Southern Style Offroad Full Length Roof Rack

[KNorm92]

Thanks for your comments. It is actually the threads of the weld nut on the bracket and not the SS black oxide bolts that is showing slight rust. The brackets had to be made from steel for structural integrity. The problem is that if we powder the threads of the steel bracket then you aren't able to insert the screw. You can back out the bolts and use gun oil, WD40 or other suitable oil and that should stop the rust.

I appreciate how responsive and awesome you all are! I would recommend it (and have) to others I talk to about the rack. The slimline is my next purchase. Just frightening seeing rust of any kind on a rack that's a month old on a 6 month old Runner.

Is there a best practice for how often I should be lubing those threads up to prevent rusting?

Thanks

 

[SouthernSS]

I appreciate how responsive and awesome you all are! I would recommend it (and have) to others I talk to about the rack. The slimline is my next purchase. Just frightening seeing rust of any kind on a rack that's a month old on a 6 month old Runner.

Is there a best practice for how often I should be lubing those threads up to prevent rusting?

Thanks

Whenever you see a little rust you can reapply. You can also get some automotive paint and touch up the inside of the weld nuts, but that could make it hard to get the screw back in.

 

[oobaa47]

Hi, for those of you with the full-length SSO roof racks, are there any issues going through an automated car wash?

SSO: is this the first time you have ever seen rust develop from a one month old rack?

 

[SouthernSS]

Hi, for those of you with the full-length SSO roof racks, are there any issues going through an automated car wash?

SSO: is this the first time you have ever seen rust develop from a one month old rack?

We've taken ours through the car was many many times.

It is the first time we've seen it develop so quickly, but theres not much you can do to stop rust inside the threads of a steel weld nut. If we let the powder coat get into the threads, you wouldnt be able to insert the bolts. If we used stainless steel weld nuts, theres a high probability of galling the threads and more than likely they will still rust. Even though we'd like to think stainless steel is truly stainless, it just isnt the case.

Some simple touchup paint in the threads SHOULD help prevent this, but if you think about how the bolt turns into the threads, theres friction and rubbing which will more than likely rub some of it off anyway.

 

[SouthernSS]

You could also clean up the edge of that bolt while its installed with a tooth brush and use that touchup paint on the exposed bolt and around the weld nut to seal it all in. That may be the best solution.

 

[oobaa47]

We've taken ours through the car was many many times.

It is the first time we've seen it develop so quickly, but theres not much you can do to stop rust inside the threads of a steel weld nut. If we let the powder coat get into the threads, you wouldnt be able to insert the bolts. If we used stainless steel weld nuts, theres a high probability of galling the threads and more than likely they will still rust. Even though we'd like to think stainless steel is truly stainless, it just isnt the case.

Some simple touchup paint in the threads SHOULD help prevent this, but if you think about how the bolt turns into the threads, theres friction and rubbing which will more than likely rub some of it off anyway.

Sorry I guess I should have been clearer. What I was referring to was that some car washes don't like cars going through if they have a lot of accessories and gadgets attached to their modified rigs. I was wondering if a roof rack would qualify as one of those items in which some car washes wouldn't let you go through. I.e., has anyone has ever been denied going through a carwash because of a full-length roof rack. thx!!

 

[baldrik78]

Got my rack installed and took a quick snap of it last night. Pretty pleased.

Also, can anyone tell me if tee bolts like these work in the 8020 slots?

 

[brtnstrns]

Got my rack installed and took a quick snap of it last night. Pretty pleased.

Also, can anyone tell me if tee bolts like these work in the 8020 slots?

Gahdang I love that red.

 

[baldrik78]

Gahdang I love that red.

It's a lot darker than that in person. I think I might have fat-fingered a filter when I uploaded it.

 

[3wbdriver]

Sorry I guess I should have been clearer. What I was referring to was that some car washes don't like cars going through if they have a lot of accessories and gadgets attached to their modified rigs. I was wondering if a roof rack would qualify as one of those items in which some car washes wouldn't let you go through. I.e., has anyone has ever been denied going through a carwash because of a full-length roof rack. thx!!

I understand your concern. I have a similar one but it concerns my worry that the brushes may get caught between the rack rails and my awning mounts. I have no answer although I was never turned down for my Baja Rack when that was all I had up there (no additional accessories).

