SMB vs CCV penthouse top comparison and impact on rear AC?

[ndubes]

Getting ready for this install in March, and trying to figure out how I’m going to re-mount my existing Front Runner roof rack onto the aluminum unistrut that CCV is installing. Does anyone wirh this feature on theirs have a photo they can share? Would like to make sure I give them all the hardware they need to mount it properly so they’re not tempted to Jerry rig anything!

[rallypanam]

Unistrut is simple. I know nothing about a Roofrunner rack, google unistrut and see all the fittings available. Nothing to jerryrig.

[MSD]

What Rallypanam said I’m also happy to go over it with you when you drop the van off so you understand how it will be done.

[ndubes]

Unistrut is simple sure but there are different sizes, where they mount it on the roof matters, etc etc. a picture would help greatly if someone has one.

[MSD]

[QUOTE=ndubes;244623]Unistrut is simple sure but there are different sizes, where they mount it on the roof matters, etc etc. a picture would help greatly if someone has one.[/QUOTE

When I’m at the shop tomorrow I’ll take some pictures so you can understand better what we’ll be doing... when we install the unistrut it is bolted thru the top and into the upper frame of the lift mechanism. Basically we are sandwiching the top between the interior lift mechanism & unistrut.

We use butyl tape under the unistrut full length & full coverage on bottom of the unistrut as well...

We then use a cam lock that is threaded to bolt your rack to the unistrut. The cam lock is spring loaded and can travel inside the track of the unistrut freely to use as many points of contact to bolt the rack down, usually 3 to 4 per side. The unistrut we use is 1.5 x1.5 & powder coated black.

I’m pretty sure your sales person is Chris? You should be able to call him & get an quick answer. If not call me and I will answer any questions you have & make sure you understand what we will be doing... 9 seven 0 six 99 one 9 eight 9

Cheers
Mark

[carringb]

FYI - Unistrut channel is sold at all home improvement and electric supply stores, although Unistrut is actually a brand name. SuperStrut and Hilti strut are competing but compatible equivalents. The "strut-nuts" are all the same side, but you can buy them with plastic or metal springs based on channel depth, which serve to only hold the strut-nut in place while you bolt it. You can also just install the strut-nuts without a spring. The strut nuts come in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" inner diameters, corresponding with the size hardware you want to use.

2 key install tips: 1) make sure the bolt doesn't bottom out in the channel, and 2) make sure the strut nut doesn't spin. The "teeth" need to grip the channel flanges. Sometimes the nut spins 90-degrees, so it torques up fine, but is really just bottomed out against the accessory you are trying to attach.

If you know and plumbers or electricians, they probably throw out daily most of the hardware you might need....

[ndubes]

Thanks everybody for the inputs, Chris @ CCV was kind enough to send me some pictures which was very helpful. For completeness of this thread, here's the photo attached. Knowing exactly where it's at is very helpful, as there are different accessory "legs" for my rack that might help with the re-install of the rack onto the new top. Fortunately the frontrunner rack has a lot of flexibility on where legs can be mounted, so it shouldn't be a problem.

[BrianW]

Interesting to read about Unistrut for roof tracks. How is it rated for weight carrying, and more importantly, how well it resists upward “blow off” forces that are applied to the interface of where a tower connects with the Unistrut? The channel “lips” on top don’t look very robust, plus they are aluminum. Doesn’t look like a whole lot there.

[regis101]

Know unistrut.

[ndubes]

Anybody have any real world experience with one of these CCV tops, painted black? Our van is two tone silver and black, and I think doing it all black would look the best but I worry it might be too hot. We have a rack with solar that will shade it somewhat and we are having the vent fan installed too. It’s an extra $600 to paint two colors, and I think it would be strange to leave the top white even if it’s not something you see often. Just looking for others with first hand experience. Thanks!