Longitudinal Roof Bars

Cameron1960 · Apr 17, 2019

Hi, I recently bought these bars from a company called Van Tech (Midlands), they assured me they would fit my pop up roof. Ive just tried to take off the factory fitted silver longitudinal ‘runners’ and found after taking off the front and rear caps covering the access point to the roof and gouging out the filler you come to what looks like insulation, which I didn’t want to dig into. It appears there are no ‘threaded holes’ to put the bolts into which would fix the rails to the roof.
Has anyone done this previously and if yes, how do I remove the existing runners and find the hole? Sorry the other images I’ve tried to attach are too big.

California4x4 · Apr 17, 2019

Is your use for these superficial or will you be loading them?

California4x4 · Apr 17, 2019

I don’t think, the integrated roof rails in the California roof are designed to come out.

If you want to carry loads, I would stick with the factory rails.

If it is a look you are going for, it might be possible to fabricate some adapter plates, that fix to the existing roof rails, and allow the longitudinal roof bars to fix to the plate.

I’ll be interested to see what you come up with.

18hunts · Apr 17, 2019

I think I vaguely remember seeing these fitted in the factory and, if my memory serves me right, they are not designed to be removed!

Cameron1960 · Apr 17, 2019

California4x4 said:
Is your use for these superficial or will you be loading them?

Just cosmetic!

Cameron1960 · Apr 17, 2019

California4x4 said:
I don’t think, the integrated roof rails in the California roof are designed to come out.

If you want to carry loads, I would stick with the factory rails.

If it is a look you are going for, it might be possible to fabricate some adapter plates, that fix to the existing roof rails, and allow the longitudinal roof bars to fix to the plate.

I’ll be interested to see what you come up with.

Will update as and when!

18hunts · Apr 17, 2019

Do these roof bars increase your height? One of the joys of a Cali is that it is under 2 metre and can get into places taller vehicles can't.

Cameron1960 · Apr 17, 2019

California4x4 said:
Is your use for these superficial or will you be loading them?

Good point, did not think of that!!

ArunAlec · Apr 18, 2019

I’d leave the existing rail untouched. I think you’ll find that it’s riveted to the roof, if you do manage to get it off without doing damage it’s likely to look a mess and would affect the resale value if it’s modified. Especially if it’s not functional just cosmetic .

18hunts · Apr 18, 2019

I believe you are right ArunAlec in them being riveted and in such a way that the rivet seems to amalgamate, meld in to the material making a really strong fix. Was also told that the bars gave the roof structural integrity, remove the bars and I hate to think what happens to the roof.

ArunAlec · Apr 18, 2019

18hunts said:
I believe you are right ArunAlec in them being riveted and in such a way that the rivet seems to amalgamate, meld in to the material making a really strong fix. Was also told that the bars gave the roof structural integrity, remove the bars and I hate to think what happens to the roof.

Also if the van is still in roof corrosion warranty I suspect VW would reject any claim.

cbdubs · Apr 18, 2019

The Cali roof goes full width across the van so I don't think you will be able to fit these without a lot of work and hassle. After market conversions tend not to go full width and the bolts in the roof that these bars fit onto are still there so they could be fitted. I think that is where the confusion lies.

Cameron1960 · Apr 18, 2019

So the long and short of it, decided to return them to Van Tech due to the responses I’ve received, they said they would refund my £65, but I’d have to pay return postage (haven’t even looked at how much this would be!), as the product description was correct in that they would fit a pop up roof by drilling holes in it!!! If you consider buying from them be VERY careful.