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Prius v (Lowercase v for the Prius v wagon) Five - Custom Yakima 54" track and DIY instructions

Discussion in 'Prius v Accessories and Modifications' started by RichardY, Jan 10, 2015.

  1. RichardY

    RichardY Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2014
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    Location:
    El Monte, CA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    First off...

    Thanks to:
    Since I could not find any specific information on where/how to install the track, I got some basic and useful information from Gillen, Evnut and Crusty Crayon. I picked the 54" track from those referenced people and also from Rackattack blog.

    Track system or Clip system??? I picked the track system because Number 1, when I had the clip system on my old car, an unsuccessfully thief damaged my door while trying to steal my rack. Number 2, the distance between the crossbars can change for different applications: such as kayaks, snowboards, skybox, bikes, furniture moving....

    You are not limited to the yakima system, thule makes an identical 54in track as well. I chose the round bar system (which yakima makes) because as you move the crossbar, depending where it is, it might create an angle with areobars or square bars thus mis-aligning some of your gear or creating more drag. Besides that I do have yakima stuff, but I also do like thule.

    First time installers will take about 5-6 hrs to complete because 2-3 hours are spent measures and finding where the cross beams are; removing the headliner... measuring.... double and triple checking measurements.... But if you follow my directions below you probably could finish in 2-4 hrs, less time as you become more proficient and have the right tools.

    Enjoy the pics:

    0000.jpg
    Before


    0001.jpg Painter's taping and measuring


    0002.jpg Removed headliner handle


    0003.jpg
    Removed headliner seat belt housing to see where the cross beams are.


    0004.jpg
    Pulling down the headliner from the door to find cross beam


    0005.jpg
    Marking off where the cross beams are.


    0006.jpg
    Drilling the first hole


    0007edit.jpg Markings, 2nd hole drilled and painted.


    0008edit.jpg

    0009.jpg
    Track installed

    0010.jpg 0011.jpg
    0012.jpg
    0013.jpg 0014.jpg 0015.jpg
    Crossbar can slide all the way to the front!!!!

    0016.jpg
    Crossbar can slide all the way to the back!!!

    0017.jpg
    0018.jpg
    Bike rack installed on outside, future skybox in the middle..... should I shorten the crossbar?

    0019.jpg
    0020.jpg 0021.jpg
    Used colored nail polish to mark off lines and clear nail polish to protect it from washing off.

    0022.jpg
    After

    Should I shorten the crossbar length for looks?
    If I want to carry 2 kayaks in the future, should I not shorten the crossbars?

    DIY INSTRUCTIONS:


    My roof rack setup (~$600 not on sale. If use the Clip system you'll save ~$150. I actually spent $414 that includes 20% off, free shipping and a free fairing promotion from RackAttack):
    1 Yakima 54" Track with Plusnuts. #8001127
    1 Yakima Control Tower, set of 4. #8000214
    2 Yakima Landing Pad 1. #8000221
    1 Yakima 58" Cross Bar Set. #8000409
    1 Yakima 44" Fairing #8007048


    Additional supply need in addition to Yakima Track Installation guide.

    Painter's Tape (~$5.00)

    Tailor's Measuring tape preferred (regular measuring tape will work), very useful!!!

    Black Rust-Oleum Stops Rust (from home depot ~$3.96)



    2-4 hours are need if you follow my instructions and the pictures from above and attached.



    Instructions


    Please note: I used cm and inches.



    1. Use painter's tape to tape the roof near the rain gutter (see pics) for both driver and passenger side. This will be helpful so that you can make marks.

    ***RackAttack told me to install the tracks as close as possible to the rain gutter because it is the strongest part of the roof.

    2. Measure from rear to front, 41cm and mark both driver and passenger side. (See pics).

    3. Measure from “41cm mark” to front, 54” and mark both driver and passenger side.

    4. “Rear Center Line Mark”. Go to “41cm mark”, start at rain gutter and measure across to other rain gutter. Divide that number by 2; that is your “rear center line number”. Using the “rear center line number”, measure from rain gutter towards the center, tape and mark it. Double check with other side. *** The lengths across the roof for the front and rear are different!!!!

    5. “Front Center Line Mark”. Repeat step #4 for the 54” mark. *** The lengths across the roof for the front and rear are different!!!!

    6. Start at the “rear center line mark” and measure 49cm towards the rain gutter, mark it where it intersects the 41cm mark. Do for both driver and passenger side (See Prius v (lowercase v) TrackInstallation.pdf, “First Mark”).

