Jeep Cherokee Roof "cargo" rack decisions.

[Mudderoy]

I've been considering getting a roof rack for the 98 for a while now. Yes, then no. I like the way it is now, no rack, but it would be nice to have the ability to carry a bunch of crap on top if need be.

So what I'm thinking is getting one and then storing it in the garage until needed.

I thought I'd start this post to chronicle my cargo roof rack progress and also to get input from you guys as to what would be a good rack. I think $700 is a bit outrageous for a rack, BTW, so let's keep this reasonable.

[4.3LXJ]

It will be interesting to see what you come up with. The wife is pestering me to get one so we can pack more shit when we go camping. You know, take it all with you. Kitchen sink will be next

[Mudderoy]

It will be interesting to see what you come up with. The wife is pestering me to get one so we can pack more shit when we go camping. You know, take it all with you. Kitchen sink will be next

It may wind up being one of those things I just can't find the way I like it and for a decent price. I still have plans on buying that welder, I just need to get a bunch of stuff moved out of the garage which means a little building in the back yard.

[4.3LXJ]

For the price of a new one, I can probably have one out of aluminum. The thought has crossed my mind on that

[XJ4IV]

in all honesty tony I wanted mine to hold the spare since day one, the OTHER benefits ive found over the years of wheeling and road driving is,
1 you always have a way to store and tie down any larger than vehicle loads!
2. while offroad the rack acts as a decent skid plate for low lying branches
3 you ALWAYS find things that you can toss up there like a high lift or a spare ... bigger items
4. its a great place for another set of lights!!!
5. great place to mount roof sliders to protect your roof line against trees

[LizardRunner]

I've long since given up the idea of buying one, will build mine out of aluminum tubing and gas weld it together just to keep the up in the air weight down. I have the roof rails so I may figure a way to incorporate those into the mounting system on the WJ, since I have no rain gutter to use. We have a lot of camping gear and two largish dogs so the roof will most likely be the gear storage space of choice. The dogs don't seem to be able to leap that high.

[Mudderoy]

I've long since given up the idea of buying one, will build mine out of aluminum tubing and gas weld it together just to keep the up in the air weight down. I have the roof rails so I may figure a way to incorporate those into the mounting system on the WJ, since I have no rain gutter to use. We have a lot of camping gear and two largish dogs so the roof will most likely be the gear storage space of choice. The dogs don't seem to be able to leap that high.

Well I guess someone will hop in here with a picture and/or link to the greatest roof/cargo basket known to man kind, and for $200, but I bet I'll have to build my own to get what I want.

[Carves]

Well I guess someone will hop in here with a picture and/or link to the greatest roof/cargo basket known to man kind, and for $200,


:D:D:D

Ive had all manner of racks on a variety of vehicles ... and they all seemed to be the best at time of purchase or when I built them.

.... but by the third or fourth trip I was always thinking ....

"If only I had done this ... or that ...." ... ;) .. :D



but I bet I'll have to build my own to get what I want.

Its usually the way ....

[LizardRunner]

:D:D:D

Ive had all manner of racks on a variety of vehicles ... and they all seemed to be the best at time of purchase or when I built them.

.... but by the third or fourth trip I was always thinking ....

"If only I had done this ... or that ...." ... ;) .. :D

Its usually the way ....

I have always found that to be the case Carves. :sign0181:

[RVXJ]

Yes, I bought a Surco rack, assembled it, and then found out I had to buy the rail attachments. After around $300 total, I put my spare up there. About 2 or 3 weeks later, I decided I didn't like it and now it's a yard ornament. The Surco rack needs more bottom to it which a sheet of expanded aluminum would work. Good luck with your decisions!

[LizardRunner]

Tony wants pictures, so here are some goodies
This first one has plenty of support pieces and bungie/strap attachment places
http://www.xjtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=433&pictureid=3299
This one is very basic in design, I don't really like the solid corners though
http://www.xjtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=433&pictureid=3300
this one has a deeper back end which might be good for some taller stuff strapping in.
http://www.xjtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=433&pictureid=3301
I like this one because of the full floor supports and lots of attachemt points available for straps and bungies.
http://www.xjtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=433&pictureid=3302
This one has a special place for that up top spare tire to mount
http://www.xjtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=433&pictureid=3305
And there you go, all the racks I like well enough to use for Ideas when I get around to fabricating one.

