02 Explorer Roof Luggage rack removal

[refer1]

As long as I own this 02 XLS I know I will never put anything on the roof so I was looking to remove it from the roof but can't really find the screws or anything that holds it down any help greatly appreciated! Thanks

 

[MONMIX]

hey welcome to the site.
Don't be a stranger.

I don't know if they have change since 2000 for my roof rack, the sides had phillips screws inside the tracks. Remove the cross bars first by loosening the thumb screws.

Then the side rails, look inside the groove.

The center rubber strips are rivited on and removing them will result in quite a roof leak, which for sake of discussion we will assume you do not want.
Leave them be.
You can hardly see them any way.

Lets hope your 02 is like my 2000.