Nissan Navara Canopy Dust Sealing comparo after the Plenty Highway

[r0ssrg]

Hi Guys

Just finished the Plenty Highway and the difference between the dust sealing on my 3XM (TJM) and Corrie's Flexiglass canopy is chalk and cheese.  The Flexiglass won hands down.  Which is unfortunate because I have the 3XM canopy.

I have done up a video to show the full review of the dust in the back of the canopy and the comparison of the dust sealing or lack there of.

Has anyone else got good or bad stories of dust sealing for their canopy?

http://youtu.be/9OHKJQpPEhg
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Rossco
"Our XCape has now begun and we're in Alice Springs.  In the RAIN"

[MDS69]

I can't see your picture but are you sure it is the canopy. One of the guys on the Ford Forum has an issue with dust coming in from the wheel arch on his PX Ranger.

[r0ssrg]

I pulled everything out of the back and took a look.  It really does look like the dust is coming from the back.

BTW, it wasn't a photo it was a YouTube video in the original post.   

Rossco

[KingBilly]

Mate, thanks for posting.  I've just fitted an ARB canopy and it looks OK but haven't gotten it dirty yet.  ARB fit a clear strip along the top of the tailgate to stop the paint rubbing which you mention.

I am a bit concerned about the dust coming in the tailgate as it is designed to let water run out of the tub and has some decent gaps.  I was thinking of using some pinchweld rubber on the back of my CT  http://www.clarkrubber.com.au/rubber-and-flooring/rubber-extrusions-3/pinchweld-seal.html  Is yours pinchweld?

I had read about the vent up top but would need to close if raining.  Sounds as though it works which is a positive recommendation.

KB

[r0ssrg]

Mate, thanks for posting.  I've just fitted an ARB canopy and it looks OK but haven't gotten it dirty yet.  ARB fit a clear strip along the top of the tailgate to stop the paint rubbing which you mention.

I am a bit concerned about the dust coming in the tailgate as it is designed to let water run out of the tub and has some decent gaps.  I was thinking of using some pinchweld rubber like on the back of my CT  http://www.clarkrubber.com.au/rubber-and-flooring/rubber-extrusions-3/pinchweld-seal.html  Is yours pinchweld?

I had read about the vent up top but would need to close if raining.  Sounds as though it works which is a positive recommendation.

KB

Yes I went to Clark Rubber at Southport.  They didn't want to get too involved but they did give me samples of what ever I wanted.  I certainly think they helped given how much dust was on the outside of the seals.  Certainly worth it.

Rossco

[chester ver2.0]

its not the canopy it is the bottom and sides of the tailgate that let it all in usually stuff some rubber in there and it will cut it down dramatically however it will never be entirerly dust free

[rocket327s]

I have an ARB canopy & can clearly see the gaps in the corners of the tailgate.
I was advised if travelling on dirt to open the front window of the canopy & the dust would be blown out instead of sitting in the tub. It does need to be closed when raining.
The other day i went to the back & discovered I had left the front window open & there was a film of dust clinging to the inside walls. A bucket of water & a sponge did the trick

[Bill]

I have 2 vents I picked up from ARB in the top of my flexiglass canopy.
They are always open and even during the wet season up here they do not let the water in.
They do a brilliant job of keeping the dust out though.
Bill

[KingBilly]

I have 2 vents I picked up from ARB in the top of my flexiglass canopy.
They are always open and even during the wet season up here they do not let the water in.
They do a brilliant job of keeping the dust out though.
Bill

Hey Bill, do the vents face forward?  Got a photo you care to share?

Thanks
KB

[Roaring.Chicken]

Hi.

I have an Navara RX and there's also a slight gap between the floor and tub wall closest to the cabin.  For me, just a bead of silicone solve that little problem.

Cheers
Shane

[Bill]

Hey Bill, do the vents face forward?  Got a photo you care to share?

Thanks
KB

Yes sir they do.
Just went out into the garage and took these with my iPhone so not the best quality.


