The LFD Off Road Thread
- Thread starter jafrush
- Start date
LFD_Off_Road
New member
7/8 aluminum rack
drewsro
New member
Just did the same decoration on mine, though I just wrapped it around the factory Trail Edition roof rack.
LFD Rack owners (I have a 7/8ths)
What have you guys used as sealant/silicone for the factory bolt holes? I thought I sealed mine pretty well but 3 days of hard rain proved otherwise.
Forecast shows another 3-4 days of rain coming so I'm trying to get this taken care of before it hits.
For reference, I used Permatex Ultra RTV Grey.
What have you guys used as sealant/silicone for the factory bolt holes? I thought I sealed mine pretty well but 3 days of hard rain proved otherwise.
Forecast shows another 3-4 days of rain coming so I'm trying to get this taken care of before it hits.
For reference, I used Permatex Ultra RTV Grey.
LFD_Off_Road
New member
We just use what is basically an industrial version of household bathroom caulk ourselves.
The three leaks I've seen have used the RTV gasket maker type caulk. Each one I saw in person or in photos had some obvious gaps in the caulk, but the RVT I saw also seems to dry pretty hard, so I'm wondering if that can also help contribute to the leak versus a caulk that still has some play in it when dry.
LFD_Off_Road
New member
Should be some gap, maybe a half inch to an inch or so? We have to leave some gap so that the rack is compatible with sunroof models still, you need a gap so that if the roof is vented it won't touch the faring.
yeah I have somewhere between 1/2 - 3/4.
I get that these are made to work with multiple styles of vehicle and to limit skus.
I just feel it would work better if it could sit closer.
I'm wondering if it creates on updraft on snowboards or boxes.
On a trip to the Mtn it was fine in areas that it wasn't windy but definitely noticeable when there was wind.
That's why I was asking about a modification? Wondering if I took something like a yakima fairing and attached it to the LFD fairing if that would work out.
tylertenny
Member
I ordered the 3/4 rack on Black Friday and can't wait for it to come so I can ditch those factory silver rails. My garage isn't heated so I've been trying to figure out what kind of sealant I should go with when reinstalling the factory bolts. Silaprene sounds like a great long term sealant but I'm wondering how well it would work when applied in a freezing garage. Are there any good recommendations for cold weather application or am I putting too much thought into this?
Rhino11
Member
If I recall correctly, I used the Blue RTV when installing my full length. I have not had any issues to date. It's probably been on for 2-3 months or so. I would think the grey should be fine if you didn't have any gaps in your bead.
Its definitely possible. I didnt put any silicone on the threads of inside the white bolt holes so that could definitely be an issue.
I think I'm going to try bathroom caulking when I reseal it since that is what was recommended above.
Rhino11
Member
I had heard that was all you needed. I just ended up buying the other because I saw it in an install video.
This is the one I’m leaning towards for my 2020 Pro. Don’t really care for the factory roof rack. But I’m also concerned about messing with changing it out and you might have some leaks. Also the bolts that are in the 2020 Pro roof rack I read where there longer and that’s not a good. Because I think the bolts on the roof rails are different than the bolts on the 2020 Pro roof rack. Also did you get a discount on Black Friday? Thanks.
tylertenny
Member
Right now I'm just trying to figure out if I should be using any kind of silicone when my garage is cold or if I should do the swap in a heated garage. I've watched a few roof rack install videos and it looks pretty straightforward. LFD was running a 15 percent off sale on Black Friday. If you were leaning towards their rack, I would maybe try to contact them and ask them if there would be any issues installing their rack on your 2020.
the tube should have instructions on it, just check what temperature range it says
LFD_Off_Road
New member
Been a few crazy days.
Thank you to everyone who ordered during Black Friday! We've got an enormous batch of parts coming back from powder coating probably tomorrow, and will start getting all the orders sent out beginning next week.
It's also been a busy week for prototype parts. One completely brand new thing in the pipe for 4Runners, and two that aren't for 4runners, but still Toyota family.
I did also get a chance to play with the old Hybrid bumper off my MGM Trail, and cut it up and reworked it for the Salsa Red Trail. Just got it on today. It needs a little revision to fit a bit better, but for a first prototype, not bad! With the measurements off it we'll be able to finish up these Hybrid bumpers for early 5th Gens really quick. (Cut up a raw bumper instead of the painted one for the prototype fitment).
Thank you to everyone who ordered during Black Friday! We've got an enormous batch of parts coming back from powder coating probably tomorrow, and will start getting all the orders sent out beginning next week.
It's also been a busy week for prototype parts. One completely brand new thing in the pipe for 4Runners, and two that aren't for 4runners, but still Toyota family.
I did also get a chance to play with the old Hybrid bumper off my MGM Trail, and cut it up and reworked it for the Salsa Red Trail. Just got it on today. It needs a little revision to fit a bit better, but for a first prototype, not bad! With the measurements off it we'll be able to finish up these Hybrid bumpers for early 5th Gens really quick. (Cut up a raw bumper instead of the painted one for the prototype fitment).
:banana: :banana: :banana:
Also, the unpainted bumper doesn't look bad at all, it goes well with the early trail's black trim theme
Brush-on Rustoleum for skid plates
Ordered skids for black friday and I'm thinking of using brush-on Rust-Oleum Professional Enamel Interior/Exterior Primer and then Paint. Works for exterior railing & equipment... why not skids.
Everything I've read talks about rattle can. Maybe it's just me, but I hate doing anything big with a can. Lousy coverage, multiple coats, mess, ... Plus it's getting cold so I'm probably going to wait for an elusive warm day or close up the garage and put a heater in there. Brush would be a lot easier than spraying in the garage. I think a key is not to put it on too heavy so the underlayer bonds/dries to the metal vice getting sealed in by a faster drying top layer...
I realize it may not be the prettiest paint job, but they are skids, so not really seen (maybe I'll use a roller on the front skid). My major concern is rust protection.
Hoping someone will say they did this and it worked great... or USERNAME did this in 2016 and here is why it failed... any thoughts?
Ordered skids for black friday and I'm thinking of using brush-on Rust-Oleum Professional Enamel Interior/Exterior Primer and then Paint. Works for exterior railing & equipment... why not skids.
Everything I've read talks about rattle can. Maybe it's just me, but I hate doing anything big with a can. Lousy coverage, multiple coats, mess, ... Plus it's getting cold so I'm probably going to wait for an elusive warm day or close up the garage and put a heater in there. Brush would be a lot easier than spraying in the garage. I think a key is not to put it on too heavy so the underlayer bonds/dries to the metal vice getting sealed in by a faster drying top layer...
I realize it may not be the prettiest paint job, but they are skids, so not really seen (maybe I'll use a roller on the front skid). My major concern is rust protection.
Hoping someone will say they did this and it worked great... or USERNAME did this in 2016 and here is why it failed... any thoughts?
This may not be a horrible idea for the initial painting, and then use a spray for touchups down the road...
Living in the now-chilly state of MD I can appreciate your cold weather paint concerns and may give this a shot for my gas tank skid when I pick it up in (hopefully) a few weeks
If you are in a winter climate where they sand the roads, I would 100% recommend not rattle canning it..
On my last vehicle I did the sliders and after one winter the entire bottom was chipped off along with some of the top. I did multiple layers of primer and paint and it still looked like crap.
How are the cross bars coming along? Any eta for shipment?
On my last vehicle I did the sliders and after one winter the entire bottom was chipped off along with some of the top. I did multiple layers of primer and paint and it still looked like crap.
How are the cross bars coming along? Any eta for shipment?
