I noticed that the Lancer Sportback uses a fixed point mounting system for a roof rack in their roof rails as opposed to the sedans, which rely on the door clip style mounts.

I'm wondering if it is possible to swap out the Sportback roof rail onto a sedan..

Anyone try this?

 

good question I would like to know as well.

 

I don't think it will work. Most cars that use that system have a welded-on nut under the roof moldings, or bolt from underneath the headliner. The Evo does not have that type of threaded fastener under the molding. I will look next time I have a sportback here because I could be wrong about how Mitsubishi's system works.

 

Sorry for the double post but here it is. The sportback has the mounting hardware under the molding.

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/09...ack-stuff.html

 

Yeah, I saw that thread. I'm wondering what's under there.

I'm not opposed to popping off my headliner and epoxying nuts under there. I'm just hoping the rail itself will fit to keep it factory looking when the rack is not in place...

 

Anything is possible, it just costs $$$$$. It definitely could be done. You shouldn't need to take off the headliner because it is an option and can almost guarantee that it bolts from the top. You would just need to do some measuring between the roof moldings on your car, and compare to the distance between the moldings on a sportback. Then epoxy or weld threaded nuts into the channels on the roof, install the rack, and trim your existing roof moldings to fit around the rack. It shouldn't be too hard if you get your measurements correct. And on the plus side, it would be a great write up...

 

Why not just get the Thule kit with the legs? I have them on my Evo for hauling my snowboard and bike around and works just fine.

 

Oh I know it will work. But if I have an option to not use the door clips I'd like to take it...

Any pics of your setup? Are you running the square or the aero bars?

 

Yeah, that's why I was wondering what the Sportback rails look like - I want to see how the factory did it..

 

The part that the rack bolts to is part of the roof skin, not the rail. It's a tab with a threaded hole for the rack bolt(s).

I can take a photo later if it makes it clearer.

 

Thanks, finally found one at a dealer today. The brackets themselves are inexpensive-only $6.00 a piece. They are bolted through the car though, and from the factory at least, appear to have an epoxy to seal them and are factory painted as well.