JamesDINAN

My rear deflector arrived last night!

I was thinking of DIY...I do have to drill all holes myself plus I do have to collapse the rivet nuts.

I went to the hardware store last night to buy/rent a Rivet Nut Collapsing Tool (instructions call for one). I did not find one so, looks like I will try making the "manual" version and crossing my fingers I do it right.

Any advice/tricks-of-the-trade from prior installers on this install? Or, is it better to not risk it and push the liability to a shop and have them install it instead??

Thanks!
JamesDINAN

bootown

Sorry I don't have any tips for you but let me know how the manual version works out for you. I have one loose rivet and have not got around to trying to fix it yet.

James Dean

The factory 5mm rivnuts require a 9/32" hole. Try to find a bullet bit, they drill a more circular hole than a normal bit (which tends to drill a tri-lobular shaped hole). They are very difficult to set without a tool. I would try to find someone nearby you with a tool. Nothing worse than a spinning rivnut because it wasn't set all the way, plus you don't want your deflector flying off.

JamesDINAN

Good advice, James Dean!

I just may see what the local shop would charge me to do the install. We'll see...

James Dean

Do you have the rivnuts?

James Dean

Also if you drill the holes yourself, make sure to use a bit stop (rubber holes, socket, etc.) to keep the bit from going in too far.

JamesDINAN

James Dean: Yep, I have all the hardware. I went to Sears to get everything else (drill bits, stop, centerpunch, etc, but they didn't have a drill stop!? That surprised the heck outta me.

I also wanted to see if they had a Rivet Nut Collapsing Tool but they didn't...I'll probably try Home Depot / Lowes tomorrow.

Midget96

You have to make your own. It's incredibly simple, and works far better than the actual "tool" does anyway.

And if you find a Rivnut tool with an M6 mandrel, then you spent entirely too long looking.

All you need is a ~1.5" long bolt (flange bolt works best), a washer and a nut in the same thread pitch and diameter as the Toyota hardware included (M6x1.25 if I recall).

Drilling the correct size hole is FAR more important than the tool you use to install the nut. I was able to get mine on easily once the guy at Copper State hardware showed me how to make this:

http://www.x-eng.co.uk/rivnut.asp

James Dean

just cut a piece of 1/4" or 5/16" rubber hose just a little shorter than the bit sticks out. If it's the same rivnut the 2nd gen uses I believe it's 5mm.

Outsane

where did you get the deflector?

JamesDINAN

Midget96: Thanks for the link - the instructions were helpful. Since I do not have a way of drilling the threads out from the nut I think I will go with the way Toyota makes their manual tool. But, the Toyota instructions say to "turn wrench 2 full turns after seating M5 bolt", and I am not quite sure in my head at what point "seated" is. Do they mean, when the rivnut is merely pushed into the hole and flush with the roof panel? I wish they just gave a value (in./lbs., etc.) to torque them to. I was reading other Toyota instructions on installing a roofrack, and in there they say that once the rivnut is torqued to 4-5 in./lbs., THEN it is properly seated. So, that is why I am confused -- at which point is the rivnut "seated"? When it's flush...after nut-turning gets hard...etc.?

Here's a description on Toyota's tool, in order, starting directly above rivnut and working upward: #6 external tooth lock washer, 1/4-20 nut, M5 bolt (w/ 1/4 I.D. washer).

James Dean: I will look for that bullet bit. Toyota instructions call for 7.6mm, which equates to 19/64. Do you think I'd be better off with the 9/32 instead?? I sure don't want to make the hole too big; are you taking into account that deburring could possibly, slightly enlargen the hole? Or, if the hole is too small, should I enlargen it to the point where the rivnut fits tightly or slides in easily?

Regarding the drill stop, Toyota says 3/8" from tip of drill. Maybe I will go 1/4" to be on the safe side...

I feel a little silly about this whole thing because it seems I'm making it into a big production. lol
I'm sure my "over-cautiousness" when I get the first rivnut under my belt. Mainly, I am a little gunshy I guess about drilling into the vehicle and getting the holes the right size (and, obviously in the right locations), and not over-tightening the rivnuts.

Outsane: I purchased mine from TRDparts4u.com. Someone else mentioned you can get them from Irbis Off Road (Aurora CO) as well.

Sorry so long - thanks everyone!!
JamesDINAN

Team420

dang... I just drilled holes, tapped them, put some rtv in there to keep them from leaking, and bolted it on.... been over a year now....

JamesDINAN

I got a pretty good deal on the install, so I paid someone else to put it on...

96743runner

Got any pics of the before and after?

I was actually gonna get the same thing from TRDparts4u but I decided to just get a Jaos Spoiler instead. I just couldn't picture myself drilling any holes on my rig.

JamesDINAN

Nope, no before/after pix...didn't see the need. I am not a fan of the Jaos style, but then again I am not a big fan of the 4th gen. In your small profile pic, it looks good though!

96743runner

Haha, thanks man!