How to Install the Thule 3142 Fit Kit for Podium Style Foot Packs on a Jeep Grand Cherokee

Question:

The question of the 3142 fit kit attaching to the Jeep roof rail was asked twice and either time it wasnt answered very clearly. I have attached a photo of the area that I do believe the initial questioned was directed to. They wanna know if the L shaped area at the bottom of the bracket should hook into the lip of the roof rail or is it only the bolt that is holding the bracket to the roof rail once everything is tightened up? The 1st picture in the instructions shows that the L shape at the bottom of the bracket is possibly hooked into the roof rail, then the next picture shows the L shape at the bottom of the bracket sitting at the bottom of the rail after the bolt has been tightened. So this would tell me that the bolt is the main component holding the Thule crossbar to the roof rail of the Jeep. The L shape at the bottom of the bracket is then not hooked into the lip of the rail? Just looking for a little better clarification

asked by: Tim

Expert Reply:

There are two main components to the Thule Fit Kit for Podium Style Foot Pack part # THKIT3142, a rubber moulding and a metal fit clip. The rubber moulding is contoured to the shape of the side rail but does not hook or clip onto the rail. It will just simply sit on top of the rail. However, the metal fit clip does indeed hook onto the track inside of the rail therefore the bolt is not the only thing securing the roof rack to your vehicle though it is the main component.

I will admit that the install instructions do not exactly do a good job of explaining this but if you take a look at the attached install video that should help you understand how they install. As you can see at around the 4:00 mark, the metal clip actually has to be installed at an angle due to how the hook secures inside the track.

I really hope this answers your question but if it does not then please just let me know. I am sure once you gather all the components it will start to make sense to you if the above does not help.

expert reply by: Conner L