Roof Rack Missing
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2019
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Roof Rack Missing
When I purchased my X I failed to realize that the entire set up for my stock roof rack was gone. No side rails and no cross rails. I did find the threaded inserts for the rack though. Question is, should I bother hunting down a stock setup or can I go aftermarket without much effort?
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From: Media PA
While I would agree that the factory CROSSBARS are completely worthless (or at least nearly so) the roof side rails are fine. Like many here, I ditched my crossbars as soon as I got my EX home. I do use the side rails to mount my aftermarket towers and crossbars though, they work fine and carry the 3 kayaks perfectly.
In the OP's situation, I would look around the parts yards for a set of the factory side rails (and ends and hardware). But that's for how I use mine, depending on what the OP is planning to use his for may call for a full custom or aftermarket setup.
In the OP's situation, I would look around the parts yards for a set of the factory side rails (and ends and hardware). But that's for how I use mine, depending on what the OP is planning to use his for may call for a full custom or aftermarket setup.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,842
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From: NoVA
Tom, thanks for expanding on how to make good use of the crappy design of the stock roof rack. After a long thought, I recently ditched the cross bars. I really don't have any plans in the near future to load anything on the roof of the EX. But I am keeping the rails just 'cos I like that look better than the bald top 
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2019
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From: Los Angeles, CA
While I would agree that the factory CROSSBARS are completely worthless (or at least nearly so) the roof side rails are fine. Like many here, I ditched my crossbars as soon as I got my EX home. I do use the side rails to mount my aftermarket towers and crossbars though, they work fine and carry the 3 kayaks perfectly.
In the OP's situation, I would look around the parts yards for a set of the factory side rails (and ends and hardware). But that's for how I use mine, depending on what the OP is planning to use his for may call for a full custom or aftermarket setup.
In the OP's situation, I would look around the parts yards for a set of the factory side rails (and ends and hardware). But that's for how I use mine, depending on what the OP is planning to use his for may call for a full custom or aftermarket setup.
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Media PA
With a basket type rack up there, like a simple aftermarket one, the factory side rails will most likely be your best bet to give it a good solid base. The earlier Expeditions may have the same or very similar side rails as the EX, but I'm not sure if the length is the same, I can measure mine later if you'd like to compare as there may be more Expys in the parts yards than EXs. With a big full custom rack like you pictured, you may be better off going with custom roof mounts with a bigger footprint to better distribute the rack and contents weight.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Danbury, CT
Twitchleprechaun is parting an Ex - check with him if he has the rails. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ied-forum.html
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: NC
With a basket type rack up there, like a simple aftermarket one, the factory side rails will most likely be your best bet to give it a good solid base. The earlier Expeditions may have the same or very similar side rails as the EX, but I'm not sure if the length is the same, I can measure mine later if you'd like to compare as there may be more Expys in the parts yards than EXs. With a big full custom rack like you pictured, you may be better off going with custom roof mounts with a bigger footprint to better distribute the rack and contents weight.
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Media PA
Expedition rails will not work, not wide enough. I made my own using a combination of Expedition and Escape bars. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ack-build.html
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2019
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Twitchleprechaun is parting an Ex - check with him if he has the rails. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ied-forum.html
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: NC
You are right. The roof bars should work, crossbars will not.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2019
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Should I be looking for any particular year set of Expy to snag them from or will they all pretty much be universal?