[XJ4IV]

I built mine very cheap I think Im in mine for about 60$ I bought 4 pieces of 10 foot length 3/4 conduit I had the bender and I also bought the connectors for like 10 bucks the bottom piece is some stuff I scrounged up at a junkyard.
here is mine
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd107/basivey/HPIM2155.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd107/basivey/HPIM2156.jpg
these were pieces of flat steel for the stanchions
installed
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd107/basivey/kdk_0010.jpg
with lights
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd107/basivey/kdk_0009.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd107/basivey/kdk_0011.jpg
all lit up
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd107/basivey/kindadirty.jpg
built one for a friend .. came out a little cheaper on this one cause I couldnt find the same stuff for the bottom
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd107/basivey/HPIM2416.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd107/basivey/HPIM2417.jpg
a 33" spare installed
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd107/basivey/kdk_0332.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd107/basivey/kdk_0333.jpg
holding 200 lbs
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd107/basivey/kdk_0266.jpg
sooo other than pictured it can also hold a nice 12 foot chunk of lumber...
many other things as well

[Mudderoy]

Tony wants pictures, so here are some goodies
This first one has plenty of support pieces and bungie/strap attachment places
http://www.xjtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=433&pictureid=3299
This one is very basic in design, I don't really like the solid corners though
http://www.xjtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=433&pictureid=3300
this one has a deeper back end which might be good for some taller stuff strapping in.
http://www.xjtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=433&pictureid=3301
I like this one because of the full floor supports and lots of attachemt points available for straps and bungies.
http://www.xjtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=433&pictureid=3302
This one has a special place for that up top spare tire to mount
http://www.xjtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=433&pictureid=3305
And there you go, all the racks I like well enough to use for Ideas when I get around to fabricating one.

I like the slanted front, but then again I like light tabs with a over head hoop...

[Sandman4182]

Here's the one I'm thinking of going with overall dimensions are 39" wide x 43.5" long x 6" tall and you can add a 24" extension to it. http://www.discountramps.com/roof-rack-basket.htm

[LizardRunner]

Here's the one I'm thinking of going with overall dimensions are 39" wide x 43.5" long x 6" tall and you can add a 24" extension to it. http://www.discountramps.com/roof-rack-basket.htm

That's a pretty nice setup. I like everything about it except for the mounting method. I'd rather see it attached to the rails instead of the cross bars.

[Mudderoy]

After an interview with OMC Offroad I'm now interested in a rack that bolts to the roof. I know I don't want something that attaches to the rain gutters, and frankly I think it's silly to have two roof racks, the factory one and then another. Besides removing the factory rack would put the replacement rack lower.

So far I haven't seen any rack that I like, with the possible exception of the Olympic rack that has the rails that hang over the rain gutters to protect the top of the XJ from things you might rub against. Trees and NBA players.

[XJ4IV]

After an interview with OMC Offroad I'm now interested in a rack that bolts to the roof. I know I don't want something that attaches to the rain gutters, and frankly I think it's silly to have two roof racks, the factory one and then another. Besides removing the factory rack would put the replacement rack lower.

So far I haven't seen any rack that I like, with the possible exception of the Olympic rack that has the rails that hang over the rain gutters to protect the top of the XJ from things you might rub against. Trees and NBA players.
you gotta take it out there and wheel it for this to matter... but yes highly recomended asset to protect the roof line... they are called roof sliders!

[Mudderoy]

you gotta take it out there and wheel it for this to matter... but yes highly recomended asset to protect the roof line... they are called roof sliders!

I don't understand why wheeling it would matter. I mean wouldn't doing something right instead of half-assed be a better way to address changes with your Jeep? I mean if you build it right then when you are off road you have less chance for failure and more chance of success.

[LizardRunner]

I too like the idea of roof mounted racks instead of gutter mounts. You can use any rack you want if you fabricate mounting brackets to fit the factory mounting locations.

I'm breaking my baby gas rig out to get some things welded up for the Red Lizard. Do wish I had a house (we are looking for land now) so I could get big bottles for the gas rig.

[Pookapotamus]

Muddy,
I have removed the factory racks on my rig, its a pain in the ass but the factory racks are not very strong and provide leak points, (had to weld up all the holes for the factory racks) I am not running a cargo rack and don't plan to, I am however running light bars that double as a cargo point if needed. We do a lot of trail repairs and fencing in our local off-road park and wanted to be able to carry planks and fence posts in the roof without having to remove lights and not worry about having the factory rack break and dump the load on the roof. They are bolted through the roof into the thicker metal of the uni-body with spacers for more rigidity, this is such a better mounting system than the gutters and much more secure. If I ever want to run a cargo rack I just have to run some steel between the 2 light bars.

