OEM Roof Rack install ?

[fishx65]

I want to install the factory rails on my 2011 (Non Vista). I have not found a clear answer to these questions yet: Are there already holes under the black inserts or will this installation require drilling a few holes????? Has anyone pulled their inserts off yet to check? Also wondering if I have to drop the headliner. Need me a rack to put my deers up there!!!

[wlepse]

Can't tell you what is under there but why not get a cargo tray? I installed a hitch for just this reason when we went on vacation. Worked out great to carry the extra gear. And I think it would be a whole lot easier to load than someting on the roof.

[Dingo]

I want a roof rack because I have a gigantic Yakima box to put on it. I want something that doesn't clamp to painted parts, though. Damn you, BAMR!

[fishx65]

Can't tell you what is under there but why not get a cargo tray? I installed a hitch for just this reason when we went on vacation. Worked out great to carry the extra gear. And I think it would be a whole lot easier to load than someting on the roof.

 

 

Gonna have both. For some reason I also like how the roof rails look on an Edge.

[ablb]

Gonna have both. For some reason I also like how the roof rails look on an Edge.

It’s an easy DIY.

Visit your parts dept at your dealer.

 

When you order ask to take a look at their screen.

 

Take a look at this thread it was in Sept. he may still have them.

http://www.fordedgeforum.com/index.php?/topic/7775-unwanted-roof-rails/page__p__61768__hl__roof+__fromsearch__1#entry61768

 

You could start your own “Want to trade thread” they’re on here pretty often.

 

ab

[fishx65]

Stopped by a few dealerships and called a few others. Got lots of different answers. Not sure why someone would just make things up if they don't know the correct answer!!!! I decided to take a look for myself but have not gotten very far yet. I can see on my Edge that there are some white plastic brackets bolted to the roof which the black rubber strips snap into. The strips also seem to be slid into some type of channel in the roof itself. Pulling hard unsnapped the back end of one of the rubber strips which I was able to snap back on. I should have some more info when I try to remove the rack rails on a friends 2010 next week. I'm hoping that the rack rails just use the same bolts that hold the white plastic brackets on. One thing I know for sure is that the factory rails are installed right on top of the long rubber strip. There must be holes in the rubber strip where the rail bolts screw in.

[Gimp]

I just self installed the OEM roof rails. From opening the box to completion it took me one hour and 15 minutes. No drilling through the roof was necessary. Instructions were included.

The long black plastic gutter cover strips came off pretty easily. You just need to get your fingers under the edge of it at one end on the roof side and start working it loose from the three plastic retainers they are attached to. Push inward with your thumbs and pull the inside edge up with your fingers. They are just snapped on, and your will hear a snapping noise as you work along the strip.

You have to remove the three plastic retainer clips. They are each held down with a single bolt requiring an 8mm socket. The middle one gets replaced with a new plastic retainer that comes with the kit. Pay attention to ensure you have the correct side facing outward.

Both ends of each rail takes two bolts rather than the one that was there. You will note only one existing hole where the retainer clips just came from, along with a 'dimple' where the other hole needs to be. I initially thought I needed to drill this out but discovered that it's been pre-drilled. The hole was filled with a sealant material and painted over. All you really need to do is put some pressure on the screw and it forces itself down through the 'dimple'. I decided to use a drill bit with a diameter that was smaller than the bolt and drilled down through the sealant for a pilot hole. I then used a screw driver type handle with my socket just to get the bolts started, and then switch to a socket wrench as it gave me more torque to tighten it in. The 8mm socket worked for all of this.

Once the plastic brackets were bolted down, I snapped the center of the new strip in the middle onto the new retaining piece and snapped the two end caps into place. I purchased two cross bars that came with my kit but I won't install them until I need them as I don't want the air drag. Installation for the cross bars looks even easier than the rails and shouldn't take more than thirty minutes. You just need the right size of star torx wrench. (Edited to add two years later I still haven't used the OEM cross bars as I'm using a Yakima product for my canoe.)

 

One word of advice when ordering. If you go to the parts department and ask for the roof rails they can pull up the diagram and order them as individual parts. Don't let them do this. Ask for the roof rack kit. With the cross bars that = part numbers: 7T4Z7855100AA and 7T4Z7855100BA. These two part numbers together were called a "kit". The kit price is quite a bit less than ordering by piece part. I was told that Ford installation time is two hours for labor and that sounds about right for rails and crossbars if you don't want to do it yourself.

Lastly, I have a 2012 Edge and it fit perfectly. The instructions referenced the 2007 Edge so it appears everything is still compatible.

 

Edited on 01/28/2014: Last month I finally installed the OEM cross bars to help my daughter do some moving. It wasn't too difficult once I found the right tool to install the bolts. I kept them on for about a week and then pulled them back off again. There was a definite increase in wind noise that I didn't care for. Not as bad as my Yakima rack (removed in the fall until it's canoe season again), but I didn't like it just the same. I'm glad that I kept the plastic caps to cover the holes in the rails.

