Roof rack cross bar removal

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

GoBison

Active Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2018
Posts
29
Reaction score
31
Location
FARGO
Has anyone removed them? What does it take? I'm not a fan of how they stick up above the chrome side rails. Are they easy enough to remove and install as needed?
 

proeasy

Full Access Members
Joined
Mar 12, 2018
Posts
102
Reaction score
42
Location
Michgan
Picked my truck up this morning. This was the first mod. Just need a torx wrench.

2CED0F6A-B6AF-4003-A50E-D9E98DFBF5FE.jpeg

DAE1FFC5-F7D0-429A-95E3-B092C6156DF9.jpeg
 
Last edited:

rcompart

Full Access Members
Joined
Sep 7, 2014
Posts
216
Reaction score
179
Location
IL
It looks nice and clean sans the roof bars. Also, it was also a pleasure meeting you today.

I was on the fence pulling them off but if I’ll ever need them, it’ll be when they’re not on there and I wouldn’t have the luxury of going home to install them. I did move the front one to the middle set of holes and swapped out the torx head fasteners for the eyelets that come on the Explorer so I can move or remove them without tools should need arise.

Part number is FB53-78551A72-AA3YZ9 for anyone interested in doing the same.
 

proeasy

Full Access Members
Joined
Mar 12, 2018
Posts
102
Reaction score
42
Location
Michgan
Hey,,Did not know that was you. Great meeting you today. Went across the street to Home Depot and got a “TORX”. Kit for $10 before my 250 mile ride home in my new Expy. Looking foreward to some fun in the snow with proper winter wheels.

Paul
 

aggiegrad05

Full Access Members
Joined
Nov 6, 2017
Posts
1,834
Reaction score
1,392
Location
North Texas
Picked my truck up this morning. This was the first mod. Just need a torx wrench.

View attachment 24975

View attachment 24976

I removed mine as well. If I have enough stuff that I can’t fit it in the back of the Max...I have too much stuff! Plus, the manual limits you to 125 pounds up on the roof, so it’s not as though I’d be hauling anything major up there anyway.
 

Meeker

Full Access Members
Joined
Apr 3, 2016
Posts
296
Reaction score
180
Location
Calgary, AB, Canada
I'm keeping mine on - and it's good that they stick up above the side rails! You need your canoe as high as possible so you can lift the tailgate...
 

twernst

Full Access Members
Joined
Dec 13, 2017
Posts
184
Reaction score
59
Location
Manahawkin, NJ
It looks nice and clean sans the roof bars. Also, it was also a pleasure meeting you today.

I was on the fence pulling them off but if I’ll ever need them, it’ll be when they’re not on there and I wouldn’t have the luxury of going home to install them. I did move the front one to the middle set of holes and swapped out the torx head fasteners for the eyelets that come on the Explorer so I can move or remove them without tools should need arise.

Part number is FB53-78551A72-AA3YZ9 for anyone interested in doing the same.
Can you provide Pics of part? This was one of the first things after I got back from my trip to FL to pick ours up and bring her home to the Jersey Shore.
 

Fordalways

Full Access Members
Joined
May 10, 2010
Posts
61
Reaction score
28
Location
North Central Texas
I also removed mine as I’ve never had the need to carry anything up there. Mine had plastic caps covering the actual torx screws that had to be pried off 1st. I placed a towel under the end of each bar to protect the paint as I was doing the removal by myself. Being a bit ocd, I got a dozen plastic plugs from the local auto parts store and pressed them into the empty screw holes.
 

lbv150

Full Access Members
Joined
Mar 12, 2011
Posts
606
Reaction score
284
Location
Northeast
I removed them the first day home from the dealership on the '04 & '16.
 

EdWeg

Active Member
Army
Joined
May 9, 2011
Posts
25
Reaction score
4
Location
Birmingham, AL
Granddaddy 2007 XLT here. At least you've not experienced what I have. Someone needed a fastener, and so I'm now missing one. The '07 fastener has a longer thread base; but, is basically the same, and had to take some time to be removed. Try and find just one!!! I just went ahead and removed the cross bars too for a cleaner look. Someday I may replace if ever really needed for moving something bulky.
 

rcompart

Full Access Members
Joined
Sep 7, 2014
Posts
216
Reaction score
179
Location
IL
Granddaddy 2007 XLT here. At least you've not experienced what I have. Someone needed a fastener, and so I'm now missing one. The '07 fastener has a longer thread base; but, is basically the same, and had to take some time to be removed. Try and find just one!!! I just went ahead and removed the cross bars too for a cleaner look. Someday I may replace if ever really needed for moving something bulky.

If you only need one, PM me with your address and I’ll toss one in the snail mail for you.
 

twernst

Full Access Members
Joined
Dec 13, 2017
Posts
184
Reaction score
59
Location
Manahawkin, NJ
If you only need one, PM me with your address and I’ll toss one in the snail mail for you.

I called my dealer after coming back from FL as I was missing 1 or 2 of the "fake" ones for the extra spots. They dropped in the mail right away
 

VinnyTL

New Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2019
Posts
1
Reaction score
0
Location
New Jersey
What size Torx Screwdriver do you need to remove the cross bars? And can I fill in hole with a torx screw to prevent rust and build up in the exposed hole. Any info will help.
 

Highlightreel

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 10, 2019
Posts
84
Reaction score
45
Location
MN
T30 torx I believe. There's another forum post that discusses this as well. 5 minute job. I just replaced the metal screws into the same holes. The light grey ones in the pic were plastic fillers in the other set of optional holes. The original ones that held the bars on do stick out a bit, obviously, but they have stayed snug and only barely hurt my mpg!
crossbar1.jpg crossbar2.jpg
 

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
57,016
Posts
535,899
Members
54,713
Latest member
Budman55
Top