How do you attach a roof rack to my van?........?

Question

It did not come with one... and we took one off a van that was being scrapped.

Answer 1

Most roof racks are attached to the roof with specials nuts called "wellnuts"....they look like rubber barrels with a metal threaded insert on one end. You position the rack in place and mark the hole positions on the roof, then drill holes in the roof at these spots. The holes should be drilled of the same diameter as the wellnuts. Then you put the wellnuts in the holes you've drilled..they usually have a lip on one end so they won't push thru all the way down into the roof. Then, position the roof rack and use screws of the same thread pitch as the well nuts to attach the rack to the roof. As you tighten the screws, the rubber compresses and seals to the roof sheet metal. You might also want to put some silicone sealer around the wellnuts just to make sure there's no leaks.
Some companies that sell roof racks can also supply you with these wellnuts and screws or try a parts dept. at a dealership near you. Just make sure the screws will go thru the holes in the roof rack and are long enough as there are different sizes.You probably don't want them to go more than 3/4 inch past the bottom of the rack...the idea is they should be just long enough to engage the threads on the wellnut. Also, some are sold in Metric sizes and some are in Standard sizes so make sure you have screws to match.
Also, be very careful when positioning the roof rack and drilling holes....there are stiffening braces on the underside of the roof that could interfere with where you drill and not give you a clean hole. Best to check another van for correct position of the rack.
Good luck, Paul

Answer 2

generally need a foot pack, fit kit and crossbars to create a complete roof rack system generally need a foot pack, fit kit and crossbars to create a complete roof rack system .

Answer 3

2 hands and a tool