Edited January 28, 2014 by Gimp

[fishx65]

Thanks for posting this!!! Pretty sure you are the 1st one on here to do this install at home. Just to clarify, the kit comes with a new black plastic strip and you don't need the original, correct? Is the new strip identical to the old one with the exception of pre-cut holes?

[Dingo]

Gimp, do you have the sunroof?

[Gimp]

Thanks for posting this!!! Pretty sure you are the 1st one on here to do this install at home. Just to clarify, the kit comes with a new black plastic strip and you don't need the original, correct? Is the new strip identical to the old one with the exception of pre-cut holes?

 

It comes with the new plastic strip that is set for the installation. In another discussion thread someone mentioned doing it at home by following the instructions so I think that I'm the second person. I just described it a bit. I would describe the procedure as harder than trimming and fitting a new floor mat, but easier than installing new door speakers. Actually, the biggest challenge was to not scratch the new paint.

[Gimp]

Gimp, do you have the sunroof?

 

 

No sunroof. I used to love sun roofs but can't wait to close them now. I recently learned that I'm photosensitive due to a medication I've been taking for years to control acid reflux. I also bought this vehicle with the express purpose of carrying a canoe and my research had told me that the panoramic roof was not an option even if my wife pressed me for it.

[Dingo]

I, too, have a huge photosensitivity issue, but just had to have the roof. It's mostly a vent thing for me. I'm actually legally exempt from the window-tint law, but even with my tint, I still wear my sunglasses.

 

[Grits]

I just recently installed mine following Gimps instructions aboue......Worked perfectly !

I also installed the stock 2 cross pieces.....

if I were doing it again, I'd put the 4 mounting brackets for the cross pieces on before mounting the long rails.

Gimp's instructions were perfect !

Next time it would only take 30 minutes...

 

Thanks Gimp!

Grits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Pat8839]

Grits, where did you purchase your rack? Did you get it from Ford?

I am likely to follow suit and install my own as it sounds like I have good guys to follow their lead

[Mirage52]

I just started another thread about this issue...being new here I should have searched the subject before starting a new thread.

 

So the Motorcraft site lists the 2 kit numbers. I definitely need both to install the roof rack, correct?

 

I'll check with some Ford dealers to see if they have them in stock at a cheaper price....

[Vtsquirm]

Anyone have pictures?

[surfer1]

FYI....OEM rails do work on Edge with vista roof. OEM cross bars and other low profile crossbars DO NOT WORK with roof. I now have OEM rails with Thule 440s which sit above the height of rails and works perfect with the vista roof. Nice, clean and functional.

[scguru92]

Really? So the clearance of the factory crossbars is the only issue? I ask because I have the vista roof and was researching and trying to figure out if the factory rails would work on the vista roof. I didn't see why they shouldn't, but could not find proof of this.

 

Surfer1 could you please let me know where you got this confirmation or even better any pictures at all of it done? This is just what I wanted to do but was ready to give up on it and pay to have rack attack or rack n road install aftermarket rails.

 

Thanks!

[surfer1]

I haven't figured out how to post photos yet but the proof is me. I have the OEM rails with Thule crossbars that sit on top of the rails. No clearance issues at all. You do have to be extra careful because your storing/carrying things above glass. Send me your email and I can forward photos. When the OEM rails were installed, I put the Thule's on, but unsecured, to see if clearance was a issue. I'll figure this photo thing out over the weekend.

Edited January 25, 2014 by surfer1

[normcloutier]

I had roof rack installed at factory mostly because I like the look. I added the cross bars myself. Will probably never put anything on the roof unless I find a canoe in the ditch.

[max901]

does anyone have a used pair of cross bars?

[surfer1]

I have some extra set of Thules from my wife's Volvo that are in outstanding condition I think they are the 759s. You just turn and twist the end caps and a internal mechanism clamps the base to the Rails. Send me your email and I can take some photos.

[Cruiser64]

Anyone have pics of taking the OEM side racks off? I hate mine and want to get rid of them. I have looked at them but don't know where to start. Sorry if I jack your thread.

[fishx65]

Anyone have pics of taking the OEM side racks off? I hate mine and want to get rid of them. I have looked at them but don't know where to start. Sorry if I jack your thread.

I'm sure you can find someone on here that will trade you their black strips for your strips and rails. I did this with a fellow member and we were both happy campers. We just just took them off and shipped them to each other the same day.

[Mirage52]

I'm thinking of hunting down a used roof rack at a junk yard, if I can find it.

 

Do you think I'd be able to take it apart cleanly enough so that it would install on my vehicle without any issues?