2001 WRX hatchback roof rack?

[Guest]

Hi all,

So my WRX has no roof rack, but I want one (for many uses, including a roof-top luggage box for summer trips).

Thule makes a decent enough setup, 2 tracks riveted to the car-top with standard track mount rails and cross-members. Got quoted 650.00 for it today, installed. Trouble is, I don't really want to put twelve holes in the roof, eh? And 650 is a lot of scratch for a rack...

So, my questions:

1) Do any of you have information on installing factory rails from another 2001 Impreza onto one that was not factory equipped with the rails?

2) Does anyone know where in the Wellington area I can get a pull-off set of rails?

TIA, all.

[DRFVDR]

U worried about 12 5mm rivet holes,and want to drill 8 8mm holes to afix the factory roof rack on

also see about ones that clamp on to the roof rails and not permanent fixed ones

I had the Thule permanent racks on a previous Leone and they never ever leaked(actually after my brother rolled it they were still attached and took most of the brunt )

[Guest]

Hmm. Thanks for the input, DRFVDR. Thats why I was asking for info, BTW - I didn't know the holes would need to be drilled for the factory rack rails - I thought they would have pre-punched and sealed holes under the existing trim strip with grommets in them or something. So there are 8 mount points on a factory rail set, at 8mm bore. Big bolts! Are there underside plates to strengthen the sheet metal around such a large hole?

-In any case, does anyone know which would be a stronger rack, then? (The Thule does not have underside plates to firm it up.) If I'm putting holes in her in both cases then I want to make it the strongest application possible.

-Anyone else want to share more about the factory rails?

And I don't want to use the 'clip-on' style rack, it will not let me put the two crossmembers far enough apart due to window location and shape. Also it mars the window trim, even if you use the pads...

[nt_a_foz]

Theres 2 threads in this section going over the options both what iv donie and others have done that dont require permanent fixture...Take a look

[Guest]

nt_a_foz:

Thanks, but my search before posting my question provided an avalanche of stuff- none of which was specific to the bugeye hatch. I read for about an hour without finding info on factory racks for mine, but did find a lot on the Thule 'clip-on' style racks (which I don't want to use).

Maybe you can link me if you know which two threads are hitting on that? It'd help!

And I guess I'll try a new search - but maybe you could recommend what search terms will isolate the results to a usable number? "roof rack" seems limitless in hits...

[nt_a_foz]

Heres one relating to a v8 wagon which will be the same as a bugeye.

http://www.clubsub.org.nz/forum/index.php/topic,12887.0.html

http://www.clubsub.org.nz/forum/index.php/topic,12428.0.html

Theres this one also but doesnt have much info.

Go to the Thule website theyve got plenty of choices for different models or go see a thule dealer they have an option for any choice you could ever want.