factory track and roof rack

[quaint bucket]

I'm looking to put a basket rack on the roof and don't really want to spend $400 on feet for the inverted T factory track on top of my pathfinder. My craigslist search has been extremely fruitless as well.

I was humming and hawing over it and thought of a possible solution but I am not sure if it will work. This was kind of inspired by my tie down points.

I was thinking of using the existing tie down point or grabbing some thin steel of metal with holes drilled and tapped into the T then adding a long high grade steel bolt into the piece with washers and rubber to cushion it and increase the height as well. Should not cost me more than $20 overall for the parts and would add 6-8 mounting points (3-4 on both sides).

It's hard for me to explain so I will show it through a picture.



So basically: Bolt -> metal washer -> roof rack -> metal washer -> rubber -> mount point in T

My concern is, would that even work? I know I would have to elevate it a little more due to the curve on the roof but what about weight both in load capacity and weight distribution? I tried to find out the load capacity of the factory tracks in the FSM but nothing.

If you think this is a bad idea, tell me so and I won't be upset. Just thinking of a possibility. I still have one of the factory cross bar, I would just have to find another one... just not a lot of luck in that department.

[greengumby]

The Information is in the owners manual:

The cross-bars can be adjusted forward and
backward. Place your luggage between the
bars (A), adjust the bars (A), and secure the
luggage with rope to the bars (A). There are
also adjustable loops on the side bars for the
rope attachment.
Always evenly distribute the luggage on the
luggage rack. Do not load more than 100 lbs.
(45 kg). Be careful that your vehicle does not
exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) or its Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR front and rear). The GVWR and
GAWR are located on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label (located on the driver’s door
pillar). For more information regarding GVWR

I think its a cool Idea but what purpose would you use it for? unless I misread your posting

[quaint bucket]

The problem is, that's the cross bar. not the factory T rails that sits flat on top of the pathfinder.

I'm still brainstorming cheaper alternative and came up with this one that might work better but require more coinage.



It would mean I have to add a long pipe to act as crossbars... I'm not 100% sold on the idea as it means introducing more parts which means a higher probability for failure.

My plan is basically to mount the roof basket on top of the factory rails without buying roof rack mounting parts. Sorry if I wasn't very clear.