[Zeuce]

I went with the Thule racks! they went on in a snap and look better than some of the other roof racks out there IMO. Now im in the market for a roof basket LOL.
thanx for the help guyz

 

[31Z71]

Looks good man! I can't wait to see it with a basket. How much did you end up paying for it?

 

[1BADI5]

Looks great!

 

[edvocho]

i am concerned about the way the door gasket gets pushed in tho, any leaks, louder wind noise?

 

[Zeuce]

i am concerned about the way the door gasket gets pushed in tho, any leaks, louder wind noise?

so far no, It only rained lightly the day I put them on. Im going camping tommorw so Ill check for hwy wind noise. Ill try a bucket of water if we dont get rain. I think its sealed pretty good.

Looks good man! I can't wait to see it with a basket. How much did you end up paying for it?

Thanx! The shop I work at is also a parts store I get cost on it soooooooo lets say cheap LOL

 

[31Z71]

Thanx! The shop I work at is also a parts store I get cost on it soooooooo lets say cheap LOL

Lucky! haha

 

[edvocho]

sweet thanks for answering my question! :wavey:

 

[filli57]

are there any other roof rack mounting systems that attach like that? i don't need a rack i'm just interested in some mounts for a future rack i might build

 

[DBNissan]

are there any other roof rack mounting systems that attach like that? i don't need a rack i'm just interested in some mounts for a future rack i might build

Yakima has towers that mount the same way. However, with either system, you will need the cross bars and towers for a base rack. Everything else builds up on top of them.

 

[Zeuce]

sweet thanks for answering my question! :wavey:

absolutly any time! camping trip was great! the only noise I heard on the hwy was from the the gear I had strapped to the racks, other than that it's no louder in the cab.

 

[Zeuce]

oh and I added some side bars to my racks, to have something to attach bungies to. these were the parts from a universal cab divider (the ones to keep your dog from jumping over the seat in an SUV LOL)

 

[StevNor2]

Has anybody considered a camper top with a roof rack built on to it? I know Leer offers Tulle racks on their tops, and you could pack alottt of stuff into a camper top!

Ps. Roof racks look sick guys! Making me want one now.

 

[DBNissan]

I have mine mounted to my tonneau cover

 

[NativeColorado]

Looks good

 

[31Z71]

Haha Zeuce thats an odd combination but it looks good man!

 

[Zeuce]

yeah I figured, different and FREE lol

 

[Omegaman]

Hi,

I’ve got a first Generation Colorado, 2011 Crew Cab with a 5.3 L V8. I’m looking at roof racks, and unfortunately, Chevy never intended this rig to have a permanent rack. I don’t want one of the temporary, ‘clamp’ style racks that hooks onto the door jam. I don’t like the temporary look and feel of it, plus it sits up too high once you place a safari style basket on top of the rails.

So, I’ve been searching for an aftermarket manufacturer for solutions, and came up with a big fat zero. However, on the second generation of Colorados, they offer a couple very acceptable solutions. One is made by Prinsu, they make a very cool looking roof rack that is meant to be drilled into the roof using 1/4” - 20 Plusnut inserts with 1/4” - 20 x 1 3/4” Hex Cap Screws and a 5/8” Aluminum Spacer. It runs about $700. +/- and it specifically says will only fit a second generation Colorado.

It’s nice, but I kept searching, then I found the Rhino-Rack RCCB1 Backbone Mounting System for $341. +/-. It also is designed for the second gen. Colorado, so, that was a bit disheartening. I then wondered what is the issue was, the contour of the Backbone or the length of the 2nd gen, cab, or IF the depth of the roof sheet metal is thinner on the first Gen? I contacted Rhino Rack and asked for the length of the backbones offered for the Colorado. They have two sizes, one for a extended cab 41.5” and another for a Crew Cab 51.66”

The contour probably won’t be an issue, so my only concern is the fitment, it’s designed to be drilled into the ditch (under the rubber piece that runs down the sides of the cab, that’s what the spacers are used for.) So, they agreed to sell me a set, and they will then ask for feedback on appearance and the installation process.

My question: How much clearance do I have under the metal? Will the 1/4 - 20 Plusnut insert fit deep enough? Does anyone have any experience with the clearances under the first layer of the roof? How far can I safely drill down?

I don’t want to be talked out of this, I just know there is a solution for a determined Colorado owner. However, I’m not fighting windmills, I know I need to plan and the proper know-how so, I’m convinced that you guys could offer any advice or thoughts about my project. I really need to know how thick the roof is under the ‘ditch.’ I’d really appreciate anyone with experience permanently mounting their roof rack on a first gen Colorado, plus pics if you have any to share.

Thanks to all that actually read this, I know it’s the type of thing that concerns nobody unless they are interested in roof racks for their rigs. Thank-you for your time and expertise.

All the Best,

JD

 

[WV NATIVE]

Hi,

I’ve got a first Generation Colorado, 2011 Crew Cab with a 5.3 L V8. I’m looking at roof racks, and unfortunately, Chevy never intended this rig to have a permanent rack. I don’t want one of the temporary, ‘clamp’ style racks that hooks onto the door jam. I don’t like the temporary look and feel of it, plus it sits up too high once you place a safari style basket on top of the rails.

