New roof rack to install; looking for details/pictures of mount areas to "silicon"

[Moving Chicane]

ARB mesh roof rack install: Request for details/pictures of mount areas to "silicon"

As the title says, I'm the new owner of an ARB roof rack and am looking to install it next weekend. As with the Gobi and Baja Rack (at least), the mounting "legs" on the ARB use the existing TE roof rack mount points; and according to many many posts, this is the likely location of a water leak if an additional application of silicon/weather sealer isn't used. Of all the posts I've gone through on this site, I have yet to find any close-up, detailed photos of where and how people are actually applying this extra weather sealing....and so I'm asking for pointers to existing posts, or new responses with details, on this process.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Antman]

Here's a pic (originally fom Reata) of the Gobi mount tubes. These tubes go over the holes in the roof and have sandwiched rubber gaskets that seal the holes. Many people fill these tubes, and the area around them with silicone.




That said, if you install the Gobi correctly you shouldn't need any silicone. I didn't use any for mine and have had zero leaks, and it has been through hurricanes :bluejump:.
I have heard more about leaks from the Baja racks than the Gobi I'm pretty sure, but I may be a little biased!

 

[Moving Chicane]

Thanks Antman - helpful!

Anyone else?

 

[limamike]

After water experience with my Baja, I silicone everything around the pad as well. I'll try to get pictures for you a bit later today.

 

[Okki]

Here ya go...

That's how I siliconed my Gobi. There's silicone below the rubber gasket as well around the tubes. More details can be found in my build thread here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/94578-okkis-build-thread-3.html#post1034792

Okki

 

[1000MPH]

When I reinstalled my factory rack I did it like Okki but used Marine Goop (one of my favorite adhesives). No leaks after about 2 years. I used a 1/8" bead.

 

[TexasAg]

I used GOOP, but evidently I didn't use enough. I need to take mine off and re-apply some more GOOP, may even get some small nylon tubes to do what the GOBI guys are using.

 

[Snooperstyle]

Just make sure you take some time to really get it to seal right. I went too quick with my Baja Rack, and I ended up having to take it off and redo it with silicone. Have not had a leak yet, but fully expect one at some point when that stuff breaks down over time. As I recall, it was the driver side rear one that gave me trouble.

 

[Moving Chicane]

Thanks everyone! :hatsoff:

I'll post some pictures specific to the ARB setup as soon as I put it on (slotted for this weekend).

 

[Moving Chicane]

Pictures are as follows:
1. Stock 4Runner (2012) Trail Edition roof rack mounting point (4 of these around the truck with 2 bolts each)
2. Underneath the stock mounting plate and bolts is this thin gasket. Also shown are the two white tubes everyone is concerned with that allow leaks
3. Mounting area mostly cleaned, gaskets removed (trash), and white tubes remaining. These white tubes extend only slightly above, and seem to extend down into the roof where the internal nut is located

 

[Moving Chicane]

Next in mounting the ARB mesh roof rack (long version) is to place their provided rubber pads around the white tubes in the mounting area (first picture below). Before I placed these, I used clear marine silicone to seal around the edges of the white tubes and roof metal.

Then a picture of the ARB mesh roof rack..

And the third picture shows the ARB mounting rail installed on the mounting area. Note that the ARB install instructions actually mention (optional) application of the silicone inside the white tubes before inserting and tightening the mounting bolts (which I gladly did).

 

[Moving Chicane]

And finally, with the ARB rails installed on the 4Runner and the mesh roof rack attached to the mounting rails (what a pain in the a**!).

Observations:
-The ARB rack is real solid and I swear the truck feels stiffer with this thing bolted on.
-MPG is down about 1.5MPG.
-No added wind/road noise that I can detect.
-Color on rack matches wheel color (mostly)
-Sunroof still slides open/close automatically without interference
-Sunroof tilt does work, but I always stop it before maximum "open" just in case it hits and does something it shouldn't
-I tried the ARB K6202 Hi-Lift/Shovel mounting bracket and didn't like it as it didn't feel secure or seem to be a great match for the rack (FWIW)

Also shown in the FourTreks alum. Hi-Lift mounting system (awesome product) and 48" Hi-Lift (with basic cable lock).

 

[Antman]

To set things straight - the white tubes in your pictures are not the same as the ones I posted (they are the same ones as in Okki's pics, however).

The tubes I posted come with the Gobi rack and are part of their mounting system.

Just wanted to make that clear. Nice rack!

 

[Moving Chicane]

^^^ Thanks Antman!

Regarding the white tubes: Do the Gobi tubes slide over/around the existing white tubes, or replace the existing ones altogether?

 

[mrvandelay]

Need more pics of the ARB!

 

[Antman]

^^^ Thanks Antman!

Regarding the white tubes: Do the Gobi tubes slide over/around the existing white tubes, or replace the existing ones altogether?

Yes, the inside diameter of the Gobi tubes are the same as the outside diameter on the original tubes. They slide over them on top of a gasket.

 

[Moving Chicane]

Need more pics of the ARB!

hahahahaha - Anything specific? :shrug:

 

[quick AG surfer]

Do you guys know the height from the roof to the top of the rack on the ARB? - I am about to get an ARB rack and want make sure it will still fit in my garage with the rack on otherwise I am going front runner slimline.

 

[tlc3560]

Is the antenna in the way in the back or is there room for it. Some have a cutout for it.

 

[Heelflip131313]

Yes, the inside diameter of the Gobi tubes are the same as the outside diameter on the original tubes. They slide over them on top of a gasket.

Does anyone know if the gobi tubes can be used with the arb rack? Also, anyone know a place to get a cheap set?