Roof Rails Post-Purchase?

8819 Views 14 Replies 11 Participants Last post by DaveCap, Feb 27, 2020

kansasrover

Discussion Starter · Aug 2, 2018

Since the roof rails aren't in the configurator, my assumption is they can be installed anytime post purchase. Can anyone confirm? Or are they port installed? The reason I ask is that I prefer the roofline without them so I'd like to wait to install them until I've gotten to a point where I want to use them. In the meantime I get to keep my beautiful clean lines of the SVAutobiography LWB in Spectral Blue!

My sales guy was going to check because he wasn't sure the status and I am trying to not keep bothering him since I went back and forth on exterior paint color several times

I know with Porsche SUVs they need to be added at the factory.

Thanks in advance!

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BLUESURF

· #2 · Aug 2, 2018

Caution if you have a 2013-2016 RR L405. You cannot add roof rails without removing the interior ceiling and airbags. Anyone who put the rails in themselves from the exterior will puncture all the side airbags. They are located at the point where you need to drill. I had asked my dealer last year and the salesman explained the complication in adding the rails.

kansasrover

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 2, 2018

Does that apply to a 2019 as this would be a 2019.

TheSgnDen

· #4 · Aug 2, 2018

BLUESURF said:
Caution if you have a 2013-2016 RR L405. You cannot add roof rails without removing the interior ceiling and airbags. Anyone who put the rails in themselves from the exterior will puncture all the side airbags. They are located at the point where you need to drill. I had asked my dealer last year and the salesman explained the complication in adding the rails.

Yikes! Very glad I read this as I just bought a rail kit, watched a few videos on installing (all on Sports though...as usual), and was ready to try this weekend. I think I'll wait if this is true! Bummer as I just wasted $300 for this aftermarket setup. High quality Chinese knockoff, sorry to say.

cegeste

· #5 · Aug 2, 2018

http://accessories-instructions.landrover.com/docs/pdf/736.pdf?201882542039

The installation document for VPLGR0078 (SWB Silver) doesn't indicate any warnings. LWB would likely be similar, no ?

TheSgnDen

· #6 · Aug 2, 2018

cegeste said:
http://accessories-instructions.landrover.com/docs/pdf/736.pdf?201882542039

The installation document for VPLGR0078 (SWB Silver) doesn't indicate any warnings. LWB would likely be similar, no ?

This is great. The videos I have seen and poorly written aftermarket instructions do not indicate any roof drilling either. The drilling can come-in ONLY on the trim piece that is popped-out as later models have plugs through which mounting screws would go but others require some marking and drilling but nothing into the roof/body. I'm encouraged again...

rmarchand75

· #7 · Aug 3, 2018

I have a 2018 full size Range Rover and installed the roof rails post purchase. The install was easy and the instructions in the box came with a QR code. You scan it with your phone and it gives you detailed instructions. I want to say it was roughly $1,800 for the rails, finishers and cross rails (not cheap). I took the cross bars to a local powder coating company to coat them in gloss black. They blend in with my black roof perfectly. Let me know if you have any questions.

sushisean

· #8 · Aug 3, 2018

Easy peasy to add after. I did. I get wind noise now even without the cross bars on which is disappointing.

falconsprint

· #9 · Nov 4, 2019

BLUESURF said:
Caution if you have a 2013-2016 RR L405. You cannot add roof rails without removing the interior ceiling and airbags. Anyone who put the rails in themselves from the exterior will puncture all the side airbags. They are located at the point where you need to drill. I had asked my dealer last year and the salesman explained the complication in adding the rails.

I'm looking to add roof rails on my 2014 Autobiography (w/panoramic roof). The parts catalog does not list a part# for 2014 which led me to this thread. I removed the finish panel on my roof and it already has the 7 threaded mounting points for the rails. I'm confused by the above comment that in order to install the rails you need to drill into the roof. Can anyone explain in more detail? I figure there's a reason that the parts catalog says the kit (VPLGR0078) only fits 2016+. But looking at the install instructions I don't see why the kit wouldn't fit my 2014.

