Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4145
RAI Fitted (tips)
Just fitted my RAI this afternoon in the space of about one and a half hours but did quite a bit of prep beforehand.
Checked all the hoses and elbows were in good condition inside the wheel arch and removed and cleaned the airbox, sikaflex’d the connections (more for peace of mind than for technical reasons).
The used RAI that I bought some time ago had the bracket for an early D4 So I trimmed a very small section of the wing at the bottom of the intake so the bracket sat properly. Cleaned all the rubber inside the intake. Painted the cut surface with stonechip paint.
Removed the A pillar trim (the top spigot had already broken and was sat in the foam stuck to the A pillar. Removed this and cleaned all surfaces under the trim. Rather than use a drill bit I used my very useful hole enlarger which did the job in about 15 seconds, enabling the rivet nut to sit securely in the hole. Painted round the hole with stoneChip paint and allowed to dry.
Set the rivnut and then drilled the hole in the A pillar trim, kept this to 9mm and trimmed this slightly once aligned to allow the bolt to seat easily. Test fitted everything and taped the wing to mark the two holes in the body, marked the holes with a pencil. Removed the RAI and pilot drilled the wing with a 3mm bit, enlarged with an 8mm bit and got the final perfect size with the hole enlargement tool. Trimmed holes and painted with stonechip paint.
Refitted the A pillar trim using Sikaflex around the new hole and around the plastic clips. Fitted rivnuts to the wing and then refitted the RAI (Sikaflexed around the intake and where fitted to the wing) loosely fitting the bolt at the top of the A pillar first and then Fitting and tightening the two bolts in the body.
Fitted the top section with the three hexhead bolts, again Sikaflexing around the joint to keep everything tight. Fitted the two covers over the bolts with a blob of Sikaflex to keep them in place. Wiped everything down just as the heavens opened !
I want to see the sweets before I get into your windowless van... I'm not stupid!
Corris Grey D4 Commercial SE 2016
Zermatt Sliver 2007 D3 SE manual (gone)
Indus Silver D4 HSE 2015 (gone)
Bonatti Grey D3 HSE 2006 (gone)
White D3 S (LHD) 2007 (gone)
Firenze Red D4 HSE 2014 (gone)
Black RRS 3.6TDV8 2008 (gone)
Rusty Green Defender 110 1997 (gone)
Black FL2 HSE 2013 (gone)
26th Jul 2020 3:06 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13635
Hi mate
Top job there buddy , did u take a deep breath before drilling the wing
Still think that grey is an awesome colour
26th Jul 2020 6:08 pm
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4145
I did indeed mate
Although that said by using a small 3mm drill bit first it was very easy to be accurate and then it was just a case of opening out the holes. I think if I did it again I'd alter the bracket at the top of the RAI to give a little more flexibility to the angle as it looks very slightly off but I think the one on my previous D3 was as well and that was factory fitted.
Let me know if you are doing yours and I can pop down and give you a hand I want to see the sweets before I get into your windowless van... I'm not stupid!
Corris Grey D4 Commercial SE 2016
Zermatt Sliver 2007 D3 SE manual (gone)
Indus Silver D4 HSE 2015 (gone)
Bonatti Grey D3 HSE 2006 (gone)
White D3 S (LHD) 2007 (gone)
Firenze Red D4 HSE 2014 (gone)
Black RRS 3.6TDV8 2008 (gone)
Rusty Green Defender 110 1997 (gone)
Black FL2 HSE 2013 (gone)
26th Jul 2020 6:16 pm
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Wirral, UK
Posts: 3067
Looks great and sounds like you did a proper job there
My suggestion: black wheels next! Would look ace D4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
2018 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography - Gone to someone with less sense and more time to enjoy it
2016 Toyota Hilux Invincible - Liberating experience
26th Jul 2020 6:22 pm
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4145
Thanks James! I have been thinking about refinishing the wheels as I found a matching spare that needs refurbing... black is what I was thinking as grey (the other option) would make the car too grey...
Hmmm more money to spend, just need to get the FBH remote fitted, the LED light bar in the grille and the LED/DRL foglights... I want to see the sweets before I get into your windowless van... I'm not stupid!
Corris Grey D4 Commercial SE 2016
Zermatt Sliver 2007 D3 SE manual (gone)
Indus Silver D4 HSE 2015 (gone)
Bonatti Grey D3 HSE 2006 (gone)
White D3 S (LHD) 2007 (gone)
Firenze Red D4 HSE 2014 (gone)
Black RRS 3.6TDV8 2008 (gone)
Rusty Green Defender 110 1997 (gone)
Black FL2 HSE 2013 (gone)
26th Jul 2020 6:38 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13635
nigethecat wrote:
I did indeed mate
Although that said by using a small 3mm drill bit first it was very easy to be accurate and then it was just a case of opening out the holes. I think if I did it again I'd alter the bracket at the top of the RAI to give a little more flexibility to the angle as it looks very slightly off but I think the one on my previous D3 was as well and that was factory fitted.
