Roof Rack question

JMLoughrey · **Posted:** Mon May 21, 2007 1:36 am

Well, its the start of summer, camping and whatnot. Desided it'd be a good idea to invest in a nice rack for the KJ to haul some stuff.

I've looked around a bit on the search function for roof racks and whatnot but didnt really turn up any good definative answers.

What is everyone using for a roof rack? Mounting? Any reccommendations?

I dont have any cross rails at the moment, didnt really plan on buying any, i'd fabricate them before i would buy them.

Are there/is there any rack aside from the mopar rack that i would be able to mount to the existing rails?

There isn't really going to be all that much weight in the rack, mainly a tent or two and a few duffle bags.

spencevans · **Posted:** Mon May 21, 2007 3:54 am

I like the look of the Surco roof rack. They are also reasonably priced and pretty strong.

Dje Ryu · **Posted:** Mon May 21, 2007 9:00 am

Nothing special holding mine on. I just went to ACE and picked up 8 U-bolts and used the bottom rails on the Surco to mount to the rails on the KJ. When I first started assembling the Surco rack, I had my doubts but, it's a lot stronger than it seems, once you get it all together.

kolesy · **Posted:** Mon May 21, 2007 6:46 pm

I will second the surco! Great rack for the money. I got a sweet deal on the rack and there mounts form someone on the board. Otherwise I would have went the U-bolt route like previously stated. The surco mounts are about 100 bucks as opposed to a coule bucks for some u-bolts. The thing is great though!

ROADHAWG · **Posted:** Tue May 29, 2007 1:33 pm

I would highly recommend getting the Surco Safari Rack. I just took mine camping with an easy 100lbs of gear in 2 rubbermaid bins on the roof and no problems. It does not look like much when you are putting it together but I have no doubt it will handle the 200lbs they advertise. Anyways that is my .02 cents worth.

carroll952 · **Posted:** Tue May 29, 2007 1:45 pm

I have a confer rack with custom mounting brackets that fit in the stock KJ roof rail holes. Not sure how much you're looking to spend, but if you're interested contact All J's. They buy the racks, then fab up the mounts. I don't know the price for a new one since I bought mine used from Wally.

riptricket · **Posted:** Tue May 29, 2007 3:48 pm

do the u-bolts bolt into the stock bolt locations on the roof or do they connect the stock roof rails to the surco? pics?

csukoh78 · **Joined:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:34 pm **Posts:** 501

This is what I did and couldn't be happier....

Black Widow Roof Basket http://www.discountramps.com/roof-rack-basket.htm
$100

with $40 Black Widow Windshield $40

Mopar Roof Rails off eBay $80
__________________________________________________________
$220

The rack is nice, sturdy, black powdercoat. Its pretty light (25lbs), has 200 lb cargo capacity, and is tough enough take anything I will throw at it (coolers, tires, logs, heavy tools) The only thing I would not recomment would be putting a hilift jack with a big mudder spare and two fuel cans, but the other 97% of the stuff you would carry would do just fine. Besides, all that stuff is more than the Lib roof can handle (150lb max I believe.)

SavageUrge · **Posted:** Tue May 29, 2007 7:26 pm

I have a Thule M.O.A.B. I couldn't be happier with it, especially for the price I paid (got a good ebay deal). It's BIG and holds most of my camping gear allowing my wife and 3 German Shepherds enough room to come along :-)r

I put aqueen size air mattress, 2 sleeping bags, 2 tarps and a set of poles, 2 folding chairs, the tent, a water jug and a bunch of miscellaneous item up there, and hold all down with a couple of bungie cords and the cargo net that came with it.

csukoh78 · **Joined:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:34 pm **Posts:** 501

SavageUrge wrote:

I have a Thule M.O.A.B. I couldn't be happier with it, especially for the price I paid (got a good ebay deal). It's BIG and holds most of my camping gear allowing my wife and 3 German Shepherds enough room to come along :-)r

I put aqueen size air mattress, 2 sleeping bags, 2 tarps and a set of poles, 2 folding chairs, the tent, a water jug and a bunch of miscellaneous item up there, and hold all down with a couple of bungie cords and the cargo net that came with it.

You have the coolest avatar. Well, second coolest.... :lol:

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Tue May 29, 2007 8:23 pm

I have a Garvin Wilderness rack w/light tabs for sale... I loved it, it is not as tall as the Conferr, and mounts directly to the factory roof rails. I took it off because my roof rails broke off the roof because I overloaded the rack multiple times and wheeled a bit hard. Just remember, regardless of what the rack manufacturer says, follow the weight limilts in your owners manual.

PM me if you are interested in the rack.

FastTRX · **Posted:** Tue May 29, 2007 8:44 pm

USAFCOP, how much would you be asking for the rack? I could possibly be interested...I loved the look of your rack with the 4 Hellas mounted on the top.

MP Jeeper · **Posted:** Tue May 29, 2007 9:13 pm

PM sent

hooperswish · **Posted:** Tue May 29, 2007 10:25 pm

Hey csukoh78, nice rack. It also looks like you have a bike rack on the spare? What is it and how does it work for you?
Thanks :shock:

csukoh78 · **Joined:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:34 pm **Posts:** 501

http://www.moparpartsmall.com/jeep/libe ... _rack.html I, however, found mine on eBay for about $40! Worth every penny.

Its the mopar bike rack for the jeep liberty. It looks awesome, I get compliments all the time. Holds two bikes using the spare tire mount. It has a screw pressure plate that is lockable.

Dje Ryu · **Posted:** Wed May 30, 2007 1:50 am

riptricket wrote:

do the u-bolts bolt into the stock bolt locations on the roof or do they connect the stock roof rails to the surco? pics?

This is how I did mine. I need to get some more nuts (no wisecracks!) and trim the excess bolt length. Those flats came as flats and they don't seem all that strong so I'm still looking to pick up the Surco mounts, eventually but, so far It's stayed right where I mounted it and I've used it a fair amount for the short time it's been on there. I can shake the whole Jeep around by the rack, as much as the stiffer shocks and struts will let me anyway.

Weegie5 · **Posted:** Wed May 30, 2007 11:21 pm

csukoh78 wrote:

This is what I did and couldn't be happier....

Black Widow Roof Basket http://www.discountramps.com/roof-rack-basket.htm

I just ordered one of those last night with the wind fairing and medium cargo bungee net. I returned the Yakima Basketcase I had bought on Friday. The Black Widow looks much more substantial and costs the same.

csukoh78 · **Joined:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:34 pm **Posts:** 501

Weegie5 wrote:

csukoh78 wrote:

This is what I did and couldn't be happier....

Black Widow Roof Basket http://www.discountramps.com/roof-rack-basket.htm

I just ordered one of those last night with the wind fairing and medium cargo bungee net. I returned the Yakima Basketcase I had bought on Friday. The Black Widow looks much more substantial and costs the same.

Hahaha....thanks...the basketcase is a joke. You will enjoy the black widow. It comes excellently packaged and very sturdy. The windscreen is a must...good call. Without it, it is LOUD. A really deep whirrrring roar at speed. Windshield took care of 90% of it

riptricket · **Posted:** Fri Jun 01, 2007 4:13 pm

if i want to sit on top of my kj on the surco rack, would the rack hold me up?

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 01, 2007 4:15 pm

riptricket wrote:

if i want to sit on top of my kj on the surco rack, would the rack hold me up?

The rack would but the rails are only rated for a 150lbs if I remember right.

Roof Rack question

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