SHERPA The Redcloud Roof Rack Instruction Manual
- June 10, 2024
- SHERPA
Table of Contents
SHERPA The Redcloud Roof Rack
HARDWARE CHECKLIST
Exact hardware color counts may vary based on the options selected at checkout.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
The installation of this rack requires you to drop your headliner and drill. If you are not comfortable with this please contact a reputable installer.
USING TNUTS
Videos outlining the headliner removal and rack installation are available on the Sherpa Equipment Co. website.
FAIRING ASSEMBLY
Required Components:
6x 1/4”-20 x 1/2”
6x 1/4” Flat Washers
6x Tnuts
Drop 6 tnuts into the slots on the cross member and line them up with the
holes in the fairing. Secure with 6 bolts and washer
MOUNT ASSEMBLY 01
Required Components:
8x M8 x 16 Hex bolt
8x M8 Flat Washers
2x Rivet Spacer – Contour
2x Rivet Spacer – Flat
Loosely fasten the supplied rivet spacers to the bottom (longer) flange of the
mounting brackets using the supplied M8 hex bolts and M8 flat washers. The
contour spacers go on the front mounting brackets, and the flat spacers go on
the rear mounting brackets. The brackets are designated with ‘F’ and ‘R’,
respectively.
MOUNT ASSEMBLY 02
Required Components:
8x 1/4”-20 x 9/16”
8x 1/4” Flat Washers
8x 1/4” Tnuts
Secure the tops of the mounting bracket pairs to the wide faces of the cross
members using the supplied T-nuts, 9/16” hex bolts, and flat washers.
Leave the hardware that attaches the mount to the crossbar loose. This will
make it easier when placing the rack on the truck later.
For reference, we have found that the front mounts sit ROUGHLY 4.25” from the
end of the cross member, and the rears, 4.75”.
SIDEPLATES
Required Components:
8x 1/4”-20 x 1”
8x 1/4” Flat Washers
Fasten the sideplates to the ends of the two mounting-foot cross members using
the supplied 1” socket buttons and flat washers in the designated mounting
slots, as pictured above.
Recall that the brackets come in pairs denoted by the ‘F’ (front) or ‘R’
(rear). Note the small notch in the bottom corner of the bracket – this will
face toward the front of the vehicle when installed.
The cross member should sit relatively centered in the slot, but may shift
slightly due to small variations in roof construction or shifting during the
drilling step. More on that later.
TEMPLATE
Position the assembled rack on the roofof your vehicle. Move the mounting brackets along the cross members so that they sit in the gutters of the roof.
Adjust the brackets along the length of the cross member so that the outer
edge of the rivet spacer sits along the crease in the gutter. The rivet spacer
should sit flat against the surface of the roof. Likewise, the bottom edge of
the sideplate should fit nicely along the curvature of the vehicle with a
consistent gap of around 1/2”. If it does not, move the rack (or cross members
in the slot) until the rack looks centered and placed properly.
The properly aligned rack will serve as the drilling template. Follow the next
steps to ensure the best fitment of the rack.
THE NEXT STEPS ARE CRITICAL AND ARE CONSIDERED AN EXPERT LEVEL INSTALL. IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE DRILLING PLEASE FIND A LOCAL SHOP TO INSTALL YOUR RACK.
DRILLING
Required Tools:
1x Center Punch
1x 13/64” or #8 Drill Bit
With the rack on the truck, mark the position for each rivet spacer USING A PUNCH to create your starting points for drilling. This is important as the drill bit will want to walk away while drilling your pilot holes. The position of these holes are important in making sure that the rack fits your vehicle correctly. Measure 3 times, check 4 times. Be extremely careful not to drill through your airbags – using a drillstop on your drill bit can help prevent this by limiting the travel of the drill bit.
With the holes marked, the rack can be removed from the roof. It is worth double checking that the rack sits in its final configuration before marking, removing, and drilling. The rivet spacers can also be removed from the mounting brackets on the rack to assist the following steps.
Once you have your drilling points marked with the punch, drill the hole using
a 13/64” or #8 sized drill bit. A pilot hole using a smaller drill bit – such
as a 1/8” or 5/32” bit – can be drilled first. DO NOT allow the drill bit to
plunge after the hole is drilled. The headliner is only a small distance below
the surface of the roof. Be sure to keep the drill bit as straight as possible
while drilling. AGAIN, DO NOT allow the drill bit to plunge after the hole is
drilled.
Check that the rivets will pass through the rivet spacer and the drilled hole.
A tight fit is preferred in order to solidify the connection between the
vehicle and the rack.
RIVETS
8x 3/16” Rivets
1x Rivet Tool
Next, secure the rivet spacers using the holes you have drilled. It is
important that the spacer is tight against the roof and free of debris before
riveting it down. Apply a small amount of silicone in and around the rivet
spacer and rivet to seal up the hole in the roof. Using your rivet tool, clamp
down on the rivet as close to the head as possible. Clamp the rivet a couple
of times until you hear the pop.
WE RECOMMEND PLACING THE FULL RACK BACK ON THE ROOF FOR THE REMAINING STEPS. IMAGES ARE SHOWN WITHOUT SIDES FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES.
MOUNTS
Required Components:
12x M8 Bolts
12x M8 Flat Washers
Next, re-install the assembled rack on the roof, allowing the mounting
brackets to rest on the rivet feet. If these do not line up, loosen the
hardware that secures the mounting bracket to the cross member and adjust as
needed. Fasten the mounting bracket to the rivet spacer using the M8 x 16 hex
bolt and washers with the addition of a drop of blue threadlocker on the bolt
threads supplied with the rack.
Once satisfied with how the rack sits on the vehicle, tighten down all
hardware between the cross members and the mounting brackets. The rack should
not need adjusting after this step
TORQUE SPEC: 22in-lb
Plugs
Required Components:
2x Circle rubber plugs
2x Oval rubber plugs
Plug the holes left by the OEM gutter trim hardware using the supplied rubber
plugs. The circle plug goes in the front and the oval plug goes in the rear.
Apply a small amount of silicon around the base of the plug to seal the hole
completely
THE NEXT TWO STEPS CAN BE COMPLETED IN ANY ORDER.
WIND FAIRING
Required Components:
4x 1/4”-20 x 1”
4x 1/4” Flat Washers
Position the wind fairing in line with the diagonal slot at the front of the
rack. Align the bottom of the fairing with the tip of the roof rack and secure
it using four 1” socket buttons and washers. Note that the wind fairing is NOT
intended to sit on the vehicle’s roof – a small gap of 1/8” – 1/4” is ideal.
CROSS MEMBERS
Required Components:
12x 1/4”-20 x 1” Socket buttons
12x 1/4” Flat washers
3x 48” Cross members
Secure all of the remaining cross members to the rack system using the 1”
socket buttons and washers in the open slots in the sideplate. Position
according to your load requirements.]
EXPLORE.
All products built and designed by Sherpa Equipment Company are intended for
off-road use and should be assembled, installed, and used according to Sherpa
Equipment Company’s recommendations. Sherpa Equipment Companies products
should be used safely with good judgment towards others and surroundings.
By installing Sherpa Equipment Companies products on your vehicle you assume
all liability. Sherpa Equipment Company will not be held liable for damages or
loss associated with the installation or use of its products. It is
recommended that you inspect your roof rack within the first 100 miles of
installation and every 500 miles after.
