Mounting a Roof Box to a 2016 Lincoln MKT

Question:

I’m looking to purchase an 18 or 21 Cu-Ft Roof Box but currently have no Roof Rails or Rack on my 2016 Lincoln MKT. What would be required to install above or does it come with mounting hardware to mount directly to a naked roof.

asked by: Robert B

Expert Reply:

For all roof boxes like the Thule Force XT XXL, part # TH6359B, you'll need a roof rack to mount the box to.

For your 2016 Lincoln MKT, I recommend an all-in-one kit like the Rhino Rack, part # RR58GR.

To fit a roof box you'll need to make sure of two measurements, the crossbar spread and the front clearance.

The crossbar spread is the measurement from the center of the front bar to the center of the rear bar. For the Rhino Rack kit, its 29.53 inches.

The front clearance is the measurement from the center of the front bar to the line where your hatch meets your roof. You can take an approximate measurement of this distance by using the installation instructions for the roof bars. The front bar will sit about 4-1/2 inches towards the windshield of your vehicle from the top corner of the front door jamb. You can measure from this point back to the hatch to get an approximate distance for fitting a box.

For the Thule Force XT XXL, part # TH6359B that you looked at, you'll need at least 54-3/4 inches for this box to be a fit for your vehicle and allow the rear hatch to operate normally. Keep in mind if its close, that adjusting the box forward using its mounting channels can allow for it to have a better fit.