Anyone tried mounting a late model BMW bar set on an E34 Wagon?

[stilljester]

Did it fit? What need to be modified? (Roof Rack bars)
Thanks

[Mr Project]

Bar set?

If you're talking about sway bars, the Touring is essentially the same as the E34 sedan. I'm running a set of 25/19 bars on mine.

[stilljester]

Bar set?

If you're talking about sway bars, the Touring is essentially the same as the E34 sedan. I'm running a set of 25/19 bars on mine.



Sorry I just updated my post - I was having some computer issues this morning. I was referring to Roof Rack bars

[Elekta]

There are numerous threads in the archives but basically you modify this THULE footpack to fit in your guides
http://www.bimmer.info/bmw/ggil/modified%20foot%20pack.jpg
So that this type of combi box (Thule Evolution 1600) can be lowered onto and snapped in...
http://www.bimmer.info/bmw/ggil/1600.jpg

all can be found out your local REI, or you can google martycycles and ask marty to build it for you

[attack eagle]

Sorry if I'm dense but what is REI?

Iv'e been thinking about a roof bar set too, so Spring so I can load up the Mountain bikes on top and head to the park for some family cycling.

[Elekta]

http://www.rei.com/index.jsp

National Outdoor equipment company.

http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/images/products/430.jpg

http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/product.asp?dept_id=2&sku=430

This is what you want the Tracker II Footpack. This can be easily shaved with a roll sander to make it skinny enough to fit perfectly in your BMW tracks. This mod is cheap enough, that for the price of bmw load bars, you can get 4 foot packs, 2 load bars, and the Evo 1600...maybe even the crank up system (extra $125)

Best part of this thule system is that you don't end up with load bars on top of load bars, the aerodynamics is such that fully loaded, your mileage won't change at all....

out

[rickm]

google around for rack parts when it's time to buy, so many of the "big name" stores charge full retail for 'em. orsdirect, rack warehouse, etc have cheaper pricing. froogle is your friend. :)

[stilljester]

http://www.rei.com/index.jsp

National Outdoor equipment company.

http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/images/products/430.jpg

http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/product.asp?dept_id=2&sku=430

This is what you want the Tracker II Footpack. This can be easily shaved with a roll sander to make it skinny enough to fit perfectly in your BMW tracks. This mod is cheap enough, that for the price of bmw load bars, you can get 4 foot packs, 2 load bars, and the Evo 1600...maybe even the crank up system (extra $125)

Best part of this thule system is that you don't end up with load bars on top of load bars, the aerodynamics is such that fully loaded, your mileage won't change at all....

out

Do you know which footpack that is? There are several options.
Thanks

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

one of the 400 series footpacks.

I forget which one, but there is a thread here somewhere

[stilljester]

one of the 400 series footpacks.

I forget which one, but there is a thread here somewhere

I've got the 430 Footpack part which is well documented. However there are nine "TK__" choices. For the actual foot that mounts in the rail. Just trying to find out which one people are modifying.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

you're gonna have to shape that part to match the rail profile.

[stilljester]

you're gonna have to shape that part to match the rail profile.


Right, but I'd like to know which shape to start with. I'm sure one take less modification then the others.

This picture show 3 of the 9 TK styles for the feet. Unfortunately I can't find them labeled anywhere which is which.

http://a1072.g.akamai.net/f/1072/2062/1d/gallery.rei.com/media/639316Prd.jpg

[Elekta]

In my first post is the picture of the mod'd piece in my rail...it's the bottom one in that pic of the three.

It's the Tracker II footpack.

Just turn a roll sander upside down on a bench and holding the piece, work the center of the outside of the base down about 1/8th, or until it fits in the rail.

HTH

[Elekta]

Ok Save these pics.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/DSCN4452.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/DSCN4453.jpg

I just took one off for you. It's a very simple mod, and the pic shows how little needs to be sanded off. Also, I noticed now that I shortened the nut too so it fits better into the rails. I also made a plastic gasket of sorts which was to protect the rails, but the one under this footpack was already disintigrated. I always keep the allen key in the glove box.

HTH clears everything up.

[stilljester]

Ok Save these pics.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/DSCN4452.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/DSCN4453.jpg

I just took one off for you. It's a very simple mod, and the pic shows how little needs to be sanded off. Also, I noticed now that I shortened the nut too so it fits better into the rails. I also made a plastic gasket of sorts which was to protect the rails, but the one under this footpack was already disintigrated. I always keep the allen key in the glove box.

HTH clears everything up.


Thank you for the pictures - I'm completely comfortable with what I need to do...I've got the Thule 430 Tracker II Footpack - however the foot pack requires a fitting kit I'm trying to find out which one I need - There are nine different versions.

From Thule- "Set of four feet included, however, a TK kit is required. Recently redesigned foot with Click-on/Click-off technology for maximum user-friendliness."

Do you know which TK kit you purchased with Tracker II foot pack?

[Elekta]

Did you even look at the picture in my first post? If you can't match up my pic with one on the Thule site, then you'll have to not buy something over the internet this time, and drive to a bike store or REI or eastern mountain sports, or whole earth provision company or abc outfitters...or somePLACE where you can hold a snap in Thule footpack in your hand and REALLY EYEBALL it...

ok...here' s the last pics Im gonna give you.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/DSCN4454.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/DSCN4455.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/DSCN4456.jpg

get something close to this. If the base is mod'd and fits nicely in your rail and you can get it reasonably fastened, then get some short load bars so you won't hit your head getting in or out of your car and pick a set of Thule feet that look as close to mine as possible...or like the Thule pic I attached from the site, and be done with it.

It should be called Tracker II with the rail mount piece...or something close to that. Anything but the 396 ok?

cheers ;)

[Jehu]

I've often felt like humping my car... that's about all the mounting i've considered though..

[stilljester]

Did you even look at the picture in my first post? If you can't match up my pic with one on the Thule site, then you'll have to not buy something over the internet this time, and drive to a bike store or REI or eastern mountain sports, or whole earth provision company or abc outfitters...or somePLACE where you can hold a snap in Thule footpack in your hand and REALLY EYEBALL it...

get something close to this. If the base is mod'd and fits nicely in your rail and you can get it reasonably fastened, then get some short load bars so you won't hit your head getting in or out of your car and pick a set of Thule feet that look as close to mine as possible...or like the Thule pic I attached from the site, and be done with it.

It should be called Tracker II with the rail mount piece...or something close to that. ok?

cheers ;)

haha - Yes but are you reading mine??? :p I've looked at the pictures and I understand fully about the bar set no need to beat a dead horse....All I'm trying to get clarification on is which fit kit you ordered and modified with your 430 Tracker II bar set, they are two seperate pieces - if you don't know that's ok - your posts have been great. I'll just take the pictures you've posted and match them up with the various TK kits. I'll be sure to post the specific TK kit I purchase for everyone. Thank you for your help 530iTouring :)

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

I've often felt like humping my car... that's about all the mounting i've considered though..

You've got your yarmulke on backwards?

You cant schtup a car!