Installing Factory Roof Rack on 1995 to 1999 Legacy Wagon...

[Dave_Mountain_Man]

Does anyone know about installing a Factory Roof Rack on 1995 to 1999 Legacy Wagon that did not come with one ...

I am considering buying a car that came with no roof rack. Any body shop / Subaru gurus out there?

I figured I'd get one off an old Legacy or an old Outback and install it but I have no idea what that would take...

Thanks for any information.

David

thats a question ive been meaning to ask too.. since i picked up the rack for $10..

[Okin DaVanh]

Does your car have the raised roof already?

If not, your in for the ride of your life my friend. Plan on dropping your headliner and drilling some holes in your roof with a template to do this. While you're at it, I'd suggest you get the rubber gaskets at the base of it, to seal it the right way.

I have an aftermarket roof rack on my BK (Flat/non-raised roof) It's a Thule and I'm happy with it.

you have a link of that?? i love yours...

[Okin DaVanh]

you have a link of that?? i love yours...

A link of what? How to add a factory rack? or to my rack?

Factory Rack:
BK inner skeletons (framework) are different then the BG. Find someone with a BK with a factory rack and take dimensions off theirs. There are some members here with BK that have factory racks (Huffer etc...)

Thule Rack:
Mine has been discontinued as far as I know. I love it too... 12 years worth and still with me. It's been on countless cars of mine, and used yearly. I take it off and leave it off when the seasons out, but left it on this year so far.

[Dave_Mountain_Man]

Sorry for my ignorance, I have a 1995 Legacy L with a factory roof rack. Is that the BK?

I am considering buying a car that came with no roof rack, would that be the BG?

Thanks,

Dave

[Okin DaVanh]

My car=BK (Flat roof)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/04/l_1772e78562249e7bbd50df13e1f8e71d-1.jpg

........And another members BG (Raised roof)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/

[Huffer]

Sorry for my ignorance, I have a 1995 Legacy L with a factory roof rack. Is that the BK?

I am considering buying a car that came with no roof rack, would that be the BG?

Thanks,

Dave

If you have a raised roof (it bumps up right before the sunroof), you have a BG... a flat roof, a BK. You can also tell this by your VIN#.
(check out my member ride thread, and then compare with Reuben's for a BK vs. BG)

Actually you could just look at the wagon mafia thread too.

Roof rack or not, it doesn't matter. Although I doubt that any BG's were made stateside withOUT a roof rack.
Personally I could do without the roof rails myself, I never use them and I think it make the vehicle less aero... but for me to take them off I have to seal the mounting holes...

[decke48]

i wonder what the support would be for the roof. if it would support the avg max 150lb

[Okin DaVanh]

i wonder what the support would be for the roof. if it would support the avg max 150lb


The inner structures do differ. My Bk inner framework isn't set up the same way as a BG solely because of the raised part.


The legs of the factory racks (i thought ) were different due to the angle of the BG.

[impreza_GC8]

I've tossed around the idea of deleting my roof rack. Wouldn't I need the trim pieces from a slant roofed car without a roof rack? Did any slant roof cars come without a roof rack? I thought all Outbacks came with racks.

[Okin DaVanh]

I've tossed around the idea of deleting my roof rack. Wouldn't I need the trim pieces from a slant roofed car without a roof rack? Did any slant roof cars come without a roof rack? I thought all Outbacks came with racks.


Which trim pieces? Your rack doesn't touch the windshield. When you remove it, you should have exposed holes for the bolts. The center strips (I believe, I might be wrong) were put on with 2 way adhesive tape and would be easy to remove. I think the 95 OB had the roof rack as an option.


Dave_Mountain_man - My car never had a factory roof rack. I liked the Thule. I would recomend looking into possible just getting an aftermarket rack.

[xXGTBspecXx]

........And another members BG (Raised roof)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/
sorry to get off topic but who makes those headlights??

[Okin DaVanh]

sorry to get off topic but who makes those headlights??


They're made by Morrette also. Decke48 just got a set (I think his are the Dual beam) and has posted them in his MR1.

[xXGTBspecXx]

they arent advertised on morrettes website. :-( . sorry carry on

[Dave_Mountain_Man]

So my current 95 legacy wagon has the factory roof rack but no sunroof. There are raised ridges in the bodywork on the roof. So that is the BG?

If the roof is totally flat then that is the BK?

So if I bought a BK, I would probably want to add some structure to the roof above the liner?

Dave

you have the bk.. i have the same one as you...

plus i was under the impression there were no BGs made in 1995...

[Dave_Mountain_Man]

Thanks. That settles it. I will have to check out the used cars locally...

[impreza_GC8]

Which trim pieces? Your rack doesn't touch the windshield. When you remove it, you should have exposed holes for the bolts. The center strips (I believe, I might be wrong) were put on with 2 way adhesive tape and would be easy to remove. I think the 95 OB had the roof rack as an option.
I assumed the rack was the same as the newer WRX's, where if you delete the rack and don't want the holes to be exposed you have to order OEM roof trim strips that cover the holes. The strips wouldve been standard on a car with no rack.

[Okin DaVanh]

plus i was under the impression there were no BGs made in 1995...

That's true. I mean to type in a 6 :smt030 :smt002


they arent advertised on morrettes website. :-( . sorry carry on

Just found that out as well. PM the member, the pic is of a car from here. Search "BG5" in members

rides





If the roof is totally flat then that is the BK?

Yes.




So if I bought a BK, I would probably want to add some structure to the roof above the liner?

Dave

No. Thats not what I said. The BG roof @ maybe a little less than a foot away from the windshield begins a raise in the roof. That part, all the way to the hatch of the roofs inner structure is a little different than a BK.


There's plenty of people on here with BK's with added factory roof racks. Me personally, I won't just slap it onto my car without any kind of inner support due to actually using my roof racks. I've had 4 mountain bikes on there at once (Sold 2 trays since). Another time, my mountain bike,a BMX bike and 2 child bike trailer strapped to my Thule on a 130 mile trip with no issues or flex.

[decke48]

sorry to get off topic but who makes those headlights??


They're made by Morrette also. Decke48 just got a set (I think his are the Dual beam) and has posted them in his MR1.
those arent morrette. i dont know who makes them

[Okin DaVanh]

those arent morrette. i dont know who makes them



:smt017 Uhmm we've already established that...

They're Cibies. JDMConnected is the owner. Here's his MR thread.
http://www.sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=796&p=6991&hilit=bg5#p6991