drilling the roof for rack tracks

[tj_boof]

i'm about to install thule/yakima tracks to the roof. anybody know the following:

1. location of structural beams in roof
2. any wires (must be at least one wire set going to dome light)?
3. location of side curtain airbags (complete assembly)?
4. easiest way to peek between headliner and roof?

thanks. tom

[tj_boof]

i guess everyone is wanting to use the clip on towers? i just don't find the clip-ons very solid. also i like the option of moving the cross bars forward and back. guess i'll just wing it.wing-it.

[DewaltDakota]

I would start at the back, and work my way forward, to remove the headliner. That will give you the best results, since you won't want to drill holes where there are electrical lines or support beams. There's a couple of push pins, just to the sides of the center seat's seatbelt retractor. You'll need to remove your dome light and visors, as well. Be careful though, as it's essentially fabric covered pressboard, and is easy to crease.

If you're going with Yakima tracks, are you using the plus nuts, or the standard "I have access to the underside" metal and plastic weight-distributing nuts? Don't forget to be generous with the silicone, after drilling the holes, just before you set the tracks down. I usually use masking tape to clearly mark the edges of where the tracks go, so I don't go smudging silicone all over the roof, as I try to align them.

[WaitinginVT]

Yakima told me that they plan to make clips for the Fit but don't know when. I would like to hear more about success anyone has installing the tracks, maybe with photos. I am hesitant to start drilling........but my kayak is waiting.

[fitforlife]

I would love to see the final product. Maybe some during photos if you have the time. Cheers.

[tj_boof]

some time ago i found a link to Fit-specific thule installation instructions using the towers and clips (non-track install) available in the UK. the spec which is really sad is the tower spacing of only ~27 inches. that is a terribly small spread between the crossbars. i think the towers could be spread a little further forward/backward, but this is still pathetic.

tom

[WaitinginVT]

I checked on Thule and they have clips for the Jazz, although I never checked the spread. If you go to the US Thule site and check for the Fit, it says "At this time we do not have a multipurpose rack system that we recommend for use. Please enter your e-mail address here to be notified by e-mail when a fit becomes available for this vehicle."

[solbrothers]

is this available yet?

[WaitinginVT]

Yes, both Thule and Yakima have the racks available now.

[manxman]

Originally Posted by solbrothers

is this available yet?

Matt-
Look up Rack 'N Road stores- there's one in San Jose. That's where I got my Thule roof rack. If you buy a rack like this, don't forget the fairing- it adds to the cost but is worth the expense because of noise reduction. I bought the Thule rack just because I like square shaped crossbars- the Yakima set uses round bars. No drilling the roof with these.
Yakima and Thule Racks - Truck & Car Racks, Trailer Hitches and Rentals, Car Roof Racks, Bike Racks Kayak Canoe and Ski Snowboard Racks.

[WaitinginVT]

I have a Yakima rack, because that's what I had before and I can continue to use the same accessories. I agree that you should get the fairing. I didn't at first, and the rack was pretty noisy, so I got one and it solved the problem.

[runbikerun]

It has probably been discussed but does the fairing kill your gas mileage?

[WaitinginVT]

Sorry, I don't know the mileage effect of the fairing. I imagine that anything that you put on the roof that creates wind resistance is going to affect your mileage, and that the fairing is not as bad in this regard as much of the cargo.
I found the noise without a fairing to be annoying enough that I wanted to use it for any significant trips. My guess is that the mileage penalty will be small.

[roja]

It's the rack that hurts your mileage. I would expect that the fairing would actually improve it (versus the naked rack only).

[runbikerun]

Does anyone have pics of the Thule TK14 direct mounts installed on their roof?
http://www.thuleracks.com/product.as...id=16&sku=TK14

I think this would really solve noise issues of the other clips over the door frame.

If anyone has any schematics of the roof that would really help out.

Thanks

[hydrocynus]

Check my setup here.

Permanent rack installation: WHERE TO DRILL 8 holes?

More there:
Thule vs Yakima Roof Rack (Solution)

Honda Fit Roof Rack Installation Instructions

Hydrocynus

[awptickes]

Racks in the US have to be certified. If they're not certified, they can't be installed (legally.)

However, in the EU, the certification is a bit more stringent. I believe Honda in Germany even makes/recommends a roof rack. I'd hit up Honda.de and poke around.