2nd gen DC OEM roof rack install

Well, I've noticed a few questions asking about installing the OEM roof racks so I decided to get a few pics of my install and share them so everyone can see how easy it is.

I received the racks this morning and installed them this afternoon. It took about 45 minutes start to finish.

Tools:
1- razor knife
1 T25 torx bit
1 T30 torx bit
bit driver
torque wrench

The torque for the screws is listed on the instructions that come with the rack.

The screws have a color-coded thread lock on them. Makes it easy to know which screw goes where.

If you have any questions just PM me and I'll respond as soon as I can.

So here goes.

The "Before Pic"


Here is where I started. I pulled up the front of the insert with my fingernail. It was that easy.


Once the insert is removed there are 3 locations marked where the rack screws into the roof. These are pre-existing weld-nuts, you have to cut out the tape covering them. I used a simple razor knife for this. There are 2 holes at the front, one in the middle and 2 at the back.


Before installing the rack, make sure you remove the adhesive at the back of the cab. The new rack will have adhesive tape that goes there.


Next mount the front brackets. They are easy and require 2 screws each. Placing the foam washers was easy. I just peeled off the back and centered them by using a screw to line them up.


Next you just line up the yellow Christmas tree with the hole at the front of the bracket, pound it down with a sledgehammer, I mean your hand, then put the other screws in and torque them down.

It's best to start with the right side since it will come with the cross bar removed and it wont be in the way of tightening the screws then when you do the left you can put the cross bar over to the right side so it's not in the way. Then you install the right side cross bar with the last screw.

Here she is. All done

 

Nice, Thanks for sharing. Planning to do mine too.

 

Hey there,

I put OEM rack on my 2015 last week but didn't use the self stick washers (they were mentioned in the instructions but I didn't find them until after I was done). I see that you didn't use them and neither did someone on a You Tube video I watched. I assume these washers are to help prevent leaking so now I'm worried that I should take the rack back off and put the washers on-something I'd really rather not do since the install is a pain. Have you had a leaking problems (assuming that you didn't use these these washers either)?

 

Thx for sharing. I'd like to find a OEM rack, too.

 

I am so in for an OEM roof rack!! Thank you for the directions! Can't wait to get one and install.

Harpolith, you can get one here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161674024160?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Amazon has one too, but it's $255 at the moment. Can't seem to find them cheaper than $225 or so.

 

Do you know if that comes with the crossbars?

 

The cross bars are part of the unit. Not separate.

 

Yes, it does.

 

This is awesome, I might do this now thanks!

 

I took the roof rack off today and put the sticky washers on like I should have in the first place.Also put silicone sealer on the screw threads before putting them back in. Everything went fine except that a couple of the screw heads got stripped during the process of putting them in the first time so I had to drill them out. I didn't want to buy a new hardware kit so I replace them with the same size stainless screws from Ace Hardware. Fit perfectly and though they're not black they don't show. Drove in a bunch today and there don't seem to be any leaks.

 

Nice write up OP!