Roof rails

[RTX 17]

I just purchased my 05 two months ago and I've found out that Ford sold these Expy's with side rails but not the crossbars. At least mine was not ordered with them. Any idea what they are going for? I have a buddy of mine that is a certified welder and he can make up a set for me but again they wont look factory, although they may be stronger Anybody have any insight on the cost of new or junkyard crossrails? My bud said he could probably make a set for around $150. Glad to be on this new forum. Doug

 

[RTX 17]

Going with a homemade set of polished aluminum crossrails from my welder buddy. Cost probably equal to one Ford rail. i'll post pics when I get around to this. Doug

 

[WHOISMOOTOO]

these are universal
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

oem off of an 04
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

 

[99 Expy]

You could buy those, but. . . I love custom parts, and polished aluminum!! But those prices aren't too bad.

 

[Sierra Lima1470]

I don't know what the price for the 05 and 06 models are, but I called a Ford Dealership yesterday for a rear cross bar from an 03 or 04 model and its $161.00 Dollars just for one! SO I'm going to pick one up today from the junk yard for $50 bucks on my lunch break. I would imagine for your year it might be less.

 

[tallsville]

sierra you might as well get both like the ones in mootoos link.

 

[RTX 17]

I don't know what the price for the 05 and 06 models are, but I called a Ford Dealership yesterday for a rear cross bar from an 03 or 04 model and its $161.00 Dollars just for one! SO I'm going to pick one up today from the junk yard for $50 bucks on my lunch break. I would imagine for your year it might be less.

From what I can see, the 03-04 roof rails are different from the 05-06's. The e-bay rails look to be for a pre 05, not sure though. Doug

 

[RTX 17]

Sierra, looking at your pic from your 03 they are different than my 05's side rails. the cross rails that go on mine actually slide through a channel on the inside of the side rails, not on top. Doug

 

[WHOISMOOTOO]

Sierra, looking at your pic from your 03 they are different than my 05's side rails. the cross rails that go on mine actually slide through a channel on the inside of the side rails, not on top. Doug

thats how mine are too, inside channels

 

[rvbuilder2002]

Ford has delivered 2nd Gen. Expys with two different types of roof racks.

One has a nearly flush slotted track running fore and aft on each side with two quick adjust cross bars.

The other has a raise side rail down each side like is common on mini vans, etc., with two cross bars between them.

I have been unable to pin down which were used on which models. I have seen both on Eddie Bauer's, and I think I have seen both on XLT's.
I am inclined to think that it was an option to choose which was preferred.
I have not looked closely at 1st Gen Expy's but I am pretty sure they also have both rack types mixed among the different models.

When looking for replacement cross bars, make sure you are buying the correct ones.
I needed a set for the slotted tracks... I decided to go with some aftermarket rack accessories from Inno that gave me cross bars that are 60 inches long for mounting bike racks, kayak's, etc. They can be removed or installed in 5 minutes so we then have a bare roof when not using a rack.

 

[ELVATO]

As has been mentioned before, it seems the 03-04 Expys had the flush ones in your first pic, where as the 05-06 Expys had the stick up ones.

Me, I had the flush ones on my 03. They are in my garage, since I have no need for them. They're just held on by 6-8 T-20 bolts. Doesn't take more than 10 minutes to take off.

 

[darmahsd]

The roof rails on 03-04 2nd gen are the same as all first gen. 05-06 are the raised "van" type as explained. I have these on my 05 but saved the channel rails that came on my '97 when I sold it. I'm glad I did because I also had the Thule adapters with their rubber covered square tube cross rails. These, so I could carry a large ski box that I can load with stuff. FYI, the holes in the roof on both gen Expy's are the same spacing regardless of rack, so they both interchange.
I prefer the older rails of the first gen and early second not only because I already have the Thule system for them, but I noticed that my later '05 rack is completely made from plastic, except for aluminum inlays that lock the optional crossbars.
Those plastic racks are not that confidence inspiring when you want to carry 150lbs. of ski box on your roof at 80MPH. I do that all the time with the original rails, but never go over that. I think the limit is 165 lbs.

 

[Ford Frank]

One has a nearly flush slotted track running fore and aft on each side with two quick adjust cross bars.

My '03 EB has the slotted track type, which I'm not crazy about. It makes it tough to use the roof rack for anything besides something that attaches to the cross bar. For example, you only have the crossbars to tie an xmas tree onto. It would be nice to have anchor points the length of the roof.

Has anyone find a solution to this, besides replacing the side rails? Maybe some kind of anchor loop that fits in the slotted track?

 

[darmahsd]

My track rack has four of these anchor loops, which can be
described as plastic eyehook tiedowns that are adjustable
to slide in the tracks. This is from a 1997, which is the same as
2003/4 second generation. If you don't have these,
they're probably cheap enough from the dealer or junkyard.
I also use the 6MM threaded inserts that lock the stock front crossbar in place because I have the Thule crossbars instead.

 

[AcesOverEights]

This thread made my just look out my office window to see which style I have. I never really looked at them before. I have the rail kind, and mine does have 2 bars across as well.
05 EB

They might just come off one of these days. I never liked that big hat look it gives it.

 

[Ford Frank]

My track rack has four of these anchor loops, which can be
described as plastic eyehook tiedowns that are adjustable
to slide in the tracks. This is from a 1997, which is the same as
2003/4 second generation. If you don't have these,
they're probably cheap enough from the dealer or junkyard.
I also use the 6MM threaded inserts that lock the stock front crossbar in place because I have the Thule crossbars instead.

I bought four of these anchor loops for my recessed track side rails. They are from a gen 1 expy and they do fit my gen 2 2003 EB. They fit right in the tracks no problem and twist to tighten. I was glad they fit.