Installation question: lamp guards and rear access ladder

[Finlayforprez]

Step drill bit or rivet gun for the rear lamp guards? Just looking for consensus based on who of you used either mechanism.

I used a drill according to the instructions and then a rivnut tool.

 

[spizzi]

Have others done anything additional to seal the hole?

I could be wrong but I checked the official LR instructions for the rear lamp guards and ladder; neither indicate a requirement to seal bare metal for corrosion protection.

I could not locate instructions for the VPLAP0008 front lamp guards but my guess is that same.

 

[spizzi]

I used a drill according to the instructions and then a rivnut tool.

Anybody know what size the rivnut is? I am thinking it's metric. M6, M8?

 

[Finlayforprez]

Anybody know what size the rivnut is? I am thinking it's metric. M6, M8?

I will have to look, but isn't it 10mm?

 

[spizzi]

I will have to look, but isn't it 10mm?

Duh on my part. It is 10mm!

 

[Finlayforprez]

Duh on my part. It is 10mm!

Did you get it installed?

 

[spizzi]

Not yet. Waiting for some 3M silicone automotive sealant to arrive. Might have to wait until this weekend.

 

[bromhead]

I would also recommend having the dealer install your roof rails. The glass roof is really a silly design, and there are plenty of stories of cracking or chipping the edges of the glass. So, you save 150 or so by installing it yourself vs a potential 1k+ fee to get a new roof. Really not worth the risk. I installed the rails myself, and I am not mechanically inclined, and did NOT crack the roof (that happened for a different reason!), but in hindsight, I would simply pay the fee.

 

[spizzi]

I would also recommend having the dealer install your roof rails. The glass roof is really a silly design, and there are plenty of stories of cracking or chipping the edges of the glass. So, you save 150 or so by installing it yourself vs a potential 1k+ fee to get a new roof. Really not worth the risk. I installed the rails myself, and I am not mechanically inclined, and did NOT crack the roof (that happened for a different reason!), but in hindsight, I would simply pay the fee.

Thanks. I'm just installing the rear tail light guards right now, not the roof rail. However, I think I will do the roof rails myself at some point. Might change my mind if I don't get too far with the install.

 

[spizzi]

All done!

Took me 4.5 hours but I spent 1.5 hours marking the holes and then triple guessing, then checking again

Turned out great!

The close up picture doesn't really show it well but the lamp guards are touching the body of the vehicle as they should.

Didn't need a rivnut gun - did some MacGyver stuff with $8.50 in parts at the hardware store.