best option for roof rack?

mapco · **Joined:** Tue Jan 09, 2007 4:27 am **Posts:** 250

I searched, but it's just a mess of old posts with no solid answers.

I'm looking for the best options for crossbars and a rack up top. I need it to be strong, big, and not too expensive. I will eventually add 4 lights up front and two in the rear. I will be carrying a mounted tire, jerry cans, a highlift, and other miscellaneous things.

Any insight is appreciated.

Lancer · **Posted:** Mon Feb 21, 2011 8:55 am

Firstly, remember that the recommended load limit ALL UP for the roof is 65kg(according to my manual). Secondly, that stuff you've listed weighs a fair bit, so you probably DON't want to go with the standard rails on the vehicle - they are remarkably puny. It may cost, but look at Boiler's rack - nice and strong in aluminium, or Rocklizard's rails or rack. Alternatively - and you'll get a lot of warnings on here about their customer service, there are the steel roof rails by Rocky Road Outfitters. I've no idea what they are actually like, but they look fine from the photos.

Probably the best in many ways are the African Outback or Hannibal expedition racks. They are top class, but with a price to reflect that.

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Feb 21, 2011 11:45 am

strong, big and not expensive do not always go together
I had a cheaper rack on the stock rails and while it did haul a tire up there, it did not do it well over time ( or if I had kept it up there)
Hard to beat a RL rack, the best there is out there right now

Nightfisher · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2010 9:35 pm **Posts:** 122

I found my Yakima Load Warrior with the tire carrier included on Craigslist for $150. The two purchased at retail would have been around $300. I made my crossbars from pipe and attached them with U bolts. It seems solid with no flexing movement at all even with the tire mounted. I'm going to replace the plastic fairing on the front with one cut from metal to eliminate the problem Yakimas have with the fairing cracking over time. I also plan on adding a single light to the rear of the rack to light up my boat trailer when launching/retreiving at night.

TheBartlett · **Posted:** Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:28 pm

Uh.....WTF?!!

Ryn7 · **Posted:** Sun Feb 27, 2011 12:58 am

You could always go to swap meets, garage sales, etc. and find newer model Thule roof rack systems like "400" series and bolt them directly to the roof* of the KJ and have an in-expensive set up that will carry more than 65 Kilograms.

PM me for details on how to do this.

mapco · **Joined:** Tue Jan 09, 2007 4:27 am **Posts:** 250

I looked up African Outback and see no way to get those in the US. I looked on the Hannibal website and didn't see anything for the KJ.

The RL racks I looked at on their website didn't look like they could hold much? From what I saw it just looked like big side rails.

Ryn can you post that info here?

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 8:29 pm

mapco wrote:

I looked up African Outback and see no way to get those in the US. I looked on the Hannibal website and didn't see anything for the KJ.

The RL racks I looked at on their website didn't look like they could hold much? From what I saw it just looked like big side rails.

Ryn can you post that info here?

Maybe you should look at the Rock Lizard racks again, will hold a ton of stuff and more

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 8:43 pm

mapco wrote:

I looked up African Outback and see no way to get those in the US. I looked on the Hannibal website and didn't see anything for the KJ.

The RL racks I looked at on their website didn't look like they could hold much? From what I saw it just looked like big side rails.

Ryn can you post that info here?

I have stood on my RL Gecko Basket Rack rack (I'm 200lbs) with my old spare on there(90lbs) and it didn't move at all.I weighs more then what a Renny roof rails can support.

NewOldTimer · **Posted:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 9:08 pm

I'll be taking delivery of my roof rack from 'Boiler' in about 6 weeks or so.
I liked the fact that it came in at about half the weight of a steel rack,
and is just as strong.

I've seen a couple installed, and they look as good and as strong as advertised.

I'll be able to say more when I actually have it installed and am able to use
and 'abuse' it a little. :JEEPIN:

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 10:40 pm

steel is real :wink:

aluminum,... well fatigue sits in sooner or later

NewOldTimer · **Posted:** Wed Mar 23, 2011 12:24 am

tommudd wrote:

steel is real :wink:

aluminum,... well fatigue sits in sooner or later

Considering it's primary functions will be to hold overhead lights,
and camping gear 2 or 3 times a year, I'm not to concerned with fatigue,
except my own. :ROTFL:

ridenby · **Posted:** Wed Mar 23, 2011 12:59 am

Boiler makes a nice rack that will probably out last the Jeep. viewtopic.php?f=59&t=40168

best option for roof rack?

Who is online