Boomer73
Boom Boom
Hey guys. Those of you who have removed your roof rack, how have you handled the threaded fittings that stick out of the roof (and of course the resulting hole)?
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Roof Rack Removal
- Thread starter Boomer73
- Start date
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Boomer73
Boom Boom
I guess that might be better than nothing, but there's gotta be a better solution than that. If the lip of the threaded insert sticks up, the bolts are going to stick up even more and I already think the lip of the threaded inserts is an eye sore.
I was thinking maybe someone had successfully removed the threaded inserts or maybe had tried color matching some plastic christmas tree style trim fasteners and plugging the hole with that. I would think the best fastener would be one that is concave on the bottom side so that the edge of the faster actually made contact with the roof (i.e. didn't bottom out on the lip of the threaded insert).
I looked around and didn't find any left over christmas tree fasteners from my last job. Last time I was at Lowe's I saw they had some in the specialty fasteners sections. I'm going to run over there this evening and see what I can find.
Got a guy coming to buy my old factory wheels - gotta meet him first.
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I was thinking maybe someone had successfully removed the threaded inserts or maybe had tried color matching some plastic christmas tree style trim fasteners and plugging the hole with that. I would think the best fastener would be one that is concave on the bottom side so that the edge of the faster actually made contact with the roof (i.e. didn't bottom out on the lip of the threaded insert).
I looked around and didn't find any left over christmas tree fasteners from my last job. Last time I was at Lowe's I saw they had some in the specialty fasteners sections. I'm going to run over there this evening and see what I can find.
Got a guy coming to buy my old factory wheels - gotta meet him first.
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BlueTahoe2001
Full Access Member
Bad idea, You don't want to use plastic plugs. Lowes or Home Depot will not carry the specialty bolt thread either. Go to your local specialty bolt store and have them order you up the correct ones in Stainless. Looks 10x better in SS IMO.
Boomer73
Boom Boom
The last thing I want is more stainless bolt head sticking out of my roof. I can't think of any good reason a plastic plug/trim tree would be a bad idea, especially with a spot of silicone in the hole. Especially painted to match the body. I picked up four different types tonight and got to try two before the rain started. One fits better than the other but I'm not in love with it - mostly because it doesn't lay flat on the roof. It still leaves about a millimeter of gap between the bottom surface and the roof.
I also found a 1/4" plastic cap that snaps right in very securely but doesn't solve the "metal sticks up from the roof" problem I'd like to hide.
Tree fastener: http://www.itw-fastex.com/images/items/012.jpg
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I also found a 1/4" plastic cap that snaps right in very securely but doesn't solve the "metal sticks up from the roof" problem I'd like to hide.
Tree fastener: http://www.itw-fastex.com/images/items/012.jpg
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Set screws, cant remember the size, but put them in w/ silicone. No leaks, nothing, cant see anything, but the ring thats on the roof. Just need to touch up w/ paint and you wont see it at all.
jimweis
Full Access Member
I put adhesive body side molding on, I had to hollow out the underside of the molding where it went over the insert.
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I put adhesive body side molding on, I had to hollow out the underside of the molding where it went over the insert.
do you have any close up pics of the ends of the molding? did you cut it at an angle and then paint it? what size molding did you use? i have been looking at doing this just haven't seen it close enough to tell how it turns out.
Boomer73
Boom Boom
Jim - that looks great. I'm gonna copy you. Oh also, like your wheels and tails - looks like we have similar tastes. 
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