I only need the rails for a trip this winter. So perhaps I'll just use an aftermarket kit, or build my own brackets to install something temporary for the items I need to carry.

sushisean

· #10 · Nov 4, 2019

falconsprint said:
I'm looking to add roof rails on my 2014 Autobiography (w/panoramic roof). The parts catalog does not list a part# for 2014 which led me to this thread. I removed the finish panel on my roof and it already has the 7 threaded mounting points for the rails. I'm confused by the above comment that in order to install the rails you need to drill into the roof. Can anyone explain in more detail? I figure there's a reason that the parts catalog says the kit (VPLGR0078) only fits 2016+. But looking at the install instructions I don't see why the kit wouldn't fit my 2014.

I only need the rails for a trip this winter. So perhaps I'll just use an aftermarket kit, or build my own brackets to install something temporary for the items I need to carry.

I installed on a 2014. It’s all done from the exterior and theirs no drilling. It took about 25 min.

Truble911

· #11 · Nov 4, 2019

I just did this and will confirm you absolutely can add OEM rails to 2013-2019 full size RR.

It is not cheap however.

There are three parts you will need: Roof rails, crossbars and trim kit (can re-use existing if you drill some holes)

Pull the trim two trim pieces where the rails go. You will see three mounting points on each side of vehicle. Bolt the mounts on to the roof. The kit comes with centering blocks to get in the proper position.

Here is where you can buy new trim pieces or use the existing one but you will need to drill some holes for the brackets. I re-used the existing ones so they would be painted the exterior color. They are thin aluminium and drilling is very basic. Re-attach old or install new trim.

Bolt roof rails on to the mounting bracket that stick out of roof.

Install crossbars. Its is pretty basic install and the instructions are pretty good.

Took me about 1 1/2 hours but I did the drilling that took most of the time.

Here is a YouTube video I watched as well:

See less See more

Jodrange

· #12 · Feb 27, 2020

TheSgnDen said:
Yikes! Very glad I read this as I just bought a rail kit, watched a few videos on installing (all on Sports though...as usual), and was ready to try this weekend. I think I'll wait if this is true! Bummer as I just wasted $300 for this aftermarket setup. High quality Chinese knockoff, sorry to say.

Hey! Did you ever install these knock off rails? Any issues with them? And I assume they are the ones off eBay? Thinking of getting them...

mark1107

· #13 · Feb 27, 2020

eBay Chinese sellers have 200 dollar silver roof rails kit. Easy install for any models. And.......

No, I don't have a link. Use your brain and search eBay for them!

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DaveCap

· #14 · Feb 27, 2020

Jodrange said:
Hey! Did you ever install these knock off rails? Any issues with them? And I assume they are the ones off eBay? Thinking of getting them...

I did mine recently. Pretty straight forward. The youtube video is a good guide. Whoever wrote about drilling and ruining airbags must be driving a diesel. The fumes have altered his mind.

www.rangerovers.net

Roof Rack Opitons?

I appreciate the sleek look on my 2015 Supercharged. It has the panoramic sun/moon roof and there is no roof rack. It sounds like I'd need to first install the OEM flush roof "rack" rails then a Yakima or Thule system would bolt-on. Are there any other solutions (without drilling the roof)...

www.rangerovers.net

www.rangerovers.net

DaveCap

· #15 · Feb 27, 2020

Jodrange said:
Hey! Did you ever install these knock off rails? Any issues with them? And I assume they are the ones off eBay? Thinking of getting them...

www.rangerovers.net

Roof Rack Opitons?

I appreciate the sleek look on my 2015 Supercharged. It has the panoramic sun/moon roof and there is no roof rack. It sounds like I'd need to first install the OEM flush roof "rack" rails then a Yakima or Thule system would bolt-on. Are there any other solutions (without drilling the roof)...

www.rangerovers.net

www.rangerovers.net

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