[Guvnor]

A looong time ago I asked for help sourcing a rack for my XB2. Not sure who it was, but thanks for the tip - I now have a Perrycraft Sportquest rack bolted to my roof, and it looks good. Installation was by Custom Vans/Houston, Inc., who did a nice job and were very easy to deal with, in case anyone else in H-town needs a similar installation. I'll shortly be adding a 3rd bike carrier in the center (for an aft facing bike) to complete the conversion to a full grade bike carrying machine.

And this post would be worthless without pictures.....

 

[mfielden]

Very nice - love the clean installation - just curious, is there a reason that they didn't go through the rubber strip there? I've been contemplating adding a rack to mine for a similar purpose, but the companies that I've been talking through are all keen on going through that strip in case I ever want to remove the rack. Then I can fill the holes in and replace the rubber strip and be good as new.

Also, how's the wind-noise from the rack?

Michael

 

[Geezer]

A looong time ago I asked for help sourcing a rack for my XB2. Not sure who it was, but thanks for the tip - I now have a Perrycraft Sportquest rack bolted to my roof, and it looks good. Installation was by Custom Vans/Houston, Inc., who did a nice job and were very easy to deal with, in case anyone else in H-town needs a similar installation....

Aw shucks (blush), that might have been me. Looks great...and thanks for being the guinea pig for this project. It's still on my list of things to do, but at this point I'll wait until spring Do you know if they dropped the headliner to install the rack, or was the installation done strictly from the outside?

 

[Guvnor]

To answer the various questions:

- the rubber strip covers the weld seam, so you can't drill a hole there. Perrycraft have detailed instructions for the installers for each model. The towers are attached adjacent to the welded seam where its stiffest;
- wind noise from the cross bar is noticeable when bare, but is broken up by the bike carriers. There is an increase in noise at speed - that's life with a rack. I've thought about a Yakima Spoiler, but don't think I need it;
- installation is done from the outside - drill holes through the steel and install a kind of molly-bolt/rivet type fastener. Headliner inside is undisturbed.

 

[boblamb58]

I am going to reply here, from this thread : http://newscionxb.com/2nd_gen_scion_xb_talk/roof_rack_for_xb-t2653.0.html;msg24187;topicseen#new

I had a set of cross racks (base bars) for my previous ride, a New Beetle, that attached to the frame of the roof, above the door and in the channel under the side rubber above the rear window. Bolts tightened them up against the frame, and once tight, they were literally part of the car! They were made by Thule for VW. There was a luggage rack, bike rack, ski rack and a few other accesories that could be added to the base bars.

The nicest thing about them was that they were removable. I only used them on long trips. They made too much noise( I'm kind of a stickler for wind noise) if left on the car. I would never go with a roof rack bolted to the roof that I could not take off. Plus they rob you of gas mileage. Not much, but theses days every mile counts.

Detail of the rear attachment:

With cargo (luggage) rack accessory.

It look like Thule does not carry a roof rack for the xB at this time, but Yakima seems to. http://www.yakima.com/Consumer/Step1.aspx

 

[onefastricerocket]

I think all the thule and yakima racks with just two bars going straight across the roof look really akward and ugly on the new Scion Xb. I was looking into the Perrycraft roof rack and am really interested in installing both the side rails running front to back and the crossbars, and eventually attaching a snowboard rack. I'm hesitant to buy the product only because it is self installed. Does anyone know who would install the rack for me?? The place that im buying the rack from doesn't install.. which kind of worries me. There must be a reason why they don't install them.

I called and asked for a price and they said for the full set with side rails and crossbars itll come out to $279. Does that sound good to you guys ??

 

[Geezer]

...Does anyone know who would install the rack for me?? The place that im buying the rack from doesn't install.. which kind of worries me. There must be a reason why they don't install them.

I called and asked for a price and they said for the full set with side rails and crossbars itll come out to $279. Does that sound good to you guys ??

Have you called Perrycraft customer service? Also, where are you located? $279 is a pretty good price...depending on what installation costs. A Thule clamp-on set up would be over $400. A lot of DIY projects aren't that difficult once you get over the trauma of having to drill or cut into your ride.

I looked into Perrycraft racks a while ago for hauling kayaks, but forget whether installation can be done just from the outside (or if you have to pull the headliner). I installed a Thule rack on my truck which required drilling holes in the shell. Four years later and no leaks. I've put this project on hold for the xB until I figure out how to attach bow and stern lines that won't rub off the clearcoat.

 

[onefastricerocket]

yeah, I actually just purchased the rack in the hopes of finding someone to install it for me lol. I payed exactly $279 for the rails and crossbars which is what they told me, i believe the model rack i purchased is the aventura rack on the perrycraft website. I'm located in Southern California and yes I will try calling the Perrycraft customer service to see if they can help me find an installer. The guy instructed us that to install the rack doesn't require you to drop the headliner, but my dad is the one who thinks that dropping the headliner and installing it that way is better. So I'll see if i can get some info and ill get back to you! thanks for your reply

 

[onefastricerocket]

hey guys just updating you on what I ended up installing on my car,
I went with the perrycraft rails and crossbars, the aventura model.
I went and purchased the yakima fatcat 6 to attach to the crossbars and it works great!!
here are some pictures for you guys to see

 

[boblamb58]

Not bad, not bad at all.

Can you give us some info on the install?

I wish I could park my box in a garage. The garage my house came with is now a family room

 

[Geezer]

Did you find an installer or did you DIY?

 

[onefastricerocket]

So I ended up doing it myself with help from my dad, the installation did not take long at all and its pretty simple and self explanatory. It came with self sealing screws. The screws are wrapped in a sort of rubbery substance that seals the hole when you drill it into the roof, its raining like crazy down here in southern california and its not leaking one bit, thats one thing im definately not afraid of. The closest place i found that would install the rack for me was about 2 hours away and I was definately not going to drive all the way down there.. haha. It comes with instructions so incase you got a little lost you have something to refer to. And the bars are customizable to fit any size roof, it fits the scion xb perfectly!!
Surprisingly as well I dont hear a single bit of wind noise while im driving, even while on the freeway.

 

[beagle72]

So I ended up doing it myself with help from my dad, the installation did not take long at all and its pretty simple and self explanatory. It came with self sealing screws. The screws are wrapped in a sort of rubbery substance that seals the hole when you drill it into the roof, its raining like crazy down here in southern california and its not leaking one bit, thats one thing im definately not afraid of. The closest place i found that would install the rack for me was about 2 hours away and I was definately not going to drive all the way down there.. haha. It comes with instructions so incase you got a little lost you have something to refer to. And the bars are customizable to fit any size roof, it fits the scion xb perfectly!!
Surprisingly as well I dont hear a single bit of wind noise while im driving, even while on the freeway.

Any chance you are still monitoring this thread in 2022? I am a new-to-me owner of an xB here in SoCal and am very curious how this rail install has held up. Thanks.