I bought my 04 Ex a few weeks ago and it does not have the cross rails for the roof rack. Any thoughts should I buy some factory cross rails or go after market? If after market, what do you recommend?

 

If you want them to be usable go with aftermarket. Thule or Yakima make decent set ups for the X with key lockable ends.

 

x2.

The stock ones are sub par quality and scratch the roof.

 

I'm not sure that I would ever use the roof rack but I don't like that it looks incomplete. Maybe a basket on top would be better.

 

I have yet to get on top of my Ex to confirm, but the Thule website lists the "TK1" as the 'foot' you need to match with the roof rail to the bar support. Then either a 430R (round bars) or 430 Tracker II (square bars), and then the bars themselves.

 

First thing I did when I got home from the dealership was remove the cross bars. Yakima makes rack pedestals that fit the factory rails. Has worked great for us! Good luck.

 

yep, the stock bars scratch the roof and arent all that strong. aftermarket is the way to go.

 

I have a Yakima Roof Rack System on both my Ex and my Jeep. I am very pleased with both. It is also made to be lockable which means you can lock the moutning pads and accessories with out worring that some will help them self to your rack and attachments. I have bike racks mounted to mine. Looking at getting the Mega Loadwarrior and Sky Box next. I believe if you went with either Thule or Yakima you will be happy. I didnt like the factory rack at all. It was weak in my opinion. And it does scratch the roof.

 

i built my own cost was around $120 i still dnt know how to post pix or i would

 

Have had 3 ex's and pulled the cross rails off all 3 as soon as possibled to prevent scrubbing off of the paint..

sold one set on here and the other two are in the garage...

I think I used the roof rack ONCE in 10 years of ownership....
too many negatives for me to use IMHO
too hard to get up there for me
wind resistance when travelling
rear hitch a haul works better
or with more junk - my 5 x 10 trailer

 

I purchased my roof rack from www.offroadunlimnited.com . the rack looks cool from the pictures on the web. I haven't had time to install it yet.

Only negative thing is that www.offroadunlimited.com had crappy customer service. Waited 2 months when they said it was in stock. I wont do business with them unless I really have to.

 

How did you make your own? You could add pictures to your gallery.

 

I just confirmed that the Thule TK1 fit kit is the proper item for the Excursions by putting them on mine. Leave them good & loose to make sure that the tabs rotate enough to get a good foothold in the channel, then just tighten them down and drop the appropriate "feet" in place. One of the easiest installs I've ever done!

I'll have mine (430 Tracker II & TK1 fit kits) up for sale in just about 2 weeks. Gotta sell the Excursion first, but if they don't go with the Ex, then I'll offer them up on FTE first.

 

I've had a Safari Rack on mine for 10 years now.

 

leaving them off will probably get you better gas mileage. the x is so tall I wouldn't worry about how the top of it looks. I have thought about taking them off but its so nice to have a place to throw wet skis and snowboards that I will probably leave them on for my yakima ski rack... though I don't know if I will be able to reach the roof to get my skis up there.