First, I'd like to say what a great resource this is. There are folks with general know-how that dive into things and report the ins and outs for the benefit of everyone. In contrast, there are the folks with the engineering/technical background to be able to say what's right and why before the first wrench is turned. It's pretty awesome.
I hope all this ego stroking will yield some responses...
On to the context of my question. After much research, primarily here, I pulled the trigger on a 2.2M K-9 rack. While the BajaRack flat rack still wins the looks contest (to me), the K-9 rack seemed a little more robust and the flexibility of the t-track sealed the deal for me.
Using the stock spacers the aluminum extrusion that runs along the rubber seal in the rain gutter (channel?) had waves in, with the low points being where it attaches to the vehicle. I got a knee mill for a song a few years ago, so I was able to whip up some spacers out of aluminum flat stock; they straightened that out. It still doesn't sit low enough to the vehicle for my liking at this point, so I'm toying with the idea of taking it off when not in use.
Questions:
1. What is the purpose of the rain gutter/channel? Is it just a product of the manufacturing process? Does that rubber seal actually keep water out, or is it more for aesthetics? Does it need to be water tight?
2. I used silicone under my spacers, but I'm thinking butyl rubber was actually the way to go. I think I read ARB racks use this, and butyl tape is used from the factory from what I hear.
3. Any reason I can't make a spacer block that would be attached using the factory mounting holes and then attach the K-9's rails to that spacer when the rack is needed? I think it's probably playing with fire to be taking a rack on and off using the factory-installed backer plate. To someone who knows pretty much nothing, it seems like a logical solution.
4. Does anyone have experience with sealing washers like below? I thought this might be a removable alternative to slathering the fastener's head in silicone.
Thanks in advance!
I hope all this ego stroking will yield some responses...
On to the context of my question. After much research, primarily here, I pulled the trigger on a 2.2M K-9 rack. While the BajaRack flat rack still wins the looks contest (to me), the K-9 rack seemed a little more robust and the flexibility of the t-track sealed the deal for me.
Using the stock spacers the aluminum extrusion that runs along the rubber seal in the rain gutter (channel?) had waves in, with the low points being where it attaches to the vehicle. I got a knee mill for a song a few years ago, so I was able to whip up some spacers out of aluminum flat stock; they straightened that out. It still doesn't sit low enough to the vehicle for my liking at this point, so I'm toying with the idea of taking it off when not in use.
Questions:
1. What is the purpose of the rain gutter/channel? Is it just a product of the manufacturing process? Does that rubber seal actually keep water out, or is it more for aesthetics? Does it need to be water tight?
2. I used silicone under my spacers, but I'm thinking butyl rubber was actually the way to go. I think I read ARB racks use this, and butyl tape is used from the factory from what I hear.
3. Any reason I can't make a spacer block that would be attached using the factory mounting holes and then attach the K-9's rails to that spacer when the rack is needed? I think it's probably playing with fire to be taking a rack on and off using the factory-installed backer plate. To someone who knows pretty much nothing, it seems like a logical solution.
4. Does anyone have experience with sealing washers like below? I thought this might be a removable alternative to slathering the fastener's head in silicone.
Thanks in advance!
