Ok, after thinking about it, I am persuaded that my 'Truck Tie-Down Anchors (http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=27292)' on the xB roof was a bad idea :oops: and that Roof Rails (the kind seen on most new mini vans and small SUVs) are the way to go for me. I'm still convinced that I want them screwed down into the roof for a clean, factory look; I don't want the removable kind of rack that mounts with clamps.

I want two low-profile light weight rails with no cross bars. Kind of like this RAV4's rails but without the cross bar:

http://www.toyota.com/images/vehicles/rav4/gallery/exterior/photo_14.jpg

I reread the major xB Forum Threads on Roof Racks and found several other xB owners wanting the same info that I'm asking for:

* How and where can you screw into the xB roof to secure rails?

* Does anyone have pics of the inside xB roof structure?

... I saw a guy with a Yakima on an xb.......he had nice small rails screwed into the roof that the rack mounted to.....it was very clean and sturdy.
... The advantage to the rails is that you have more flexibility on the span of the rack to use different accessories, etc.
... you can get rails at JC whitney online for like 65 bucks. You should get them professionally installed (they screw into the roof) but they should have a clean "stock" look and shouldn't make wind noise.
... I'd sure like to see the underside of the roof without the headliner in place, so that I could locate the roof structure.
... I am leery of racks not designed for the vehicle, because they probably don't pick up the "hard points" in the roof structure that a properly designed rack would. If it's just attached to sheet metal it will oil-can and look bad if the rack is loaded to capacity ... The next time that someone has their headliner out, I hope that they will take some pictures of what the under-roof structure looks like. That would be very helpful to those of us in search of a proper _usable_ rack!
Please help with pics or suggestions. Thanks. :D RPM

http://www.f150online.com/galleries/albumview.cfm?num=5079

Go to "Other Toys" for roof pics without the headliner. Sorry I can't post a picture, they don't let me crosslink.

Go to "Other Toys" for roof pics without the headliner...
Thanks for the link. :D Perfecto... RPM

I did some further research and found the rails that I'm looking for what seems to be a good price... $87 shipped.

The pair are Perrycraft DynaSport Roof Rails Model #DSXX75-B. They have a black polyester powder coat finish, are a total of 75" long and you can add optional heavy duty Mont Blanc crossbar attachments with four locks if needed.

http://www.perrycraft.com/images/01ds_rails_rav4.jpg

http://www.perrycraft.com/roof_racks/DynaSport.htm

I'm going to order from Proline Products:

http://www.prolineracks.com/perrycraft-dynsport-roof-rails.html

They have a wide assortment of other racks including Thule and Yakima.

http://www.prolineracks.com/roof-racks.html

Thanks again to Venusfly for the link to the pics of the inside xB roof structure... I'm looking forward to my new Roof Rails. I think they will look good on my dark tinted TCM xB. :P RPM

I bought the same rails along with DynaSport's crossbars, in fact I'm installing them today. The Mont Blanc cross bars seem like a good idea especially for plywood and such. I wish I had known about them before I ordered . I agree, I think the rails will look sharp on my Polar White with red and black business decals on the side. I'll post pics later today if it stops raining.

I bought the same rails along with DynaSport's crossbars, in fact I'm installing them today. The Mont Blanc cross bars seem like a good idea especially for plywood and such. I wish I had known about them before I ordered ...
Here's a pic of the DynaSport Rails with the #MB-AW Mont Blanc Aero Wing Cross Bars:
http://www.prolineracks.com/mont-blanc-aero-crossbars-lrg.jpg

They look pretty good and they're removable.

Here's where they could be ordered:

http://www.prolineracks.com/mont-blanc-aero-wing-crossbars.html

I look forword to seeing your pics of your DynaSport Roof Rack. I ordered my Rails on Friday and should have them in about a week. How difficult was the installation; any tips? Thanks. :D RPM

My question about install tips was answered in a separate thread. For the record...

I finished the roof rack. It was very simple, took about 30 mins. ... The one tip I'll give you is be very gentle with the sheet metal screws. The roof is very thin and soft. Use a hand screw driver not a screw gun and just snug them up carefully. I had two strip out and had to go up one size screw. Also, I put a blob of clear silicon in each hole to prevent the hole edges from rusting. The screws are waxed so this is just an extra precaution.
Thanks! :D RPM

With a great deal of help from my son Iam finally able to post pictures. This is the Dyna Sport rack with raised side rails and crossbars. I think the side rails are what you ordered. As I said it was a relatively simple installation.
http://www1.coe.neu.edu/~jmalone/scion/Scion%20001.jpg

Exaclty what I want, Great find!
Could you please post where you ordered it? I would like to get the exact same set up you have, so what part numbers did you get?
Thanks a bunch for the pic.

http://www.a1-autoracks.com/perrycraft-dynsport-roof-racks.html

They don't have the XB (Scion) in their ordering list.
What model did you use to get the 75" long rack?

With a great deal of help from my son Iam finally able to post pictures. This is the Dyna Sport rack with raised side rails and crossbars. I think the side rails are what you ordered. As I said it was a relatively simple installation.
Thanks very much for the pic! You've got a great son there ... I've got two great adult sons too.

Looks like you got the 65" length. I ordered the 75" length even though the 'PerryCraft Application Guide' recommended the 65" rails for the xB. I decided that since there was about 80" of usable flat roof surface, I'd go for the max.

