STi Butt Rib Install Questions

Just getting ready to do the butt rib install. First question is how to orient the rib. The capstrip is wider on one side than the other. Seems to me I read somewhere that if you installed the butt rib so the wide side pointed inboard, you had more support when you attached the windshield. That right or wrong. I know what the directions say but thought this was one of those mods found by those building before me.

Second question pertains to the 1/16th spacer between the butt rib and rib 1 when using Oratex. Have those of you covering with Oratex found that the 1/16th spacer was about right or wished you had a bit more space when it came time to cover.

Thanks ahead of time.

G

We did not wrap covering around the first rib so no space between them needed. We just ran them flush. We ran the larger space on the outside because it’s a cleaner look IMO because you don’t see the nuts for attaching the windshield because they are on the outside of the but rib.

I believe the butt rib orientation is discussed by Brian in one of the later Project Kitfox videos. I think he swapped them, as you're suggesting, to minimize the risk of cracking the windshield as you drill into it.

The sti you don’t need to trim the width of the window because it can be left wide and overhand so you have a bit of extra room for drilling the windshield. Brian’s wing was not a STI so it’s a little different.

Thanks all. Just didn't want to totally rely on my memory on the rib and appreciate the input on the Oratex.

Gary