Why NO Low profile "Badlands" roof crossbars

[Summit]

I have searched extensively and for some reason no one seems to offer the low profile slick crossbars offered for most other trim level Bronco Sports.
I know the rails are different sizes but I may buy the slick low profile and figure out why. I don't have a sunroof and prefer ultra low profile cross bars.

If it is the shape of the ends I wondering if they can be modified. Length of rails, bolts....
Just odd that there are no low profile for Badlands.
I know I'm not alone on this issue.......

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[Bamsi]

I have searched extensively and for some reason no one seems to offer the low profile slick crossbars offered for most other trim level Bronco Sports.
I know the rails are different sizes but I may buy the slick low profile and figure out why. I don't have a sunroof and prefer ultra low profile cross bars.

If it is the shape of the ends I wondering if they can be modified. Length of rails, bolts....
Just odd that there are no low profile for Badlands.
I know I'm not alone on this issue.......

Seems mostly is the risk of sunroof hitting the bars if crossbars profile is too low!

 

[Bucko]

Seems mostly is the risk of sunroof hitting the bars if crossbars profile is too low!

OP stated they do not have a sun roof.

 

[magicbus]

Back in 2021 most everyone was getting a sunroof on their Badlands, in fact it may have been part of the BL trim level package and caused a number of us to switch from the First Edition. I guess the rail market hasn’t picked up on the lack of BL sunroof deliveries.

 

[mikldom]

I have 22 OBX (same rails as Badlands). I had the low crossbars and hated them. When attaching accessories you have so little room and drop bolts and bits onto the roof cause little room to get your hand in there. Got the taller ones and much happier.

 

[gatornek]

I think I remember reading a thread where someone did it with low profile crossbars (maybe RhinoRack or Thule ... can't remember) that were listed as "not for" the Bronco Sport. But he was able to do it anyway with little to no issues.

 

[omahafordowner]

I have searched extensively and for some reason no one seems to offer the low profile slick crossbars offered for most other trim level Bronco Sports.
I know the rails are different sizes but I may buy the slick low profile and figure out why. I don't have a sunroof and prefer ultra low profile cross bars.

If it is the shape of the ends I wondering if they can be modified. Length of rails, bolts....
Just odd that there are no low profile for Badlands.
I know I'm not alone on this issue.......

Hmm, I was unaware that the roof rails were different on the trims.

 

[CloneOBX]

Rhino Rack says theirs works on BL

https://www.rhinorack.com/en-us/products/roof-racks/cross-bar-roof-racks/vortex/vortex-stealthbar-black-2-bar-roof-rack_jc-01499

 

[RogueRodney]

Summit:

The one's in you picture looked pretty low profile.

My understanding is most (and Ford's crossbars) are higher profile due to the moon roof, it pulls back and angles up I believe (which to me is an odd design choice).

Anyway, I don't have a moon roof so I wanted some low profile bars. I started to order some expensive ones but then wondered why I was doing that.

I ended up getting sme generic ones someone else posted, here is the link.

There may be reasons these don't work for you, but they are pretty low profile compared to most and they work for me. Overall I don't have excessive noise till I get around 65+, but you're going to get noise given the insulated tin foil on the roof of the sport. Admittedly there are likely some more aerodynamic and quiter ones.

I use them to support a cargo basket.

Though I haven't used it yet, I purchased a Rooftop Cargo Bag to go with it.


Given the lack of easy access to the roof on the Bronco Sport, I purchased two of these to access the roof rack.

Honestly, I did it mainly for aesthetics. I wanted Hella Lights for no good reason... I've got Rigid Lightbars in front and back and some little ones on the side...

Hope it helps, Happy Trails Hombre...


RR

 

[Summit]

Thanks for the reply. I will be using mine for my Kayaks and so once on - I'm good.

