Roof Rack Installation for A.R.E. Toppers

The dealer here quoted me $370 for a Yakima roof rack and did not go into details of what that included. I have some Yakima components and can seek additional pieces on craigslist to finish the roof rack, so I'm wondering if it's worth it to pay for the manufacturer-installed roof rack.

Does anyone have the manufacturer-installed Yakima roof racks on their topper? Maybe an MX, CX, or Z series. What Yakima components do they install by default?

My concern is if A.R.E. installs the fixed point landing pads, cause i'd prefer the track installation. If anyone has a picture showing the top of their topper, please post. Thanks!

 

I have a ARE CX and only had the tracks installed. It was $100 something for just the tracks. I already had the landing pads and bars. The advantage for me in having them installed by ARE is that they are warrantied the same as the cap. Besides I'm mechanically challenged.

 

It's easy enough to install the tracks yourself. I've posted at least one write-up that ought to come up in search results.

 

I've got an MX. I ordered the cap with the tracks from ARE. The install is not a problem. I've done it before. But, this way it's all warrantied. Besides, it was just $40 more to get it this way than ordering the tracks off Amazon. Thats worth the warranty to me. I've had Yakima since the mid 1980's and have a garage full of bars and attachments. But, no towers for the new tracks so Amazon here I come.

 

I have a Z Series with factory installed tracks. List price is $170 but it looks like most people pay less. You might save a bit doing it yourself but don't make a mistake drilling, and the factory warranty is nice. But towers and bars are easier to find used so you can save some money; I already had crossbars and bought towers for a pretty good price on line and installed them myself, that part is easy. By the way, I think ARE tracks are Thule but they all interchange.

 

I spent $35 at a junk yard on this factory rack (tracks and bars) off of a 97 4Runner. It was in perfect condition and wasn't missing anything, it just needed a little cleaning and some touch-up paint on one of the bars. Five holes on each side and some silicone and I was done. I love the factory Toyota look, and the fact that I can now add whatever attachment I want to. Looking for a luggage basket now so I can mount some LED's.

 

Got the tracks with my z.

 

Thanks for posting this. I had been debating adding a factory rack from a pull-a-part lot. What did you use for the hardware?

 

All I had to buy was the correct size bolts and screws from Home Depot, and then I used lots of silicone to seal the holes. I also put some rubber caps on the bolts on the inside of my shell to protect my head. Super easy. 5 holes on each side and tighten it down, done!

Let me know if you want to see some pics. I also mounted an affordable luggage basket to it that looks pretty great.

 

just had a horrible mental picture of some poor sap sitting up to fast inside and a screw embedding in the top of the skull - ouch!