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Topic: Roof racks for a TBird ? (Read 3265 times) previous topic - next topic

Roof racks for a TBird ?

I'd love to have some roof racks for that occasional trip to the home supply depot to pick up a few 2x4's.  Has anyone had any luck finding some that fit on an '83-'88 Thunderbird ?  It would be nice to have something to throw a couple of snowboards on as well.  I was considering trying to make my own brackets I could screw into the inside of the top of the door jamb.  Any thoughts ?
1988 Thunderbird Sport

Roof racks for a TBird ?

Reply #1 –
WTF?!?!?!?!

The tbird is not a truck....... No no no....this is not right.
1988 Thunderbird Sport. Work in Progress
5.8L swap w/fitech efi, 4R70W swap w/quick 4 controller, 2003 GT rear diff, 5 Lug swap

Bought this car back as an old project car.

:burnout:

Roof racks for a TBird ?

Reply #2 –
I agree.Not on a Bird.BUT,it's your car.I'm sure some from another vehicle  could be adapted easily.You'd have to make sure there's a structure under the roof skin to connect them to otherwise you may end up with a bent in roof.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Roof racks for a TBird ?

Reply #4 –
Nope.....but it was beat nearly to death and the previous owner should be in prison for extreme neglect.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Roof racks for a TBird ?

Reply #6 –
Only because it sat tall like an off road vehicle.LOL.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Roof racks for a TBird ?

Reply #8 –
yakima has clamp-on towers that im sure you could make work perfectly on a tbird.

not cheap, but removable and nondestructive type mounting
gumby - beauty may fade, but stupid is forever!

Roof racks for a TBird ?

Reply #9 –
Yeah you don't want to drill holes into your roof.  Not good.  I agree with Gumby, to do this right you are gonna have to spend some money and get some name brand stuff made to clamp on without causing irreversible damage.
'88 'bird, 10.9:1 306 w/TFS top end, forged rods/pistons, T-5 swap & bunch of other stuff, 1-family owned, had it since ‘98, 5.0tbrd88 on Instagram and YouTube

Roof racks for a TBird ?

Reply #10 –
Sorry, didn't mean to offend.  Here in California, every 5th car has a roof rack on it for surfboards, skis, snowboards, etc.  I sold my truck that was getting 12 to 16 MPG and am happily getting an average of 22 plus MPG in my Thunderbird.  I'm not going to buy a second vehicle just to carry a few 2x4's home every now and then.  If I put the snowboards in the trunk, it leaves less room for luggage.  Gas has gone up 20 cents a gallon here in the last week and a half - one must be practical.
1988 Thunderbird Sport

Roof racks for a TBird ?

Reply #11 –
No - had NO plans of drilling holes in the roof...I was talking about the inside of the door jamb, if you read back.  I just don't want the roof racks to go flying if there is nothing but tension holding the brackets on. 

Thanks for the info, Gumby ! I will check out Yakima.
1988 Thunderbird Sport

Roof racks for a TBird ?

Reply #12 –
You didn't offend.When something really different like that comes up,it's a little shocking.LOL.You're fine,and more than welcome here.We're all here to help each other out.....even though we may be ridiculed and abused harshly first.LOL.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Roof racks for a TBird ?

Reply #13 –
Yeah its your car and I think its cool that you can go surfing.  Closest thing I can do here right now would be to go snowboarding.  lol.  If you do get surfboards mounted on the roof get some pics...I'd like to see that!  Might make for a good pic.

However I still wouldn't recommend drilling holes in the door jam (i knew what you meant but the area you are talking about drilling is pretty much part of the roof).  Good luck in your search man.
'88 'bird, 10.9:1 306 w/TFS top end, forged rods/pistons, T-5 swap & bunch of other stuff, 1-family owned, had it since ‘98, 5.0tbrd88 on Instagram and YouTube

Roof racks for a TBird ?

Reply #14 –
This reminded me on the time back in 87 when we bought a new storm door for out first house, Had it tied to the roof of my 86 Bird, driving 10 mph with the flashers going on the shoulder for 5 miles to get it home, lol!!!:rollin:
John