T-Slot hardware solutions for the FE OEM rack - Is anyone putting anything up there???

[b407driver]

I finally got the FE rack installed yesterday, and scratching around it seems that there is little documentation of people actually using this rack (I know, aftermarket racks are better... I'm waiting for more 3/4 options). Looking to mount some stuff up there (MaxTrax, HiLift, etc.), but unsure of which other vendors' t-slot hardware works (Prinsu, Rhino, etc.). Is anyone mounting stuff up there, and have any links to generic t-slot hardware (eye bolts, slots for straps, etc.) that might work? I'm also interested if the slanted portions on driver/passenger sides are useful for anything whatsoever, as it looks as if the slots and holes were designed for... something specific. I'm guessing nothing much heavier than a shovel would work, but perhaps I'm just being pessimistic?

Please post links of hardware that you have used/confirmed will work, and would love to see some pics of what people have put of there, so post'em up!

 

[Rk1679]

I finally got the FE rack installed yesterday, and scratching around it seems that there is little documentation of people actually using this rack (I know, aftermarket racks are better... I'm waiting for more 3/4 options). Looking to mount some stuff up there (MaxTrax, HiLift, etc.), but unsure of which other vendors' t-slot hardware works (Prinsu, Rhino, etc.). Is anyone mounting stuff up there, and have any links to generic t-slot hardware (eye bolts, slots for straps, etc.) that might work? I'm also interested if the slanted portions on driver/passenger sides are useful for anything whatsoever, as it looks as if the slots and holes were designed for... something specific. I'm guessing nothing much heavier than a shovel would work, but perhaps I'm just being pessimistic?

Please post links of hardware that you have used/confirmed will work, and would love to see some pics of what people have put of there, so post'em up!

View attachment 12682

Well I don’t have an answer for you yet. I’m expecting my OEM rack hopefully before this weekend. I went OEM due to the water tight foot mounts (no silicone goop needed) and drop in slots for mounting hardware. Also wanted 3/4 length which limits my choices. I’ll be mounting one, maybe two, 42” Plano boxes for gear, mount for a hi lift jack to be used as needed when heading to the trails, and maybe alternate between traction boards and a Rotopax as needed. Hopefully varying length generic carriage bolts or t slot bolts will fit but we’ll see. So I too would like some ideas for mounting solutions and hardware for the OEM rack. Post ‘em up please!

 

[Insanoflexathf]

I ordered these and they are perfect for what I needed.

https://a.co/d/73mJBJ5

 

[EOD Guy]

Quick search on Amazon has 4 bazillion hits

 

[Insanoflexathf]

Quick search on Amazon has 4 bazillion hits

True, but I made the mistake and ordered these wrong size in the beginning. There are different size t-slot bolts.

 

[b407driver]

Quick search on Amazon has 4 bazillion hits

That's exactly why I posted this thread, because without trying some of this stuff, you don't actually know if it works, nor what kind of quality it is.

 

[b407driver]

I ordered these and they are perfect for what I needed.

https://a.co/d/73mJBJ5

How are the traction boards mounted?

 

[Insanoflexathf]

How are the traction boards mounted?

I just used straps to lock them down. Haven’t had any issues with movement.

 

[RBB]

5/16 hex bolts work

 

[Hump77]

I ordered these and they are perfect for what I needed.

https://a.co/d/73mJBJ5

What box is that?

 

[Insanoflexathf]

What box is that?

That’s the roam case. It’s amazing, but pricey. I had it for years on my FJ Cruiser before getting the LC.

 

[EOD Guy]

You are going to have to figure out what size/length/type you need, using measuring tape ..........

Maximum flange size (shoulders of the T bolts are captured by the flanges)
Maximum bolt size (threaded portion of the T bolt passes through opening/slot)
Maximum bolt height (How far you want the bolt to stick out)
or T nut size (thread size should be determined by diameter of the bolt that passes through the T opening/slot)

T Nuts have a very limited ability to tighten before the bolt bottoms out in the T track. Very useful for semi-permanent eye bolt mounts, allows the eye bolt to slide anywhere along the length of the track and lock securely in place. When the eye bolt is removed, the T nut stays in the track and is unseen and unobtrusive. Also a very good choice for fitting boxes in the same place every time. You will need to cut the bolts to a custom length.

T Bolts are almost unlimited in length and ability to tighten loads. Unless you have a slot in the track to remove them, are an eyesore and very obtrusive when your box/item is not fastened down. They do make "eye bolt" nuts (eyes with threads for bolts)

 

[PixelMagic]

Here is a link to my installation of the 95L Rugged Case:

Installation of Roam Rugged Case on First Edition Roof Rack

 

[JamMasterJ]

I have all sorts of brackets, Roam mounts and loops secured using the below. Toss the bolts that come with those tbolts. I also shimmed the perpendicular rails up using flat washers so they’d sit even with the side rails.

Hex bolts:
M6 x 14mm Button Head Hex Socket... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CD5VZTZ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Tbolts:
20pcs Screws Kit for Rhino-Rack... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJMNNS4Q?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Edit
You’ll need to figure out your length for your accessories on the bolts. I have used different sizes of the same one for different things.

 

[EOD Guy]

Here is a link to my installation of the 95L Rugged Case:

Installation of Roam Rugged Case on First Edition Roof Rack

Nice setup! FYI that would be a perfect application to use T nuts.

 

[EOD Guy]

I have all sorts of brackets, Roam mounts and loops secured using the below. Toss the bolts that come with those tbolts. I also shimmed the perpendicular rails up using flat washers so they’d sit even with the side rails.

Hex bolts:
M6 x 14mm Button Head Hex Socket... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CD5VZTZ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Tbolts:
20pcs Screws Kit for Rhino-Rack... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJMNNS4Q?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Edit
You’ll need to figure out your length for your accessories on the bolts. I have used different sizes of the same one for different things.

I tend to do the same......... That way if I lose one, it's not a "special" size, just cut a long one to the length I need.

 

[Ed1]

Will an M10 or 3/8" hex bolt fit and work in the crossbar channel?

I measured 20mm width for the channel (where the bolt head would slide).

 

[EOD Guy]

Will an M10 or 3/8" hex bolt fit and work in the crossbar channel?

I measured 20mm width for the channel (where the bolt head would slide).

I can't answer your question, M10 T bolts from amazon states, 18mm wide should fit in a 20mm slot ....... But nothing a grinder won't fix, I used to grind SAE bolts all the time before I realized it was much easier to buy them.......LOL

 

[Hump77]

That’s the roam case. It’s amazing, but pricey. I had it for years on my FJ Cruiser before getting the LC.

Thanks! I’m gonna go that route for some extra storage.

 

[b407driver]

Thanks for all this info, I left on a trip the day after, so wasn't able to monitor this, some great solutions here!

Has anyone mounted anything to the slanted sides of the FE rack? The stock holes/slots look like they were designed for something specific, and yet I'm a bit wary of how much weight the flimsy-ish slanted metal can hold. Thinking about trying to mount the Kammok mount ball on the side.

Also, has anyone discovered a solution for a Hi-Lift Jack?