2003 Tahoe Full Length Roof Rack?

[Mericas_Meuth]

Hey all,

This is my first post, and I'm wanting to know from some people with experience the best way to mount a full length (aka the entire length/width of roof) roof rack on my Tahoe.

The factory rails stop what looks to me like 3/4 of the way up the roof, and the entire front portion where the sunroof would be unsupported if I use the current factory rails as the mounting point. I've thought about fixing this by getting some suburban rails from eBay or a pull yourself lot and having a body shop adapt them to run the remaining 1/4 of the roof line, but haven't done anything more than contemplate it.

I want this to a beefy rack that I can stand on and I'll be primarily using it for running shuttle of WW rafts & canoes, so the bigger (aka the better the mounting points) the rack the better.

(I've searched around a bit on the forum looking for an answer, please help me out if I've missed something helpful)

Here is some visual examples of what I'd like to adapt to my Tahoe. The one of the older Tahoe is ideal! But I'm confused on how it is mounted... Also my Tahoe has a curved roof line unlike the older body styles.

All help is appreciated.

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[Overlandtowater]

there is some talk here.

GMT800 People - Opinions wanted on upgrades/mods

Sounds great!

www.expeditionportal.com

 

[ejwebb]

You will need to go custom, find a fab shop and work with them on what you want to build, there is really nothing that is made to bolt on to a Tahoe.

 

[ejwebb]

 

[ejwebb]

Here is a pic with the lights added.

 

[rayra]

If you use a tubular frame for the deck you can easily extend it forward from the factory rack rails without doing any additional mount. Or just add some mounting flanges to support the front end and drill some holes in your roof. Or possibly fashion some broad supporting feet and cushion them but make no holes. Just let them rest on the roof.
I no longer have our Tahoe to take measurements from, but the Sub is 22" longer IIRC, so if you measure forward from front foot of your Tahoe rack you can see if a Sub rack will fit. But note it won't be a clean fit. Both roofs are crowned side to side and front to back, the curves will be different and it very likely won't be as simple as just adding a Sub rack.
You could do like ej is showing, a full length plate / foot that is shaped to match the curves of your roof. The side plates / mounts would have to be ~3.5" tall to overcome the crown of the roof and the luggage rails.
That would be pretty easy to fashion from some plate metal. You just need to prop it in place and use a compass or spacer block and trace your roof curves onto it and if you use enough offset the metal remaining below that cut line becomes your mounting tabs, you just bend them in at 90deg, lining up with your factory roof holes. And the new hole placement up front.

I did a solid deck for its shade value and the 2nd version I extended the nose close to the sunroof opening. The solar panel roof rack/mount came later.

 

[ExplorerTom]

The rack on my Expedition:


It stops midway over my sunroof.

Go to equipt1.com and look at the Eezi-Awn platform racks.

 

[stomperxj]

I am currently prototyping some rack brackets that mount to the factory holes. I actually just dropped them off at the machine shop to have them bent up yesterday. Hoping to test fit in the next week or so.

 

[Mericas_Meuth]

You will need to go custom, find a fab shop and work with them on what you want to build, there is really nothing that is made to bolt on to a Tahoe.

So you just got a rhino rack and had a Fab shop make the mounts? How fancy are the mounts and where/how do they attach?

This seems like magic to me, but I know it's not as hard as I think it is.

@stomperxj Id love to hear more about the mounts you are making. Let me know how it goes.

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[Mericas_Meuth]

The rack on my Expedition:


It stops midway over my sunroof.

Go to equipt1.com and look at the Eezi-Awn platform racks.

Don't know how to do a multi-quote on Tapatalk so forgive me for multiple posts in a row...

I really like the style rack you have on your explorer... Checked out the website, they obviously don't offer anything directly for the explorer or Tahoe, so which rack did you get and how did you mount it?

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[ejwebb]

Rhino racks run the slats front to back, Eezi-Awn platform racks run the slats side to side. Check what you want to mount on it and with one is better for your application. The curved roof in the Tahoe makes it where you can't use the Rhino rack mounting feet. There are nutserts in the roof you can bolt down feet to. You can also add nutserts to the roof. I went with a 7 foot long rack because of where the mounting holes were in the roof. With the light bar mounted back there is no glare off of the hood also.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Don't know how to do a multi-quote on Tapatalk so forgive me for multiple posts in a row...

I really like the style rack you have on your explorer... Checked out the website, they obviously don't offer anything directly for the explorer or Tahoe, so which rack did you get and how did you mount it?

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Measure your roof and figure out which rack will work the best for what you want based on what they have available. I don’t remember what size it is actually.

To mount it, remove your factory rack. Your Tahoe probably has riv-nuts in the roof:


Use your factory rack to transfer the hole locations over to the K9 mounting system that comes with the rack.





A lot of people go with baskets. I like having a flat platform up there. I’ve used this tack to haul way more than camping gear. This rack, while expensive, will get transferred to a new vehicle when the time comes.

 

[Mericas_Meuth]

Measure your roof and figure out which rack will work the best for what you want based on what they have available. I don’t remember what size it is actually.

To mount it, remove your factory rack. Your Tahoe probably has riv-nuts in the roof:


Use your factory rack to transfer the hole locations over to the K9 mounting system that comes with the rack.





A lot of people go with baskets. I like having a flat platform up there. I’ve used this tack to haul way more than camping gear. This rack, while expensive, will get transferred to a new vehicle when the time comes.

Wow, this is SUPER helpful... Thank you! Your roof looks much more flat than mine, but hopefully it will still work. Also your explorer is as cool of an explorer I've ever seen.

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[adventr]

FYI if your tahoe/suburban was made prior to 2015, it has M6 rivnuts in the roof under the OEM rack. Removal is simple, and all done from outside the vehicle.
In 2015 (when they switched to the new body style), they changed it up so that the OEM rack mounts with studs. Removal requires dropping the head liner to get to the nuts. And you're left with open holes in the roof (which can be filled).