Plugging roof rack holes

[Bhudzallmighty]

Im getting ready to install my prinsu rack and of course it won’t be an 80 experience if everything went smoothly . 2 out of 8 welded nut came off. I plan on using SS bolt with rubber gasket + toyota fipg to seal the holes but not sure what will be the best with the other 2 holes without thread. Welding and painting is not an option at the moment but definitely in the future if I need to replace my windshield or something. I live is southern California and the truck is garaged so it will not see a lot of rain.

Should I just use some plastic plug with fipg to seal the holes? I heard jb weld will crack eventually. At least fipg sealant is pliable with stress?


Also do I need to remove the 4 horizontal bars on the roof prior to prinsu rack install?

 

[mudgudgeon]

https://a.co/d/jfJRZYo

These with some sealant.

Where the threaded insert has come away, a short bit of ½x⅛ steel bar with a hole drilled and tapped could possibly be slid in through the hole, and JB Weld in place.

Poke a ziptie through the tapped hole in the bar, poke the bar through the hole in the roof, then use the zip tie to lift the bar back up, tight under the roof panel. Dab some JBweld onto it before lifting it into place with the zip tie, hold it until the JB Weld grabs it. Then clip the ziptie off, and let the end fall into the roof

 

[mudgudgeon]

I think someone else posted a similar washer that included rubber washers to seal them.

 

[voodu3]

8/2 is pretty good. I had the opposite ratio. I used plastic body plugs and silicone until I could get it welded up. It worked well for the couple of years they were in use. You could also use a nutsert /rivnut if you want something more secure.

 

[clx16]

Nutsert/rivnut would be my suggestion also. I wouldn't use fipg as I doubt it does well with sunlight. The screws with some sealing washer is what I used.been nearly 10 years and no leaks.

Also maybe make one of the holes larger and put in one of those water proof cable pass through so you can get power up to the roof.

 

[Bhudzallmighty]

Thank you for the suggestion guys! Just bought a rivet nut tool

 

[ChargedSHOTaco]

Im getting ready to install my prinsu rack and of course it won’t be an 80 experience if everything went smoothly . 2 out of 8 welded nut came off. I plan on using SS bolt with rubber gasket + toyota fipg to seal the holes but not sure what will be the best with the other 2 holes without thread. Welding and painting is not an option at the moment but definitely in the future if I need to replace my windshield or something. I live is southern California and the truck is garaged so it will not see a lot of rain.

Should I just use some plastic plug with fipg to seal the holes? I heard jb weld will crack eventually. At least fipg sealant is pliable with stress?


Also do I need to remove the 4 horizontal bars on the roof prior to prinsu rack install?

How did you remove the other 6 screws/welded nuts?

 

[clx16]

So for the ones that came loose, you just drill those to the next rivnut size up. You will find that tool handy for more than just that roof

 

[Bhudzallmighty]

How did you remove the other 6 screws/welded nuts?

6 other ones still have the welded nuts so I will keep them. Will only repair the 2 other ones


How about the other roof rack support in the middle? Do I need to seal those as well?