Custom Roof Rack Installation Demo by Rack Attack

Rack Attack installation demonstration of a Custom Base Roof Rack Installation on to the roof of a vehicle.

[@gonzalogarrido3968]

Great video. It solved my roof rack problem. Thanks!

[@michaelfarrell2067]

I had no major problems doing this on my Prius and it is the best rack solution for many cars! It is unnerving though.

[@EricCMaxwell]

I have been trying to find out if there was an option just like this for a Prius! Do you have any pics/tips from your install??

[@michaelfarrell2067]

​@@EricCMaxwell I didn't take pics of the install. I followed the general instructions from rack attack. I remember that the prius roof is very curved so it means you have to bend the rails a bit to have them fit. Basically mask off where the tracks will go. drill the first hole on each side, clean it with a file, attach the rail with a plusnut. Then bend the rail to match the roof and use a punch to mark where each other hole will go. Rotate the rail away and drill/file/paint each hole. Then rotate the rail in place and attach each plusnut. The nuts that had trouble for me were where I think I didn't clean up the hole enough with a file to ensure it would seat properly.

[@madwelder44b]

@1994gmctruck ...no. if you look on his drill bit there is a ring that clamps to the bit to stop it at the desired length. If you drill without the stop you have to be stupid careful

[@rajaismail8490]

Can you please explain the tools needed to drill at the roof top. Thanks.

[@dirklentfer383]

Can I fit these rails onto my Leer fiberglass canopy top ... I bought a universal 64" roof rack and trying fit it to my 2003 F150 short bed bare Leer canopy top ....I need some kind of rail system but not too costly ...

[@philc.9280]

Yea despite being 12 years later I'm trying to install an after market roof rack on my Nissan Frontier. The rack is designed for Nissan however you have to drop the headliner inside. I'm trying to skirt the process with this flare tool so I don't have to go through the process of the headliner. Any suggestions?

[@bob-o9865]

@Rack Attack I want to put a permanent roof rack on my Toyota Avalon for multipurpose use. So to do this I need to get a track for both sides, a landing pad by Yakima, Yakima towers, and a choice of crossbars. Did I miss anything?

[@wanderingdaze7018]

Do you see the holes from the inside of the car

[@CaptBill69]

Looks like Awesome Option for my future Chevy Bolt EV. ... but from recent read in Chevy Bolt forum: "I checked the Rack Attack site and they don't seem to have these that will fit the Bolt. ... Still might be worth a call to them?"

[@alexkram]

Did you go this route? I'm wanting to do this to my Bolt EV LT but since there are side curtain airbags up there I think I should remove the headliner to be absolutely sure what is underneath before drilling.

[@dandoughty123]

What is this rail item called? I cannot find it on website

[@miguelalarcon1552]

The tool is call flare nut insert tool.

[@sparrovski]

Called but thank you.

[@headholio]

Is this a do it yourself job? Special tool? Do you just use a standard rivet gun?

[@drewkeener]

Does anybody know the name of that "special tool" used at 1:08 to flare those flare nuts?

[@stevey500]

I know this is six years late but, a rivet gun. Haha

[@davidgibson5756]

It’s a rivnut tool. The nut itself is called a rivnut. McMaster-Carr has them in many different sizes, and the tools as well

[@rommelekstrom1973]

Can I do that in to my grand starex

[@josephledesma2637]

Link to rail system?

[@wesleygeiger6792]

what is the part number for this track? i went to the website and could not find it??? thank you

[@kennebecasisvalleyfiredepa7446]

www.rackattack.com/base-roof-rack-systems/permanent-custom-mount-roof-rack-systems/yakima-54-inch-track-with-bolts/

[@ethanaxon6784]

is that secure? it is only attached to the metal ontop of the car, not the frame.

[@michaelfarrell2067]

You have multiple flare nuts (basically rivets) on each track that go through the first layer of the roof. I have kayaks on top at 75-80mph all the time and no sign of weakness.

[@chrisdorantes3164]

Is there a way to figure out the load capacity? I have a 1986 Dodge Ramcharger with the bare-style roof and would like to mount a roof tent system but I’m not sure if the roof metal would be strong enough for the load.

[@rackattackDOTcom]

Generally speaking, a custom solution can carry a minimum of 165 lbs dynamic weight. This being the weight you can drive around with. Static weight (i.e. when parked and in the tent) is 2.5x to 3x this capacity. If near a store, highly recommend you coming by to discuss specific custom solutions.

[@fpvpastor7988]

How... do you stop from drilling straight through the roof of your car? Is it... thicker than it appears?

[@michaelfarrell2067]

Depends on the roof. The rack attack people are good on the phone. In my Prius, there is a small cavity after you get through the first layer of the roof. Means you have a little warning when you get through the important part. They told me German cars are much harder to drill through than Japanese.

[@kevinhayes4689]

Will this work on a fiberglass camper shell?

[@patrickcagney8060]

Here for this exact reason

[@fgDAB]

@@patrickcagney8060 Yes it will. Have it set up on my ARE topper. Pretty simple to install, you just need a track kit. I used the Yakima Track Kit from their site gives you everything you need.

[@anthonywilson4441]

Get this done in Arizona

[@anthonywilson4441]

Az

[@anthonywilson4441]

Phoenix

[@bigmikegervasi]

How do I get this for my truck?

[@rackattackportland7085]

Call or stop by your local Rack Attack.

[@andrewdepaoli558]

Can the track be cut down to fit a smaller roof?

[@rackattackportland7085]

Absolutely.

[@infernau]

I'm concerned about long term rusting, the roof is the most exposed part of the car. I hate the look of clip on racks and I wish there was a better solution rather than drill through the roof.

[@rackattackDOTcom]

Applying rust paint and silicon prevents that. Have a look at 1:02.

[@infernau]

@@rackattackDOTcom key word being prevent, I'd love to see pics of car 5-7 years later to see if doing this mod sped up roof rust.

[@wood-canvas-fiberglass1514]

@@infernau I had this system for 5 years in a very rainy climate, and had no issues. In my experience, no rack system (other than OE, and even then it depends on the car!), is actually good for your vehicle's paint over an extremely long time frame.

[@JackNatti]

It can’t hold much weight though

[@oneloveyessah]

Drilling holes in the roof doesn't sound like a good idea