Drilling roof racks

[dano85]

Hey guys
I’m installing a roof rack (tent rack style) that’s not designed for my hilux but there isn’t anything on the market that suits my needs so I’m modifying this one to suite my truck.
Has anyone who has fitted the arb basket style roof rack got any tips for sealing the holes in the roof as I’m going to fab up some brackets similar to the arb ones and drill them into my roof gutters, I will remove my roof lining, use large washers on the underside and sickerflex the roof bolts ect.
I was thinking about reinstalling the rubber gutter moulding and using this as the cushioning after I drill the holes if you get what I mean?
If anyone has any tips for me that has done something similar it would be good as I don’t want leaks!
Cheers

[lukesr08]

Hey mate, I installed rhino racks on my truck I think I still have the instructions at home which tell you where the airbag sensors are and which sealant they recommend, I didn't have to remove my hood lining you just have to take care when drilling, the sealant they recommend works really well it's been through two far north qld wet seasons with no dramas, ill track down that info and get back to you this arvo.

[dano85]

That would be great
Thanks Luke

[Steveyb]

I installed rhino tracks as well and you do need to be aware of the air bag cannister thingy above the rear doors. I used a bit of brass pipe that snuggly fit over the drill bit as a stop so I didn't keep going into the cannister

[dano85]

I might just pull the head liner out so im sure im not going to hit anything

[lukesr08]

Mate i found the instructions, rhino rack recommend that you use selleys butyl mastic in and around the drill holes

[dano85]

Sweet I'll get some of that
Cheers

[randomrizzla]

Hey Dano, any chance you've got some photos of the mounts you made and also your finished product. I need roof bars so I can carry kayaks but I really don't want to rely on the feet that clamp over the edge of the door frame. Seen some bad pictures of door seals wearing through and paint wearing out under the mounts.
Cheers

[dano85]

Hey mate I'm still in the process of of installing it, I'll hopefully get a good go at it tomorrow and I'll post some pics

[Stu.wrf450]

Mate I installed my rhino tracks last weekend a peace of piss.. Drill holes pop rivet and a bit of silicone is all it take. Have a look on the rhino rack website for full instrustions.. I think the track code is rts03 which is the tracks suited for our trucks!
It's a easy as job!

[dano85]

I installed the brackets I made (similar to the ones on a arb rack)
I had to remove the head liner, it's not a bad job just take your time so you don't brake something.
I'll probably have the rack on by the end of the week.

I made a sandwich plate for the underside.
There is a rubber pad on the base of the brackets which I sicker flexed on.

[Stu.wrf450]

Nice work dano!

[TurtleHilux]

Looks good mate. Im thinking of doing the same thing!
Custom flat platform with a mounting point like that, and mounts for shovel/max traxx/light bar. Gonna build it out of ally.. Hopefully strong enough.
Stuff paying the $$$ they ask for!

[dano85]

Got a little more done, finished of the next part of the brackets, these are made from a piece of rectangle steel split in half with the curve of the roof cut into the bottom so they look flush.

[TurtleHilux]

Gonna be low profile? Looks awesome so far.

I wanna make my rack as low as possible.. Is there any reason why aftermarket racks sit up so high?

[dano85]

Thanks turtle, yea it's going to be as low as I can make it, there will be about 12-15mm clearance between the roof and the base of the rack at the closest point, I hope that's enough I won't be putting anything to heavy up there tho

[TurtleHilux]

Thanks turtle, yea it's going to be as low as I can make it, there will be about 12-15mm clearance between the roof and the base of the rack at the closest point, I hope that's enough I won't be putting anything to heavy up there tho

Are you building the platform from aluminium or steel? I'm tossing up between the 2..

Aluminium, lighter, doesn't rust, can throw rough gear up there without having to worry about chipping paint off it.
But then again steel is stronger, easier to weld, probably less prone to stress cracking too.

[dano85]

The rack I have is a steel tent rack to suit a 100 series, that I have cut about 600mm out of the centre of it and re welded it back together to make it suit the length of the hilux roof, I would defiantly go aluminum if I could tho as the rack is pretty heavy and I'll have to keep paint chips touched up to prevent rust

[dano85]

Finally finished the racks, they seem nice and sturdy
[img]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/03/jytavav

[dano85]