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I am considering buying an MDX but one of the biggest drawbacks for me is the close (and fixed) spacing of the roof rack crossbars. I carry both a 17 foot long single and 19 foot long double kayak on my present SUV with a much wider (and safer for the kayak tie-down) spread between the crossbars (Yakima). I was able to acquire a copy of the roof rack mounting information from my dealer and it appears possible to adapt the current MDX rack mounting studs and add two more mounting blocks to each roof channel at the front and rear to allow a 54" or longer Yakima track to be installed over the top of the MDX channel cover. Then I could install new Railriders for the crossbars.
What I would most like to request is if someone has their track channel cover off could they take a few pictures of the exposed channel (reasonably close up) at both extremities of the channel so I can better determine what the chances are of installing (supergluing?) in additional blocks I can thread for bolts. Maybe even include some width and depth dimensions of the channel? This would really help. Thanks in advance. |
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| I also am very interested in mounting the Yakima tracks. I talke to Yakima and they said that when they are doing their "fit" to the vehicle that they will look at the channels. I will try to do some measuring on my MDX and share what I find out. Any other comments would be welcome. |
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To MDX in VA. Thanks for your input. What I am afraid is that Yakima will take the least complicated way out to solve the problem so that they can offer a package for the MDX that is easiest to install and cheapest to sell using parts they already make. Unfortunately, it may fall way short of a really good retrofit. This makes sense for them as it will generate more sales. I hope I am wrong in assuming they will take this approach.
A more complex solution using original mounting studs plus 4 adapters for additional mounts in the channels isn't going to be quick and easy (or cheap), but it might allow a full length track to overlay the MDX channel which would offer the best final solution. Why, oh why didn't Accura do this themselves (a full track) - it would have been so easy!
Any pictures or actual channel dimensions (width, depth, height) would be helpful if you, or someone, doesn't mind opening up their channel cover. Thanks. |
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| I talked to an installer hee in VA (MD actually) that has put lots of Yakima tracks on vehicles. He said (and I confirmed with Yakima) that the track is 1.5" wide. I meassured the MDX channel where the current rack is mounted and it is only 1.0" wide. This suggests that an elegant solution still escapes me. I agree that a little forthought on Honda's part would have helped..especially for a high end SUV like this. They should have known that it would be used for carrying gear... |
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to MDXinVA. This sounds like a workable arrangement then. If the MDX channel is only 1" wide and the Yakima track is 1.5" then the Yakima track could be mounted on TOP of the channel OVER the existing channel cover because it would have a 1/4" overlap on both sides. You could use the MDX rack mounting studs which are resident under the channel cover in all MDXs, I believe, to anchor the center section of the Yakima track and then the only problem is installing some sort of block you pre-drill and thread and drop into and attach inside the channel to support the front and rear of whatever length of Yakima track you choose. The problem I haven't resolved is how to secure the new blocks securely inside the channel. While the channel cover was off you could line everything up and then you would need to drill some holes through the cover in the places the Yakima track would be bolted to the MDX studs and your new mounting blocks. It might even need a full length rubber gasket under the track for waterproofing.
I wish I had an MDX of my own to verify this more easily. With the wait times involved, I just may hold off untill the 2002s are released to see what changes have been made. |
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