Want to get a RAGTOP, what to do with roof rack holes?

wagodizzlewagodizzle Council Member and EDM expert
in Bodywork & Cosmetic Modifications
So, i have an OEM roof rack. the rails are bolted to the car via 3 holes (on both sides).
I have been looking at getting a ragtop, which requires a 31" wide hole to be cut in the roof. with the ragtop canvas installed the complete unit measures 35" wide.. now here is the dilemma! The roof rack rails are spaced about 33 inches apart, so clearly interfere with the ragtop by a solid 2 inches. this requires getting rid of the rails.

Question is, how can I "patch" the existing holes? I know the easy answer is take it to a body shop (which i would need to obviously if i plan on or have to get the rood repainted), but i am trying my best to hold off on that because of, well, $$$. :) is this something i could maybe weld myself then grind down? again, bodyshop would be needed for paint.. or would i risk too much doing this? idk :)

i guess i am already answering my own question in my head, but hell.. toss ideas/suggestions at me!

rubber grommets? lol... ghetto

Comments

  • 503Wagon503Wagon moderator
    It is actually super easy to do it. Do you know anyone with a welder? Just pull everything out and weld up the holes. Pick up a grinder and grind them down flat. You can do it yourself, assuming you have a welder or access to one. Be careful welding and do it slow or you'll warp the roof and end up with some serious business wobbles.

    Once the holes are filled and ground down, all you need to do is get a bit of body filler and fill the dents/imperfections that are left. Then ship it off to the bodyshop and be done!
  • Old SkoolOld Skool Council Member
    Get a narrower rag top :lol:
  • philkmilphilkmil New Wagonist
    As 503wagon said, only weld a little at a time and then wait for it to cool to avoid warping. Using a piece of copper to back the hole when welding also helps dissipate the heat (and makes it a little easier to weld as well). One more thing to remember, when grinding also take it a little at time, as grinding also can create quite a bit of heat. It doesn't take make to warp that thin sheet-metal.
    I've also seen people solder holes if they are small enough holes, and then you can just sand/grind down the solder. If you don't have access to a welder that might be an option.
  • wagodizzlewagodizzle Council Member and EDM expert
    i have a pretty nice wire-feed welder. but it still scares me just thinking about this!
    Old Skool wrote:
    Get a narrower rag top :lol:

    ha! if they made one just 2 inches narrower, this would work damn near perfect. or, 2 inches wider, then i could just cut out where the holes are :lol:

    i was thinking last night, as maybe a more temp fix, till i get the car truly ready for a full body "restoration" and paint, that i could use some of those fancy pants fender bolts with a rubber washer? these would sit flat, no? and look semi-decent..

    http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii25 ... 15-1-1.jpg
  • philkmilphilkmil New Wagonist
    Those seem like the would work. A rubber "plug" might look a little cleaner (I can't think of what I've seen the plugs used for, but I know I've seen rubber plugs with a little groove in the side of them to hold them in place on sheet metal). Something kind of like this: http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en ... s:17,i:184

    but without the hole in it
  • wagodizzlewagodizzle Council Member and EDM expert
    i'll look into those as well, if i can find one small enough =)
  • ragenasianragenasian Moderator
    I had a Supra with one of those gay ass spoilers on the back and used some really nice curtain rod ends that were spiked. They screwed onto the curtain rod so I just used some rubber from a bike tire tube, cut to fit, and bolted them down. For a little better seal used some clear silicone as well. For my motorcycle I bought spiked fairing bolts that would work the same way. Add a little flair to the roof of your car without the need for a body shop until you can afford it. Just giving you some ideas of what I did.
  • Old SkoolOld Skool Council Member
    Easy fix.. Silicone the holes and install some factory roof strips :)
  • shinobishinobi Band Wagon
    Since you're going to have the headliner out, I would imagine the best/easiest thing to do would be to weld them while you have the headliner out, and before you have the ragtop installed. That way you won't have to come back and take everything out again just to get to welding 6 little bits. I suppose if you didn't care what it looked like, you could go with silicone, but I'm thinking you do.
  • Silvertoe88RTSilvertoe88RT Wagonist
    A small bolt or all thread from under the headliner then little bondo on the top- sand it paint it done.
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