If you want more or better pictures just let me know.
Bill

[lino6]

I was talking to my cousin the other day who has a Ssangyong twin cab and an ARB canopy. He said the best thing he did was to leave the sliding window open on the front. But I like the idea of the vents. Not sure how they will go getting them fitted on our Razorback when we get it.

[r0ssrg]

Hi all

I'll try the front sliding window again Next time, but stil not confident given the lack of seal around the back window..   I know about the gaps on the tailgate but as per the video,  my mates flexiglass has no issues and he has sealed his tailgate like mine.

As for the corners I had taped all mine up with masking tape.

Rossco

[lino6]

Hi all

I'll try the front sliding window again Next time, but stil not confident given the lack of seal around the back window..   I know about the gaps on the tailgate but as per the video,  my mates flexiglass has no issues and he has sealed his tailgate like mine.

As for the corners I had taped all mine up with masking tape.

Rossco

If it didn't work the first time chances are may not work again. My cousin said it worked fine on his, but I always thought it would pressurise the inside of the canopy with dusty air from between the cab and the canopy (but I have 0 experience with this so could be miles off). I saw the roof vent idea on Isuzumu's ute thread and thought that was a brilliant ider and was going to do it to ours if needed (and could be done). A friend also was going to try putting on a truck above cab air intake into the ute compartment to pressurise the tub, and if you are in to making your ute look like a truck then that might work. I personally wouldn't like the look of it.

[KingBilly]

If you want more or better pictures just let me know.

Thanks for posting Bill.  Reckon that's where I would put mine.

Some others have suggested leaving the front window open but that is not an option for me as mine is a lift up front window and there is no way to stop it flapping around whilst driving.  Lifts up for cleaning only.

KB

[areyonga]

The roof top vent is the way to go, but on my recent trip I was camped next to someone who had the same dust issue and was able to get a glass cutter to cut a round hole in the glass of the front window and they fitted a marine circular vent which turns to shut or open as much as you require.  The vent was only about 100mm across and did the job well to let an airflow into the canopy thereby keeping the dust out. 
I dont have any further details dut you might try asking a glass merchant first

Trevor

[KingBilly]

get a glass cutter to cut a round hole in the glass of the front window and they fitted a marine circular vent which turns to shut or open as much as you require.  The vent was only about 100mm across and did the job well to let an airflow into the canopy thereby keeping the dust out.

Now that's a smart idea.  Will give it some thought as it would be a lot more difficult for rain to get in whilst driving.

KB

[Traveller]

G'day R0ssrg,

I have had canopies on 3 utes/trays, and couldn't agree more that vents make a great difference.

The first canopy I had was on a Hilux ute and was an ARB one without vents. The canopy worked well but I spent a lot of time sealing around the tailgate.

The second was a steel canopy (non commercial, no vented) on a Patrol. I put a lot of dust sealing on it but after a dusty road the inside looked a lot like yours.

The third is just a canvas back over a homemade frame, with gaps everywhere. It does have a 100x100mm vent on the front wall of the canvas on each side, just behind the cab. The first dusty road we went along was the Plenty, and I was really not looking forward to opening the back. When the thought of a cold stubbie was too much, I finally lifted the door and was totally gobsmacked that it had about the same amount of dust that the Flexiglass canopy let in. Much better than both the previous canopies. An added plus is that the rain doesn't seem to come in when the flap is open either. A double win. Here is the current one.

[r0ssrg]

Thanks again guys

I will try the front window totally open next time.  Can't get any worse.

Will post the results.

Rossco

[r0ssrg]

Found the answer to the Dust sealing ...

Masking Tape.

Opening or closing the front window of teh Canopy didn't seem to make any difference.  Main solution was masking up the back window, which is where I thought the dust was coming from.

Not ideal, but it works.  :-)

Nissan Navara Canopy Dust Sealing

[crackacoldie]

I can't see your picture but are you sure it is the canopy. One of the guys on the Ford Forum has an issue with dust coming in from the wheel arch on his PX Ranger.

The tub on my PX Ranger lets more dust in than it keeps out.  Ford's response "if you didn't want dust getting in, you should have bought a wagon, not a ute" WTF is that for an answer?