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I have an 04 wagon and really want to get rid of the roof rails. The instructions in this thread are awesome, but wondering if anyone has done this on an 04 wagon? Is it the same part number for the roof mouldings?

Also, my plan was to then place yakima or thule racks on the car if needed using the clamps for the naked wagon roof. I talked to an installer in Seattle about this, and he said that due to the growing thickness of the frame just above the windows as you move to the back of the car, you would have to mount the clamps way up to the front of the car which may look a little sillly and will limit the wieght that you can carry. Just thought I would pass that on... I am going to check in with another installer in the area and compare notes. Interested to see if anyone has done this before???

I'll probably do this mod anyway as I would only be hauling snowboards, and I could always put the single seat down and lay them in the car... and 5 people in a WRX is kind of too close for comfort.

Thanks for any info you can provide...
 
Well, after more inventisgation I have found that the part numbers change for the roof mouldings each model year.
2002> FE010 & FE000
2003> FE061 & FE071
and then in 2004 things changed alittle because now there are two roof moulding pieces for each side.
2004> FE041 & FE051 (front, $28 each) FE021 & FE031 (rear $45 each)
And it sounds like the 2004 mouldings may not be what you need if you remove the racks. trying to confirm this...

I called a couple dealers in Canada, and I guess they no longer sell a 2004 2.5TS wagon without the racks, so not much help there. :(

If anyone has removed the roof racks yet on an 04, I would love to hear how it went and have the roof moulding part number info?

thanks
 
I answered my own question (about a stock wagon w/o rails) by asking a friend to do a photochop for me (she loves cats). This is what a wagon w/ stock wheels and shocks would look like, before and after:

Image


Image


Sorry about being in the in the photo. Those are sunglasses in my hand in the chop. I should ask her to put in a BFG or i-pod or something.. (or a dead cat) :p
 
I was wondering if anybody has found the elusive answer about the 04 roof railing removal?
Has the 04 change that much from the 02 / 03 . . .

I would love to do this.

Chris
 
The good news is that Subaru still offers a rail-less wagon in Japan:

http://www.subaru.co.jp/impreza/sportswagon/08/01.html

So at least we know that the roof trim part still exists.

Dray said:
Well, after more inventisgation I have found that the part numbers change for the roof mouldings each model year.
2002> FE010 & FE000
2003> FE061 & FE071
and then in 2004 things changed alittle because now there are two roof moulding pieces for each side.
2004> FE041 & FE051 (front, $28 each) FE021 & FE031 (rear $45 each)
And it sounds like the 2004 mouldings may not be what you need if you remove the racks. trying to confirm this...

I called a couple dealers in Canada, and I guess they no longer sell a 2004 2.5TS wagon without the racks, so not much help there. :(

If anyone has removed the roof racks yet on an 04, I would love to hear how it went and have the roof moulding part number info?

thanks
 
Quack said:
the '04's use the same trim piece. i did mine shortly after i posted. i think i have a pic on the board somewhere.

i can get the part # when i get back home tomorrow. i got mine from the dealer for ~$68 each
Thank you kind sir! Mine are defintiely going.
 
Here is a letter I recieved from an inquiy into 04 roof rail removal...I was told to order extra clips... Just in case

I will do this in august.

Below is a list of all the parts you would need in order to remove your
roof rails, all of these parts are special order and would take about 1
week to get in. If you would like to order theese parts we would need for
you to pay in advance.
91046FE000 MOULDING = $68.58
91046FE010 MOULDING = $68.58
909130022 CLIP = $2.37 each qty required = 14
909300044 CAP = $1.77 each qty reguired = 2
909130021 CLIP = $2.37 each qty reguired = 6
909130069 CLIP = $3.71 each qty required = 1
909130064 CLIP = $3.71 each qty required = 1
 
little bit o' info.

I took mine off last Thursday night. The most difficult part is taking the "oh ****" handle molding off without using a tool. But, a word of warning to the stupid people like me!

Do not over tighten the bolts that hold the handles to the frame up front! had to drill a hole in the busted bolt and use a screw extractor... the bolts are especially weak as they appear to be somewhat self tapping... dunno, but that have some cuts in them that act as stress concentrations.

Looks great without those rails, and now I can use a normal yakima Q-tower setup back there.

edit to add:
I REUSED ALL MY CLIPS TOO!
just pull the front of the little front portion and then slide off. and the big rearward portion you can just carefully slide off the clips. dang, i wish I'd taken pics...
 
Thanks for the tips!

One uestion still in my mind is the "expansion" bolts/nuts- what do these look like? I'm having a hard time envisioning these.

Thanks

Mike
 
Big Sky WRX said:
One uestion still in my mind is the "expansion" bolts/nuts- what do these look like? I'm having a hard time envisioning these.
[/B]
Do you live near a home depot? It's pretty easy to get 'em there.

Here's a picture (disregard the size called out in the pic. I found these real quick online...):
Image


don't forget the screws and washers also.

However, the frontmost holes are all oblong, yet the two rearmost holes are circular and smaller. I took a different approach then others here. While some people drill these last holes larger to fit the expansion nuts, I simply used some #10-24 SS machine screws and nuts and made big rubber washers with an old bike tube. It worked great, sealed the hole, and didn't involve drillling. I'd probably use this method for all the holes if I were to do it again... I wasn't impressed with those expansion nuts.

You riding in an 04 wagon now?
 
OK- thanks. I do have a home depot relatively close (close for MT anyways- 140 miles;) ).

Yup I've got a new pony- 04 wagon:D

Big Sky
 
Balthus said:
Here is a letter I recieved from an inquiy into 04 roof rail removal...I was told to order extra clips... Just in case

I will do this in august.

Below is a list of all the parts you would need in order to remove your
roof rails, all of these parts are special order and would take about 1
week to get in. If you would like to order theese parts we would need for
you to pay in advance.
91046FE000 MOULDING = $68.58
91046FE010 MOULDING = $68.58
909130022 CLIP = $2.37 each qty required = 14
909300044 CAP = $1.77 each qty reguired = 2
909130021 CLIP = $2.37 each qty reguired = 6
909130069 CLIP = $3.71 each qty required = 1
909130064 CLIP = $3.71 each qty required = 1
the parts for the molding are what i used. i didn't get any extra clips.

if you can't find the plugs the silicone route works too. no leaks in the ~2 months that i've had the rails off.
 
Yep, I think I pulled the numbers from one of your ealier post's. I have been going back and forth about doing this, but I am commited now...

Wagons rule!
 
I got the mouldings from my dealer (ordered today!)- freight was a little pricey on line- he gave me a good deal at $56 each.

Hopefully I won't break any of the clips when doing this- after three years I'm just starting to master the many plastic clips Subaru uses:)

A dab of silicone on each one sounds like a good plan.

Mike
 
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