Ecotechne roof rack GROUP BUY!!!

[quicksandTRDPRO]

I see. My bolt pack must have been missing some bolts then. Mine had 26 bolts total and all are 3/8 while the OEM mounting bolts are smaller diameter like 5/16 or M8. Nothing a trip to lowes couldn't fix. No worries.

I'm considering doing black stainless hardware on all the visible bolts and washers to keep it all black.

Baander, can you tell us the exact hardware you decide to go with, maybe some pics of it too? Thanks!

 

[baander]

Sure. Striking out on finding the right black hardware locally so I'll prob order something like this.

Bolt: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6ALMV2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_TxaNybS0S0WAY

Washer: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009OJHWL8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_9BaNyb01D9GFG

Might just use the nylock nut and washers that came with rack as I don't think they'll be very visible on the inside of the rack.

 

[LaO_T4R]

Sure. Striking out on finding the right black hardware locally so I'll prob order something like this.

Bolt: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6ALMV2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_TxaNybS0S0WAY

Washer: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009OJHWL8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_9BaNyb01D9GFG

Might just use the nylock nut and washers that came with rack as I don't think they'll be very visible on the inside of the rack.

Keep in mind those bolts will rust... being Alloy steel, that Black Oxide coating will not prevent the rusting.

The best thing is to stay with Stainless Steel hardware.
I would also like black hardware with my rack so I'll check around for black coated/painted SS hardware.

 

[AlblineStar808]

does this come with instructions on install? did u raise it with washers supplied or extra washers?

 

[quicksandTRDPRO]

Sure. Striking out on finding the right black hardware locally so I'll prob order something like this.

Bolt: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6ALMV2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_TxaNybS0S0WAY

Washer: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009OJHWL8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_9BaNyb01D9GFG

Might just use the nylock nut and washers that came with rack as I don't think they'll be very visible on the inside of the rack.

I wasn't sure on the size of hardware that came with the rack, but after viewing what you linked maybe this might work better? Socket Button Head 3/8-16 Screws Black Oxide 18-8 Stainless Steel fasteners
Also would you go to 3/8-16x 1 1/2 for the main mounts, instead of 1 1/4?

Edit- Forgot to add the washers http://www.albanycountyfasteners.com/Flat-Washers-Black-Oxide-18-8-Stainless-Steel-p/12290000.htm and hex nuts http://www.albanycountyfasteners.com/Hex-Finish-Nuts-Black-Oxide-18-8-Stainless-Steel-p/12310000.htm

 

[LaO_T4R]

I wasn't sure on the size of hardware that came with the rack, but after viewing what you linked maybe this might work better? Socket Button Head 3/8-16 Screws Black Oxide 18-8 Stainless Steel fasteners

These are the exact ones I was just looking at as well.
I think I'll be going with these.

 

[quicksandTRDPRO]

These are the exact ones I was just looking at as well.
I think I'll be going with these.

What's your opinion on going with the slightly longer ones (1 1/2 instead of 1 1/4) for the 4 base brackets?

 

[LaO_T4R]

What's your opinion on going with the slightly longer ones (1 1/2 instead of 1 1/4) for the 4 base brackets?

Maybe [MENTION=109477]Rorck[/MENTION], or anyone who has already installed their racks can chime in on this.
I haven't received my rack yet so I'm not quite sure if the 1 1/2" vs 1 1/4" would be a better route. Depends on where the brackets sit, how high, how low, etc.

I know the OEM bolts are pretty long, and of course they don't bottom out. But just from looks, it seems the OEM rack mounts actually sit higher than the Ecotechne mounts which may be why the OEM bolts are longer.

I'd be able to decide better with it all in front of me lol
But, that 1/4" difference won't make the rack's mounting strength any greater.

 

[quicksandTRDPRO]

I think I'll just order enough to use on all the outside (view able) hardware.

 

[baander]

[MENTION=130497]Wolf_Gang16[/MENTION] good catch on the black oxide non-stainless bolts I posted. I like the ones you guys found.
[MENTION=129592]quicksandTRDPRO[/MENTION] I mounted one side last night and the 3/8-16 x 1-1/4 bolts that came with my rack worked just fine where the rack fastens to the mounting bracket.

