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Fairing for MK7 OEM Roof Rack?

CMD_Z

CMD_Z

New member
Location
SoCal
I can't seem to find any suitable fairings for the OEM VW Roof Rack (MK7, part #5G4071126). Days on Google and forums, and I can only find universal fit versions that block the T-Track or instructions for modifying fairings that are no longer available and critical information lost in "missing image" placeholders.

Requirements:
  • Currently available for sale (not out-of-production, used Ebay items)
  • Can't block the T-Track (I want to keep the rack on, but quickly add/remove bike carriers)
  • Willing to drill into the rack to make it work

Thule looks like the brand that keeps showing up in photos of MK6 OEM racks. Not sure if those were modded, which model they were or if they're even still available. Can't believe this has been so hard to find.

Any help is appreciated! I'd even settle for stories of commiseration. :)
 
J

Jlewiss

New member
Location
Chesterfield VA
CMD_Z said:
I can't seem to find any suitable fairings for the OEM VW Roof Rack (MK7, part #5G4071126). Days on Google and forums, and I can only find universal fit versions that block the T-Track or instructions for modifying fairings that are no longer available and critical information lost in "missing image" placeholders.

Requirements:
  • Currently available for sale (not out-of-production, used Ebay items)
  • Can't block the T-Track (I want to keep the rack on, but quickly add/remove bike carriers)
  • Willing to drill into the rack to make it work

Thule looks like the brand that keeps showing up in photos of MK6 OEM racks. Not sure if those were modded, which model they were or if they're even still available. Can't believe this has been so hard to find.

Any help is appreciated! I'd even settle for stories of commiseration. :)
Click to expand...

You find anything CMD? Looking for fairing that looks good on mk7 OEM rack, the Inno one looks kind of goofy in how it attaches to the OEM rack bar. I modded my old mk5 OEM jetta rack for a Thule fairing to fit...
 
J

Jovian

Drag Racing Champion
Location
Denver, CO
Car(s)
2016 VW GTI
There is no pretty fitting fairing without modification to the bar itself that I have been able to find.

Most go with the Inno fairing which clamps around the bar. Its a universal fit so not as clean.

Some as Jlewiss mentioned drill the bar the mount other fairs to make it look cleaner.

I myself ended up taking off my fairing as it didnt help MPG and actually created more noise. Im sure I could of played with adjusting it but decided it wasnt worth the effort.
 
Predatorbird

Predatorbird

Ready to race!
Location
FL
I modified the bracket on my Thule fairing to mount to the OEM bars. I didn't have to drill into the bars.


 
2slowvw

2slowvw

I show up when i feel like it and delete threads
Location
VA
Car(s)
2022 Tesla Model 3
The INNO fairing fits well on our cars and is pretty cheap.
 
J

Jlewiss

New member
Location
Chesterfield VA
per my og msg, I do not like how the inno fairing looks, how it attaches to the oem mk7 rack looks cheap and crappy.
I've got the 44" thule fairing on the way (still dont have roof rack yet tho), once I have everything I'll be modding the rack and or fairing and post pics.
 
J

Jlewiss

New member
Location
Chesterfield VA
predatorbird said:
Yes it's the 44''. It was very hard to find and I paid way too much for a new one on ebay.
Click to expand...

yeah, I couldn't find any of the older Thule fairings predatorbird so I got one of the newer ones, 44" too. Looks like it may be better engineered....



who knows though... I'll know by end of weekend, as fairing will be here tomorrow. I'll post pics ASAP once I have it modified and tested w oem rack.
 
J

Jlewiss

New member
Location
Chesterfield VA
So the newer style Thule fairing is now on my OEM mk7 rack.
It was not easy, not for unskilled or faint of heart at doing small projects, and took a good hour, hour and a half, to get everything I needed, make measurements and put it all together.
I did drill into the OEM rack, but only 4 small holes (.25 inch) and I also had to drill out the heavy duty VW "rivets" (2 at each side of front piece of rack) - I used same screws, nuts and lock washers I used to put fairing on that I used to replace the vw rivets.
Finished product works well and cut down most wind noise. At 75-80mph some whistling noises can be heard.
here's a few shots, incl where I had to drill out the vw rivets. let me know if you have any questions.


 
S

spiiitfire

New member
Location
Massachusetts & Virginia
Car(s)
17 Midnight Blue GTI
thanks for the guide @Jlewiss. I am planning to do this in the next few days. How come you have plastic pieces on your top bar even though they serve no purpose? Can they not be removed? To make it look exactly like the photo of the white Jetta you posted earlier in the thread?
 
Das Weib GTI

Das Weib GTI

Passed Driver's Ed
Location
Manassass VA
Car(s)
2020 GTI SE
Jlewiss said:
So the newer style Thule fairing is now on my OEM mk7 rack.
It was not easy, not for unskilled or faint of heart at doing small projects, and took a good hour, hour and a half, to get everything I needed, make measurements and put it all together.
I did drill into the OEM rack, but only 4 small holes (.25 inch) and I also had to drill out the heavy duty VW "rivets" (2 at each side of front piece of rack) - I used same screws, nuts and lock washers I used to put fairing on that I used to replace the vw rivets.
Finished product works well and cut down most wind noise. At 75-80mph some whistling noises can be heard.
here's a few shots, incl where I had to drill out the vw rivets. let me know if you have any questions.


Click to expand...
Hey JLewiss,
I saw you handy work. Spot on. Just a few questions. It looks like you took the aero mounts and trimmed the long end to lie flat under the rails? Also, it looks the short end of the aero mount clips to the top the rails.
I take it you drilled out the rivets to gain access to the inside the rail to install the nuts and bolts for the aero mount. Or, did you tap the holes and just use screws from the outside?
Very slick install; looking to do it myself.

Cheers,
Ben
 
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