In my opinion the only way to mount a Cargo rack would be to bolt it through the roof. Good luck with the rack!

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii191/pookapotamus/Rigor%20Mortis/DSCN0750.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii191/pookapotamus/Rigor%20Mortis/DSCN0787.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

Nice job Pook. How much those LEDs set you back?

[Pookapotamus]

$330 for each! but man are they bright!!!

[4.3LXJ]

Who makes them?

[Pookapotamus]

Made by rigid Industries, http://www.rigidindustries.com/Default.asp

Their torture vid, http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EXMzkh-NzJk

Sorry for hijacking Muddy!:sign0181:

[4.3LXJ]

I have looked at them before. The good news is that their prices seem to be coming down a little

[LizardRunner]

I've seen those, they are very bright if not pricey. I like the way you did your rack mounts.

[OrangeXJ]

After an interview with OMC Offroad I'm now interested in a rack that bolts to the roof. I know I don't want something that attaches to the rain gutters, and frankly I think it's silly to have two roof racks, the factory one and then another. Besides removing the factory rack would put the replacement rack lower.

So far I haven't seen any rack that I like, with the possible exception of the Olympic rack that has the rails that hang over the rain gutters to protect the top of the XJ from things you might rub against. Trees and NBA players.

My 2cents is removing the stock rack and bolting another one on is asking for a water leak. My xj had the stock rack on it with the gutter mounted rack you could not see the stock rack My son's xj has a gutter mounted rack also. Nice thing about the gutter mounted one's is you can take them off with out worring about a water leak

[bluedragon436]

I have a Surco rack for my XJ that I picked up off a friend's XJ after replacing the engine in it... I have hit it up with spray paint after cleaning it up some... I think I'm going to have it stripped and hit with spray on bedliner once I order up the crossbars and the channel mounts for it... I would like to mount it correctly not by U-bolting it to the factory roof rack like it was when I got it.. From researching it didn't seem like too bad of pricing for it when I was researching it online.. so might be an option to look into.. I know the one I have is a tad bit shorter than the one Surco recommends for the XJ, but it hangs on the wall in my garage just fine right now... so that'll take care of your storage needs when it's not on the XJ..

[kylakexj]

I built mine out of 3/4" EMT and have had it on for over a year now and love it. It is mounted to the gutters and no problems as of yet. It has had plenty of trees and limbs rub it hard to. I would not be able to do with out mine now.

[98FloridaXJ]

Being an electrician by trade I get access to EMT and benders all the time but I have no welding skills and dont like the couplings and selft tapping screw assembly method. I'm slowly assembling mine but I'm making my main hoops out of 1" counduit and using 3/4" for the floor and risers. Other than putting this project back on the top of my list and getting over to my brother in law's so he can weld everything. My next choice to decide is wether I mount my spare up there or keep it in the back until I find the rear bumper and tire carrier I like that meets my budget.

[4.3LXJ]

I hear ya on those connectors. However that zinc on the outside of the EMT makes for lousy welds

[98FloridaXJ]

I'm not worried about that, one thing my brother in law can do is weld. If he can make race certified roll cages and weld up stainless and aluminum I'm sure that my EMT will be a walk in the park.

[4.3LXJ]

Okie Dokie. It can be done, and I have done it. But I hate welding galvanized stuff. I need to weld one up for me too I think this year. We seem to be outgrowing the back area of the XJ

[98FloridaXJ]

Yeah having the spare, hi lift and other misc. items in the rear my storage space keeps getting smaller. A roof rack would really help out with that problem. The other thing I need to look into fabbing up is a rear bumper with a tire carrier but I want to keep the stock end caps.

[4.3LXJ]

I used a stock carrier that I modified to fit my custom bumper. However it hasn't been adequate and needs to be rebuilt

[98FloridaXJ]

Yeah I like the idea of the tailbone from Detours but with the backorder status of those and my rear bumper skin needing to be changed I'd like to make a beefy bumper that uses the stock end caps but incorporates a tire carrier.

[gary63]

4.3lxj you might look at the wilderness expedition racks it would be easy to biuld one.
I picked up one becouse it was cheap at the time now $$$ and it will be easy to change it make it longer shorter higher or what ever.If you think you might go that way and need pix or sizes and can get that.it is strong it will hold up to 500 lbs..When I put it on 3 of us climed up on top and it didn't sag or bow.