The rack looks great on your xB. I get mine tomorrow (Friday) via UPS. I'll install it this weekend. Thanks again. :D RPM

Yea, he's a great kid(one of four). He's a 3rd year engineering student at

Northeastern University so this stuff is second nature to him. The hardest part was

explaining it to his old man. These are indeed the 65" rails only because I didn't

realize that the there were 75" rails. I wish I had talked to you a week and a half ago.

Oh well. It looks good and works well so what's a few inches.

Not to sound stupid, but exactly how do these things work? Could I mount a couple bikes to this rack? I know nothing about these racks. Thanks

... Could I mount a couple bikes to this rack? ...
You need the rack (rails and cross bars) plus an optional bike attachment. See the following web pages:

http://www.a1-autoracks.com/perrycraft-dynsport-roof-racks.html

http://www.a1-autoracks.com/bike-rack-roof-mount.html

http://www.a1-autoracks.com/perrycraft-dynsport-roof-rails.html

http://www.a1-autoracks.com/mont-blanc-crossbars.html

Hope this helps. :D RPM

Thanks, that really explains it all.

Those roof rails look really sweet, and I can definitely atest that this is one thing missing on these boxes...I so wished they came with them stock, but I'm willing to add the aftermarket ones no problem :)

Thanks for posting the pics and the links to the parts ordering info :)

DAN

would you guys be able to tell me if you could fit a moonroof w/in the confines of the rails? i am talking about the Webasto big 'un we all want.
the outside diensions are:

30" x 27"

thanks.

You might be able to. Im not sure if this is the sunroof in question but it might be. Looks like it might be a close call.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/670000-670999/670464_4_full.jpg

would you guys be able to tell me if you could fit a moonroof w/in the confines of the rails? ...
the outside diensions are:

30" x 27"
If chucksu's pic is correct, I agree with him, "Looks like it might be a close call."

The DynaSport Rail end stanchions (supports) measure 2.187" wd x 8.5" lg.

Perrycraft has a toll free number and I've already called them about the 75" length fitting. I suggest you contact them and ask about the moonroof:

E-mail: customerservice@perrycraft.com

Telephone: 800-777-7081

Fax: 336-768-6792

Also see the notes about moonroofs in the 'Application Guide.'

http://www.perrycraft.com/Application_Guide.htm

Good luck. :D RPM

I installed my PerryCraft DynaSport 75" long #DSXX75-B black Roof Rails yesterday.
Here's a few supplemental install tips (in additional to PennyPincher's helpful tips).

The two Rails come "bowed" for vehicles with more curvature in the roof than our almost straight, flat roofs.
To make the rails fit the xB you must carefully bend the rails.
First set the rails, end supports and center support on the roof and notice about how much to bend to make them fit.
Then, take the rails to a flat floor and set up two 2x4 wood scraps under each end support, remove the center support and position the rail into the end supports.
Carefully, using other lumber scraps, apply steady, centered body weight pressure down on the curved rail and rock your body weight up and down.
Test the bending on the xB roof (a small amount of bowing should remain).

I used a sharp, new 7/64" drill bit for the pilot holes (instead of the 1/8" bit recommended in the instructions).
This produced slightly smaller holes for the self-tapping screws and I think helped avoid stripping.

Position of the 75" rails on the xB's roof is each person's preference. I decided on the following:

RearRoofEdge=>|<= 3" =>(EndSupport)==RAIL==|CenterSupport|==RAIL==(EndSupport)

I was pleased to find that using the 3" from the Rear Roof Edge (excluding the hatch) my Center Support screws anchored into Roof Structure
(not just sheet metal, like the three screws in each of the four End Supports.

I chose to position the outside edge of the End Supports 1.5" from the inside edge of the black rubber rain gutters.

I am very pleased with the way my rails turned out and will eventually post pics once I complete a few other mods.
Hope these tips help someone. :D RPM

Does the 75" model interfere with the rear spoiler on the xB? Can it be easily shortened if it does interfere with the spoiler. I need a good canoe carrier. This rack looks perfect. Any way to put anchor points on the front of the car where tie downs for the canoe wouldn't take paint off the hood?

Does the 75" model interfere with the rear spoiler on the xB?
* I do not know for sure; I don't think so.

Can it be easily shortened if it does interfere with the spoiler.
* I'm pretty sure that the rails can shortened by cutting them off.

I need a good canoe carrier. This rack looks perfect.
* Watch the weight and wind drag. An xB is not an SUV.

Any way to put anchor points on the front of the car where tie downs for the canoe wouldn't take paint off the hood?
* I do not know about protecting the paint... seems like it could be done.
* For anchor points see the following web page about loads and warnings:

http://www.perrycraft.com/FAQ.htm

It says:

"Large or flat items such as plywood or watercraft can trap air and create wind lift. Secure the ends of such objects directly to the vehicle bumpers or tie downs."

The xB comes with one heavy duty metal towing bolt with hook which can be attached through a pop-out door in the front or rear bumper. See the owner's manual under towing for a description of this bolt. If I was hauling a canoe or plywood, I would buy a second towing bolt and secure the load from front and back with rope.

Good luck. Hope this helps. RPM

If the towing bolt could be duplicated on both sides of both
bumpers what a boon that would be for tie downs.

As it stand though, loads that would loft could best be tied by
cracking the four side windows open and roping through and over
the load, right?

I'm wondering about the exact location for the center support for 65" rails, I'd sure like to hit that roof cross-beam. The pics w/o headliner seem to indicate that the dome light screws into that cross beam, still the pic is for a '04, (mine is 2006).

Any suggestions?

It's supposed to arrive today.

Thanks, Kerry