Roof Tracks for Roof Rack Mounting - Installing Roof Tracks on a Truck with no Factory Mounts

[@saikyouabe]

I also feel uneasy drilling into my truck, but if I ever did take the dive this is how I would do it. I would only trust your advice and guidance on something like this. The result is very cool!

[@joespencer2732]

Once you do it…it’s permanent. Don’t know about resale value?

[@saikyouabe]

@@joespencer2732 you'd probably have to sell it to someone looking for this particular add on, but as long as it's done right I don't see how it could negatively impact the resale value.

[@exhaustinglife]

@@joespencer2732 any roof rack mounting you do is permanent except the clamp on types so you do need to consider that. The nice thing about the roof track is that you can repurpose it if you remove the rack system and the holes you drilled are not in the rain gutter where they collect water and leak.

[@joespencer2732]

@@exhaustinglife Yeah, and if I need to do in in the future…this would be the way to go. I bought a Bison a few months ago. When I look at it, I think I will have to wait until I get the confidence to do it right. You only get one chance!

[@konisitutonepuloka6845]

I’ve been looking for the perfect option an instructional video and you have covered all my questions and you have also shown exactly how to do it and what I would need and what to get I will definitely be mimicking all these steps as well as the platform style roof rack that you used on this vehicle for my vehicle I can’t wait I love the end result I’m very excited I can’t wait

[@exhaustinglife]

What roof rack are you going with?

[@moregrip4185]

Most excellent presentation brother! Thank you!

[@luci_rado1175]

Overland ruff raxx. Nice video Rich.

[@rotaryenginepete]

Good job. Even more important than poking the headliner, another good reason to use a drill stop is because there's curtain airbags right there too...

[@exhaustinglife]

I checked. The curtain air back are on the other side of the seam / gutter. It's not an issue on the inside of the of either side.

[@rotaryenginepete]

@@exhaustinglife that's great news and probably just another reason to mount next to the seam and not in it.

[@scotw67]

Great job! Your videos are perfect!!!

[@exhaustinglife]

Thank you so much!

[@tacodust.]

Rich= Professional explainer™

[@exhaustinglife]

Prosplainer TM

[@genoory5090]

This is something I'm gonna do to my 2011 ford ranger fx4 off road. I just bought a set of surco roof rails. I cut it to size I need, bend them in my bender to fit the contour of my truck much better before I drill holes in my roof. So before I do anything yet? I'm gonna get the sealant & bolt hardware I need to get it going as it should by using your method👌🏻

[@exhaustinglife]

I am not familiar with the Surco products. Do they specify where to drill and mount or is it just universal?

[@genoory5090]

@@exhaustinglife well its a universal kit. It pretty much they have pre drilled holes with rivets & allen head bolts that come with their aluminum tracks. They also come in different lengths. They kinda look like the go rhino version

[@chadpayne2472]

I wish I could have you work on my ZR2

[@exhaustinglife]

Who knows, if the channel picks up I might be doing guest installs on the road.

[@joelesparza8812]

nice job

[@jonnycrimson]

Great video, do you have a direct link or part number to your cab rack? The solar panel setup is incredible!

[@juanernestorodriguez4661]

Rich, nice work on install and instructions. I know all trucks are different but wanted to get your perspective on mounting tracks to ram 2500 crew cab. Is there a way to identify the best support placement between the rain gutters? Welcome your thoughts 🙏🏼

[@exhaustinglife]

Without looking, its unwise to just start drilling on good intentions. Typically I like to find some factory drawing of the cab and see what the structure looks like and where factory harnesses are routed. Once I have a fairly good feel, I'll take off some side wall plastics leading up tot the head liner and check to see if what I saw on the drawing it what I see. Finally I have an Innova probe camera Ill snake in there to make sure. After all that, I try to keep the rail close the the factory seam section of the roof. The break / radiused fold of the roof panel will be where the roof has the most strength. keeping it close will ensure the least deformation and strongest placement.

[@somecatchyphrase3341]

Thanks for the tutorial. I am also installing the T tracks on the cab of my truck soon. Now that you have had these tracks for a while is there any update? Still holding up well? Anything you would have done different?

[@exhaustinglife]

I still think the tracks and this kind of mounting are the best solution. I never had issues, and the new owner is still trouble-free. I had seen first hand the issues still drilling through welds in the drop rail.

[@gregrobertson9957]

thanks for the tips...good stuff. Do y'all make anything for 1st gen Tacomas or is that old money no good?

[@exhaustinglife]

I am not the owner just a friend of the brand. Sam the owner would be the guy to ask to see what he can put together for earlier applications.

[@miguellasala5765]

Trying to do the same with a 2011 Silverado. Both Thule and Rhino Rack clamp roof racks leaked. Any idea which rails would work with a 2011?

[@exhaustinglife]

Silverado is an entirely different application but can still use Yakima HD Tracks to secure a Roof Rack like the OverlandcRuff Rax unit I installed

[@joespencer2732]

Where do I get a plus nut install tool? How expensive is it?

[@exhaustinglife]

The Plus Nut tool is the same as a Rivnut tool. You can find the hand tool version for under $40. The tool like I used is available for as little as $60 all the up to $200. The most important parts is making sure you have the right thread in the kit to be able to use the tool. A good deal of the budget kits omit less popular thread diameters and pitches so just be sure the one you get has it.

[@joespencer2732]

@@exhaustinglife so I need to know what the kit size is.

[@exhaustinglife]

@@joespencer2732 unfortunately I don't have mine handy and I can't recall off the top of my head. I'll see if I can find it in my notes otherwise you can reach out to a Yakima dealer and ask what the mounting bolt size and thread is.

[@garrettcameron8559]

what kind of bed cover is that?

[@exhaustinglife]

The bedliner is a Bedrug and the bed topper is an ARE Z-series "shell"

[@joespencer2732]

I just can’t drill into my roof.

[@exhaustinglife]

Its a commitment BUT drilling the roof vs drilling the seam in the rain gutter is the lesser of the two evils.

[@joespencer2732]

@@exhaustinglife I have already decided to go at it the same as you. I jus need to get the rails. Can’t find the on overlanding or Yakima?

[@exhaustinglife]

@@joespencer2732 You can contact Sam at Overland Ruff Rax - overlandruffrax.com/ You can also search for the tracks on any Yakima dealer site. Here is and example www.performancebike.com/yakima-roof-rack-tracks-black-54-8001127/p1340649?v=302366

[@joespencer2732]

@@exhaustinglife I appreciate it!

[@andrewwest5038]

You made us watch a whole video of the install without showing us how it functions at the end?

[@exhaustinglife]

In all fairness it is an installation how to video as stated in the title not a product review for the Overland Ruff Rax product. What did you want to know about the functionality? I slid the mounts to the holes and bolted the cab rack to the roof tracks. Or were you wanting to know more about the roof rack?