    7. Repeat similar to Step #6 for “Front Center Line Mark” intersecting 54” mark.

    8. IMPORTANT. To make sure that your tracks will be squared and the cross bars will slide all the way back and forward, you need to check that the diagonals lengths are equal. I got 168.5cm, you may not get that exact number, but it is ok as long as they are equal (See PriusVTrackInstallation.pdf). Do not continue if the diagonals are not equal and repeat Steps #2 - #7.

    9. Get your Yakima track, there is a plastic track attached to the metal track. Use that to line up with the marks you created from above and mark off holes for drilling according to PriusvTrackInstallation.pdf – “Drill”. Please note the drill holes marked with “X” and do not drill there, you will hit a cross beam. Yakima instruction recommends that you skip every other hole for drilling as long as you don’t skip 2 consecutive holes. (From the diagram, I did drill 4 consecutive holes together, but you don’t have to. I did it because I think it will make it stronger and I did towards the front where it curves.) The tracks come with 14 total PlusNuts; you can only drill 7 max holes for each side.

    10. Follow the rest of the Yakima instructions.


    Please note: you can move the track towards the front or back a little, but you would have to check for cross beams.

    PriusTrack copy.jpg

    tmp_16779-2015-04-23 23.43.09-814349698.jpg

    tmp_16779-2015-04-23 23.51.331623331248.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
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    Three
    Impressive
     
  3. IslandTractor

    IslandTractor New Member

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    Nice job. Very professional.

    IMO, I'd shorten those crossbars. Too much risk of hitting my (or passenger) head entering or exiting vehicle with the long overhangs. Measure your minimum distance for two kayaks (?tilted) and cut the rest off.
     
  4. Surfer Kitersurfer Paul

    Surfer Kitersurfer Paul Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Very nice. This looks great. Is it necessary to take down the headliner if following your instructions explicitly? Also, would you be able to post the instructions from Yakima. I am wondering if you seal the holes with anything to prevent leaking or if the screws/bolts alone are sufficient?
     
    #4 Surfer Kitersurfer Paul, Jan 2, 2016
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2016
  5. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Looks great. IMO, leave the crossbars long. They can always be shortened, but not lengthened, once you cut them down.

    If you do decide to cut them, take off only 5 or 6 inches, not 10.
     
  6. RichardY

    RichardY Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    El Monte, CA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five

    Don't need to take down headliner, just follow my directions.
    Yakima's Track with Plusnuts comes with sealant, if not just use some plumber's grease.
     
    ovianc likes this.
  7. JulZ

    JulZ New Member

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    Santa Clarita
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Thank you for this info. I have the 54" tracks waiting for install. I got strange info from rack attack, they said to place the tracks in the "ditch" of the roof and just go for it. If you run into a cross-brace just keep drilling. Really?!?? I like the reassurance of knowing what's under the sheetmetal, plus I like the idea of the tracks being as far apart as possible.
     
  8. MVPLRJohnson

    MVPLRJohnson Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Manchester, WA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Has there been a noticeable reduction in MPG?
     
  9. aaronmarkson

    aaronmarkson Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Minneapolis, MN
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Are you still liking this setup? How has it held up?
    I'd like to do the same but wanted to check to see if it's still something you like and recommend.
     
  10. 9watts

    9watts New Member

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    Location:
    Portland, Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    This is great! I have been looking for just such an approach to a Prius V roof rack. Thank you!

    Now for my question. I am hoping to put cross bars on (and mount them at the extreme corners of) the Prius v roof. So in fact outside of the rectangle shown in your setup. The reason is that I am in the habit of hauling long stuff (6’, 8’, 12’, 16’, 18’) on my car’s (Escort wagon) roof, and the way this has worked on that car is to pull the mounting points as far apart as possible. My hope (I don’t actually own a prius v yet but am in the market) is to be able to find a way to securely mount something to (approximately) each corner of the roof.

    I have no shortage of materials out of which to fabricate the actual rack; my questions are all about mounting this to/through the roof.

    Has anyone tried this, or can point me to suggestions?
    Much appreciated.
     
  11. PriusPaddler

    PriusPaddler Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    I love this thank you!

    Can the yakima towers slide out for say winter when I don't use my canoes in Minnesota? Or are they in the track forever?

    Petrified to do it myself... but maybe?

    Are there places that would do it for me?