African Outback KJ Roof Rack

bugnout · **Posted:** Tue Jul 28, 2009 11:52 pm

Anyone familiar with this rack? I really like the fact that its full length and you can choose to have the upper rail or leave it off.

Lancer · **Posted:** Wed Jul 29, 2009 6:04 am

They are expensive, but the company has a good name for expedition racks and they have a wide range of accessories (holders for jerrycans, shovels tables etc). Not cheap, but if you are planning on using the KJ for expeditions, they would not be a bad choice. They are not intended to be taken on and off like the Wilderness baskets though, so basically once it's on, the idea is that it stays on!

bugnout · **Posted:** Wed Jul 29, 2009 1:08 pm

Yes, the Toyota crowd raves about the quality. All aluminum, very strong and a full compliment of accessories.

This is what I'm looking for. low profile, full length, all aluminum and strong.

bugnout · **Posted:** Wed Jul 29, 2009 1:24 pm

Just got an email from the lone U.S. distributor, They are no longer carrying the African Outback product lines.

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Jul 29, 2009 4:40 pm

Too bad they don't carry them any longer, great rack for sure. I looked at one that would fit the Liberty while I was in Tanzania. Very well built and loved the looks of it. Saw a lot of them on Yotas etc while I was there. My wife got tired of me saying , "WOW look at that one!" and it wasn't a good looking Tanzanian woman either :shock:

Would not fit in my carry on though :cry:

riptricket · **Posted:** Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:03 am

I would have to say that I would love that rack!

Ronnie Helmo · **Posted:** Thu Jul 30, 2009 12:23 pm

bugn,

I have contact information for a US distributor of Hannibal racks. They told me a few weeks back that they had a "few" KJ racks left over. PM me if you want the info. Be warned, the price is high. The price is so high that I went the custom route. It was finished Monday - I plan to have some photos together and posted some time this weekend. I can proved the contact for the custom fabricator as well. I am VERY happy with it.

-Dr. Dave

bugnout · **Posted:** Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:43 pm

Excellent, Let see some pictures!

Ronnie Helmo wrote:

bugn,

I have contact information for a US distributor of Hannibal racks. They told me a few weeks back that they had a "few" KJ racks left over. PM me if you want the info. Be warned, the price is high. The price is so high that I went the custom route. It was finished Monday - I plan to have some photos together and posted some time this weekend. I can proved the contact for the custom fabricator as well. I am VERY happy with it.

-Dr. Dave

Ronnie Helmo · **Posted:** Thu Jul 30, 2009 2:58 pm

nout,

OK, OK, OK ..... I will snap some this even. It still needs a final buffing

-Dr. Dave

bugnout · **Posted:** Thu Jul 30, 2009 3:37 pm

Ronnie Helmo wrote:

nout,

Thanks Doc

bugn works for me, but I'll answer to just about anything including "hey you"

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Thu Jul 30, 2009 4:44 pm

FYI - KJHawaii had a homemade that looked similar
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=11572&highlight=

didn't you sign up for a welding course?

bugnout · **Posted:** Thu Jul 30, 2009 6:09 pm

ATXKJ wrote:

didn't you sign up for a welding course?

I did, got an "A" in gas, MIG and TIG, "B" in Stick. Now I have to rewire the garage, buy a welder, design my rack, find the the right aluminum extrusions, build the Jig, etc... Just considering other (cheaper) options. :oops:

The AO and Hannibal racks are priced at about a grand each, which actually makes buying the welder and rewiring the garage look reasonable. At least that's what I'm going to tell my wife.

Ronnie Helmo · **Posted:** Thu Jul 30, 2009 7:04 pm

Bugn,

Here ya go. The perimeter is 2"X1" aluminum tubing, the cross slats are 1"X1" tubes and the surface is 3"X0.25" aluminum plate. The "feet" are made of 0.25" thick stainless steel and all of the hardware is stainless steel as well. Dimensions = 71" long X 46" wide.

Hopefully these images work. What do you think?

-Dr. Dave

Ronnie Helmo · **Posted:** Thu Jul 30, 2009 7:05 pm

I guess they did not work - sorry. Here is the link to my Flickr page instead = http://www.flickr.com/photos/davehelmick/

-Dr. Dave

bugnout · **Posted:** Thu Jul 30, 2009 10:05 pm

Nicely done. How much does it weigh?

Ronnie Helmo · **Posted:** Fri Jul 31, 2009 7:39 am

I would say that the rack doesn't weigh more than 60# and the feet add maybe 20# more. It is extremely strong and, surprisingly, does not make a peep at highway speed (added bonus).

Selwyn · **Joined:** Sat Jan 03, 2009 9:17 am **Posts:** 12

The link to the manufacturer http://www.africanoutback.co.za/

Greetings from South Africa

bugnout · **Posted:** Fri Jul 31, 2009 1:15 pm

Greetings Selwyn,

I've got an email into AO concerning a U.S. distributor, but no reply yet.

African Outback KJ Roof Rack

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