Mounting a roof rack

[rikahaem]

So I've gone through all the topics/threads/etc that I can find on here that mention roof racks but I'm still having trouble...

I am working on building a home-brew roof rack. I would like to mount said roof rack to my 98 XJ. However, I don't want to mount it directly to the frame, I would prefer not to use gutter mounts and I don't have the cross bars for the factory rack.

So currently, I have the two rails that run along the length of the roof. Is there a way to mount the rack to that... I've been looking online for adapters or brackets or something but I'm having trouble.


Thanks in advance!!

[4.3LXJ]

I will use an old ski rack that mounts to the gutter that I got for nothing and rob the pieces off it for that purpose.

[Firemanray]

Here's how I did mine:
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/firemanray21/IMG_3595-1.jpg
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/firemanray21/IMG_3594-1.jpg

[bluedragon436]

I have been looking at this setup:

http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/sur-j100_w.jpg (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUR-J100/)

From what I have read and found online, this is supposed to fit into the factory roof rack tracks.. so I have been looking at picking this up for the roof basket I'm looking at picking up.. I just have to figure out some cross bars first, as the rack I'm looking at getting doesn't have any of the cross bars..

[Carves]

I have been looking at this setup:



Lazy sods dont mention what constitutes a "kit" in their advertising ... :bang:

Do you happen to know - how many clamp sets are in a "kit" ??

[rikahaem]

it almost looks like it's just one adapter and you buy as many as you need... in other words, for four brackets, we're talkin $240. with that, i could just grab an INNO rack set and know for certain that it would fit. hmmmmmm...

http://www.autoanything.com/roof-racks/61A4839A0A0A3226538.aspx

[rikahaem]

So I did some more searching and I think I found a possible solution...

Kargo Master makes mounting brackets that physically clamp on to the tracks. The only caveat is that you have to mount bars to the brackets in order to use the brackets to mount a roof rack. But as I'm already building my own rack, that should be an easy fix.

When one goes to this site, it says that these pieces mount to an XJ rack.

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Exterior-Parts-Car-Care/Mounting-Brackets-by-Kargo-Master.aspx?t_c=3&t_s=82&t_pt=5469&t_pl=102816&t_pn=KAR5062-1

Click on the installation instructions tab and load the PDF. Makes sense on paper right? Now go look at the pieces in the picture. WTF right?

Now go to this link and look at the picture.

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Exterior-Parts-Car-Care/Mounting-Brackets-by-Kargo-Master.aspx?t_c=3&t_s=82&t_pt=5469&t_pl=102816&t_pn=KAR5063-1

Seem familiar? Go to the installation instructions tab. Looks like the first page's pieces, doesn't it?

I'm hoping the webmaster just got the pics mixed up. $52 bucks for a quick and dirty rack mount solution? I'll take it. I'll also be calling the CS department to verify that these are indeed the correct part. Update to follow!!!

[LizardRunner]

Lazy sods dont mention what constitutes a "kit" in their advertising ... :bang:

Do you happen to know - how many clamp sets are in a "kit" ??

surco says 4 is a kit. so for your sixty odd dollars you get four of the clamps. They are also vehicle specific so you need to order for your particular year, brand and model. http://www.surcoinc.com/appguide.php

[XJ4IV]

well if you want the lower profile look you can always do what I did... but MOST folks would never do that!... I actually drilled mine through the roof and on the inside I used Unistrut as a back bracing... then where I drilled holes I used the same size bolts so there was NO play in them and then I siliconed those holes... no leaks as of yet and Ive been in some SERIOUS rain out here where I live!

first off I obtained 4 pieces of 1 inch steel rectangle tube found on a worksite construction places often use this stuff for shipping stuff
then I welded those to the home made roof rack
THEN I bolted those through the roof
http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m590/XJ4IV/IMG360.jpg
and here is the inside
http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m590/XJ4IV/IMG361.jpg
on the first picture I know what your thinking..." dude it sticks out to far"
I did this on purpose so I could install roof sliders!
http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m590/XJ4IV/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG015.jpg
http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m590/XJ4IV/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG016.jpg
http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m590/XJ4IV/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG017.jpg
this is the sturdiest roof rack I have built ever
then I added a light bar
http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m590/XJ4IV/IMG378.jpg
http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m590/XJ4IV/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG009-1.jpg

[LizardRunner]

Nice job Scott! I like that idea a lot, may do that once I get the cage completed.

[XJ4IV]

this design will be an easy setup for my exo but I kinda dig the current look

[LizardRunner]

yep, I rather like that low and mean look you have going there. I don't have a head liner and probably never will, rather a waste since da lizard is headed towards desert racer. so once I get the cage finished out, I can just drill and mount.