Finally had some time to mount up the roof rack. Was a bit involved, but nothing i couldn't handle. We initially had some trouble actually finding one that fit my car. Yamaka has the Q clips howver they were backordered and then discontinued. SO i had to find another route. I didn't like the ones that Strapped to the window openings, and this was really the only option, drilling and riveting to the roof. rather that i didn't have to but is what it is.
Started out by laying out all the parts and such, i can be OCD at times. I also apologize, all the pictures are with my iphone as the wife has the camera for the day.
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Started off by doing a test fit. Verifying the minimum distance the towers must be apart would fit my roof. It did with not much room to spare. Im glad i have the shorty antenna as it would have hit the crossbar. With them mocked up, i marked my center points, verified side to side it was square and then started marking the holes to drill for the rivets.
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With the holes drilled, primed for corrosion protection from i riveted in the brackets. With the brackets in i had to trim the roof moulding to fit around them. Cutting soft rubber sucks.
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With the holes drilled, brackets riveted, and roof moulding trimmed all thats left to do was to changing the mounting hardware on the towers and bolt them up. With them bolted up i could slide the crossbars in and tighten them down once verifying they were centered. Once all was tight it was a trip to academy to pick up a universal kayak mount system and take her on her maiden voyage. Other than some wind noise all was golden, she took it like a champ.
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