Defender 90 roof sills.

Afternoon Guys,

Can anyone tell me if this is normal, or if my roof sills have been filled? I want to fit a roof rack and can't see one working as there is no lip to my roof sill it's almost flush... I've looked on others and there seems to he more of a lip.

Cheers guys

Definitely looks like it being filled, with the lip like you say is more prominent on mine.

Look like it was filled with decorators caulk or some other crap stuff looking at the way it's cracked.

Any idea why it would or been filled? Is this a common thing to have had done? Does it fix a leak or something?

GogsJsy said:

Can anyone tell me if this is normal, or if my roof sills have been filled?

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Looks exactly like mine which is factory caulked. It has a lip of approx 4-5mm at the most. No problem with my clamp-on roof bars.

You'll find if your sill has been filled it will probably be to waterproof the seems between the main roof and the sills. If you don't get water in your cab, then that's the reason. Don't mess with it or you'll get wet.

^^^ What he said. Someone has filled them to try and stop a leaking roof.

I only have 1mm lip at most. I wouldn't trust a roof rack on that.

I've seen the replies about it stopping the roof leaking, tough descion as I really do need a roof rack. Maybe I'd dig out where the feet fit and re fill it after....

GogsJsy said:

I only have 1mm lip at most. I wouldn't trust a roof rack on that.

I've seen the replies about it stopping the roof leaking, tough descion as I really do need a roof rack. Maybe I'd dig out where the feet fit and re fill it after....

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Why do you 'need' a roof rack? I find a trailer is better for pretty much anything, except ladders and long pipes, boards.

Pappasmurf said:

Why do you 'need' a roof rack? I find a trailer is better for pretty much anything, except ladders and long pipes, boards.

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...and parking

blue beasty said:

...and parking

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Parking is easy. With a roof rack you can't get into a lot of car parks.

Pappasmurf said:

Parking is easy. With a roof rack you can't get into a lot of car parks.

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Yer lucky to find a parking space fer a roller skate around yer.

Yer right about height restrictions though. I can't get in the multi storey but good luck in there with a trailer

I regularly use roof rack and trailer, sometimes both depending on what is most appropriate for the situation.

Both are useful and neither are a good substitute for the other.

Well considering how little I use either. I'd rather not have a roof rack on all the time, eating up yet more fuel and adding yet more complications. A trailer at least can be bungled at the top of the drive out of the way until needed.

Pappasmurf said:

Well considering how little I use either. I'd rather not have a roof rack on all the time, eating up yet more fuel and adding yet more complications. A trailer at least can be bungled at the top of the drive out of the way until needed.

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Good for you.

Everyone's circumstances and needs are different

Very true, hence why I asked the OP why he needs a roof rack.

GogsJsy said:

I only have 1mm lip at most. I wouldn't trust a roof rack on that.

I've seen the replies about it stopping the roof leaking, tough descion as I really do need a roof rack. Maybe I'd dig out where the feet fit and re fill it after....

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Dig the lot out! It doesn't look as though it's keeping water out anyway.
Buy yourself a small tin of brushable seam sealer and redo it with a thinner sensible depth.
Anyway, your roof rack can't slide off as it is, cos your roof will stop it.

The reason I need one is for my Kayaks, paddleboards and the odd dingy. A trailer isn't really an option for me and I have no need for multi story car parks as most parking round here is open top.

Cheers for your help guys. Noted about the seam sealer, I may give that a go.

Fair one, if it's what you need.
Do you have a copy of the Land Rover water Ingress manual? You can get it online. It will tell you the best way to reseal your roof.

Try Captain Tolley’s Creeping Crack Cure for leaks on the roof.

GogsJsy said:

I only have 1mm lip at most. I wouldn't trust a roof rack on that.

I've seen the replies about it stopping the roof leaking, tough descion as I really do need a roof rack. Maybe I'd dig out where the feet fit and re fill it after....

Click to expand...

How solid is what is is currently in there? My gutters are filled but when I fitted the roof rack and tightened it down the filling was soft enough to deform so the lip around the roof rack leg is was more than the rest of the gutter.

Pappasmurf said:

Do you have a copy of the Land Rover water Ingress manual? You can get it online. It will tell you the best way to reseal your roof

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Not yet, I'll take a look many thanks.

dag019 said:

How solid is what is is currently in there? My gutters are filled but when I fitted the roof rack and tightened it down the filling was soft enough to deform so the lip around the roof rack leg is was more than the rest of the gutter.

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I'll have to check that out many thanks!