Roof Rack

I didn't know where else to put this, so here it is.

I would like to put a roof rack on my 1995 extended cab. I don't want anything big and clunky, so I'm wanting to put a shortened Yukon or Suburban rack on it. Does anyone know if those SUV's had some type of reinforcement on the inside of the roof? Or are they simply bolted to the sheet metal?
Ideas and/or suggestions are very welcome if you might have a doable alternative.

This is just my understanding and I might be wrong but here it goes. The crew cab and suburban as well as the Yukon have ribs pressed into the roof going lengthwise. There may be more on some models but just that allows the crew cab to have a roof rack. If you check you'll find aftermarket racks for the 4Dr but nothing for the extended cab. If you want one anyway even knowing the roof probably can't handle any real weight being put on it, then I have read that the rack off the s-10 Blazer, 2000 model 2dr, will fit. Just mock it up, drill holes, silicone it, then rivet it before dry.

Those rib's are there to reinforce the panel because they are so long and wide, with out them the sheet metal would sag, twist and warp. They don't do anything for the roof racks. If there is a support it'll be under the sheet metal where the roof racks sit.

But I found this, it might help...
http://www.gmt400.com/threads/pics-of-obs-with-roof-rack.24480/

Daly said:

But I found this, it might help...
http://www.gmt400.com/threads/pics-of-obs-with-roof-rack.24480/

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I believe that will help. Thank you.
I don't like to go anywhere without my spare, and of course the spare is just a tad bigger than the original tire. Plus the 4 inch exhaust pipe is now in the way. So I've been thinking of throwing it onto the roof when I need more bed space.

bones_708 said:

This is just my understanding and I might be wrong but here it goes. The crew cab and suburban as well as the Yukon have ribs pressed into the roof going lengthwise. There may be more on some models but just that allows the crew cab to have a roof rack. If you check you'll find aftermarket racks for the 4Dr but nothing for the extended cab. If you want one anyway even knowing the roof probably can't handle any real weight being put on it, then I have read that the rack off the s-10 Blazer, 2000 model 2dr, will fit. Just mock it up, drill holes, silicone it, then rivet it before dry.

Click to expand...

the s-series rack would be to narrow for a full-size. for a full-size, you would be better off w/ a cut down Tahoe or suburban rack.

in my personal experience w/ the s-series, whether it be the base crew cab (w/o factory roof rack) vs the z85 model (w/ factory roof rack) or the blazer/jimmy models (w/ or w/o the factory roof rack), there wasn't any extra reinforcements on the underside of the roof panel. it was just bolts into 1-time use nutserts. the s-series guys used different methods of attaching the racks. several made up some plates in larger diameter than the rack foot w/ matching bolt holes & cinched it up w/ lock washers & nylon nuts for good measure. now would I put 500lbs up there, no. some spare luggage for a trip, yes. oh, don't forget some silicone under the feet & around the screw holes to help make it water tight.

mars2878 said:

the s-series rack would be to narrow for a full-size. for a full-size, you would be better off w/ a cut down Tahoe or suburban rack.

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That's just the bow size. I was referring to the mounting rails

Daly said:

Those rib's are there to reinforce the panel because they are so long and wide, with out them the sheet metal would sag, twist and warp. They don't do anything for the roof racks. If there is a support it'll be under the sheet metal where the roof racks sit.
/

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Without a basket things have a tendency to be placed directly on the roof and then secured by tieing to the rack. Depending on what you carry this might not be an issue but it did seem like it could be in this case.

bones_708 said:

That's just the bow size. I was referring to the mounting rails

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in that aspect yes, but why disassemble 2 racks when you could just get the rack from a full-size suv & shorten the length down to what you require. also, the s-series rack requires a fair amount of disassemble to get the bows off.

food for thought (& if its not sacrilegious to you), you could look @ a rack from a 98ish explorer. the side rails stay on your truck (duh), the bows are easily removed when you don't want them up there. when the bows are removed, the side rails kinda look like wind splitters.

mars2878 said:

food for thought (& if its not sacrilegious to you), you could look @ a rack from a 98ish explorer. the side rails stay on your truck (duh), the bows are easily removed when you don't want them up there. when the bows are removed, the side rails kinda look like wind splitters.

Click to expand...

I have a Dana 60 out of a Ford 1 ton because I needed left side drop diff. I just changed out the locking hubs with warn hubs so I could get rid of the "FORD" logos. So I'd say sacrilege for sure. But thanks for the suggestion.