Roof Rack/Rail Removal

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TonyR0206

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I removed the roof racks (cross bars) the week I purchased my Expedition…has anyone removed the rails? If so, is there a part that slips into its place once removed?
 

ram swap

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I removed the roof racks (cross bars) the week I purchased my Expedition…has anyone removed the rails? If so, is there a part that slips into its place once removed?
Im getting ready to this myself, look forward to any info you get regarding this.
 

durb

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been researching and ready to delete mine. seems super easy with no problems. a lot of nay sayers out there but it looks great imo
 

BigOleFordFan

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just replace bolts with a dab of silicone
If you do this, make sure the silicone is marine-grade, cause it won't hold or accumulate dirt or mildew, either of which will make your ride look like poo-poo :D

A friend of mine with a 2015 EL removed his, and replaced them with custom cut, painted & Epoxy-sealed 316-grade stainless steel strips that matched his truck color. He used some type of industrial-grade adhesive to secure them to the body. Note that he works in a fab shop for the Oil & Gas companies, that's where he made the strips......

Unless you look really, really close, you can't even tell that the rack was ever there !
 

iaazan

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Outdoor rated silicone should work as well. Is there a big hole or just a couple bolt holes? Or is it like my Jeep Cherokee that has two shoulder bolts sticking out of the roof that the rails slid into?

I just ordered cross bars for ours so when we go on ski trips they are ready to carry them without getting the interior nasty.
 

BigOleFordFan

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Outdoor rated silicone should work as well.
Well, technically, any silicone or other sealant will "work", but the major difference between normal "exterior" silicone & the marine grade stuff is the additives they put in to prevent mildew & mold, which is either missing altogether or in such small amounts in the regular stuff that it doesn't last but a year, maybe 2 before it degrades and starts looking like crap....

Yes, the marine grade stuff will cost a good bit more than the normal ones, but it will last for a MUCH longer time...

But if you enjoy the extra work of climbing up on top of your vehicle bleaching/scrubbing/replacing the old stuff every 12-18 months, then by all means, be my guest :D
 
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