Sherpa Grand Teton roof rack owners

The mounting is super easy on the sherpa. The kit has rubber pads that go under the rack that seal to the roof. I use sikaflex anyway and spoke to the sherpa owner. He said it wouldn't hurt to use silicone or sika but they designed the mounts so it wasn't needed. All holes are predrilled and threaded in the roof. The hardest part (which wasn't hard at all) was really adjusting the front wind plate to eliminate noise and cutting the weather stripping to fit after the mount. I used tin snips and used the sika to adhere the weather straps back down and it was easy. Here is a pic of the mount. I like sherpa because it is made in the USA and it is super thick and strong. I hang my hammocks from it. Lol.

 

Thank you! Your pictures are really helpful ! They give me a lot to think about.

What you show makes a lot of sense -- the instructions don't show this at all. Frankly, I was going to scratch them off my short list because a guy who is all thumbs like me needs all of the instructions that he can get. But your pictures actually show a nice advantage. With this rack you can just cut the roof stripping and put it back because the rubber pads take care of the area where the bolts go. This is actually cleaner than having to take the weather stripping off, mark holes and then punch them and put the stripping back.

Much, much appreciated ...

 

No problem. Happy to help. Here's another pic with a canoe on top of dakine velcro pads I bought on Amazon. I also put 80/20 Inc, 2820, 10 Series, Black Economy T-Slot Covers in the extruded aluminum channels at the request of another poster and that made the rack silent along with lowering the front plate. The dakine pad gives it a cool look. Amazon also sells the front straps that mount under the hood (seattle sports sherpak hood loops). I would highly recommend all 3 and you can find those on Amazon.

 

I guess I can post in this thread now, bought used 700 Cdn pesos, or 530USD. Nice fit and finish on it. This ones been abused for a year and a bit. As second owner looks like still as good as the day it was cut.

 

Just ordered mine along with a BD s8 amber, Will post pics when installed.

 

Using silicone sealant for a roof rack is not adequate. Silicone shrinks, hardens, changes with temperature and fails over time. Any water intrusion over time on the roof can lead to rusting around the mounts and your roof plus cause any issues as water seeps into the headliner. There is a reason why OEMs don't use silicone sealant to water and weatherproof roof racks, windshields and windows. They typically use butyl tape or rubber. Sherpa is one of the few aftermarket companies that understands this. That's why using rubber feet is a big plus over other companies that make 8020 racks. They also use bonded washers which prevents water coming in through the bolts. If you have any water that drips through the bolts those aluminum barrel spacers will just pool and collect water. Using rubber feet is just a superior way to mount and seal a roof rack.

 

Just ordered mine as well. Neighbor has one on his 4-Runner and it is a solid rack. Also looks better than any of the others IMO. From what I have seen, they are also the only manufacturer that accounts for the canted mounting points on the topper racks for certain toppers. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

 

I ordered mine the 2nd. Should be here soon. Did you do the rack/lightbar combo?

 

Toyota literally uses a sticker to cover the holes through the roof. A good weather resistant silicone is more than sufficient in comparison.

 

I got the rack with the light cutout, but I am going to go with my own bar setup. Looking forward to getting the racks up there.

 

Same. I'm hoping mine is here before Christmas

 

I feel like he’s thinking of rtv or something, which will harden and crumble in time. OEMs don’t use silicone sealant because they don’t have time to let a vehicle sit and cure on an assembly line when a rubber washer or foam tape that gets painted over (which like you said is exactly what Toyota does) works all the same and is likely cheaper.

I’ve used some nice high grade aquarium type silicones on my roof rack installs and never had a drop of water swap through.

 

As much as I like the system on the Sherpa Racks, I am still going to put some silicone as a preventative measure. People think too much into this.

 

It’s more that it’s nice to have a mounting system that seals itself with rubber. IMO it’s stupid to be afraid of using silicone sealant, but it’s nice that with the Sherpa rack it isn’t 100% necessary

 

I also went the belt and suspenders route. What could it hurt.

 

Just installed Sherpa's large adapt plate. Gonna relocate my dual band antenna in the Nmo hole

 

Got the maxtrax mounts today! I will have to remount them. Make them go with the direction of air.

 

Been thinking about getting a two sets of these and trying out some baja rock lights for them. Anyone else see these?

 

It’s a clean way to add lights to their rack but then I wouldn’t have anything to grab when opening or closing my rtt.

 

Really? Don't you use the ladder for your rtt to open and close it?