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Yakima track installation

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by darelldd, Jan 17, 2006.

  1. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    OK... so an alert member pointed these lovely racks out to me. Found on the toyota.co.UK site.

    [Broken External Image]:http://www.darelldd.com/ev/images/prius/uk_racks.jpg

    Does anybody have any info on these? Availability? Price? Dimensions? Attachment? They sure look nice, and I like how they sit on the rubber seam gasket more than the paint.
     
  2. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    I can now confirm the Yakima parts that fit the 2006.

    http://www.darelldd.com/ev/prius_racks.htm

    The thing is... I still want to put tracks on. I just don't like clips! If anybody wants to save a few bucks on the Yakima towers and clips, these will be for sale in as-new condition shortly.

    Which leads me to my current rack question:
    Does anybody have any pictures of the underside of the roof, above the headliner? I need to see where the supports are before doing my drilling thing!
     
  3. joelparks

    joelparks New Member

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    Darell,

    I still want to also! Have you done it yet? I just got my REI dividend and I'm thinking about putting it into Yakima parts.

    Maybe I'll have to go it alone and then have pictures for you all... don't hold your breath though.

    Joel
     
  4. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    Hey Joel -

    I've been fussing with this for quite some time. I've already bought an entire set of the Q towers and clips, as seen here:
    http://www.darelldd.com/ev/prius_racks.htm

    And not liking that solution, I went back to trying to make the tracks work. And then a helpful member suggested Saris racks, and I now have a set of those on order. While I would still like to have tracks on the car (Every car should come with built-in tracks that are universal!) I'm hoping that the Saris solution will be "good enough." Stay tuned.
     
  5. joelparks

    joelparks New Member

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    Yeah, I was just reviewing that thread. They look lower than the Yakimas but more stable at the base.

    Which model number Saris did you order? Do you recommend the vendor you ordered from ?
     
  6. eagle33199

    eagle33199 Platinum Member

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    So i've done a few searches and couldn't come up with an answer...

    Could someone post general instructions.differences in these systems? I'm now to roof racks, and don't really understand the differences. The tracks are drilled into the roof, but apparently the towers are clip on? And someone mentioned something about possible problems with the towers rubbing paint or the door seals or something.

    can anyone clear it up?

    I've seen the Rav4 pictures on darelldd's site which healps clear up the track questions a bit, but would really love to see some pictures of a tower install in progress.

    thanks!
     
  7. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    I ordered the 902 59" ones with #20 clips (recommended size/clip for Prius) from rackbarn.com Best price with shipping that I could find. I really like the concept of tightening the whole thing on from one side.
     
  8. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    Not sure which three systems you mean.

    The tracks bolt onto the roof, and then special towers clip into special "landing pads" that can mount to the tracks at any point. You can see that system on my Rav page.

    The regular Yakima Q towers have clips that grab the inner door ledge near the roof of the car. This can scratch the paint, and the pads sitting directly on the paint can cause problems as well. The Q towers are a booger to put on and off with one person as the clips just wiggle around and get in your way when you try to do one side and then the other. Once on, they're great, however.

    The Saris system is much like the Q towers in where they mount, but the system is quite different. Tough to explain in words. Eventually I'll have pictures of it!
     
  9. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    OK... after all this time and much money spend, I finally went ahead with the permanent installation.

    I'll get the page up with all the pictures after a bit, but for now, here's me going through the roof. No turning back! :) All because Nate double-dog dared me!

    [​IMG]
     
  10. bobh3501

    bobh3501 New Member

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    OK -- I am desperate for a solid rack solution and I am going to go for it .. like darelldd I'm ready to drill into my roof! I really, really like the yakima track solution but the yakima landing pads that derelldd did look like they would work nicely too. Based on reading this thread I think I am going to give the tracks a try. I'll post a follow up since there are no pictures on here of a track install. I would welcome any opinions - thanks.


    BTW: I have a brand new (never used) set of Saris rack stuff (including bike tray and surfboard pads) sitting in my house in Long Beach .. ready to unload!


    Bob
     
  11. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rlh @ Aug 2 2006, 02:23 AM) [snapback]296155[/snapback]</div>
    Installing tracks will be little different from installing just the landing pads. Same number of holes, same precision measurements needed. The only reason I didn't go with tracks on this car was because of the serious arc of the roof. I've put them on some pretty round cars, but nothing quite like this. I think it'll probably work, but I thought just the pads would be better. We'll know after my coming 1000 mile trek with these on!

    Here's the page I've started for these mounts:
    http://www.darelldd.com/ev/prius_rack_pads.htm

    No shot yet of the cross bars installed.... though it is sitting out in the garage all loaded with the Rocket Box!
     
