2005 Liberty Renegade roof rack

JeepinG · **Posted:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:27 pm

New here, new to the Jeep world. Just bought a 2005 Liberty Renegade a couple weeks ago. It didn't have the owners manual, so I bought one and just got it. It says the roof rack is load limited to 62 lbs?? I've searched high and low for a replacement rack for this thing and haven't come up with a solution. Seeing how I bought this for kayaking trips, and I need to fit at least two boats on top, sometimes even 4. The boats weigh about 35-45 lbs a peice so I can only get one loaded.

I'm in big trouble! Had I known the 'cool' looking rack was actually worthless and neither Thule or Yakima make a better system for this vehicle, I wouldn't have even bought it. As it is now, I might even have to get rid of it soley for this reason and take a huge loss.

I need load bars, not a basket. Does anyone have any ideas? Can I buy the standard Liberty side bar and replace the thick plastic junk on my roof without drilling new holes? Not that I want to spend more money, to take options away :evil:

but I'm stumped.

I hate plastic

Gringo Loco · **Posted:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:41 pm

Yes, you can change the roof rails to the sport model ones or you could find someone to custom weld you something that mounts to the roof mounting points. There are some good examples in the Fabrication section.

Check this link out.

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... hp?t=11572

This is another members KJ - Peebut

Donkeykong · **Posted:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:49 pm

I'm pretty sure that the sport bars are only good for 100Lbs.
Either that, or it was yakimas bars.

I'm looking to get the q-towers for my existing yakima rack, and think that is where I get the 100# figure.

I would try e-mailing yakima and asking what they have for your needs.

I also wonder if there is something you could get that would take some of the load off the bars to increase your weight capacity.

-Mark

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:59 pm

There are a bunch of threads on here which talk about roof racks/cross bars/baskets. Try the "search" function. If when you say "The plastic", you mean the basket like I have in my avatar, we usually call that "Tupperware" and it is easily removable. When I got mine, it came with the Jeep crossbars which can be used with the Tupperware. If you need more capacity, look into some of the other threads. Alot of owners on here have added heavier duty racks/baskets, etc. I personally have added a roof basket to mine and still kept the plastic with minimal construction involved. I've had much more than 65 lbs up there w/o a problem. Don't give it up, we'll find you a solution. :wink:

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=1621&highlight=tupperware

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=4606&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=tupperware&start=15

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=23622&highlight=ebay+roof+rack#23622

LiLredLibby · **Posted:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:24 pm

I think KJ Hawaii fabbed up a roof rack that would probably hold 200 pounds.It looks simple enough to make or have made.Send him a PM and get some pics.

Ron

JeepinG · **Posted:** Fri Mar 09, 2007 11:38 am

Well, I don't have the tools to fab anything up. When I talk about the 'plastic' I mean the round plastic bars that are on there now, not the tupperware basket. I can't seem to find any local fabricators, there has to be someone I would think. How much would I expect to have something built? I appreciate the words of encouragement.

Now I'm just hoping that whatever replacement rack I get it will be high enough so when I mount boats they will clear the roof lights, or those will have to come off to. At that point I'll probably just jump off a bridge.

moose · **Posted:** Fri Mar 09, 2007 11:51 am

JeepinG wrote:

Well, I don't have the tools to fab anything up. When I talk about the 'plastic' I mean the round plastic bars that are on there now, not the tupperware basket. I can't seem to find any local fabricators, there has to be someone I would think. How much would I expect to have something built? I appreciate the words of encouragement.

Now I'm just hoping that whatever replacement rack I get it will be high enough so when I mount boats they will clear the roof lights, or those will have to come off to. At that point I'll probably just jump off a bridge.

where is "local"? You'd be surprised at what a LOST buddie can help you fab...

Big D · **Joined:** Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:08 pm **Posts:** 349

I'm almost certain that the Renegade 60 lb rating is due to the fact that it was geared for offroad where the forces are much more. Now, if anyone at the plant or an engineer could confirm this. I've had in excess of 125lbs in mine with no probs.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Sun Mar 11, 2007 1:04 am

I think someone was selling their fabbed rails/basket on here recently. You could buddy up with someone on here that have made replacement rails w/ basket and see if they will make just rails for you.

2005 Liberty Renegade roof rack

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