What Rivnuts to use for roofrack rails?

[pietpetoors]

I want to install roofrack rails on my Hilux's roof.
What rivnuts must I use. The company where I get it says they have large flange and they have countersunk?

When do you use which one?

[niclemaitre]

Countersunk rivnut:



Flange rivnut:


Are you putting these into the metal of the roof directly? If you are I'd go for the one with the large flange, would be better for thin metal. Thicker metal will be better for the countersunk one. If you can, get the ones with the knurling, they grip better. Also make sure that you get the exact drill bit size you need, otherwise they can start to rotate if the hole is too big.

Size table:
http://i52.tinypic.com/23huolw.jpg

Lastly don't overtighten, use a short spanner or a torque wrench and lots of locktite

[pietpetoors]

Thanx a million.
Yes it will be in the sheet metal of the roof.
I sommer want to get the right stuff for when I want to attach thing to the loadbin.

[ChrisF]

Thanks Nic

[pietpetoors]

Got a brainwave (don't happen often).

Check out the shop next week, I am sommer going to sell M6 and M8 Rivnuts in our shops.

[Dingo]

If you can, get the ones with the knurling, they grip better. Also make sure that you get the exact drill bit size you need, otherwise they can start to rotate if the hole is too big.

Agree totally with Nic

Also make sure that you seal the rivnut with some silicon and I would use silicon on the bolt threads rather than locktite. If you don't seal properly you'll get leaks.

[Aquanaut]

Stupid question, but how do these rivnuts work?

[niclemaitre]

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@Pieter: can you get the blind ones (sealed at the bottom) as well?

[ChrisF]

Pieter jy maak al weer moeilikheid ..... ek het nie gister een nodig gehad nie .....


Jy moet dan maar die rivnut tool ook kry .... of het Nic nog n tip vir ons

[niclemaitre]

I have a tool that does M3-M6, it's fantastic, looks like a normal hand pliers-style pop-riveter. If you are doing several then you should probably invest in a tool, mine was ~R900.

If you are only doing a few then you can install them by threading a nut and a large flat washer on to a bolt that is both long enough to go right through the rivnut and the right size for the rivnut. Put the assembly in the hole and turn the nut while holding the bolt still with a second spanner. If the rivnut rotates, even with the washer, then you can expand it slightly before putting it into the hole, just grip it with a vise-grip.

You can also get rubber ones that work well for installations into plastic like the dash board

[Aquanaut]

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@Pieter: can you get the blind ones (sealed at the bottom) as well?

Thanks. Now I need some too.

[niclemaitre]

Most good nut and bolt places either stock or can order them. I didn't know that I needed them until I discovered them either. Now I use them everywhere. Next project, redo the door panels on Rooies and fasten them with rivnuts, no more stupid plastic clips that never work

[Hangover]

Ek het klomp rivnuts gekoop maar nie n tool gekry nie dit was nogal n gesukkel om hulle te kry om te vat met n boudjie en 2 spannertjies...

[pietpetoors]

Nic how to you find that hand tool. One of the fitment centres told me it is a waste of time. I want to sell the tool as well but only ordered the makulu one which is very expensive.

[niclemaitre]

I like mine, can't remember which brand it is (got it from Apple Tool and Gas in Strand). I'll check tonight and let you know. It works really well. Bit of a struggle with the big M6 Stainless rivnuts but that's due to the thick walls of the rivnut. The next size up would be great, just have to convince the bank manager :D

One like this:

[pietpetoors]

Ye, I ordered one like that.

I see for smaller you get these two and both can do M6 and M8

[pietpetoors]

Eish just got a price. The second one in the pics is even more expensive than that Makulu one Nic posted.

[niclemaitre]

This is my one, ~R900 from Apple Tool



Feels really well made and should last

[pietpetoors]

Looks the same as the one I can get.
I promise the price will be better.

[MOFASA]

Make sure you use sikaflex when installing on the roof it seals no problems and stops it getting loose...
We do it all the time...

Will be interested in a new tool or 2....

[ChrisF]

I like mine, can't remember which brand it is (got it from Apple Tool and Gas in Strand). I'll check tonight and let you know. It works really well. Bit of a struggle with the big M6 Stainless rivnuts but that's due to the thick walls of the rivnut. The next size up would be great, just have to convince the bank manager :D

One like this:

dare I ask the price for this one ??

[pietpetoors]

R2890.00 VAT incl

The one like Nic have will be R720.00

[niclemaitre]

If I could, I'd actually prefer one size up from mine, this one:


Mine is little bit of a mission with the big stainless popnuts, the handle isn't really long enough to give enough force. The ratchet one looks a better bet.

[pietpetoors]

That looks like the logical choice to me as well but it is going to cost you about R3,500.00

[niclemaitre]

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?! I can fiddle with two spanners for the bigger ones then just fine thanks!

I have seen a mod to a conventional popriveter that can achieve the same thing, but you can only use it with one size of rivnut then. Might be cheaper to buy a Chinese Lazy-Tong style popriveter and mod it.

[pietpetoors]

I am sure if you use a normal ratchet, spanner, bolt, nut and washer, you will achieve the same as with Mr R3.5k below.

[pietpetoors]

Maybe I must get one for the shop and let it out because most guys will just use it once or twice a year.

[wazungu]

A Question- Just had roof rails fitted to my DC Hilux so I can fit a roof rack later.They used Riv Nuts to secure the rails. Now I've been told that riv nuts are not strong enough for a loaded roof rack? apparently the weak point is that they don't prevent vertical movement in the long run just lateral forces. Apparently better to use bolt and nut to secure rails, which means lifting the head lining etc?

any thoughts?

[ChrisF]

Maybe I must get one for the shop and let it out because most guys will just use it once or twice a year.

NOU praat jy !!

[pietpetoors]

Of course they do prevent vertical movement.
See pic below, there is no way it will be able to come out of that.
The problem is that the vehicle's roof is made out of how thick material? 1mm ? if so much.

So probably no need to put some mean 8 or 10mm bolt in if the metal is only 1mm thick.

Vertical movement me thinks will only be an issue either if your vehicle becomes airborne over a dune, or if you roll your vehicle in which case bolts won't make a big difference because the whole roof will be stuffed.

[ChrisF]

Of course they do prevent vertical movement.
See pic below, there is no way it will be able to come out of that.
The problem is that the vehicle's roof is made out of how thick material? 1mm ? if so much.

So probably no need to put some mean 8 or 10mm bolt in if the metal is only 1mm thick.

Vertical movement me thinks will only be an issue either if your vehicle becomes airborne over a dune, or if you roll your vehicle in which case bolts won't make a big difference because the whole roof will be stuffed.

Could one use the riv-nuts with fender washers ?? To distribute the forces a bit ...

[pietpetoors]

On the outside I cannot see why not, just make sure you put sikaflex under it to prevent water and dust to get stuck under the washer.
If you put it on the inside you will have to remove the roof lining anyway and then you might as well put bolts through the roof.