 

[generald]

Hi all, may I please request a bit of your feedback?

• Truck: Stock 2016 Limited, Grey
• Planned Usage: 30-45 days a year
• Primary Use Case: RTT (Tepui Autana 4 from REI Yard Sale) for less adventurous camping
• Secondary Use: Hauling skies in winter and firewood, etc. in summer
• Requirements: Low wind noise, budget friendly, no drill install, retains sun roof functionality

I have considered the numerous types of racks over the last week, and the SSO appears to check all the boxes. I had a few questions...

• Is removing 2(?) cross bars kosher for using the front sun roof with or without a load on the rack?
• Any obvious advantages to blacking out the bolts & crossbars?
• Would the cheapest 30" light bar option add wind noise?
• What is the purpose of the last, on-angle cross bar slot after the sharkfin?
• If I permanently attach cross bars to the RTT, should I buy replacements to fill in the gaps to reduce noise/structural issues?
• Has anyone mounted the quick adjust strap from Thule or Yakima ski racks to the 2 or 3" cross bars?

Huge thank you for your feedback!

 

[3wbdriver]

[*]Is removing 2(?) cross bars kosher for using the front sun roof with or without a load on the rack?
It was designed with this in mind. The wind fairing on the front is strong enough to negate any missing crossbars.

[*]Any obvious advantages to blacking out the bolts & crossbars?
Nothing beyond looks.

[*]Would the cheapest 30" light bar option add wind noise?
I cannot answer this one.

[*]What is the purpose of the last, on-angle cross bar slot after the sharkfin?
I believe it helps stiffen the 2 side rails. I have the 2" wide bar in that location because I don't have a shark fin antenna.

[*]If I permanently attach cross bars to the RTT, should I buy replacements to fill in the gaps to reduce noise/structural issues?

I am currently running 2 gaps in my rack while the 2 permanently attached crossbars and RTT ride on a trailer. There is a 13" gap between bars in each empty space.

[*]Has anyone mounted the quick adjust strap from Thule or Yakima ski racks to the 2 or 3" cross bars?
Not myself

Answered in red as this seemed more practical for all the questions.

 

[mtnbiker49]

Don’t order painted crossbars if you will be using your rack.

 

[3wbdriver]

Don’t order painted crossbars if you will be using your rack.

Both the silver and black crossbars are anodized so the finish should be more durable than paint. But the silver ones will hide scratches better over time.

 

[mtnbiker49]

Both the silver and black crossbars are anodized so the finish should be more durable than paint. But the silver ones will hide scratches better over time.

I was told by SSO today that the crossbars are dipped and therefore not very durable when it comes to moving the bolts through the t-slot. Even tightening the bolts holding the crossbars in can wear out the paint.

 

[3wbdriver]

I was told by SSO today that the crossbars are dipped and therefore not very durable when it comes to moving the bolts through the t-slot. Even tightening the bolts holding the crossbars in can wear out the paint.

Ah. Then I stand corrected. I was going from the information they had posted on the website. My mistake.

"3″ x 1″ cross rails with slotted tracks on all sides. Available anodized black"

https://www.southernstyleoffroad.com/product/5th-gen-4runner-roof-rack/

 

[SouthernSS]

Did anyone get the two eye-bolt mounts with their rack? Pretty sure I read that it came with two of them. I didn't receive them if so...

Eye bolts are not included in the original hardware kit that comes with the roof rack, but they are available for purchase on our website

https://www.southernstyleoffroad.com/product/eye-bolts/

 

[mtnbiker49]

Ah. Then I stand corrected. I was going from the information they had posted on the website. My mistake.

"3″ x 1″ cross rails with slotted tracks on all sides. Available anodized black"

https://www.southernstyleoffroad.com/product/5th-gen-4runner-roof-rack/

Yep I was confused for that reason when I called them.

 

[SouthernSS]

Both the silver and black crossbars are anodized so the finish should be more durable than paint. But the silver ones will hide scratches better over time.

This is the correct information. Sometimes the front office gets terminology confused. The cross bars are not dipped and are in fact anodized. What they were trying to convey was that the black finish will scratch and that it isn't some miracle coating that will stay perfect forever.

 

[notslow50]

All in all seems to be a stand up rack , it has plenty of style when not in use