roof rack

I'm restoring a 60 Plymouth wagon and I finally found a roof rack for it.does anyone know if a wagon with a factory roof rack had extra re-inforcement in the roof?if so.do you have any pic?I would like to see what the factory did.i don't care what kind of wagon you have I figure they would be similar.thanks

 

My 1979 Fairmont wagon only has crossbars running from side to side, but clear of the roof skin, to allow for 1/2" factory sound deadener.

The roof rack fasteners on mine are called PEM nuts, and require automotive body sealer or silicone as they get threaded right into the sheetmetal of the roof.

Here's some pics of mine:

<img src=" " alt="Restored Interior Install Part I" />

<img src=" " alt="Interior Version 3" />

<img src=" " alt="Interior Version 3" />

Like this item on this page:
Half-Hex Shank, Low Profile Head - Type AEH

http://www.pemnet.com/fastening_products/atlas/spintite_blind_threaded_rivets.html

You don't really need a special tool. but a second person on the inside, pushing up, with a socket just bigger and deeper than the fastener, while the other pushes down.

You can usually get them locally from an aircraft repair shop, or an Industrial Hardware or fastener supplier.

 

You should be able to get them at a auto parts store also. I have my own pop gun for the treaded inserts and some auto shops lend/rent out for cheap. Although I agree with Norm that you don't all ways need the tool, I would still recommend it. Tips come in various sizes/lengths also as do the inserts. Rule of thumb is just like a simple pop rivet, your insert should be minimum 2.5x deeper as the material you are putting it in. If you can't line it up with a roof rib, get some backing material for inside of the cars roof.



...... Where are you going to scream louder, when they charge you $10 for rental, or when your roof rack with luggage flys off down the highway?


I would recommend these that are in Norm's link.....

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]360° Swaging Low Profile Head - Type AET, AEW[/FONT]

CAD/Spec PDF Part No. Key Animation [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Type AET, AEW SpinTite® inserts that work in any thickness over .029" / 0.76 mm including blind holes. They provide high torque-out resistance and minimal backside protrusion. Available [/FONT]

 

thanks stormin norman,i figured they would have had reinforcement to take a load.

 

Fat Tedy's post is right on. That tool is a good one. I lucked out and didn't need it.

 

I had the roof rack off of the 64 for paint and I noticed that the only thing holding the dome light up was the fiber board headliner . It was starting to sag so I replaced the one headliner bow from a car with a cloth headliner. It has a bow that the dome light attaches to. No more sagging fiber board headliner.

 

Nice trick on the headliner bow Dan. I'll add one thing to using that threaded pop rivit tool Tedy suggests. IF YOU DON.T USE THE TOOL THOSE RIVITS WILL ALWAYS SPIN WHEN YOU THREAD IN THE FASTENERS,THEY WILL NEVER BE TIGHT, AND THERE IS NOTHING HOLDING THEM IN. All you have to do to know this is to just look at one of those rivits before installing it! Jer

 

did you happen to notice if there was anything above the headliner for the roof rack to attach too?those cardboard headliners suck>I'm not looking forward to putting mine back in.do you have any pics of your 64?