sylvanlights

I am looking for Protege5 owners who have completely removed their factory roof racks. Not just taken the cross-bars off, but completely removed.

I am a Canadian Protege5 owner and I am working on a custom rack installation on my car. As everyone knows, the Canadian Protege5 does not come with a factory roof rack and the dealer option is not satisfactory for me.

I am hoping that there is someone out here that has gone through the complete removal and has a few spare parts kicking around. I am looking for the following:

- the two (2) black trim pieces which fit into the grooves in the front of the roof. (approx. 12" long)

- the two (2) black trim pieces which fit into the grooves in the back of the roof (approx. 10" long)

If anyone can help a fellow Protege5 owner out, please contact me ASAP.

Thanks!
-=Doug

DaleK

Hey Doug,

Have you also checked with US dealer sites? If I understand correctly, the roof rack is an option on the US cars now, so it should be pretty straight forward (if not inexpensive) to get the factory bits direct from a dealer.

Wish I could help you out on this one.

What's wrong with the Mazda/Thule rack? Is it an appearance thing?

On another note, did you ever manage to figure out the pinouts for the tape/MD connector on the factory deck? I would be curious to know as I may be getting an Ipod this spring and am looking at options for getting it hooked into the factory deck without using an RF modulator option. Let me know!

Thanks!
Dale.

DaleK

Have you checked the other forum? This thread has some possibly useful info...

http://www.mazdamp3.com/vbb225/showthread.php?t=35018

sylvanlights

Dale,

The Mazda/Thule rack was not NEARLY versatile enough for my needs. I am an avid outdoors guy and needed the ability to vastly exceed the weight limits on the factory and/or Thule option. I also work at an outdoor shop, and it is not uncommon for me to need to drive around with two canoes on my car.

I tried the Yakima Q-Tower system but was not happy with the fit ... towers slid around a bit and began to damage my paint. Not good! Yakima admitted to me before I purchased the system that the P5 is a VERY difficult vehicle for them to fit because of the shape of the door jams. Thule is experiencing the same issues ( I talked to them at a buying show in Salt Lake).

The cosmetic issue was part of the decision as well. Because I use a rack very regularly, I really wanted something that could stay there, not damage the car, and look all right to boot! Tough standards, but I think I got it figured out ...

I decided to go a different (custom) route than what I have seen anyone doing on-line, and I can send you pictures in a few days.

-=D

sylvanlights

Thanks, but there isn't much there for what I am working on ...

-=D

sylvanlights

Got close, then I shoved it to the back of my work-bench. I got sick of having to pull out the deck in my car on a regular basis to check the latest experiment. I pretty-well called of the hunt, but still have a few things I MIGHT try if I ever find enough spare time.

I heard rumour of someone else figuring it out though ... not sure where I read it, but it was about 6 months back. Either on here, or on clubprotege.com.

-=D