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Ways to modify your Mopar cross bars...
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=36124		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Sport [ Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Ways to modify your Mopar cross bars...
OK, well here is my first how to. Exciting, I came up with 2 ways to modify Mopar brand cross bars. Why modify you may ask well, I wanted to bring them closer to the roof for for a few reasons. Looks, least wind resistance and noise. Oh and of course clearance because I am sitting so tall with my 3" lift and 31s..haha.

Option 1:
The mopar bars sit on top of the rails and mount to the rails using a metal U shaped bracket with an arm the allows a screw to be torched down and compresses the rails inbetween the bracket and the cross bar. In the picture below you see what I am talking about.
Image
Here the top plastic support has been removed dropping the cross bar 3/4 of an inch and is just as strong.
Image
And for comparison
Image

Option 2:

Little more daring, TOMMUD had a great idea when he decided to use All thread and a gas pipe to make his cross bars. I also used all thread but decided to chop up the Mopar bars. this is what I did.

First I bought four 6' lengths of 5/16 all thread, washers and nuts.
Image
Image

Next I measured and cut the cross bars to the inside width of the rails and drilled holes the rails. The all thread is then threaded into the holes and through the bars.
Image Image Image

Here is the finished product and comparison. I haven't test weight but I am fairly confindent it will support 100 or more pounds.

Image
Image

Looks close but it is not touching!! I will be putting on a ROLA roof basket shortly.

Thanks!
Author:  XC204 [ Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:00 am ]
Post subject: 
Nice clean look I never liked the stock ones. But this mod looks good.Nice job.
Author:  tommudd [ Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:42 am ]
Post subject: 
GREAT JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:D :D :D :D :D
I like it, looks good and also looks factory! :wink:
see there are alternatives to doing it like everyone else, great job on thinking outside the box!
Author:  Sport [ Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:10 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks XC204 and thank you Tom for the idea. I am very please with how it came out.
Author:  Maximum Carnage [ Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:14 am ]
Post subject: 
This looks pretty darn nice but... but how much weight will they support?
Author:  tommudd [ Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:39 am ]
Post subject: 
Maximum Carnage wrote:
This looks pretty darn nice but... but how much weight will they support?


his should be about like mine, and I have stood on top of mine 195/200 lb and also have had 3 moabs with 245-75s up there and no problems also another time 4 very heavy packed suit cases and no bending at all.
Author:  riptricket [ Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:44 am ]
Post subject: 
So is that front cross-piece the cut mopar bar or your homemade kind?
Author:  Sport [ Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:07 am ]
Post subject: 
riptricket wrote:
So is that front cross-piece the cut mopar bar or your homemade kind?


I cut the mopar bar to fit inside the rails and used two lengths of the all thread to thread through the bar. one of the pictures shows that the mopar bar is hollow in the front and back. That is where I slid the all thread through.

I haven't tested weight but it is quite strong. once I get the basket I will throw some weights up there and see how it holds up.
Author:  tommudd [ Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:27 am ]
Post subject: 
Sport wrote:
riptricket wrote:
So is that front cross-piece the cut mopar bar or your homemade kind?


I cut the mopar bar to fit inside the rails and used two lengths of the all thread to thread through the bar. one of the pictures shows that the mopar bar is hollow in the front and back. That is where I slid the all thread through.

I haven't tested weight but it is quite strong. once I get the basket I will throw some weights up there and see how it holds up.


so you will have 4 ( 2 per bar) all threads going from side to side, even stronger!!!
Also on the ends they sell cap nuts that are say like lug nuts and look good on the ends/ outside of the rail, good finished look :wink:
Author:  XC204 [ Mon Sep 22, 2008 1:15 pm ]
Post subject: 
Mounting a rack A roof basket will not cause the center of your bars to sag as the weight is carried by the stock roof rack because the mounting points are at the outside end of the bars. Just be carefull if you were to strap on some lumber or anything near the center of the bars with no basket on. If you want to not drill through your bars for mounting the roof basket you can cut 4 pcs of steel or alum. that slide into the slots on the bars drill and tap them for the mounting bolts for your basket if the slots will slide a large enough in thickness stock that will not bend when tightned.
Author:  Sport [ Mon Sep 22, 2008 1:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
XC204 wrote:
Mounting a rack A roof basket will not cause the center of your bars to sag as the weight is carried by the stock roof rack because the mounting points are at the outside end of the bars. Just be carefull if you were to strap on some lumber or anything near the center of the bars with no basket on. If you want to not drill through your bars for mounting the roof basket you can cut 4 pcs of steel or alum. that slide into the slots on the bars drill and tap them for the mounting bolts for your basket if the slots will slide a large enough in thickness stock that will not bend when tightned.


That is a good idea. I do have the yakima mighty mounts that I was going to use to mount the roof basket. They should work out ok. I used them for my snow board carriers. I intend to leave the basket on permanently and just strap the boards to the basket when I use them.
Author:  moto-scoot [ Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:52 am ]
Post subject:  end caps
if anyone has done this
i need drivers side end cap
also missing rubber strip
Author:  Cobalt-60 [ Tue Mar 03, 2009 4:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
What did you use to cut the ends on the crossbars?

I have the KK ones and need to trim the length of the from one. :wink:
Author:  Sport [ Wed Mar 18, 2009 1:51 pm ]
Post subject: 
Cobolt-60 wrote:
What did you use to cut the ends on the crossbars?

I have the KK ones and need to trim the length of the from one. :wink:


Just a hack saw with a good blade and I cleaned up the sharp metal with a file.
Author:  JeepinJarhead03 [ Wed Mar 18, 2009 3:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
ya know, i'm all roofrack retarded.. how come my channels go with the length of the vehicle, i know i'm missing stuff from my rack but you guys racks don't seem to have the same channels as i do
Author:  KJ kyle [ Wed Mar 18, 2009 3:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
maybe because you have the rene with the larger roofrack
Author:  LIV42DY [ Wed Mar 18, 2009 11:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
Nice job, But too close to the roof, if you put enough weight on them they will flex and :( hit the roof.
Author:  JeepinJarhead03 [ Thu Mar 19, 2009 1:24 am ]
Post subject: 
that threaded rod thats goin through them should help a hair :lol:

flexes too much just run some square tube through them too
Author:  Sport [ Thu Mar 19, 2009 8:58 am ]
Post subject: 
LIV42DY wrote:
Nice job, But too close to the roof, if you put enough weight on them they will flex and :( hit the roof.


no, your wrong. The roof rack prevents it from flexing, it is very solid. Even without the rack as long as you distribute the weight evenly, shouldn't be a problem. Now if you place a good amount of weight in center then it will probably flex.
Author:  LIV42DY [ Thu Mar 19, 2009 9:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
You may be right but I have the crossrails on mine thro my spare and the rest of my gear in the basket and Im already into negative arc.
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