Fairing to work with factory rails?

jesse · November 18th, 2011, 11:51 PM

I've looked a bit.. Yakima fairings only work with round bars apparently (I have one, and can confirm mine is round bars only).

Apparently the Thule 871XT works with aero and square Thule bars, but does anyone know if that means they'll fit the P5 factory rails?

This web site seems to suggest it will, and has at least some closer pictures of the mounting hardware, although the clips look almost completely square, whereas the factory rails are rectangular (30mm wide, 20mm tall I think?)

http://www.etrailer.com/Roof-Rack/MA...id=20021016969

Any other brand suggestions for a 38-40" fairing for the factory rails?

Couldn't seem to find anything searching the forums for "Thule", only posts with the Thule roof rack system itself. Same thing searching for "fairing" in a sense, nothing related to the factory rails.

EDIT: OR is there anyone with a Thule roof rack, with square bars, that can quickly measure the width/height of the bars for me to see if they are the same size as the factory roof rails? Thanks!!

EDIT 2: I seem to have found a web site that states Thule square bars are 22mmx32mm in size, if this is true the Thule fairing should theoretically work... still if someone could confirm for sure I would love that!
http://www.saveanddrive.co.uk/delete...difference.htm

jesse · November 19th, 2011, 11:42 AM

Bit the bullet. Searched online, eBay, 38" 871XT Thule fairing was around $95USD shipped (plus whatever duty & CDN tax may be charged)..

Called a local Thule dealer (Action Van & Truck in London) and it was $92+tax CDN, with 2 in stock.

This DOES fit the factory rails just fine!

Note for anyone that gets this. factory rails are 30.5" from plastic to plastic. There are 4 mounts, 1" thick each. Put the 2 outside mounts 2" in from the plastic edge, and other 2 middle mounts have 7.5" space between them. This will evenly space them all out properly.

2" + 1" mount + 7.5" + 1" mount + 7.5" + 1" mount + 7.5" + 1" mount + 2" = 30.5"

That way the measuring is done for you

Pictures to show parts, fitment:

Parts in box

Rough fitment (other 2 clips are for my board carrier)

Mounted up

How it sits with sunroof (all 4 feet sit in FRONT of the sunroof panel, does not affect it!)

ALSO to note - the kit comes with 4 soft pads for the bottom of the mounts, AND 4 clear stickers to stick to the actual roof to prevent rubbing, so it takes good measures to protect your paint. However, due to wind possibly vibrating the mounts back and forth, I may be looking to get a full clear sheet to cover the front of the roof, back to the sunroof fully, which will also help protect against stone chips and such anyway in front of the fairing.

Overview shot

Closer in with snowboard carrier

iamthewheelman · November 21st, 2011, 08:36 AM

Nice, makes me wish I had an excuse to get the factory roof rack lol

MVP- · January 21st, 2012, 05:51 PM

Sorry to bump and old thread but I recently put the Thule fairing on my protege 5 and with the same OEM rails but the 2 ends aren't flush. Did you adjust anything when putting yours on ?

jesse · March 18th, 2012, 09:00 PM

Crap I didn't see this reply... I should really subscribe to my own threads haha

Not sure what you mean they aren't flush?
The 2 ends should be a bit shorter to give the fairing a bit of a curve at the ends.. I followed the provided instructions step by step and had no issue.

November 18th, 2011, 11:51 PM	#1
jesse Members Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: London, ON Posts: 148	Fairing to work with factory rails? I've looked a bit.. Yakima fairings only work with round bars apparently (I have one, and can confirm mine is round bars only). Apparently the Thule 871XT works with aero and square Thule bars, but does anyone know if that means they'll fit the P5 factory rails? This web site seems to suggest it will, and has at least some closer pictures of the mounting hardware, although the clips look almost completely square, whereas the factory rails are rectangular (30mm wide, 20mm tall I think?) http://www.etrailer.com/Roof-Rack/MA...id=20021016969 Any other brand suggestions for a 38-40" fairing for the factory rails? Couldn't seem to find anything searching the forums for "Thule", only posts with the Thule roof rack system itself. Same thing searching for "fairing" in a sense, nothing related to the factory rails. EDIT: OR is there anyone with a Thule roof rack, with square bars, that can quickly measure the width/height of the bars for me to see if they are the same size as the factory roof rails? Thanks!! EDIT 2: I seem to have found a web site that states Thule square bars are 22mmx32mm in size, if this is true the Thule fairing should theoretically work... still if someone could confirm for sure I would love that! http://www.saveanddrive.co.uk/delete...difference.htm __________________ Jesse 2002 Mazda Protege 5, Yellow London, ON Last edited by jesse; November 19th, 2011 at 07:53 AM.

November 21st, 2011, 08:36 AM	#3
iamthewheelman Members Join Date: May 2011 Location: Dundas, Ontario Posts: 659	Nice, makes me wish I had an excuse to get the factory roof rack lol __________________ 2008 Honda Civic LX 5-Speed-Daily 1998 Honda Civic CX B20B Swaped-Track Car 2003.5 Blazing Yellow Mazdaspeed Protege-Project Car 2004 Toyota Matrix XRS (Written Off) 2003 Black Mica Protege5 (Sold)

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November 19th, 2011, 11:42 AM	#2
jesse Members Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: London, ON Posts: 148	Bit the bullet. Searched online, eBay, 38" 871XT Thule fairing was around $95USD shipped (plus whatever duty & CDN tax may be charged).. Called a local Thule dealer (Action Van & Truck in London) and it was $92+tax CDN, with 2 in stock. This DOES fit the factory rails just fine! Note for anyone that gets this. factory rails are 30.5" from plastic to plastic. There are 4 mounts, 1" thick each. Put the 2 outside mounts 2" in from the plastic edge, and other 2 middle mounts have 7.5" space between them. This will evenly space them all out properly. 2" + 1" mount + 7.5" + 1" mount + 7.5" + 1" mount + 7.5" + 1" mount + 2" = 30.5" That way the measuring is done for you Pictures to show parts, fitment: Parts in box Rough fitment (other 2 clips are for my board carrier) Mounted up How it sits with sunroof (all 4 feet sit in FRONT of the sunroof panel, does not affect it!) ALSO to note - the kit comes with 4 soft pads for the bottom of the mounts, AND 4 clear stickers to stick to the actual roof to prevent rubbing, so it takes good measures to protect your paint. However, due to wind possibly vibrating the mounts back and forth, I may be looking to get a full clear sheet to cover the front of the roof, back to the sunroof fully, which will also help protect against stone chips and such anyway in front of the fairing. Overview shot Closer in with snowboard carrier

January 21st, 2012, 05:51 PM	#4
MVP- Members Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2	Sorry to bump and old thread but I recently put the Thule fairing on my protege 5 and with the same OEM rails but the 2 ends aren't flush. Did you adjust anything when putting yours on ?

March 18th, 2012, 09:00 PM	#5
jesse Members Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: London, ON Posts: 148	Crap I didn't see this reply... I should really subscribe to my own threads haha Not sure what you mean they aren't flush? The 2 ends should be a bit shorter to give the fairing a bit of a curve at the ends.. I followed the provided instructions step by step and had no issue.