Let me know if you are doing yours and I can pop down and give you a hand
Must admit, considering the RAI being mostly square and trying to line it up with the A pillar etc I think it looks brilliant what you’ve done there
Million thks mate , that’s extremely kind of u , u must like my tea making
holding off at the moment as I wish to get my brake hoses and ATF fluid done first , also nearly finished the rock sliders , waiting for some of those small brackets that sit inside the chassis , have got all new stainless steel bolts, washers etc
Also going to inject the insides of the rails with Tetrosyl
26th Jul 2020 6:51 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13635
James W wrote:
Looks great and sounds like you did a proper job there
My suggestion: black wheels next! Would look ace
Oh yes, those wheels definitely need changing
Oh and red calipers
Know a great home for them, as long as I don’t say that out loud, snigger
Last edited by gstuart on 26th Jul 2020 7:01 pm. Edited 1 time in total
26th Jul 2020 6:53 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13635
nigethecat wrote:
Thanks James! I have been thinking about refinishing the wheels as I found a matching spare that needs refurbing... black is what I was thinking as grey (the other option) would make the car too grey...
Hmmm more money to spend, just need to get the FBH remote fitted, the LED light bar in the grille and the LED/DRL foglights...
As I enjoy doing wiring plse don’t ever hesitate to give me a shout if I can ever lend a hand
Can easily pull mine off the drive so can work in peace
26th Jul 2020 7:00 pm
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4145
I might take you up on that Gary
Need to wire in the FBH remote and also the wire for the DRL feed for the new spot lights.... and also the D4 bluetooth module that I'd forgotten about
We might need more than one cup of tea I want to see the sweets before I get into your windowless van... I'm not stupid!
Corris Grey D4 Commercial SE 2016
Zermatt Sliver 2007 D3 SE manual (gone)
Indus Silver D4 HSE 2015 (gone)
Bonatti Grey D3 HSE 2006 (gone)
White D3 S (LHD) 2007 (gone)
Firenze Red D4 HSE 2014 (gone)
Black RRS 3.6TDV8 2008 (gone)
Rusty Green Defender 110 1997 (gone)
Black FL2 HSE 2013 (gone)
26th Jul 2020 7:48 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13635
Ur so welcome , never done one before but more than happy to spend as much time helping to install any items , , be it one day or several I honestly don’t mind
Also see u can get the aux light switch that fits on the upper dashboard
Might be cheaper then to buy in bulk for the T bags
26th Jul 2020 8:04 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15213
gstuart wrote:
Oh and redcalipers ....
FFS Gary .. you don't do coloured calipers on a proper off road machine ...... next it'll be twin chrome tailpipes!
I was a normal heterosexual chap, but in these new woke awakenings I now identify as a Wardrobe.
26th Jul 2020 8:14 pm
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4145
^^^ I want to see the sweets before I get into your windowless van... I'm not stupid!
Corris Grey D4 Commercial SE 2016
Zermatt Sliver 2007 D3 SE manual (gone)
Indus Silver D4 HSE 2015 (gone)
Bonatti Grey D3 HSE 2006 (gone)
White D3 S (LHD) 2007 (gone)
Firenze Red D4 HSE 2014 (gone)
Black RRS 3.6TDV8 2008 (gone)
Rusty Green Defender 110 1997 (gone)
Black FL2 HSE 2013 (gone)
26th Jul 2020 8:28 pm
pwheeldon
Member Since: 15 Jan 2020
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 1446
I maybe wouldn't do red, but black calipers could look good.Discovery 4 GS 2009 Auto Stornoway Grey
Discovery 3 s 2005 Auto Bonatti Grey Gone
Discovery 3 SE 2005 Manual Zambezi Silver Gone
Range Rover Sport HSE 2006 Black
Aston Martin DB7 VV
26th Jul 2020 9:14 pm
pwheeldon
Member Since: 15 Jan 2020
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 1446
Nige, looks good mate. I'm just Plastidiping my wheels, first one went well but tge second one went tits up. I'm gonna do a write up when I'm done so others can learn from my mistakes. But the thing I like us, if it looks then it just peels off.
This is the first one
Discovery 4 GS 2009 Auto Stornoway Grey
Discovery 3 s 2005 Auto Bonatti Grey Gone
Discovery 3 SE 2005 Manual Zambezi Silver Gone
Range Rover Sport HSE 2006 Black
Aston Martin DB7 VV
26th Jul 2020 9:17 pm
marsie
Member Since: 28 Feb 2010
Location: Sheffieldish
Posts: 1804
changed my wheels to black after fitting my RAI 8)
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
then it just peels off.
