The LFD Off Road Thread

[TRD PANTHER]

Wondering if two 4” is better than three 2” crossbars to put an ikamper mini.

I couldn’t answer that. I would contact LFD.

 

[Bundutrailer]

I couldn’t answer that. I would contact LFD.

I will do, how is the noise with 4bars at 4” each, at 2” I hear pretty noisy. Have a fairing?

 

[TBTally]

Received the new full size LFD rack, and reading their instructions to use a silicon sealant, I’m wondering what is the best type of silicon available for this application. Gets very hot here in the Cali central valley (measured my roof temp w/ an IR gun this June at about 180°) so need something that will hold up to the heat and sunlight/UV, as well as the winter cold in the Sierra.

I’ve done searches here on the subject and have found a lot of ideas, but they’re not all specific to LFD and their spacers so I wanted to solicit opinions about sealing the mounting points of the LFD rack in my climate conditions.

Thanks in advance.

Installed full 7/8 lfd rack 2 years ago and live in hot Florida. I used loctite silicone. No issues yet.

 

[TRD PANTHER]

I will do, how is the noise with 4bars at 4” each, at 2” I hear pretty noisy. Have a fairing?

I drove it without a wind fairing and it was noticeably loud. After the wind fairing install, it cut the wind noise by about 90%. I consider the wind noise with the four wide bars equally spaced with the fairing to be very tolerable, but not as quiet as without any.

 

[Pedro367]

Installed full 7/8 lfd rack 2 years ago and live in hot Florida. I used loctite silicone. No issues yet.

Perfect stance. How big lift/tires?

 

[Bundutrailer]

I drove it without a wind fairing and it was noticeably loud. After the wind fairing install, it cut the wind noise by about 90%. I consider the wind noise with the four wide bars equally spaced with the fairing to be very tolerable, but not as quiet as without any.

Thanks for this, I will go 2” given. Want to keep my options open for a RTT in the future.

 

[Finslayer83]

 

[rsean10]

[MENTION=444815]LFD_Off_Road[/MENTION], any chance you guys will do the minimalist rack in stainless at some point? Y'all make some awesome gear, and was wicked excited when I saw that one - just worried about rust up in New England.

 

[KeydeT4R]

Thule Box Mount

I looked through the thread but didn't see this question answered. Has anybody mounted a thule roof box to the integrated fairing crossbar? Based on the fairing profile I assume the clamps can't fit around the bar, but I'd like to make sure there wasn't an adapter or such before ordering another crossbar.

 

[91foxbody]

I run Thule/Yakima ski mounts on the non-integrated bar, and you have to open the jaws up to nearly full width. Zero chance you could clamp around the integrated fairing, unless you have the old bolt-on fairing and had it mounted as far away as possible (and even then it likely wouldn't fit).

My opinion: no, you can't clamp onto the integrated fairing.

 

[Humble Leader]

I looked through the thread but didn't see this question answered. Has anybody mounted a thule roof box to the integrated fairing crossbar? Based on the fairing profile I assume the clamps can't fit around the bar, but I'd like to make sure there wasn't an adapter or such before ordering another crossbar.

Some of the thule boxes have a centre and outer portion that hangs lower for extra storage. unless you have only two cross bars you might not be able to mount one to a rack unless it's short

this is what I'm talking about. you might not be able to fit thule force or motion on a rack. if you currently have a thule box on your rack which one is it?

 

[TBTally]

Perfect stance. How big lift/tires?

Thanks! 285/70/17s and 2/1 spacers.

 

[Finslayer83]

 

[91foxbody]

Does anyone have a light bar mounted on the fairing of the 7/8ths rack? I've seen some old pictures of a fairing mount but it doesn't seem to be an option anymore.

 

[Finslayer83]

 

[TriballRick]

Rack Sealant

I know this topic has already been beaten to death, but has anyone experienced any leaks even after proper silicone application? I used some butyl tape around the plastic guides and then siliconed around the tape and in the guide holes. I probably went overboard with it, but I'm not messing around when it comes to leaks.

 

[Humble Leader]

I know this topic has already been beaten to death, but has anyone experienced any leaks even after proper silicone application? I used some butyl tape around the plastic guides and then siliconed around the tape and in the guide holes. I probably went overboard with it, but I'm not messing around when it comes to leaks.

I'm not speaking from experience but in general the liklihood of a leak will be impacted by the climate in which you live. silicone is not a permanent solution if you live in climates where you have cold winters and hot summers. over time the silicone will lose its ability to be water tight. many use butyl tape like you have done and many just use silicone and have no issues

the best method is to use bonded sealed washers that are designed to create a weathertight seal. like I said above, many people will successfully install roof racks with silicone and have no issues. the best method is to inspect the seals every year or so and even reseal every few years

 

[TriballRick]

I'm not speaking from experience but in general the liklihood of a leak will be impacted by the climate in which you live. silicone is not a permanent solution if you live in climates where you have cold winters and hot summers. over time the silicone will lose its ability to be water tight. many use butyl tape like you have done and many just use silicone and have no issues

the best method is to use bonded sealed washers that are designed to create a weathertight seal. like I said above, many people will successfully install roof racks with silicone and have no issues. the best method is to inspect the seals every year or so and even reseal every few years

Living in Jersey where we get hot summers and cold winters I'll probably invest in some silicone washers along with the butyl tape. Thanks for the reply

 

[Humble Leader]

Living in Jersey where we get hot summers and cold winters I'll probably invest in some silicone washers along with the butyl tape. Thanks for the reply

silicone is good but bonded sealed EPDM washers are best. If you can get those use them. the bonded washers have rubber fused with a curved metal washer. when torqued properly the metal washer presses down and goes flat. the cone shape of the steel washer directs the rubber to seal tightly to a bolt and flat to whatever you are mounting it to. this prevents moisture from traveling along the threads which can be an issue if using a regular flat washer + also helps with vibration dampening. I use these on my pelican case and have not had any issues with moisture getting inside the case. the case permanently lives on my roof. freeze and thaw cycles no problem + easy to replace washers if you want after a few years since there's no messy silicone to clean up

 

[judoant]

Does anyone have a good site to get various flavors of T Bolts? I need 50mm and 70mm M6.