Installing arb roof rack tips\hints?

[NoHandleBars]

I am going to be ordering the ARB full mesh roof rack to replace my useless stock one any day now as I will be needing it in three weeks when I go to the beach with friends. Can't stuff anything in the back due to the massive subwoofers I have back there. Is there any tips on installing this? I hear the worst thing is taking off the stock roof-rack as bolts will strip or something? Any way to prevent this? Just give me any tips you guys got, I'd assume I'll have to call a friend for help in getting it off, what size hexs do I need to take it off as well?

 

[kp66]

i installed mine this past week and it was not a happy time. First taking old one off was hell i hate hex bolts. Just be sure to loosen all them half way before taking any out and you should be ok. As for the fun part one bolt stripped on me. I used a dremel to slot it and then used a large flat head driver with a wrench on it and i got it out. s***ty thing the backing plate you bolt to fell into my roof liner from the bottom side so i had to take have the pass side interior out to get the roof liner low enoguh to get it back up and in.

Other then the lil hassle it was all good and turned out good. I also just added today the r rectangle roof lights and looks good.

 

[NoHandleBars]

i installed mine this past week and it was not a happy time. First taking old one off was hell i hate hex bolts. Just be sure to loosen all them half way before taking any out and you should be ok. As for the fun part one bolt stripped on me. I used a dremel to slot it and then used a large flat head driver with a wrench on it and i got it out. ****ty thing the backing plate you bolt to fell into my roof liner from the bottom side so i had to take have the pass side interior out to get the roof liner low enoguh to get it back up and in.

Other then the lil hassle it was all good and turned out good. I also just added today the r rectangle roof lights and looks good.

Any tips on how to not get a bolt stripped? Maybe spray WD-40 on it the night before the job..? Also, I assume you have to drill holes for the lights...did you take off the rack to do it?

 

[knoll0351]

Use penetrating oil instead of WD it is actually made to help loosen stuborn bolts, although I had absolutely no trouble at all getting my stock rack off. The ARB however was a different animal entirely. I did get it fully installed in just over an hour and the only help I had to get it onto the roof was that of my wife. So all in all it really wasn't that bad of an install. Just take your time, don't get too frustrated and it sounds like you are already aware that the bolts will go in rather snuggly... Also not that you wouldn't already know but be sure and use Metric tool set. And as for the install I actually used the tool that was included with the kit, long way to the bolt and used my universal screw driver as a cheater handle... Good luck and happy install.

 

[NoHandleBars]

Use penetrating oil instead of WD it is actually made to help loosen stuborn bolts, although I had absolutely no trouble at all getting my stock rack off. The ARB however was a different animal entirely. I did get it fully installed in just over an hour and the only help I had to get it onto the roof was that of my wife. So all in all it really wasn't that bad of an install. Just take your time, don't get too frustrated and it sounds like you are already aware that the bolts will go in rather snuggly... Also not that you wouldn't already know but be sure and use Metric tool set. And as for the install I actually used the tool that was included with the kit, long way to the bolt and used my universal screw driver as a cheater handle... Good luck and happy install.

How was the arb hard to install? Don't you just put the mounts on, bolt them on, then sit the rack ontop of those and bolt it on...? And what type of penetration oil would you recommend (name)? And I'm not understanding what tool to use to break those bolts free...I have hex KEYS, but those aren't going to do anything on them....what is the exact TOOL I need to break these things free...

 

[knoll0351]

They were installed with torx? (not sure the spelling) but you can buy a set anywhere including WalMart where I bought mine. I bought the larger set because other things use them and I haven't owned any before either. As for the the penetrating oil I swear by "PB" very seldom has it let me down. The difficult for issue for me was first tightnening the new bolts down as they feel as though they are bottomed out after about three turns, and secondly getting it to the roof as it is really heavy and I was lacking in muscles that day ... finally you need carnie hands to get the backing plates and bolts for the mesh basket in place. But aside from that it wasn't too hard

 

[knoll0351]

1/2 In Dr Torx Plus Bit Socket - T60
Here is a link to the first sight I found on Google that shows what they look like...it isn't as bad as I might have made it seem, like I said before it only took a couple of hours for my wife and I.

 

[NoHandleBars]

Alright so those bits just go on I would guess my craftsman socket wrenchs that I have. They come out counter-clockwise right (I've encountered a few bolts on the car that don't). And what did you mean by requires carnie hands to get the mesh\backing plate in place? Don't you install the fit kit (which bolts to the backing plate?) then sit the rack ontop of it and bolt that on to the fit kit?

 

[knoll0351]

The torx are standard thread so yes they do just back out counter clockwise, and mine weren't that tight so it shouldn't take too much force to get them loose. When you get the "fit kit" up then you set the basket on top of it and it bolts in with six (I think it was) backing plates that have three bolts a piece. It's just a bit chalenging to hold the backing plates up with your fingers thru the mesh and put in the bolts, also thru the mesh...

