I'm looking for information and pictures of roof racks for an F250 crew cab.
I'd like to hear personal experiences from people who have put on an aftermarket rack, as well as any links that you might have.
I was also thinking about going to a junk yard and pulling the rack off of an Expedition or Excursion or Explorer after I take some measurements. Has anyone put on a OEM rack (vs. aftermarket)? Pictures? Links?
Those who have installed a rack, how do you do it? Is it a case of drilling and using sheet metal screws, or pulling the headliner and drilling w/ nuts and bolts?
Uses will be mainly kayaks, but other items as the need arises.
Any recommendations or experiences are appreciated.
I am interested too. I have been looking at the Defender racks just not sure what size to get...not sure what i'll put up there, probably just get used when going camping/dirtbiking...
Have you ever thought about using a Yakima or Thule rack? That way you can take it off if you arent using it or sell the truck etc. Plus if you get a "wind deflector" to go on it it makes the truck look awesome IMO. I have used Yakima in the past on my Tacoma for snowboards and skis and loved it, never had anyproblems with it. i would think it would be hard to mount a "factory" rack like one off an expedition or something on my crew cab because of all the ribs in the roof? But thats just my thoughts.
Using a rack from an Excursion or Expedition won't work as they are too long. Maybe one from an Explorer would work. It would mount "roof ribs" non-withstanding since ALL those trucks mentioned have ribs. However, it'd be a hell of a lot easier to just get a good aftermarket roof rack.
Installed a Defender Roof Rack on my F250 2005. Look awesome and easy to install. You have to drill the roof but don't have to pull the headliner. It's about an afternoon of work. Don't have any pictures for the web but check at : offroadunlimited.com for pictures and price. They are in California and have a good service.
The job is finally completed, and I thought I'd show off my solution. See my 3 pictures here
After searching around at aftermarket solutions, I figured that I could do it myself significantly cheaper.
I went to the local junk yard and found a rack off of an Explorer that I liked. Unfortunately the cross bars weren't long enough, so I went back and found an older model Explorer that had bars that would work. Total investment, $15. I had to shorten the rails that the crossbars slide on about 6 inches.
Next I went to the local specialty fasteners store and purchased some rubber threaded inserts. After drilling and putting them in, I decided that I didn't like them, and went back to get some metal inserts that I had more trust in. Investment, $25 for both sets of inserts (8 each) and the stainless, flathead, 1/4-20 screws.
Other than my set-back of purchasing the wrong inserts the first time, and working myself up to actually drilling into the roof of my truck, it was a pretty easy job!
I'd be interested in seeing the pictures but have no interest in signing up for the photo sharing site that you used. Could you simply post the pictures?
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2007 F-350, 6.0L, FX4, ARE Z-series cap
IAFF Local 413
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2005 F250 FX4 4x4 PSD Lariet cc sb srw
