dust proofing Mazda BT 50

Hi Nugget

I also have a BT50 ute bit with an Ironman canopy. I have gone around the tub and filled any unused holes with either Expanda foam or body filler.

At the upper front corners there are large openings that go down to the chassis that are open.

I bought a roll of foam tape and worked around the tailgate with it. The best place to get advice is on You Tube where there are quite a few videos on doing the tail gate and are all fairly similar.

Finally, if all else fails try to pressurise the canopy either with a scupper on the roof or a bilge blower and filter drawing air in from a vent high up in the canopy.

Hope that gives you some ideas.

Duncan

Hello mate. I have a VW Amarok with a SJS canopy on it which I installed and before I put it on, I added extra seal around the entire surface where the canopy sits on the tray.
But you will find most of the dust comes in through the tail gate.
Clark rubber has a great range of door seal which should help out sealing that pesky gate. As Duncan you can also fill in all the openings around the tray which will help too.
If you are real keen, buy or hire a smoke machine and where you start seeing smoke outside, gives you an indication where the leaks are.
The SJS canopy has a front siding window and I leave have it ajar but about 10cm which helps keeps the cab pressurised and keeps the dust out.
Another to look at is an arb canopy vent, that could be an option too.

Mate, just go into ebay and put in Mazda bt50 tailgate seal kit and you will find plenty, that combined with a canopy vent will keep most dust out. Mine is a Ranger with a Arb canopy and I also put some foam expansion joint backer rod between the top of the tailgate and the canopy, there is a gap there when the tailgate is shut, yours maybe different depending on the canopy.

You could also try positively pressurising the canopy with either a forward facing vent or a pressure fan

Just open the front window and prop it when off-road. Works well. I hang mine on an occu strap.

Buy a caravan forward facing roof hatch, this puts positive pressure in the canopy and blows out all the cracks where dust is getting in

You could try these - TAIL GATE SEALS

My method to combat dust is to use a cheap tarp. I slide the end of it in under the ute mat. When loaded the tarp is pulled up over the load. When I want something from out of the tub I just peel the tarp back and that takes the dust with it.

I've never had any problems wiht the PK ranger and ARB canopy form day 1, and it's toured extensively outback SA, QLD, NT, WA, some of the dustiest conditions imaginable.

I had the ARB rear vent fitted from the start, it pressurises the back canopy tub area, I get a tiny amount in the tailgate jamb, but never get so much as a flim of dust inside on gear etc.

Did they offer you this on yours ?
I know some canopies design is such you can't fit the ARB rear vent, but expect most of theirs would be fine for it.

You can get them fitted new or later, or you can buy the vent, and DIY if you have the skills and jigsaw / fine blade etc to do the job.