Expedition Roof Rack Install
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Expedition Roof Rack Install
I know of a few people here that have installed trimmed down Expedition Roof racks onto their Trucks. I'd like to see how they chose to install them; by RTV/Bolt & Pray or did they use special fasteners?
I'm going to use M6 Rivnuts with the factory bolts from expedition. This doesn't look too different than the way Ford installed them from the factory. I will use some kind of sealer as well as use the factory rail seal. Using a rivnut will also allow me to do a blind install so I won't have to remove the headliner.
Factory fastener with a Rivnut and Install Tool.
I'm going to use M6 Rivnuts with the factory bolts from expedition. This doesn't look too different than the way Ford installed them from the factory. I will use some kind of sealer as well as use the factory rail seal. Using a rivnut will also allow me to do a blind install so I won't have to remove the headliner.
Factory fastener with a Rivnut and Install Tool.
#2
Just to give an example of the strength of those fasteners. Our 98 F150 was too tall for my wife. I got an A pillar grab handle from another one in the junk yard. Ours didn't have the holes, so I drilled them and used two of those fasteners. After a knee accident I used it every time myself. It has kept in place for two years with over two hundred and thirty pound people grabbing it many times every day.
#3
will run you OVER
I looked at several expeditions at the local Pick-n-pull, thats all they had was the rivnut, and no extra support so I picked up one a set of rails. I will be putting some reinforcement plates around each rivnut for a little extra support. putting a basket on the roof with some gear, dont want it to tear out when off roading/hitting tree branches.
#4
Just to give an example of the strength of those fasteners. Our 98 F150 was too tall for my wife. I got an A pillar grab handle from another one in the junk yard. Ours didn't have the holes, so I drilled them and used two of those fasteners. After a knee accident I used it every time myself. It has kept in place for two years with over two hundred and thirty pound people grabbing it many times every day.
My first thought was that they wouldn't hold well enough.
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Just figuring out the length.
Trimming the rails.
I'm using Krylon Semi-gloss black to recondition the black color. I'm not cure if I'll use a UV protectant clear right now. I may disassemble it at a latter date and do it then.
I took off the rear plastic trim piece, then counted 5 mounting holes to the rear and made the cut.
Used a file to clean up the edges and then sprayed to cover the bare metal.
05+ roof rack
This is just showing how it slides in, not the finished product.
Trimming the rails.
I'm using Krylon Semi-gloss black to recondition the black color. I'm not cure if I'll use a UV protectant clear right now. I may disassemble it at a latter date and do it then.
I took off the rear plastic trim piece, then counted 5 mounting holes to the rear and made the cut.
Used a file to clean up the edges and then sprayed to cover the bare metal.
05+ roof rack
This is just showing how it slides in, not the finished product.
Last edited by Wolvee; 07-20-2015 at 03:49 PM.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
A little preview. I had to stop for the day because of a tropical storm. ..and it's 100* out today. :0)
Last edited by Wolvee; 07-20-2015 at 09:24 PM.
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#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
What do you think? It makes my truck look like a big Ford Explorer SportTrac.
Last edited by Wolvee; 08-05-2015 at 09:19 AM.
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TrdLtly (10-25-2022)
#10
Lol that is funny.
F150 Sport track edition.
F150 Sport track edition.