How can I keep a metal roof rack from damaging body?

[paperbag]

I'm planning a new body build, and really want to re-use my roof rack (one of these. Problem is, the last body didn't last very long before the metal posts punched through the body following a few rough spills.

I'm wondering if there's anything I could do (maybe nylon washers or o-rings?) to keep the mounting areas from damaging the lexan when landing roof-side down.

[littletoyboy]

You may want to post this in the paint and body thread instead of the electronics thread.

[Johnnysplits]

Why don't you cut up some pieces of .080 styrene and shoe goo them in place where you're going to mount the roof rack. Then use flat washers on both the inside and outside of the cab on the screws. Other than that, you would have to make some sort of inner structure from styrene or a cage from tubing to keep the can from crushing in during rollovers.

[paperbag]

Originally Posted by littletoyboy

You may want to post this in the paint and body thread instead of the electronics thread.

Whoops, thought I did. Thanks to whoever moved it.

Originally Posted by Johnnysplits

Why don't you cut up some pieces of .080 styrene and shoe goo them in place where you're going to mount the roof rack. Then use flat washers on both the inside and outside of the cab on the screws. Other than that, you would have to make some sort of inner structure from styrene or a cage from tubing to keep the can from crushing in during rollovers.

Hmm, that might work, and I think the added buildup may be hidden by raised rails on the sides (it's an XJ).

[sickcivic95]

You could possibly even just use body saver mounts, it's lexan cut to go around a body post but it helps to disperse the pressure to a larger area than just where the bolt and nut sit. Add a nylon washer to help even more, the more surface area that's being touched/used around the mount the more it has to push through to damage.

-Dan