Roof Rack Install?

danu425danu425 Band Wagon
in Bodywork & Cosmetic Modifications
I just recently purchased roof rack rails for my 91 wagon. These rails are originally from UK. Does anyone know how to install these rails or know a place where I can have them installed. I believe that the US wagon models do not have the pre-existing holes for the roof rails to screw into. Any help would be great.

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Comments

  • wagodizzlewagodizzle Council Member and EDM expert
    danu425 wrote:
    I just recently purchased roof rack rails for my 91 wagon. These rails are originally from UK. Does anyone know how to install these rails or know a place where I can have them installed. I believe that the US wagon models do not have the pre-existing holes for the roof rails to screw into. Any help would be great.

    1091.jpg

    no wagon, USDM or JDM/EDM have pre-existing holes for a roof rack. you have to drill them yourself =)
    its quite easy, just be careful of your headliner. do a search, people have asked this question before regarding the USDM style roof rack, which still needs to be drilled so ANYWAYS.

    search!
  • Eagle BeagleEagle Beagle familEE
    viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3338&start=270
    here's master bam, installing
    rev's roofrack...it would be similar...
    dont forget your headliner

    rare, great find...
    and welcome
    oh yeah, post pix
    :mrgreen:
  • patrick1245patrick1245 Wagonist
    i saw one just like this on ebay a few days ago but i didnt know how it would go on but now i wont be so hasentent to buy one
  • ragenasianragenasian Moderator
    Whatever you do don't hack this one up like another member did to supposedly fit a USDM roof. These also don't sit exactly center of the channel on the roof. If you do that it will run straight into the antennae. Here is a pic of it on my car. Mine is stock so these are correct pics.

    296.jpg

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  • patrick1245patrick1245 Wagonist
    ragenasian wrote:
    Whatever you do don't hack this one up like another member did to supposedly fit a USDM roof. These also don't sit exactly center of the channel on the roof. If you do that it will run straight into the antennae. Here is a pic of it on my car. Mine is stock so these are correct pics.

    your car is hawt what rims are on it?
  • ragenasianragenasian Moderator
    It is all in my thread on the last couple of pages. Lets stay on topic :wink:
  • skinnyskinny Senior Wagonist
    So did you just get the rack or the cross bars as well? Dont you need the inserts to put in the holes?
  • ragenasianragenasian Moderator
    Euro wagons don't have cross bars.
  • HaydzHaydz Moderator
    ragenasian wrote:
    Euro wagons don't have cross bars.

    Correct, same with the JDM wagons.
  • ragenasianragenasian Moderator
    I should have written that in there too
  • skinnyskinny Senior Wagonist
    So only us american wagons got cross bars?
  • wagodizzlewagodizzle Council Member and EDM expert
    skinny wrote:
    So only us american wagons got cross bars?
    USDM racks are a completely different design then the EDM/JDM racks, you cant really compare the two. the EDM rails are much stronger, longer (and more usable, IMO). also, i believe all EDM wagons came standard with the rails, while USDM did not.
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    I have suspected for awhile that ALL the USDM racks were aftermarket, dealer installed options. I spoke to a mechanic who worked at a dealership back then, and he confirmed my suspicion. Japanese and European? No idea.
  • skinnyskinny Senior Wagonist
    Thats why im happy with my yakima rack :D
  • ragenasianragenasian Moderator
    I have yet to see a German wagon that "didn't" have the roof rack on it.
  • skinnyskinny Senior Wagonist
    So I guess us americans would just rather have a rack for looks :lol:
  • Marc_EE9Marc_EE9 Senior Wagonist
    ive never seen a UK shuttle with a roof rack or roof bars as standard.

    i wish i had some though!! then i dont have to put a dirty BMX inside :lol:
  • patrick1245patrick1245 Wagonist
    i found a guy at a local car meet that has a usdm 2wd wagon with a complete roof rack he said he will sell it to me for $20!*!* YESS
  • SlammedtallboySlammedtallboy Wagonist
    I just installed a roof rack from a Ford Exploder. Was off of a 4dr i believe, had to cut off a foot of the sliders. Next need to measure the crossbars to see how much needs to come off to make them fit :D
  • Marc_EE9Marc_EE9 Senior Wagonist
    wagodizzle wrote:
    no wagon, USDM or JDM/EDM have pre-existing holes for a roof rack. you have to drill them yourself =)

    JDM wagons have two threaded bolts for the centre, and two nuts each end welded to the chassis
  • 90civicwagon90civicwagon Band Wagon
    i just installed a roof rack from a 91 toyota 4 runner on my wag. ill post pics soon as i can. the length is just right. i just had to trim about 1 inch off the cross bars.
  • hafaadaiteghafaadaiteg Band Wagon
    post pics plz
  • Marc_EE9Marc_EE9 Senior Wagonist
    im going to fit oem roof bars today

    the roof lining is very difficult to get out, so i am just going to unclip it round the edges



    i will be getting lots of pics! :mrgreen:
  • 90civicwagon90civicwagon Band Wagon
    here are some pics from my phone. may not be the best quality.

    492.jpg

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    495.jpg

    496.jpg
  • Marc_EE9Marc_EE9 Senior Wagonist
    ive just started to unclip the roof lining, and you need to take out the rear window trim that surrounds it too.

    not such a straight forward job as I though :(
    this means unbolting the rear seatbelts too.
  • MadwickMadwick New Wagonist
    has anyone ever tried to get another vehicles roof rack to work on the wagon? i was looking at the roof and its 38 inches across between the rain grooves. i love the yakima rack but its some darn expensive!

    does the new wagon (honda fit) have a factory rack?
  • Marc_EE9Marc_EE9 Senior Wagonist
    Madwick wrote:
    has anyone ever tried to get another vehicles roof rack to work on the wagon? i was looking at the roof and its 38 inches across between the rain grooves. i love the yakima rack but its some darn expensive!

    does the new wagon (honda fit) have a factory rack?


    yes quite a few racks can be made to fit, do a search yo
  • 90civicwagon90civicwagon Band Wagon
    Madwick wrote:
    has anyone ever tried to get another vehicles roof rack to work on the wagon? i was looking at the roof and its 38 inches across between the rain grooves. i love the yakima rack but its some darn expensive!

    does the new wagon (honda fit) have a factory rack?

    madwick. look a couple posts up at my last one with pics. thats one from a toyota 4 runner. so yea other vehicles will work. i did have to cut down about an inch off one side because it was a hair too wide. but just grab a hack saw and it takes no time at all.
  • MadwickMadwick New Wagonist
    awesome, and yours looks real good!

    reason i dont want a stock rack is bc my roof caves in when the windows are down on the highway. i just roll up the windows and punch the roof and it will go back. the roofing system im looking for is also going to serve as reinforcement for the roof.
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    ^^ You need to re-glue your roof skin to the roof bows. Very common problem.

    I have a rack I pulled from a Toyota Corolla wagon- identical to the OE civic wagon one but a little narrower that I'm not gonna use...


    Here's a pic from my wife's resto to explain what I mean

    http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162 ... ner003.jpg
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