Help fill my hole (On the roof of my truck)!

Hey guys.

So I've had this truck for about a month and a half now, and while I was washing my truck the other day, I noticed this hole on the roof of my truck. It's my mistake that I did not catch that prior to purchasing the vehicle, but honestly, it doesn't bother me that much, and doesn't deter my love for my truck.

So the photos show the existing tape that was there. The hole measures to about 3/4", and it's held up pretty well considering that it's always parked outside and Houston's been having some terrible rainy weather in the past month, and I haven't experienced any leakage inside the vehicle. I went an extra step and purchased a rubber car antenna cover, and taped it back over with some water resistant tape. It's been working just fine, but I'm looking for suggestions for a permanent seal? I don't exactly care about looks (it's the roof so no one can see), I'm just looking for something that is effective.

 

Silicone

 

I would try a rustproofing shop.
Find the right size plug
Plop and done..

 

Weld it up, grind it down, touch up paint. Good luck.

 

Looks like it was an NMO Mount

 

I thought about welding, but I have no clue on how to do it, or know anyone who does. Any suggestions on how to get it done professionally?

 

Prior owner was a HAM radio operator. That's a 3/4" NMO mount hole.

Wander over to the Amateur radio thread, and I am sure one of us has patched one of these before.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/amateur-ham-radio-bs-and-callsign-thread.260643/page-255

 

Agree with this, but I would just wrap the top black, silver, whatever floats your boat. But if you are not going to use the hole, get it repaired properly

 

Does it happen to be 3/4" in diameter? The truck may have had an antenna installed by the previous owner (perhaps an amateur radio guy?).

If that's what it was there are hole plugs you can use, designed specifically to plug NMO holes.

https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamantm/larsenac.html

https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/larsen-hp34-5-pack-4142

 

From other people's response, I'm assuming the previous owner was a HAM radio operator (I'll have to look more into this).

I did buy plugs that look very similar to the ones that you attached, and they have been working, but it still keeps me up on rainy nights.

 

If it were me, I would pull the headliner, sand the roof around the hole and then JB weld about a 2" square piece of sheet metal to it. Once it's set up, fill the outside depression with JB weld, and paint.

 

I've plugged NMO holes with those and they seal fine. You could probably wipe a little bit of silicone caulk on it before you snap it in if you're really worried, but I never have bothered.

 

You know, honestly, if it is an old NMO hole those plugs are designed specifically to plug them so with a touch of silicone the potential for damage or rust starting is next to zero. Lower than a random rock chip on the highway. Going to the trouble of sanding and welding and repainting such a small thing is more risky long term. The only thing you have to live with is the little black dot on your roof, so it's a matter of how OCD and I get it. I have always had white trucks so it's pretty obvious. But less obvious than a huge half-ass square of duct tape and it took a while for @pca501212 to notice that...

 

Just ask friends or stop at a few body shops and get a quote on the repair. If you don’t want to put an antenna there, then I would get it welded shut.

 

Yup grab a 3/4in plug like linked above, throw some RTV in the crack where it latches in the roof. Wipe off excess when you pop it in.

You could even go as far as some close or color matched paint to paint the plug before popping it in.

 

I might go ahead and get some silicone caulk just for safe measures and remove the tape for now until I can befriend a welder. How long have you had it on for?

 

Any body shop should be able to do the complete job. Cant cost to much to have them fix that.

 

You know I asked a few body shops, and the (3) best reviewed ones in the Houston area all suggested I replace the entire roof and I told them to kick rocks. They all quoted around 2k for it. They just want the money. I will begin my quest in befriending a competent welder.

 

I drilled two NMO holes in the roof of my old truck but only installed one mount initially and plugged the other. It was like that for probably 5 or so years before I put in a second mount. It was like that for about 10 years until I sold the truck with both mounts still in it. It's still like that 3 years on, I sold the truck to a friend in the 4wd club. The only thing that happened is there were circles around each NMO base where the paint was less faded (that was a 1991 Hilux in old school Super White enamel paint) but it never rusted. It was starting to rust in plenty of other spots, around the windshield, along the front of the hood. But not the roof.

 

Why would you bother replacing the roof or welding this?

Put a proper hole plug and call it a day, or better yet get yourself an NMO antenna and a GMRS or HAM radio to use with it. Hole is already there.