  12. bobh3501

    bobh3501 New Member

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    Thanks Darell .. If the track doesn't look like it's going to work I will definitely get the landing pads. In your other installs of the tracks how did it follow the roof line - do they bend? They clearly are designed for flat roofs, do the the pads still slide on the tracks through the bends? Thanks for your help .. I like the tracks because they are adjustable and very low profile ..

    Bob
     
  13. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rlh @ Aug 2 2006, 09:48 AM) [snapback]296351[/snapback]</div>
    Bob -

    Yes, the tracks certainly bend, though they aren't "suposed to" according to Yakima. They want them only on flat surfaces. The Honda Civic had a curvy roof, but nothing like the Prius. You'll be putting a lot of strain on those end bolts to keep it from sproingin gback up. And the little plastic ends of the tracks will never lie flat agains the curved roof. But it *should* work if your dead-set on it. Yes, the pads will still slide just fine on it.

    Adjstability and extra strength are what you get with the tracks (the track spreads the foot-print over a huge area to make it stronger). But lower profile? No. Nothing is lower-profile than just having the landing pads directly on the roof. with the tracks, you have the 1/2" thickness of the tracks on the roof first, and THEN the landing pads. So the whole system sticks up a bit more with the tracks. I also liked the sleeker covers on the landing pads for the bare roof than those for the tracks (I have both here). Why they're different I'll never know.
     
  14. bobh3501

    bobh3501 New Member

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    Thanks for the information Darell - I think I will bow to your expertise and go with the landing pads .. I do like how yours turned out ..

    Bob
     
  15. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rlh @ Aug 2 2006, 05:44 PM) [snapback]296675[/snapback]</div>
    I sure don't want to talk you out of the tracks... just want you to have all the info. The one reason that I would still consider the tracks for this vehicle is for the extra strength. The roof is pretty soft. The rear pads especially move a bit with some pressure - the front seems much stronger. Even so, I think the pads alone provide plenty of strength for even more than the racks are rated to hold.

    Word of advice: Pull down the dome lights and look in there to see where the roof stiffening ribs are. Make sure you miss them when you drill. When you get closer, I'll be happy to give you the measurements where I drilled to miss everything. Oh... and measure at least 20 times to get them on right! :)
     
  16. bobh3501

    bobh3501 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Aug 2 2006, 06:26 PM) [snapback]296702[/snapback]</div>

    Great advice, Darell .. From your install photos/description you put the front pads 5.5 inches from the edge and 1/8th inch in from the rain gutter .. what is the measurement for the rear pad? It seems from the photo that you went for maximum separation .. was that to better support your cargo box? I mainly haul bikes (1 or two) and surfboards though a cargo box would be very cool (I am used to having a truck, the Prius is my first "sedan" type vehicle in about 20 years). I really appreciate your help!

    Bob
     
  17. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rlh @ Aug 2 2006, 08:12 PM) [snapback]296758[/snapback]</div>
    After installing the front bar, I carefully measured the spread that would put the bars right in the middle of the cargo box clamps. For my situation, I think it was 33-3/4" between the bars. But I'm just going on my shaky memory here! I can measure later for sure if you're interested. The other thing I was considering was keeping the bars level to the ground (front to back). If you take your 33" spread and move it backwards from where I have it, the back bar will be lower than the front. I chose to have the front bar just a bit lower than the rear to try and reduce lift on my cargo box a bit. Looks better that way too!

    A larger spread will always be more stable, of course. You just need to make sure it isn't too much spread for any of the items you'll be bolting on. I know from many years of experience that if I set the bars up for my box, that everything else fits perfectly.
     
  18. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    Well, I just returned from 1500 gueling miles with the new racks and LOTS Of cargo in the box (plus a canoe along the way for good measure).

    I've updated my "Yakima pads" page with some pictures from our trip (at the bottom)
    http://www.darelldd.com/ev/prius_rack_pads.htm

    Everything performed perfectly and I think I'm finally happy with my Prius racks after my third attempt!

    My Saris stuff is now officially for sale if anybody is intersted: Saris Sale
     
  19. fernelius

    fernelius Junior Member

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    I thought I'd revive this thread. I'm looking at installing the same configuration as darelldd. Thanks to darelldd/evnut, I did notice 5.5" from the front and 1/8" from the edge worked well. Does anyone have the measurements from the rear to clear any internal braces, etc?

    I have a 2009 Touring and expect it should be the same as the 2006.

    Thanks much!
     
  20. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    Where the rear goes (and the front for that matter) will depend on what load you will carry, and if you want it level, or tilted forward a bit. There is no one ideal mounting location for everybody. Best way to find the cross braces is to take out the dome lamps (front and rear) and have a look in there with a flashlight.