Install light bar - epoxy??

So I’m going to be installing my 40” rigid radiance light bar finally. Just waiting for the last paint coats to dry on the brackets.

It says to use self tapping screws, but I’m thinking that maybe I’ll use 3/16” rivers instead since it basically fits the holes perfectly instead of #10 self tapping screws.

In addition to that, since it’s a heavy bar that will be loading these little rivets into the sheet metal body above my door jamb (above top of windshield mount), someone had recommended that I get some JB Weld and remove all the paint from both surfaces, the body and the bracket, then epoxy them together with the help of the rivets.

Should help increase rigidity and keep the rivets from flexing and working the holes loose...

Anyone have thoughts? I’m thinking I’d then give it a quick layer of paint over since I was told to use the steel weld (which although has a lower cured pressure rating, is rated to use on metal). I’m not concerned for the pin on the body. I just don’t want this to rip loose when shredding down dirt roads.

There’s also a little raised nub that runs along from where I plan to attach the brackets in the gutters there on both sides of the window. Makes it easy to align, but it will prevent the brackets from laying flush against the body. Maybe epoxy would help with strength there too.

The passenger side is actually a little rusty there from where someone previously dented and repaired the outer side of that A pillar, so I’d really not like to trust that as if perfect, and I’ll be mounting a little lower than I’d otherwise have liked because of that (the light covers the blue upper tint on the windshield).

 

I wouldn't recommend it for several reasons. First, it's not going to gain you any significant increase in strength. Second - and more importantly - sanding through the factory finish is a recipe for rust if you live anywhere near where they use it. Most folks think you can sand, prime and paint in your driveway and get the same quality of finish that the factory gave you. Sorry, but absolutely no way. Just my 2 cents.

 

That's kind of what I figure. I might just try rivets for now, see how they do, and if I get some slop over time, I'll just put in a threaded insert rivet at that point since I'd be drilling the old rivets out anyway... Epoxy sounded like a crazy person's suggestion...

 

Why not just use the self tapping screws since that's what it recommends? They'll likely hold up better over time than the rivets.

 

I would have thought that the rivets would hold up better over time?

 

Stainless self tapping.

 

If the rivets start to deform from all that weight bouncing around and the light bar gets loose, you have no way of tightening anything up. I wouldn't mount the light bar that way, especially since you spent so much money on a Rigid bar. I'd try some rivnuts.... Good luck.

https://www.rivetnutusa.com/rivnut-rivet-nut/

 

Haha I got the lightbar on craigslist for $200 and it works great so not terribly expensive. If a screw starts to loosen, I'd think it's because it's deforming the metal and trying to tighten them would just worsen it. The rivnuts seem like a great way to go. Bigger surface areas on that rivet, and can tighten screws back up