Roof Rack on Coupe

[heartfire567]

has anyone mounted a roof rack on a coupe results do you need to mod anything?

[trottida]

has anyone mounted a roof rack on a coupe results do you need to mod anything?

There's no modification to the car needed but there are special stretch kits required with the rack system you choose that allows you to space the bars far enough out. Take a look at Yakima.com or Thule.com and you can build your rack system that is specific to your model year. Actually, with Yakima it looks like you don't need a stretch kit but it is optional.

Yakima.JPG

__Yakima2.JPG

[ProDarwin]

I can't click the small images on that post, but you want the kind that grabs the pinch weld under the window trim. Its by far the most sturdy and least going to fuck up your car.

[trottida]

I can't click the small images on that post, but you want the kind that grabs the pinch weld under the window trim. Its by far the most sturdy and least going to fuck up your car.

The one you're referring to is manufactured by Thule and requires you to remove the roof trim above the doors to install anchors; the anchors are intended to be permanent. Below is a photo of what they look like on an sedan. However, you'd have to find them used as they have been discontinued by the manufacture. I can't even find the product numbers.

As far as I can see Yakima is the only one with product still available and they mount similar to how the Saturn OEM racks mounted which is over the trim and catching the door frame. If you're not careful they will scratch the paint on the trim. The OEM racks pictured below were made by Saris from what I understand and they are mounted on a Gen1 Coupe. The Gen2 and 3 are similar but likely with different clips to accommodate the slight roof line changes.

The last photo shows Yakima racks mounted on a sedan (Fyi - the end plugs are missing from the load bars). The coupe would use different Q clips and measurements but the towers and load bar are the same. The 97-98 coupe has specific measurements as does the 99-02 but the clips are the same (Q74 front and rear). The sedan Q clips are Q67 (front) and Q68 (rear). The wagon Q clips are Q71 front and rear.

There's some more information in this post >> https://sixthsphere.com/showthread.p...ight=roof+rack



DSCN1789.JPG

2812583229_a3b2c5a5b2_b.jpg

[ProDarwin]

I don't know if that whole system is out of production, or just the 'fit kit' for SL2s.

I think they are 400 series foot kits, but 800 series will work with the same components https://www.ebay.com/i/332443950878?chn=ps

And you can use 29 pads and 90 brackets. The parts are the same from the coupe to the sedan. http://pauloang.com/thule_fit_kits/p...structions.pdf

[ZombieSatty]

My yakima Q stuff fit like crap on my SL. I hope my (used) clips are just bent open or something.

[trottida]

I don't know if that whole system is out of production, or just the 'fit kit' for SL2s.

I think they are 400 series foot kits, but 800 series will work with the same components https://www.ebay.com/i/332443950878?chn=ps

And you can use 29 pads and 90 brackets. The parts are the same from the coupe to the sedan. http://pauloang.com/thule_fit_kits/p...structions.pdf

Yes you should be able to find used load bars and towers/foot fairly easy but the fit kits are difficult to find. There's a Thule Fit Kit 2018 on eBay at the moment for $50 >>> eBay item number:122729110886

According to the site ProDarwin found, the kit above is specific to the 97-02 coupes. The kit for the 96+ sedan is 2060 and the 96+ wagon is 265

For Gen1 sedans and wagons the kit is 157 but the site doesn't show one for the coupe.

[ProDarwin]

^The only difference between the 97+ coupe kit and the 96+ sedan kit is the 03 clip/part/thing (present for sedans, not for coupes). I'm 95% confident I don't have these on my setup and I've never had an issue with it. I will confirm next time I use the racks.

[trottida]

^The only difference between the 97+ coupe kit and the 96+ sedan kit is the 03 clip/part/thing (present for sedans, not for coupes). I'm 95% confident I don't have these on my setup and I've never had an issue with it. I will confirm next time I use the racks.

I guess that gives the OP 2 kit options for his 98 coupe then. He can go with either kit and toss any unnecessary sedan based parts.