Removing roof rails-classic Impreza 5dr

[KB_S1]

Anyone know if it is an easy job?

I had a look this afternoon and couldn't see any obvious way of detaching them.

I am never going to use them and I am intrigued to see how it looks without them. Must be a fair bit of weight in them too I would think.

[mmcd87]

Don't quote me but I'm sure I've read before that they are 5-10kg so pretty heavy. You have to drop the roof lining as they are bolted on I believe.

[ScoobieWRX]

They add longitudinal stiffness and strengthen the roof in conjunction with the built in rollover hoops, and provide straight line aero stability at high speed.

[japgt]

Depending on year there are two ways of doing it.

Early cars have a cover at each end of the rail which you pop off and then unbolt from outside the car, pull the strips out, replace with ones from a sport that didnt have rails.

If it is a later car, then you have to remove the roof lining to do it and then the same applies from this point.

Obviously it is easier on the early cars but still not a major job either way, ive just done it to my 94 sti wagon, and im really happy with the way the car looks

[KB_S1]

ScoobieWRX said:

They add longitudinal stiffness and strengthen the roof in conjunction with the built in rollover hoops, and provide straight line aero stability at high speed.

Is the stiffness factor true?

It is a W-reg so it looks like roof lining is the only way, not sure if I want to do that. Interior trim never seems to go back properly after fiddling with it.

[DocJock]

If you still intend doing this, I suggest pricing up the trims first.

I had a stone strike wreck an A-pillar trim on mine, and the partial trim (I still have roof rails) was stupidly expensive.

Don't forget as well that you WILL break some of the retaining clips and they're a daft price too.

[japgt]

I have a friend who has just removed the trims you need for the job from a car that he is breaking if you are interested, along with clips.