Annoying fake roof rail removal

talonhobbs · **Joined:** Wed Apr 17, 2013 2:04 am **Posts:** 1

Im new to the forumn, so forgive me if this question has been discussed before. So I have a 2009 KK Sport, which has the useless fake rack rails, and I plan on ripping those guys off and putting something functional on, so that I can mount crossbars and a basket. Has anybody done this? And what are my options for compatible rails? Thanks!

jjohnson1892 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 17, 2013 8:24 pm

It's just 4 bolts - 2 on the front connection, 2 on the back (under a cover I believe).

Don't have extensive knowledge of roof rails. I got RRO rails and put on the RRO adventure rack. I love it, it's versatile and well built in my opinion. And RRO also sells some accessories for lights and other things. It works for me :JEEPIN:

lfhoward · **Posted:** Wed Apr 17, 2013 8:29 pm

You have several options:
1) Get MOPAR raised side rails and make your own crossbars (many have) or buy Thule or Yakima crossbars. Then get a roof basket and attach it to the crossbars.
2) Rock Lizard Fabrications makes the best and strongest stand-alone roof rack/basket out there, and it bolts directly to the roof.
3) Rocky Road Outfitters makes a standalone rack too, but you may sacrifice some quality for a lower price. I've read about some folks having fitment issues, but others like the previous poster have been ok.

DirtyKK · **Posted:** Wed Apr 17, 2013 9:06 pm

i wouldnt call em fake by any means. i use the factory rails with cheap crossbars and kayak holders with no issue. my kayak stays on my roof half of fishing season. which is alot in florida.

jjohnson1892 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 17, 2013 10:04 pm

DirtyKK wrote:

my kayak stays on my roof half of fishing season. which is alot in florida.

And for that, I am a jealous man :ROTFL:

As lfhoward said, some people have had quality issues with RRO products. Some have had customer service problems (not meant to start a fire :dizzy:

)

I got lucky with super minor issues (no instructions included, 2 missing U-bolts)

Wearyman · **Joined:** Mon Aug 22, 2011 2:01 pm **Posts:** 161

DirtyKK wrote:

i wouldnt call em fake by any means. i use the factory rails with cheap crossbars and kayak holders with no issue. my kayak stays on my roof half of fishing season. which is alot in florida.

I think he means the "hump", not the actual raised metal rail.

There are two kinds of Liberty rook rack setups. The first is a standard raised metal bar roof rack, which you can see in the picture below of my jeep and my homemade crossbar:

The second is a large plastic "hump" or "ridge" that runs over the area where a roof rack would normally be. You can see that below:

This second style is merely a blank filler as the rack was made optional in later model years. The OP is looking for a full replacement rack for the plastic ridge. At least, that is what it seems he is asking for.

rangerr47 · **Joined:** Thu Jan 10, 2013 3:03 pm **Posts:** 71

Ya mine had those, you pretty much rip them off...the sticky tape will shred and leave alot behind..I got as much as I could off and put on the Mopar set over it since you cant see it anyways up there.

musclezmarinara · **Posted:** Sun May 12, 2013 1:41 pm

I have the mopar roof side rails which are solid with my defender roof basket and lamps

Works extremely well and can hold its weight

Wearyman · **Joined:** Mon Aug 22, 2011 2:01 pm **Posts:** 161

Also, if you want a roof basket, JBA sells the Rola brand ones that fit really nicely right onto the side rails, no crossbars needed. Although it fits with crossrails too.

georgejeri · **Posted:** Wed May 15, 2013 8:48 pm

There are/were instructions on the Mopar parts/accessories site. You'll find them under the Production Roof Siderails part.

kiwi_outdoors · **Joined:** Sun Jun 29, 2014 12:33 pm **Posts:** 47

rangerr47 wrote:

Ya mine had those, you pretty much rip them off...the sticky tape will shred and leave alot behind..I got as much as I could off and put on the Mopar set over it since you cant see it anyways up there.

I left a lot of the sticky tape remains on for now, as I am only 5'-10" and cannot see the roof seam depression and the tape remains. Nor can my shorter wife see the debris.

NAMoulton1 · **Joined:** Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1054

Through all of this I see not mention of KK fabricator AtTheHelm! He makes functional rails and basket racks (one assembly).

kiwi_outdoors · **Joined:** Sun Jun 29, 2014 12:33 pm **Posts:** 47

NAMoulton1 wrote:

Through all of this I see not mention of KK fabricator AtTheHelm! He makes functional rails and basket racks (one assembly).

His rails are fugly (especially in the "foot" area) Else I would have bought a pair.

At The Helm · **Posted:** Sun Jan 18, 2015 11:48 pm

kiwi_outdoors wrote:

NAMoulton1 wrote:

Through all of this I see not mention of KK fabricator AtTheHelm! He makes functional rails and basket racks (one assembly).

His rails are fugly (especially in the "foot" area) Else I would have bought a pair.

Guess you can't win em all over.. :mrgreen:

At The Helm · **Posted:** Sun Jan 18, 2015 11:54 pm

While I'm thinking about it, I'm soon coming out with a stand alone crossbar set that bolts to the factory locations. Here's a quick mockup, the 1.50" tube ends will be capped and sanded smooth. The slots in the mounts are for easy attachment of ratchet straps.

DarkSport11 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 03, 2015 12:23 am

When I did mine I just grabbed the cap and pulled on it until it came off. Then I used 3M Adhesive remover to get the tape off. I let it soak for a few minutes and then used a plastic putty knife to scrape it off. I finished it off with a fresh coat of wax over the area and then installed the OEM side rails.

kiwi_outdoors · **Joined:** Sun Jun 29, 2014 12:33 pm **Posts:** 47

Atthehelm wrote:

While I'm thinking about it, I'm soon coming out with a stand alone crossbar set that bolts to the factory locations. Here's a quick mockup, the 1.50" tube ends will be capped and sanded smooth. The slots in the mounts are for easy attachment of ratchet straps.

I would have to say that this cross bar design is way stronger than the OEM rack and its plastic feet. A real trick would be to have a dummy cover for the roof studs and remove the cross bars when not needed. Cross bars would work for my canoe, a 4x8 sheet of plywood, studs, fence boards, u-name-it (since my trailer got stolen, a roof rack is now more important to me). Actually, my aftermarket MOPAR OEM rails are quick to get off and on.

At The Helm · **Posted:** Tue Feb 03, 2015 10:57 pm

kiwi_outdoors wrote:

Atthehelm wrote:

While I'm thinking about it, I'm soon coming out with a stand alone crossbar set that bolts to the factory locations. Here's a quick mockup, the 1.50" tube ends will be capped and sanded smooth. The slots in the mounts are for easy attachment of ratchet straps.

I would have to say that this cross bar design is way stronger than the OEM rack and its plastic feet. A real trick would be to have a dummy cover for the roof studs and remove the cross bars when not needed. Cross bars would work for my canoe, a 4x8 sheet of plywood, studs, fence boards, u-name-it (since my trailer got stolen, a roof rack is now more important to me). Actually, my aftermarket MOPAR OEM rails are quick to get off and on.

That's exactly what these are designed for...everyday utilitarian use as described above.
I have a set on my Jeep right now with 1.50"x.120" tube, but there's a bit of wind noise. I don't want to sell something like that, so I'm going to mess with different tubing sizes till it's right. :JEEPIN:

CollinKK · **Posted:** Wed Feb 04, 2015 7:43 am

Atthehelm wrote:

That's exactly what these are designed for...everyday utilitarian use as described above.
I have a set on my Jeep right now with 1.50"x.120" tube, but there's a bit of wind noise. I don't want to sell something like that, so I'm going to mess with different tubing sizes till it's right. :JEEPIN:

Would lowering the bar closer to the roof of the car reduce the wind at all? I know personally I don't think I'd use the side ratchet strap holds. I'm a running bowline kind of guy haha.

Still eagerly waiting for you to be ready to ship these out. There's been at least 5 times since you've posted the pic that I could have used them and had to borrow a truck instead. (I move, plumb, and maintain aquariums for a living)

silverkk · **Joined:** Mon Feb 04, 2013 12:27 pm **Posts:** 637

Atthehelm wrote:

kiwi_outdoors wrote:

Atthehelm wrote:

While I'm thinking about it, I'm soon coming out with a stand alone crossbar set that bolts to the factory locations. Here's a quick mockup, the 1.50" tube ends will be capped and sanded smooth. The slots in the mounts are for easy attachment of ratchet straps.

I would have to say that this cross bar design is way stronger than the OEM rack and its plastic feet. A real trick would be to have a dummy cover for the roof studs and remove the cross bars when not needed. Cross bars would work for my canoe, a 4x8 sheet of plywood, studs, fence boards, u-name-it (since my trailer got stolen, a roof rack is now more important to me). Actually, my aftermarket MOPAR OEM rails are quick to get off and on.

That's exactly what these are designed for...everyday utilitarian use as described above.
I have a set on my Jeep right now with 1.50"x.120" tube, but there's a bit of wind noise. I don't want to sell something like that, so I'm going to mess with different tubing sizes till it's right. :JEEPIN:

try capping the ends

Annoying fake roof rail removal

Who is online