Kayak on roof with no crossbars?

I have a Ford explorer that came with the roof rails that run front to back on both sides but do not have the crossbars. Is there a secure way to secure a kayak on top? One would think that there would be some sort of rack thing to use with these. But i don't know.

I don't think they are real roof racks and only there because some stupid person at Ford thought they looked good.

Yes. There's "some sort of rack thing to use". They're called crossbars, or you could fit a generic roof rack with an adapter kit to fit your roof bars. Thüle have modular racks to suit pretty much any application.

You already knew the answer, so I'm puzzled about why you asked?

If you want the cheap and dirty method then put a suitable pad on the roof such as a load of rolled bubblewrap, and then place the kayak on that and secure it to the bars with lots of top or with ratchet straps.

It occurred to me you could attach cross bars yourself.

Wouldn't you think that you could buy the crossbars for those rails, either from Ford, an online seller, or a junkyard? A logical and intelligent person might do a simple internet keyword search for Ford Explorer roof rack crossbars. It's not exactly rocket science. A more clever person would include the year.

Here: https://www.google.com/...f+rack+oem

An even more clever person would include the term "accessories" in that keyword search, and maybe even add the word "kayak". Somebody probably makes a kayak holder that attaches to the rails or crossbars, but then somebody who is probably ripped most of the time doesn't have enough functioning brain cells to think of such things.

Add a foam pad between rails.
Cut to cover roof between rails.
I used 4 inch thick pad that had
no fabric cover. For cushioning.
Use both rails to secure two
cargo straps fitted with spring-
loaded metal buckles. Laid
forward and aft of hull cockpit.
Do not load boat cargo onto
hull until dismounted for any
water use. Further use rope
to secure bow and stern to
your vehicle bumpers. Add
red rag flag at stern if hull
extends past your bumper.
Consider adding 2 inch wide
white or yellow reflective tape
on either side of hull for safety
afloat or amid traffic. I've seen
other cars with windows down to
secure cargo straps when roof
rails were not present.