PT 190 Rod Locker Lid Support Brace Repair

[bassassin]

Hi All. Been a while since I posted. Questions for your experienced Tracker repair DIY'ers...

I'm wondering how people have reattached the support brace (long piece of aluminum under the rod locker lid) that is spot welded and keeps the lid from sagging too much when you step on it? Mine is currently becoming detached at one end and I want to button it back up (and reinforce the other side if possible) before it falls off completely.

Any ideas? I know you can rivet these braces back on (I did this when I repaired the same brace on the battery/gas tank compartment lid a few years ago). It is still holding up strong but I don't like how you get all the rivet heads visible and poking up a bit through the carpet on the top of the lid. They got hot as hell in the sun and my boys sometimes step on them barefoot, etc....

Anyways, I'd rather not rivet up the middle of the rod locker so looking for other ideas. Can this be spot welded in a better way? Take to a welder?

Roy - interested in your take if you don't mind as well as any other ideas.

Thanks!

[Pilgrim]

One idea would be to pull the carpet back, install countersunk screws with lock washers and nuts, glue carpet back.

[jyu87]

I would take it to a welder for the easiest and cleanest fix.

[R2Tracker]

Just about guarantee, welding with the carpet in place, it would burn or melt... so pull the carpet back and weld, rivet, through bolt with countersink heads and nylocks, take your pick. The point being, if you dont want fasteners atop the carpet, the carpet will likely need to be peeled back first.

[TritonTRXV8]

Pretty common issue. I ended up just riveting all of the compartment lid braces. Use a compact 1/8” aluminum rivet and you can fluff the carpet around it and youll never see it. Specialty fastener stores carry black ones that really blend in well.

[bassassin]

Thanks for the ideas all! Looking forward to getting this fixed.

[Lowerider58]

Pretty common issue. I ended up just riveting all of the compartment lid braces. Use a compact 1/8” aluminum rivet and you can fluff the carpet around it and youll never see it. Specialty fastener stores carry black ones that really blend in well.

I did the same thing when the ones on my Tracker started coming loose. My boat had the light grey carpet and the rivets were hardly noticeable.