The PO of my rig took the roof rack off and just put globs of silicone down in the well nuts. I want to go to the JY and grab a set of rails for my XJ, but don't know what bolt type was in it originally, and I don't feel like lugging sockets, allen keys, screwdrivers and a bunch of other tools around the yard with me.

What tools do the nuts on factory rails take?

 

Factory rails take a torx bit. I just took mine off a few weeks ago so I can't remember the size off the top of my head but if you bring a pocketful of normal torx sizes you should be fine

 

Use a magnetic torx bit so you don't have to fish the screws out of the rails.

 

If it's not magnetic you can make it so. Use the strongest magnet available, drag tool across magnet in one direction only, repeat numerous times.
Creates a temporary magnet. The more passes, the stronger the field.

Not sure if they teach that in school these days

 

Awesome, thank you! I'll just take the strip of torx with me.

I keep a magnet just for magnetising my tools. Works great for hammers too!

 

I believe that it's a T-25 and I also believe that the screws are non-ferrous stainless so no amount of magnetization will make them stick to your screwdriver but I might be wrong about the nature of their composition, it's been a while since I replaced mine.

 

magnetized or not, I like the torx bits for their ability to 'stick' to the bits and the secure engagement.

Good to see you around F1Addict

 

Thanks, Steve... it's good to be around.

Totally agree about Torx, plus the fact that the bit will usually break before the screw strips.

 

I though it was Allen head, bring both.

 

'89 used Torx.

 

It's definitely torx.

 

Torx-25. Screw and insert nut is ferrous metal.
Will need a longer T-25 than those stubby ones that fits in drill driver bit, the driver bit will not fit into roof-rail hole (picture).
The longer bits are supplied with boxes of torx screws from hardware store.

 

Yep, yall are right. Just checked mine. But I was able to get to all mine with one of the little screwdriver bits and a little hand magnetic screw driver.