 

[quicksandTRDPRO]

[MENTION=130497]Wolf_Gang16[/MENTION] good catch on the black oxide non-stainless bolts I posted. I like the ones you guys found.
[MENTION=129592]quicksandTRDPRO[/MENTION] I mounted one side last night and the 3/8-16 x 1-1/4 bolts that came with my rack worked just fine where the rack fastens to the mounting bracket.

That's good to hear, because I just ordered the 1 1/4 lol.

 

[[APOP]]

Could you guys post a summary of all bolt sizes and quantities needed to go to black oxide stainless steel? Thank you.

 

[baander]

[MENTION=130497]Wolf_Gang16[/MENTION] good catch on the black oxide non-stainless bolts I posted. I like the ones you guys found.
[MENTION=129592]quicksandTRDPRO[/MENTION] I mounted one side last night and the 3/8-16 x 1-1/4 bolts that came with my rack worked just fine where the rack fastens to the mounting bracket.

My comment above was aimed at the top (visible) bolts on the mounting bracket. If you are talking about the bolts that fasten the mounting bracket to the roof of your vehicle I can tell you that the 2" Bolts from my OEM rack were too long. NOTE that my 2016 TE OEM rack bolts are M8 x 1.25 bolts. Make sure you check your bolt packs for 8 smaller dia bolts as mine did not have any. [MENTION=109477]Rorck[/MENTION] said his bolt pack had some different bolts that worked well so he did not have to use the OEM roof rack bolts like I'm having to.

Here's what I had to do to get the OEM roof rack bolts (or any bolts) to work with the rear mounting brackets:

Looks like they cut all the holes in the brackets first then bend them and that made a problem with mine. There's no meat for a bolt head or washer to grab on the backside:

I made a top piece out of aluminum from lowes and this worked well. Cut it a little longer than the bracket so that it bridges the gap between the two roof weather stripping:

 

[baander]

Here's the rear mounting bracket mod installed so you can see what I mean when I say I cut the aluminum long to fill the gap between roof weather stripping:

I definitely over engineered it but now it is strong like bull. Hopefully you dudes won't have the same problem with the mounting bracket holes being wonky.

 

[baander]

Could you guys post a summary of all bolt sizes and quantities needed to go to black oxide stainless steel? Thank you.

I didn't buy an extra crossbar or extra tray and I count 28 visible 3/8-16 x 1-1/4 bolts necessary to switch visible bolts to black.

The only other bolt (not very visible) are the 8 bolts that secure the base of the mounting brackets to your roof.

If you're ordering it might make sense to get extra in case you loose any or maybe for mounting other stuff to the rack down the road.

 

[quicksandTRDPRO]

Baander, were each of your mounting brackets like that? Are you having to modify all four of them?

 

[baander]

Baander, were each of your mounting brackets like that? Are you having to modify all four of them?

Yeah I think I'll be doing that on all 4. There are probably easier solutions to the problem.

Here is one of the front (smaller) mounts showing how the OEM bolt head are just too large:

You can maybe find a bolt with a head that fits better like this one:

But look from the bottom. Might work but not ideal.

I felt like the brackets needed a good bolt and washer combo and my mod was the first thing I came up with to accomplish that .I'm sure there's and easier way.

 

[quicksandTRDPRO]

[MENTION=109477]Rorck[/MENTION], what did you do with yours? Or are your brackets different than baander's?

 

[[APOP]]

I didn't buy an extra crossbar or extra tray and I count 28 visible 3/8-16 x 1-1/4 bolts necessary to switch visible bolts to black.

The only other bolt (not very visible) are the 8 bolts that secure the base of the mounting brackets to your roof.

If you're ordering it might make sense to get extra in case you loose any or maybe for mounting other stuff to the rack down the road.

Thank you. What's the correct washer size?

 

[Lukesaysrelax]

They shouldn't have used air dies to bend those brackets. V dies would have coined the hole and kept it from stretching. I could make a run if someone gave me dimensions and there was interest.