Trunk Rack Install

[IronMike]

Installing things that require holes!

In this period of instruction you will learn how to professionally install a rack or any other part such as a fender ornament, Etc. You will know how to do this when done reading and this article will come to mind when you need it. (Use these instructions to supplement the instructions that came with your accessory.) On THIS install you will omit the part where you only drill two holes, you will drill all four at once. Thats what the tools are for! I do not give times in my How to's because every person has to look for tools and works at a different pace. I hate it! When someone says they did it in 10 minutes and it takes me an hour! I feel like an idiot! So who cares about the time, Take YOUR time and do it right.

 

Ok So You have ordered your new trunk rack The hardest thing to do is to get it on centered and by drilling only the holes you need and only the right size holes. In particular the Yamaha rack is very forgiving but this install will prevail even in situations that are crucial.

 

Make the surface you are working on LEVEL! In this case I used a Carbon One Jack adapter and jacked mine up. The side stand thing will drive you crazy as you align it. So Level it!

 

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/Venture%202008/IMG_0497_zps3de1cf2b.jpg

THIS is the secret! Its a spoiler install tool Pretty much you can make one. Just get a large zip tie and a rivet that will fit into the mounting hole of the article you are trying to install. The reason is has to be a rivet is so it will stay in the hole you will drill in the zip tie with the head of it, and that it has a HOLE going through the center so you can use it as a pilot hole. So, pick your rivet, a large enough zip tie, drill a hole in zip tie, put rivet through hole and hold it in with masking tape. You are ready.

 

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Find the center of your install platform, in this case the trunk. Once found mark it and Put a Cross hair on it. I use MM as a method of measuring as I find it easier and more accurate. I used a FREE tape measure from Ikea! FREE FREE FREE!

 

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/Venture%202008/IMG_0493_zps9af98b7c.jpg

What you do is stick your tool (The one you made) into the mounting hole on all of the mounting holes, (As pictured) Yes you need a tool for each hole, in this case Four. Put Masking Tape (I like the green painters type) on the trunk where the rack is going to meet the paint so you can easily mark and not scratch your paint up as you move the tools on the paint getting your rack in the right place.

 

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/IMG_0503_zpsdf4b4556.jpg

Here it is, centered and marked and tools taped down securely. At this point the rack is put on the trunk with the tools in the mounting holes and moved around 100 times until you get it perfectly in line and measured as many times as it takes. Measure, look at it, Measure front to back, left to right, from one corner to the side, you get the idea. You are going to get it perfect and the little tools will hold it in place as you do. (Otherwise it will try to slide off and drive you crazy, so the tools serve dual purpose. (This install calls for it to be 1.5 inches from the rear of the Backrest padding) At FIRST have all four tools under the rack but only have two taped down. You can put pressure on the tape enough to slide it a little for adjustments. When you are satisfied with the positioning........

 

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Tape all four tools down very securely and remove the rack straight up.

NOT MOVING ANY TAPED DOWN TOOLS!

Pictured above is what you will have left ....four tools securely fastened to the trunk in the exact spot that needs drilled.

 

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Proceed to use a drill that will fit into the hole on your tool. It will be a small pilot hole, Go ahead and drill all four holes for you are absolutely sure they are in the right place. THEN remove the tools from the surface of the trunk and using a Piloted drill bit drill all FOUR holes to the proper size. This Yamaha Rack calls for 11/32 drill bit.

 

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The small pilot hole that you just drilled is followed by a piloted 11/32 drill bit. Piloted drill bits makes for an easy drilling of the second hole and gets it right on center perfectly.

 

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Next you follow the instructions on how to use your hardware, Do Not! use Loctite on the hardware, remember this is ABS plastic and it will harm it. I use RV Glue in each hole, then inserted the hardware in proper sequence and put the rack on by myself. I admit another hand would be of use here. And I did have to go back and make one hole slightly larger to accommodate small variance of the rack mounting holes. SLIGHTLY! The RV glue got on the threads, and the flat Brackets in a good kind of way sealing and preventing the bolts from backing out. (RV glue dries but remains flexible and removable. made by GOOP found at RV stores and some hardware and dept stores, similar product may be used, or, none at all. I want my rack to be sealed and stay on!)

 

Use alcohol to clean up any excess glue.

 

Presto! There you have it! An absolute foolproof way to install a trunk rack! Sticky it!

 

MODS move as needed. Readers Give tips and feedback to assist others.

Thanks for reading.

IronMike Semper Fi!

Edited August 18, 2013 by IronMike

[Phoneman1981]

Nice Job!!! Thanks for the write up and pictures.

[IronMike]

Your welcome. Each picture I avoid typing 1000 words Chinese day. A member told me what a pita it is to mount a rack. Not when you do it with this tool. Easy.

[Dale124]

It looks off center to me.

:stickinouttounge:

Kidding, of course. Nice job.

I installed mine in early July, and it was indeed a P.I.T.A.!

Getting everything straight and symmetrical took me way too long.

Dale.

[Silverado6x6]

I use polyurethane sealant under the mounts backed up with stainless washers inside, trunk will absorb humidity, I am actually thinking of keeping a desiccant pack in mine. Another mod I may contemplate is a one way flapper that would allow air to pass out of trunk, when it seals good it really seals good and it retains moisture like a zip lock bag.

Another thing I did was to get a rattle can of NAPA trunk paint, its a spatter gray/black type of paint for older style passenger style trunks, and then I lined the bottom with a black thick pile bathroom type of rug.

Why use polyurethane?

Lasts longer than most silicone sealers, its thicker, its what I use on marine applications.

Its not fun to travel and then find everything in trunk soaking wet.