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Connect XLT 2013 vs 2014 roof


apple52
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Trying to pull the trigger on a simple ladder rack. Most parts are listed for the "2014 and newer" Transit Connect XLT. I bought a 2012 this year and am hoping to chuck a rack up there for a ladder and occasional gear hauling. I know for some parts there's a heck of a difference between the two versions - and for some there's not. I just can't seem to find a definitive answer on whether the two-per-side factory attachment points I can see on my roof (uncovered and rusted to hell, of course - gotta address that too) are the same dimensions as the 2014-and-newers, cause I sure ain't finding many options for specifically 2013-and-older racks. I'm hoping this is just a clerical issue and the roof rack attachments are universal. Any advice on how to confirm this before I waste money on a rack that just barely won't fit? Thanks - - - from Kentucky 

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 Post a pic and I'll compare it to my 16.

Which has 4 attachment points per side.

 I put a roof rack on it this fall.


That said, it wouldn't take anything to drill where you need. Only the very front attachment which is under the headliner is not easy to reach.  The middle and back are easily accessible from the inside.  (CARGO van, not wagen)

You've seen the little plastic plug that covers those points now. Pry it out to see the size hole and drill them where you need to. Put plug back in. 

Edited by MLB
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17 hours ago, MLB said:

 Post a pic and I'll compare it to my 16.

Which has 4 attachment points per side.

 I put a roof rack on it this fall.

 

MLB, you must have a SWB van? I ask because my '15 XL LWB has 5 pairs of holes, lol. 

 

Apple52, are you trying to buy rails that conform to the roof, matching the curve over the driver area? If you're just looking at a 'universal' ladder rack, the model year really doesn't matter. Drill holes where you need them, like MLB said. I had this rack (roughly $120 on Amazon) on my van for quite awhile, but have it off now and installed rivnuts (nutserts, whatever) in the roof so taking it on & off is a one-tool affair. It was causing about 2.5MPG hit and I don't need them often, so I figured it'd be better to just put it on when I do need it. Worked great for bringing 10ft pallet rack uprights and 10ft & 12ft beams home for my garage, haha. I did make two trips to split the weight, so this pic is only half of what I actually brought home; 70MPH for maybe 2/3rds of the drive but was only 11.5 miles door-to-door and nothing moved or caused any issues. 

Ladder_Rack01.jpg.2f0b1cd7a0c033d293774d1ab3272353.jpg

IMG_2020-09-12_14-13-07.jpeg

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wow, that's a pretty sweet setup. that's almost exactly what I'm looking for - although an additional perpendicular bar that runs the length of the van on both sides would be better suited to my needs. 

 

my van must have lost its plastic covers, cause I'm just seeing two pairs of very rusty bolt heads. I'll take a some pictures and measurements once the snow clears - if you can confirm that the attachment points have the same spread on my 12 and your 16, then I'm golden. 

 

thanks very much both of yous

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6 hours ago, jrm223 said:

It was causing about 2.5MPG hit

 

 

Hard to imagine that the rack decreased the mileage by that much.  

 

Not saying I don't believe you.  It's just hard to accept that a rack effected the aerodynamics and wind flow enough to lose that much mileage.  

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On 1/29/2021 at 9:26 PM, Fifty150 said:

 

 

Hard to imagine that the rack decreased the mileage by that much.  

 

Not saying I don't believe you.  It's just hard to accept that a rack effected the aerodynamics and wind flow enough to lose that much mileage.  

 

I'm in rural Texas, speed limit between my home and where I used to work in the next town over is 70 MPH. 24 MPG without the rack, 21.4-21.5 MPG with the rack and I had it on the van for a good long while. That's also with General Grabber AT2 tires. 

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