Offroad roof rack question?

[AZXJ]

Anyone have a good recommendation for a full length offroad roof rack, that will hold my 32" spare and hi-lift? If you know of one that works well please let me know.

Thanks,
AZXJ

[d0nt_h8]

I ordered and am having installed after paint an Olympic 'Top-Hat' Rack... I have a 92 2 door XJ. It will cover almost the entire roof. When I was first looking I was really taken with 'Baja-Rack'- they have a great design, but in asking them about different models, I wanted one which attached to the rain gutters so I wouldn't compromise roof integrity.. They were going to fab one specifically for me, but I wasn't cool with being the 'test' case, lol..

Top hat gives you more mounting points- 6 instead of 4 for better weight distribution, and is very very solid... I'll be taking pix next week =-)
http://shookweb.us/11-24_004R.jpg

Having said all that, i'm sure there are some other quality racks out there.. anyone?:coffee::coffee::coffee:

[TheWeiss]

I have a surco which works well enough. I got it off of Ebay fairly cheap. If I hadn't I totaly would have gone for a Confer roof rack. They are rugged, cool looking and have a solid reputation.

[Mudderoy]

I ordered and am having installed after paint an Olympic 'Top-Hat' Rack... I have a 92 2 door XJ. It will cover almost the entire roof. When I was first looking I was really taken with 'Baja-Rack'- they have a great design, but in asking them about different models, I wanted one which attached to the rain gutters so I wouldn't compromise roof integrity.. They were going to fab one specifically for me, but I wasn't cool with being the 'test' case, lol..

Top hat gives you more mounting points- 6 instead of 4 for better weight distribution, and is very very solid... I'll be taking pix next week =-)
http://shookweb.us/11-24_004R.jpg

Having said all that, i'm sure there are some other quality racks out there.. anyone?:coffee::coffee::coffee:

I've been reading nightmare installation stories about this rack. Disappointing as I liked the look of it for my rig. I will be interested in hearing if you have any issues installing it on yours.

[warrpath4x4]

I've seen quite a few people building the rook racks out of electrical conduit for like $50. I've seen a few take quite a bit of abuse also with no issue.

[d0nt_h8]

I've been reading nightmare installation stories about this rack. Disappointing as I liked the look of it for my rig. I will be interested in hearing if you have any issues installing it on yours.

LoL yeah... the instructions for the rack really suck... :headshake:which normally wouldn't be an issue, but it does come with a lot of parts. I assembled the rack upside down the first time, lol... If the instructions were a little more clear, it would be no issue... I really like the rack tho, so I'm forgiving them for the lack of clear instructions =-)

[BlueXJ]

Instructions make a huge difference IMHO.

[4.3LXJ]

Real men don't read instructions, unless no one is watching.:smiley-gen165:

[Indiana Jeep]

I have yakima load warrior. Mainly because it was the only one available without mail ordering it. I've been really happy with it. Added a couple lights and picked up their hi-lift and shovel brackets. They have a larger one called the mega warrior that will allow larger tires. I think the biggest you can fit on the one I have is 30 inches but I'm not for certain.

[d0nt_h8]

Instructions make a huge difference IMHO.

...I really should find those and scan them.. it was pretty funny because the first two things it said to do were pretty clear, and then it gives you an instruction that was so vague it could have meant four or five different things! I had three (yes three) others read them and we all had the same response: WTF? :rolleyes:

[xjjeepthing]

I love my Surco. 31" spare and Hi-Lift on it.
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s44/xjjeepthing/My%20jeep/100_0050.jpg
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s44/xjjeepthing/My%20jeep/100_0053.jpg

[Logans91XJ]

Try Warrior Products they make a pretty Bad *** Roof Rack with lots of farkels to dress it up.

Also try http://www.discountramps.com

[xj4life2]

Not to put a damper on the thread but I had a Confer on mine with the spare, axe , shovel and high lift on it. it was nice but.... and there is always a but, it made me way to top heavy and side hilling was scary.I removed it and built a internal rack for it all. Its right over the rear axle so the weight isn't an issue. and I still have room for the other crap I have to carry.

[Mudderoy]

Not to put a damper on the thread but I had a Confer on mine with the spare, axe , shovel and high lift on it. it was nice but.... and there is always a but, it made me way to top heavy and side hilling was scary.I removed it and built a internal rack for it all. Its right over the rear axle so the weight isn't an issue. and I still have room for the other crap I have to carry.

I'd like to have one of those tents on my roof. I'm not sure if I'll ever put a rack on the top of mine.

[96xj]

Not to put a damper on the thread but I had a Confer on mine with the spare, axe , shovel and high lift on it. it was nice but.... and there is always a but, it made me way to top heavy and side hilling was scary.I removed it and built a internal rack for it all. Its right over the rear axle so the weight isn't an issue. and I still have room for the other crap I have to carry.

:camera: :camera: :camera: :camera: :camera: :camera: :camera: :camera:

[xj4life2]

I have posted these before

[xj4life2]

Ok so the pictures didn't take so here we go again :

http://i837.photobucket.com/albums/zz298/payless4x/rack2.jpg

http://i837.photobucket.com/albums/zz298/payless4x/disco.jpg

I've also included a picture of the disconnect that allows the rack to be removed completely. in a few minutes. The spare is attached to the rack useing a TJ spare tire mount, so it is safe and will not come off and the rack/backseat will keep it from comming forward.
PS pardon the mess I was unloading after a trip

[Mudderoy]

You may have posted them before, but thanks for doing them again. Nice set up. How much is left when you remove the pins, and the rack? I guess there 4 little nubs sticking up from the floor?

[xj4life2]

Yup four small nubs is all , so if need be I can sleep back there.

[Silly Willy]

Can always make one out of 2" conduate as I did, then weld it to some 1/4 inch pieces of scrap metal, and bolt it to the stock roof rack locations as I did. :)

http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af74/SillyWIllly/100_2318.jpg
http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af74/SillyWIllly/100_23200.jpg
http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af74/SillyWIllly/100_2322.jpg

I haven't had a single problem with it. was under $100 as well. Hard to beat.

[Mudderoy]

I like it! Thanks for sharing it with us.