 

[NoHandleBars]

The torx are standard thread so yes they do just back out counter clockwise, and mine weren't that tight so it shouldn't take too much force to get them loose. When you get the "fit kit" up then you set the basket on top of it and it bolts in with six (I think it was) backing plates that have three bolts a piece. It's just a bit chalenging to hold the backing plates up with your fingers thru the mesh and put in the bolts, also thru the mesh...

Ok so while it's sitting up there it's not able to like fall and damage the crap out of the roof or car right? I'd assume it would have something to "hold" it in while you bolt it up...in all honesty, my biggest worry is getting the stock one off and not stripping the bolts. I ordered up the roof rack w\ mesh fuil size w\ fit kit for 900$ total...that a decent deal? Also, post some pics up of yours...

One thing I just wondered about...where exactly is the backing located for the stock rack..? Reason is..when I ripped out my headliner to sound deaden, in the metal bars I sprayed great stuff foam insulation...so i'm worried that the foam might have got to the backing plates?

Here's a pic...the three metal bars are what I sprayed gr8 stuff into..what do you think?.

 

[knoll0351]

Here's a couple of pictures for ya, top is where the mounting kit mounts to the stock holes. Second is just a photo of where one of the top bolts runs thru and the carnie needed backing plate goes to the back. Finally just a side view shot of the installed basket and mounting kit. You install the mounting kit one rail at a time and then the basket just sits on top until you secure it with the bolts and backing plates.

 

[monniepoo]

They were installed with torx? (not sure the spelling) but you can buy a set anywhere including WalMart where I bought mine. I bought the larger set because other things use them and I haven't owned any before either. As for the the penetrating oil I swear by "PB" very seldom has it let me down. The difficult for issue for me was first tightnening the new bolts down as they feel as though they are bottomed out after about three turns, and secondly getting it to the roof as it is really heavy and I was lacking in muscles that day ... finally you need carnie hands to get the backing plates and bolts for the mesh basket in place. But aside from that it wasn't too hard

I have a set... i'm just sayin

 

[knoll0351]

I have a set... i'm just sayin

Street rods don't use Torx much, but now that I've converted to the Cruiser side had to expand the role away.

 

[NoHandleBars]

Bought a hex-bit set today...none of them fit (fantastic). Got the fit kit today, sadly some paint is chipped off it...I'm sure there's some touch up paint right? I can't remember the last time I got a part like this for my car that didn't come somewhat damaged\chipped, my sliders did, my ladder did, my rear guard did, my brush guard did...bleh. Any touch up paint? I just sprayed PB on there and I will attempt to loosen a few of them tonight before work.

 

[NoHandleBars]

Beyond pissed. Got the stock roof rack off today, got the arb gaskets in, then was going to bolt the fit kit up. The fxxxing ends on the fit kit are completly bent. Wasn't noticeable at first because it is a CLEAN crease but VERY messed up. This is very ****ing annoying.

 

[bigjer]

use lots of silicone(recomended by ARB). I have installed mine 3 times and the third time was a charm, lots of silicone. mine leaked a lot and yes it is a pain to install and I had t buy new bolts, dont try to use the stock ones, stainless is the way to go.

 

[NoHandleBars]

use lots of silicone(recomended by ARB). I have installed mine 3 times and the third time was a charm, lots of silicone. mine leaked a lot and yes it is a pain to install and I had t buy new bolts, dont try to use the stock ones, stainless is the way to go.

Ok. I know you put it UNDER the grommet, but after the grommets on can you put silcone over it to fully water-proof it? On mine some of the plastic pieces that the grommet goes over (holes) were messed up so I'd prefer to silicone the crap out of it...

 

[NoHandleBars]

Got the new fit kit and got it installed. The rear bracket (very rear of the vehicle) on the passenger side kept moving but I was able to move it so that the hole was aligned with a tiny screw driver. Used tons of silcone black gasket maker around the rubber gaskets so there shouldn't be any leaks. We'll see how it goes, roof rack comes in sometime next week

 

[NoHandleBars]

Question: Did your fit kit look slightly bent after bolted on? I notice mine isn't "perfectly" straight but I'd assume once the rack is on and tightend that would straighten it out. Also, I used Arbs "tool" (aka cheap hex key) to tighten everything but you can only tighten it so much before it starts SLIPPING on the head of the bolt (aka I guess shearing) do these bolts have to go ALL the way until they can't spin anymore or just until they can't turn easily? It's also IMPOSSIBLE to use the hex-key and not get some paint scrapped off of the side where you spin the hex-tool. Kinda annoying. And do they make anything to cover up the hideous holes where you mount it?

Thanks.

 

[kp66]

Mine looks to be ok, however where it mounts does look crappy should be a cover there. As for the silicone i used very lil and have had no problems lots of rain since install too. Not sure bout the bolts the rack comes with i think mine have already started to rust a little after only a few weeks may have to look into better ones that wont rust. I also got the lights mounted never had to take rack off and they fit perfect in the holes that were already there just had to get 4 big ass washers for the bottom so the nuts cant fall through.