After watching the video of these; I can't imagine not being able to modify to work.
I have a pretty extensive shop of tools for metal, plastics & wood, and have just about anything it takes to make or modify something.

https://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Carrier-Snowboard-Skiboard-Badlands/dp/B093C6LWMH/ref=sr_1_6?content-id=amzn1.sym.a9278e62-f0c8-4cfe-8f4d-dc5f3916d682:amzn1.sym.a9278e62-f0c8-4cfe-8f4d-dc5f3916d682&keywords=bronco+sport&pd_rd_r=ec532b94-174d-422a-8f18-3f82cd6f0f1e&pd_rd_w=VluDj&pd_rd_wg=EbzXl&pf_rd_p=a9278e62-f0c8-4cfe-8f4d-dc5f3916d682&pf_rd_r=1Y4W7FKBYR1KS826J6C7&qid=1706137640&sr=8-6

You like what you like and the Low profile looks very slick to me. It is all about my Kayaks.

Check that clip out - from what I see in the included clip, it looks like I could modify the seated ends to make it fit snug and secure.

 

[Summit]

I'm using the rack to transport my Kayaks both are 12'+.
Usually one at a time.
My double is and Driftsun inflatable when my wife and dawg go. It packs in a large back pack.
Super cool for those who want just throw the thing in the back of their BS and know they will be water bound.

Just bought this sweet kayak and very anxious to get the roof ready.

Lug this 12 footer around for years on my little Jeep Patriot.
Great Kayak and still have it.

See you on the water

 

[BourbonRunner]

Nice set of 'yaks, @Summit

I kicked around many different bars before settling on the Yakima feet with the HD bars. I had to get over my dislike for the higher profile but the potential upside won me over.

Reasons being:

--lower profile bars I found were not compatible with any expansion if I went that direction. I can pull the bars and drop a Yakima basket or platform on easily.

---Yakima, Thule, Rhino are some of the best equipment out there. There are cheaper but you take your chances with racks made from Chinesium with minimal QC.

---The Yakima HD bars have open ends with an attachment point on the end. https://yakima.com/products/hd-bar?_ga=2.252521609.1002258507.1706147800-2124780417.1706147800

I don't have an awning (yet) but am quite skilled at rigging tarps for shade when camping or down the beach fishing. I have one of these and though I haven't attached to the Bronquito yet, I have used it on my old Tacoma regularly. It will get used this summer. https://slumberjack.com/roadhouse-tarp/

---For odd shaped items the bar end can be used with narrow ratchet straps to hold to the rack.

---T-Tracks on the bars open up my attachment point options. In the summer when I throw my kayaks up I have Big Fists that I attach for my paddle and rods. Theoretically I could throw a shovel up there for wheeling, too.

 

[jofer]

Fwiw, your picture shows a standard Yakima setup. It's not especially low profile. I have the same thing. It's also lower profile than many of the crossbars, but it's standard yakima towers and a "b" size platform, iirc.

It does sit on separate towers that attach to the rails and not on the crossbars, though. That makes it overall about the same height as the crossbars.

 

[Bucko]

Back in 2021 most everyone was getting a sunroof on their Badlands, in fact it may have been part of the BL trim level package and caused a number of us to switch from the First Edition. I guess the rail market hasn’t picked up on the lack of BL sunroof deliveries.

Or other non BL Bronco Sport models without a sun roof. Ironically, my wife wanted a sun roof, but at the time of our purchase, the dealer did not have a model with one, and said ordering one would be lengthy delivery times, so we bought without this option.

 

[Summit]

Thanks for the replies and links.
I actually ordered and received the set that was in my first post from Amazon.
You can make them work if you pull the insert out BUT the way they are designed and made using plastic 'without the insert' they would be way to brittle and I wouldn't trust it.

SO, After a bit of research I landed at OMAC. I actually called to confirm these were Badland applicable. I found them in black, which is what I was after, and they said they are Badland approved. I just ordered and I will post after receiving and let forum know how they worked out.

There is a T insert that you can bolt your luggage rack or basket too - if not needed - it comes with a rubber strip covers it.

https://omacshop.com/products/roof-rack-cross-bars-luggage-carrier-black-adjustable-for-ford-bronco-sport-2021?_pos=3&_sid=f78e5eb4f&_ss=r

*Just a note: they do say "not for Sunroom equipped models" but I'm assuming that's if you wanted to open the sunroof. Mine does not have a sunroom.

And the antennae is a non issue - I've used my BS's without the antennae's and everything worked fine as far as the radio, SXM, Spotify, Pandora, and NAV.

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