Explorer Roof Rack

[koda2000]

which way are the roof rack cross bars supposed to go? on my '01 the front and rear cross bar ends mount with the shallow end facing forward, on my new-to-me '00 Explorer the front one has the shallow end facing the front, but the rear has the thicker end facing the front. it's not just a simple matter of unscrewing the thumb screws to turn them around either. i suppose it doesn't make much difference, just curious how they came from the factory.

here's a pic of the '00

 

[colintrax]

Google images (and my eyes) say that's wrong. I'd flip the back one around.

 

[RKH58]

Google images (and my eyes) say that's wrong. I'd flip the back one around.

I agree. Btw, The new to you '00 is real nice, good luck with it.

 

[chefduane]

I haven't changed my crossbars since the day I bought it off the showroom floor. The sloped edge goes towards the front. So in your pic the rear corssbar has been reversed. Doesn't look bad tho. You could leave it that way.

 

[koda2000]

I agree. Btw, The new to you '00 is real nice, good luck with it.

Thanks.

I haven't changed my crossbars since the day I bought it off the showroom floor. The sloped edge goes towards the front. So in your pic the rear corssbar has been reversed. Doesn't look bad tho. You could leave it that way.

Humph, I don't know how it got on there backwards, like I said it isn't just a matter of unscrewing the thumb wheels. I think you also need to remove the end caps. my OCD will make me put it on the way it's supposed to be... lol. well, there's plenty of other things to obsess over right now. Mach radio display out, overhead console display out, rear outside door handle and rod missing, radio bezel (punched in cig lighter socket), driver's side interior door panel (a cig lighter blew up in the map pocket), various missing trim pieces, replace IAC valve, replace broken lower dash trim (PO broke it trying to get the hood open), rear pinion seal, center console armrest cover. mostly minor stuff. i fixed a bunch of other stuff today that cost me nothing but my time. everything else looks good so far.

 

[colintrax]

Thanks.



Humph, I don't know how it got on there backwards, like I said it isn't just a matter of unscrewing the thumb wheels. I think you also need to remove the end caps. my OCD will make me put it on the way it's supposed to be... lol. well, there's plenty of other things to obsess over right now. Mach radio display out, overhead console display out, rear outside door handle and rod missing, radio bezel (punched in cig lighter socket), driver's side interior door panel (a cig lighter blew up in the map pocket), various missing trim pieces, replace IAC valve, replace broken lower dash trim. PO broke it trying to get the hood open, rear pinion seal, center console armrest cover. mostly minor stuff. i fixed a bunch of other stuff today that cost me nothing but my time. everything else looks good so far.

It is just a matter of unscrewing the thumb wheels. End caps only need to come off if you wanna take the nut side out.

 

[koda2000]

It is just a matter of unscrewing the thumb wheels. End caps only need to come off if you wanna take the nut side out.

i already tried unscrewing the thumb wheels. they only unscrew so far then they wont turn any more. stops the cross bar from falling off i imagine.

 

[colintrax]

i already tried unscrewing the thumb wheels. they only unscrew so far then they wont turn any more. stops the cross bar from falling off i imagine.

Did you try yanking up with some force after the wheel won't turn anymore? I take mine off on a pretty frequent basis. Just unscrew the wheels. But mine's a 97? :scratch:

 

[koda2000]

I'll give it a try, but removing the end caps isn't a big deal. i'll also look at my '97 to see if they look the same

 

[koda2000]

I'll give it a try, but removing the end caps isn't a big deal. i'll also look at my '97 to see if they look the same

Update:
the '97 is a different system. on the 2000/2001 the end cap has a little button-thing you push down to just slide the cross bars off after you loosen the thumb screws. mystery solved. took me 2 minutes to get the cross bar off and turned around the right way. someone must have removed it in the past and put it back wrong.

 

[colintrax]

Update:
the '97 is a different system. on the 2000/2001 the end cap has a little button-thing you push down to just slide the cross bars off after you loosen the thumb screws. mystery solved. took me 2 minutes to get the cross bar off and turned around the right way. someone must have removed it in the past and put it back wrong.

Huh, well ok

 

[jimmyznutz]

I actually switched mine so the rear faces backwards like the OPs was to begin with. It helps with securing objects. I can butt them right up to the said objects for strapping them down.