Figured I would post here instead of a new thread. I have an 04 as well with the plastic. Today I went to make my crossbars out of unistrut like some others on the board have. Wanted to hang mine with U bolts instead of sitting them on top because I figured I could run directly under the two stock side bars without removing the plastic and some sltight trimming and it would let a roof basket sit even lowerfor less wind. Problem is the roof curves just a tad to much to go straight across with the unistrut under the side rails. So I'm back to square one.
Cacher123: I emailed you before, yours looks great and seems to work perfect but I am just concerned that the flat stock going across is only held down by the four relatively small botls(one at each corner). And that plastic is rated at 65lbs(figure the bars themselves could hold a bit more. I see you did replace the stock loopy thingy bolts for four regular ones though. How has that been, do you check it often or retighten them at all. Overall its worked well? Just want ppiece of mind during 75 on the highway ofcourse.
Thanks -Ryan