So, I’ve been searching for an aftermarket manufacturer for solutions, and came up with a big fat zero. However, on the second generation of Colorados, they offer a couple very acceptable solutions. One is made by Prinsu, they make a very cool looking roof rack that is meant to be drilled into the roof using 1/4” - 20 Plusnut inserts with 1/4” - 20 x 1 3/4” Hex Cap Screws and a 5/8” Aluminum Spacer. It runs about $700. +/- and it specifically says will only fit a second generation Colorado.

It’s nice, but I kept searching, then I found the Rhino-Rack RCCB1 Backbone Mounting System for $341. +/-. It also is designed for the second gen. Colorado, so, that was a bit disheartening. I then wondered what is the issue was, the contour of the Backbone or the length of the 2nd gen, cab, or IF the depth of the roof sheet metal is thinner on the first Gen? I contacted Rhino Rack and asked for the length of the backbones offered for the Colorado. They have two sizes, one for a extended cab 41.5” and another for a Crew Cab 51.66”

The contour probably won’t be an issue, so my only concern is the fitment, it’s designed to be drilled into the ditch (under the rubber piece that runs down the sides of the cab, that’s what the spacers are used for.) So, they agreed to sell me a set, and they will then ask for feedback on appearance and the installation process.

My question: How much clearance do I have under the metal? Will the 1/4 - 20 Plusnut insert fit deep enough? Does anyone have any experience with the clearances under the first layer of the roof? How far can I safely drill down?

I don’t want to be talked out of this, I just know there is a solution for a determined Colorado owner. However, I’m not fighting windmills, I know I need to plan and the proper know-how so, I’m convinced that you guys could offer any advice or thoughts about my project. I really need to know how thick the roof is under the ‘ditch.’ I’d really appreciate anyone with experience permanently mounting their roof rack on a first gen Colorado, plus pics if you have any to share.

Thanks to all that actually read this, I know it’s the type of thing that concerns nobody unless they are interested in roof racks for their rigs. Thank-you for your time and expertise.

All the Best,

JD

Not exactly what your looking for but it basically says the roof sheet metal is pretty thin. There are a couple pics of the headliners removed to at least show you what it looks like.

https://www.355nation.net/forum/exterior/61463-drilling-thru-roof-mount-antenna.html

I respect your desire for a more permanent roof rack but having researched it myself I must say I'm glad I went with a removable setup. I simply store it when I don't need it and it stays out of the weather. I also don't sacrifice fuel economy when I'm not carrying a roof load.

My solution was to use the Yakima crossbars and then fabricate my own basket that hangs down rather than on top of the crossbars. I 100% agree that the baskets on top of the crossbars is way too high.

I've used rivnuts for years and would suggest one made of steel with ribs/hex and a closed end. They make gasketed versions but I don't have experience with that type. I'd bet a dab of silicon would be as effective as a gasket (maybe?). I'm not sure if they offer large flanges but that would be nice as well. A good installation tool is key to rivnuts if your not familiar with them. I prefer stainless but have found getting specific features in stainless is expensive at times.

Good luck with your project. I hope you are able to build exactly what your looking for. I've been down this road and I feel your frustration regarding finding stuff for the 1st Gen trucks.

 

[OldGuy]

I found a bike rack that fits in the receiver that has a lot of adjustment up/down. It was in a pile of junk in front of a house. I grabbed it and have used it for all sorts of stuff. It has a height adjustment and the part that you mount the bicycles to bolts on, so you can take that off and fabricate something to bolt on. The length of the part that goes into the receiver adjusts too. I extend it about 18" and have mounted a 4' 2 x 4 on it and use it when hauling lumber and plywood. I put on end in the bed and support the other end on it and strap it down to the rack. No scraping up the top of the tailgate. It adjusts out away from the truck enough to put the tailgate at the 45 degree position. Great for hauling my ladders, and I've used it to haul 60 16' 5/4 x 6 deck boards when building a deck for my son. Like all things that slide into the receiver, it has some wobble to it, so I use ratchet straps to tie it down to each side of the bed so it's very stable. It's been very versatile. with some welding experience, I'm sure you could make all kinds of stuff to fit in the receiver that would work great.

 

[OldGuy]

I never will forget the day my son borrowed my '89 Silverado to take his new girlfriend kayaking. He bought a 2 person kayak that was over 10' long and put it in the bed of my truck extending over the roof of the truck and tied it down to the toolbox in the bed of my truck that had a tie down rail on each side. He called me from the boat ramp to ask if he left the kayak in the front yard, because he could clearly remember loading it and tying it down, but when he got to the boat ramp it wasn't on the truck. While we were talking on the phone, He realized that my toolbox was missing too! I told him I would head toward the boat ramp and he could start heading back home and we'd look for it on the side of the road. I knew I was getting close when I saw a huge traffic jam and cars backed up. The wind caught the kayak and lifted it out of the back of the truck and and set it back down in the middle of the highway! I never bolted the toolbox in, because I didn't figure it was going anywhere. There was my toolbox in the road and everyone was just driving around it! The kayak was about 10' away laying on the side of the road unmolested. Nothing was damaged. My diamond plate toolbox had some scratches and small dents, and the kayak had some "road rash" from apparently sliding on the pavement, but no big deal. Most of their gear was in the extended cab portion of the truck, so all was good! They ended up having a great day in spite of this little bit of excitement.
That was about 10 years ago. They have been married for 6 years now and they have supplied me with a beautiful 4 year old granddaughter! She has read hair like her mama, and loves her "Pops" (me). Oh, and she loves my "lellow Happy Truck"!