I know this topic has come up a lot, but as a new member searching the forums for a solution to this issue I found many disjointed threads with some partial answers and NO PICTURES. So in what will most likely be my first of many photo tutorials I present to you the "drilling method" of roof rack removal. Credits go out to all of those who have done this same thing before me, I am just making it more clear for those of us who are easily confused.
Tools needed:
Power drill
1/8" drill bit (other sizes optional, see below)
Hammer
Nail or similarly sized object
Shop rag or other material to protect paint
Estimated project time:
10 minutes
Directions:
Place rag or other protective material under the clamp you will be working on
Remove fastening knob of cross rail at desired position
Locate position of retaining pin as shown below
![Image]()
On opposite side of clamp, drill a hole at the same position as the retaining pin, as seen below
(I used a 1/8' bit to leave room for error in judgement of the position of the pin, but if you want to keep the hole smaller, 1/16" will be fine if you are exactly lined up with the pin)
![Image]()
Insert a nail or similar object into the drilled hole and tap with a hammer to remove rataining pin, as shown below
(available nail size may dictate the size of the hole required)
![Image]()
You only need to do this on ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE! Once the pins are removed and the clamps are taken off, the cross bar can be removed from the clamp on the oppposite side. Then just remove the knob from that side and the assembly will clamshell open without removing the pin, as seen below.
![Image]()
Once removed, I re-assembled the cross rails and stored them conveniently behind the rear seat, as shown below.
(they dont move at all under normal city driving conditions. No gaurantees for off road driving.)
![Image]()
The cross rails can be re-installed easily at any time by removing the lower peices of the clamps and placing the rest of the cross bar onto the longitudinal rails, lifting it at an angle to clip in the lower clamp piece to the side with the retaining pin still installed, then lowering it back into position. Insert and tighten the knob on that side. Then place the lower clamp piece onto the side with the pin removed and insert the pin to fasten it to the clamp. Insert the pin only enough to allow the clamp to hold, but leave enough pin sticking out of the clamp to be easily removed using a pair of pliers (I keep a Gerber Multi-tool in the Jeep at all times).
I hope this proves useful to anyone attempting this mod. I agree whole-heartedly with everyone who has already said, "why weren't they made removable to begin with?" :doh:
Tools needed:
Power drill
1/8" drill bit (other sizes optional, see below)
Hammer
Nail or similarly sized object
Shop rag or other material to protect paint
Estimated project time:
10 minutes
Directions:
Place rag or other protective material under the clamp you will be working on
Remove fastening knob of cross rail at desired position
Locate position of retaining pin as shown below
On opposite side of clamp, drill a hole at the same position as the retaining pin, as seen below
(I used a 1/8' bit to leave room for error in judgement of the position of the pin, but if you want to keep the hole smaller, 1/16" will be fine if you are exactly lined up with the pin)
Insert a nail or similar object into the drilled hole and tap with a hammer to remove rataining pin, as shown below
(available nail size may dictate the size of the hole required)
You only need to do this on ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE! Once the pins are removed and the clamps are taken off, the cross bar can be removed from the clamp on the oppposite side. Then just remove the knob from that side and the assembly will clamshell open without removing the pin, as seen below.
Once removed, I re-assembled the cross rails and stored them conveniently behind the rear seat, as shown below.
(they dont move at all under normal city driving conditions. No gaurantees for off road driving.)
The cross rails can be re-installed easily at any time by removing the lower peices of the clamps and placing the rest of the cross bar onto the longitudinal rails, lifting it at an angle to clip in the lower clamp piece to the side with the retaining pin still installed, then lowering it back into position. Insert and tighten the knob on that side. Then place the lower clamp piece onto the side with the pin removed and insert the pin to fasten it to the clamp. Insert the pin only enough to allow the clamp to hold, but leave enough pin sticking out of the clamp to be easily removed using a pair of pliers (I keep a Gerber Multi-tool in the Jeep at all times).
I hope this proves useful to anyone attempting this mod. I agree whole-heartedly with everyone who has already said, "why weren't they made removable to begin with?" :doh:
