mynameistory
New member
Great, glad I could help. Good luck with the install!
EcoTechne Roof Rack Installation (5th Gen)
- Thread starter mynameistory
- Start date
Great, glad I could help. Good luck with the install!
DEUS-MACH1NA
New member
I installed my rack about a year ago using Tory's awesome writeup and have no leaks whatsoever with my 4Runner out in the PNW elements 24/7.
Which reminds me I need to add some notes to the thread about my install, will chime in this wknd.
mynameistory
New member
I have not seen any evidence of leaks, though I am in sunny southern California. I've been through a few heavy rainstorms and had my truck buried in snow up in Mammoth though.
I'll see if I can take off my kick panels and peek under the headliner sometime soon to make double sure there's no evidence of moisture.
Thanks for all the work and research you put into it. Going to be using this method this weekend to install my Frontrunner rack.
For anyone that is using this method that also had a hard time paying $36 for 12 washers, I found almost the same thing on eBay for $10 shipped. It is not marine grade 316 stainless steel but A2/304. I think it will be good enough for a roof rack though.
“304 is the most readily available grade of stainless steel and typically less expensive than its common counterpart, 316 stainless steel, which offers super corrosion resistance but is very similar overall. If your application isn’t exposed to aggressive chemicals and is instead only exposed to milder acids, then 304 stainless steel is likely the perfect fit.”
(12) M8 or 8mm Conical / Belleville / Cupped Spring Washers A2 Stainless Steel | eBay
For anyone that is using this method that also had a hard time paying $36 for 12 washers, I found almost the same thing on eBay for $10 shipped. It is not marine grade 316 stainless steel but A2/304. I think it will be good enough for a roof rack though.
“304 is the most readily available grade of stainless steel and typically less expensive than its common counterpart, 316 stainless steel, which offers super corrosion resistance but is very similar overall. If your application isn’t exposed to aggressive chemicals and is instead only exposed to milder acids, then 304 stainless steel is likely the perfect fit.”
(12) M8 or 8mm Conical / Belleville / Cupped Spring Washers A2 Stainless Steel | eBay
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Did you get a chance to look for moisture?
mynameistory
New member
Those should work just fine! The quantities and prices on McMaster can be a bit inflexible. Usually the reason I prefer everything from them is because it's easier for me to order from one place (also I've never had McMaster mess up an order). No reason not to shop around though.
mynameistory
New member
I did. I rinsed my car off this week and spent about ten minutes hosing the roof, including spraying the rack mounts directly. Then I went inside and pried down the headliner in the rear corners, as well as the driver's kick panel. Could not see any dripping or evidence of previous moisture buildup. I broke a trim clip doing the driver's side so I decided not to open the passenger at this time. I'm pretty confident that this is a good method for roof racks with flat mounting feet. I will continue to check to see how the rubber washers are holding up periodically.
So, I did not realize that Frontrunner racks have plastic spacers at the feet. Tried using the butyl tape and washers anyway and it was not good. The spacers don’t press against the washers evenly. Had to take the siderails off again and remove all the butyl tape and use silicone the next time. No other option really.
Not recommended for Frontrunner.
I’m not implying you suggested it would be, I should have investigated more before ordering $60 worth of supplies. Oh well.
I did end up using the metal washers though! Haha
Not recommended for Frontrunner.
I’m not implying you suggested it would be, I should have investigated more before ordering $60 worth of supplies. Oh well.
I did end up using the metal washers though! Haha
mynameistory
New member
Can you take some pictures of the mounting feet and hardware?
Not of mine since it’s installed, but here’s some from the instructions.
Attachments
the_fornicator
New member
For your plastic spacers, I still would have used the butyl tape but instead of the silicone washers, I would have bought a sheet of high temp silicone and cut gaskets that sit between the roof and the spacer.
So, lay a string of butyl down around the OEM spacer like mynameistory did in his pictures, then I'd lay a bunch more strips on the roof on the contact patch of the spacer/silicone gasket. Specifically, I'd make sure the perimeter of the silicone gasket has butyl around it.
So, lay down butyl, then 0.125" silicone gasket you cut to size, then your spacer.
edit: this is what I bought to put under my plastic spacers: Red Silicone Rubber Sheet Roll High Temperature Thick Commercial Grade 8" x 8" x 0.12": Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement
mynameistory
New member
Yeah I see how using washers would be troublesome with those spacers. I still think more manufacturers should come up with more robust sealing methods that work like factory...
Hi Troy , I am about to purchase this rack , but also considering the Victory 4x4 they look very similar,
Since you have it installed almost 2 year now , do you have any regret ? Is the powered coating holding good ?
If you do off-roading any issue that you noticed ?
I am on the fence between the 2 so I need that push
Thank you for the great write up .
Since you have it installed almost 2 year now , do you have any regret ? Is the powered coating holding good ?
If you do off-roading any issue that you noticed ?
I am on the fence between the 2 so I need that push
Thank you for the great write up .
mynameistory
New member
I think this rack is much sturdier than any of the flat-sided racks with the extruded crossbars. It sits on the rubber roof seams along its entire length, rather than at just the mounting points. It's much stiffer and doesn't flex or shimmy the way I've seen the Prinsu/SSO/Victory racks do offroad. Someone at work stopped me and said that their Prinsu rack bounced and squeaked like crazy, especially with a rooftop tent mounted. I haven't run a tent but the Ecotechne is sturdy enough that I can jump up and down on it without it moving or bending.
However, everything else about this rack is less convenient. Customer service, quality control on the fit and finish, ease of attaching items (T-slot is much easier), etc... I would only buy this rack if you're prepared to address a lot of these things yourself the way I did. I think the design is better but everything else is sub-par.
If end up with the ecotecne I will be getting all the hardware that you used
I have a local “ dealer” that will do the install as well and he will support anything afterwards
The price for the roof rack with cross bar and and roof plates is 899 installed
So this a tipping point . And with your confirmation of durability , I guess I should go with it . My plan is to use their ladder later because I like the design
And I will be installing a hard top roof tent
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I have a local “ dealer” that will do the install as well and he will support anything afterwards
The price for the roof rack with cross bar and and roof plates is 899 installed
So this a tipping point . And with your confirmation of durability , I guess I should go with it . My plan is to use their ladder later because I like the design
And I will be installing a hard top roof tent
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
mynameistory
New member
Also please remember that unless something has changed, the powdercoat on the Ecotechne rack is famously bad. You'll see it rusting within a year. If you're going to get one, please make sure the powdercoat is properly prepared.
DEUS-MACH1NA
New member
I would even recommend not ordering it powder coated because:
1.) The rack is going to get banged up a bit due to how large and heavy it is; it will likely arrive marred/chipped in some spots.
2.) You may need to adjust some mounting holes on the brackets like I did. I ordered my rack bare metal knowing I wanted to get it powder coated locally so I could choose the exact finish (smooth satin vs textured matte) + I modified my rack crossbars per Tory's example as well.
Turns out some of the mounting holes on the brackets wouldn't line up with the rack and/or the brackets were a touch too long and wouldn't fit into the slots on the side rails. I found this out the hard way when I tried to install the rack the first time after I got everything powder coated. What I should have done was test fit first. Oops :noidea:
I ended up widening the mounting holes on the brackets a bit and trimming just the excess face of the bracket(s) so it would fit in the side rails, hit the brackets with a rattle can b/c I didn't want to go thru powdering them again + the brackets are tucked inside the side rails and then installed the rack in my driveway w/ the help of my Dad, a couple Harbor Freight moving blankets and some step stools/work platforms.
1yr later, no leaks, no rust and the coating is still strong and smooth. Definitely took a bit of work to get it to fit and how I wanted it, but I was willing to put the work and $ in b/c I really like the lines and strength of this rack. s/o to Tory for the write up and recommendations!
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What’s up Tory! I installed my Eco rack last week & had a hiccup with the white plastic parts.
Long story short, I used the factory bolt (much longer than your 1 inch recommendation & it broke completely through my driver side plastic pieces so we had to find the piece inside the interior & hold it while we drilled it.
However, I forgot to add some silicon (something) to make up for the water that Oklahoma gets from rain. I’m afraid to take the side rails off because I know for a fact I won’t be able to screw it back on lol. Any recommendations? So far I don’t have a leak but I’d imagine a large storm would allow some water under the bracket.
Thanks a ton!
Ian
IG: e_sioux
Long story short, I used the factory bolt (much longer than your 1 inch recommendation & it broke completely through my driver side plastic pieces so we had to find the piece inside the interior & hold it while we drilled it.
However, I forgot to add some silicon (something) to make up for the water that Oklahoma gets from rain. I’m afraid to take the side rails off because I know for a fact I won’t be able to screw it back on lol. Any recommendations? So far I don’t have a leak but I’d imagine a large storm would allow some water under the bracket.
Thanks a ton!
Ian
IG: e_sioux
mynameistory
New member
I'm trying to understand what you're saying here: you're saying you used the factory bolts and tightened them down all the way, and it broke through into the interior? To be honest with you, I don't even know what is under those holes or what happens if you max those out. Whatever you drilled through to complete your installation, you are in uncharted territory.
Also am I understanding that you have absolutely no sealant installed, just bare brackets attached to the roof? Yes, you will get leaks that way. You don't even have to wait for rain or the carwash, a humid morning will collect enough dew and moisture to start leaking into your headliner. Even if you could smear enough silicone in there to completely seal it, the average silicone would dry up and let moisture creep in anyway.
If you can, take it apart and do it properly. If you don't, you may end up with a 4Runner rotting from the inside out in a few short years.
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