Roof rack gutter mount install.

[May]

Hello... was thinking of making some custom gutter mounts for a roof rack.
Looks like the PO had installed one already based on the wear marks and one deeply gouged area.
The material doesn't look like paint, it's very thick and has a crumbly texture. Should I refill that worn area with bondo?
Is this the actual supposed location of where the vertical portion of the mount sits on the gutter? PO might have placed it on where the blue arrow is. Or is it supposed to be flush against that chrome looking part(red arrow) which seems loose kinda like a pressed fit panel.
Thanks.

 

[BDA130]

FWIW, I just put a Front Runner (gutter mount) on my 80 and found some v-shaped foam that I put between the metal legs and the gutter to protect the paint. Lesson learned from my 70....

 

[May]

What was the extent of the damage? Do you install the vertical portion of the mount flush against the outer gutter wall?

 

[Dave 2000]

There is a seam sealer substance in the gutter, mine has the same showing.

Regards

Dave

 

[NLXTACY]

I have a few tubes of it at home. Get the stuff that self levels or it'll look like ass.

 

[May]

Ok thanks for the info guys.
NLXTACY...if you get a chance can you tell me the brand or name on the tube.
So it doesn't matter where the mount sits on rail/gutter?

 

[Dave 2000]

I Have an 8 leg mount, no cracks yet but others have them in the b and c pillars, unsure if this is a problem with 4 and 6 leg mounts?

Regards

Dave

 

[May]

What's a b and c pillar?

 

[Kaninja]

What's a b and c pillar?

 

[May]

Thank you.

 

[inkpot]

On my Piggy I ran a section of 1/2" square tube down the full length of the raingutter and welded 4 vertical legs onto each side. Beware the legs are different height because the rain gutter has a bit of a curve to it. I bolted the 1/2" into the gutter on 4 positions in each side. Rest o rack was welded up from 1/2 & 3/4" square tube. It carried tons of crapup there over 20+ years with no problem.

 

[Dave 2000]

View attachment 1509608

Thanks for that, I was posting on a UK site.

Regards

Dave

 

[May]

inkpot...interesting design.
Will consider that in my design...thanks.

 

[inkpot]

inkpot...interesting design.
Will consider that in my design...thanks.

It was not as cute or light as some of the commercial racks, but it was 4' x 7' with 10" sides. All corners were gusseted. It was SOLID! I used to break off lots of tree branches that were hanging a bit low. I carried 10 20' sections of 2 x 2" x 0.25" steel for foe an 18' rolling gate I built with no problem. If you want to build your own rack, and if you will be wheeling on trails that are overgrown, make it heavy duty.

 

[inkpot]

Found a recent pic. I sold it 6 years ago and the new owner kept the rack on, so it has lasted 30 years, so far......

 

[May]

Thanks for the pic. Sharp looking rig.

 

[inkpot]

Thanks for the pic. Sharp looking rig.

I wheeled it like that for over 25 years.

 

[Burbot]

The white stuff seals the seam on gutter. It's worn off as is the paint. So you need to waterproof the area. I have lots of experience with headache racks. Scars to prove it. Cheap stamped clamps with wing nut style tighteners will destroy tour roof. The beefier the better. I hauled a canoe so often it was on my bj for weeks at a time. I tried everything rubber leather etc. no good as you need to compress it get a grip. The inner legs should sit down in the trough with clamps pulling it down. Adjustment is critical if it moves at all it eats away at your roof and let's the rust start. Look at an ARB or compare able one. Get what you pay for. What do you want to haul. I intend to put a rack on my 80 and haul a 12ft boat down a goat path nxt week but it will be slow going. With a heavy boat on a crappy rack. I expect to have to repair my paint though

 

[Rifleman]

May, i hope this info helps you, i looked in my factory Toyota collision repair manual for the 80 series land cruiser. The manual lists that stuff that your looking for as "body seam sealer" ( it comes in a tube like caulking) but the manual doesn't list a trade name, or part number for it. You might try calling a Toyota dealership's body shop, to see if they would be willing to give you a trade name, or part number for the stuff they use.

 

[Dave 2000]

May, i hope this info helps you, i looked in my factory Toyota collision repair manual for the 80 series land cruiser. The manual lists that stuff that your looking for as "body seam sealer" ( it comes in a tube like caulking) but the manual doesn't list a trade name, or part number for it. You might try calling a Toyota dealership's body shop, to see if they would be willing to give you a trade name, or part number for the stuff they use.

Yep seam sealer is correct, it is not supposed to dry hard, this allows the joint to flex along the length of the roof withour cracking, but guess 20+years will cause some drying out. The ols style windscreen sealer is good here, and can be painted over.

Regards

Dave