[4.3LXJ]

I'm still mulling in over about what I want to do. Right now I am involved in antirock type sway bars and linking the rear with a sway bar also. Just finished the front locker. So still day dreaming about what I want to do

[98FloridaXJ]

Yeah my dream list is long while my budget is short, for me it just means I get to be creative.

[4.3LXJ]

That is one reason I fab almost everything. Besides, no one makes the stuff I want :D

[SteveMongr]

Nates4x4.com
4' x 6' Roof Rack
$300 shipped.
Bare Metal.

[RainShadow]

The only thing that holds me back from using the factory roof rack cross bars as an attachment point is how "weak" the connection is where the crossbar meets the slider mechanism -- very flimsy (sp). Also the new XJ's do not have full roof factory rails.
Personally I would have to go with a gutter mount attachment and this would handle more weight also and would be more stable.
The problem is selecting one or making one ??? Most of the racks I see are multipurpose racks that attach to the factory crossbars ..... I would also be
attaching: Hi-Lift jack, shovel, and misc camping gear.

The search continues ......

Randy from Oceanside, CA

[denverd1]

I think you could use rubber washers and a bit of marine silicone and get away with bolting through the roof itself. Only issue is if you tear it off, you've got a big ass hole in your roof. Since I have the stock "rack" up there, I'm going to look at going into the side bars and hope the plastic breaks instead of the thin roof material.

[bluedragon436]

I'm looking at picking up either the gutter mount or going to pick up an aftermarket rail setup that replaces the stock rails, but uses the track itself... mainly that way I can remove the rack and throw my kayak brackets up there...

[4x4Dalton]

Here's mine that I made. I know a lot of you have seen this and read the thread. Since makin it I did have to weld the joints after time. Still sturdy and strong.
1593
1594
1595
This shows what I came up with to mount it to rails. It ain't movin.
1596

[SteveMongr]

The only thing that holds me back from using the factory roof rack cross bars as an attachment point is how "weak" the connection is where the crossbar meets the slider mechanism -- very flimsy (sp). Also the new XJ's do not have full roof factory rails.
Personally I would have to go with a gutter mount attachment and this would handle more weight also and would be more stable.
The problem is selecting one or making one ??? Most of the racks I see are multipurpose racks that attach to the factory crossbars ..... I would also be
attaching: Hi-Lift jack, shovel, and misc camping gear.

The search continues ......

Randy from Oceanside, CA

This is the best rack at the best price. It's 4' x 6 ' and adjustable to 4' x 4'.
$315 delivered. Call Nate and you can probably getit for $300 delivered.
Weight about 45lbs.
http://www.nates4x4.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=XJ_ROOF_RACK

[denverd1]

Here's mine that I made. I know a lot of you have seen this and read the thread. Since makin it I did have to weld the joints after time. Still sturdy and strong. This shows what I came up with to mount it to rails. It ain't movin.
1596

Bear, what the hell is that gray thing up there?? you got directv in your jeep bro?!

[4x4Dalton]

Lol naw that's the canopy to a swing that was next to the XJ.

[4.3LXJ]

I thought it was a wing off some kids car :D

[Brasscatz]

LOL, it sure looked like it was attached! I thought it was a spoiler to keep your Jeep from taking off from going too fast! LOL

[4x4Dalton]

LOL, it sure looked like it was attached! I thought it was a spoiler to keep your Jeep from taking off from going too fast! LOL

Trust me ya ain't gotta worry bout it goin too fast.

[4.3LXJ]

Spoilers are supposed to keep you closer to the ground :D

[4x4Dalton]

Lol Steve I couldn't take flight if I hit 88mph and opened the doors :D :D

[4.3LXJ]

Opening the doors is like dropping the flaps. Stops you dead :D

[4x4Dalton]

Opening the doors is like dropping the flaps. Stops you dead :D

:D even if ya put a ramp in front of it I really don't see it flyin lol

[4.3LXJ]

Well now, there is a challenge. I am sure we could make it fly for a short time anyway. Ask me how I bent a double tubed 44 front end :D

[4x4Dalton]

Well now, there is a challenge. I am sure we could make it fly for a short time anyway. Ask me how I bent a double tubed 44 front end :D

With you Steve any things possible :D

[4.3LXJ]

Shhhhhhhhhhhhh Don't tell anyone :D

[denverd1]

lol!