire top free. Now i use the Thule system. Very good product. I have the cargo basket and use it on camping trips to Colorado and Utah (from Corpus Christi). The system is very strong. I also use just the load bars to carry two fifteen foot kayaks on long trips. I tie the front of the kayaks to the brush guard from Ranch hand to avoid scratching the hood. When I am around town I take off the load bars and leave the rail "feet" in place. Easy to just snap on the cross bars and go!! If you have an REI sporting goods close, they carry Thule and Yakima so go and look at them. Both are good but I went with Thule because they were on sale. Good luck, TR
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2001 Excursion Limited, PSD, 4x4, U Code front springs thanks to data from Bruce 1954, Thule Roof Rack system, Rancho adjustable shocks, Ranch hand grill guard, 15-40w Shell Rotella T for me. Brady Gun Control Life Member. "I will Charlton I will".
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