I asked this on the KJ forum and got no input.

I've been scouting the various roof baskets and thought I'd query the group.

Considerations are:

1. Material: steel vs. aluminum, each has its good points.

2. Wind noise.

3. Ability to mount directly to side bars, i.e. no need for additional cross-bars or additional mounting points other than on side bars.

4. Appearance.

After looking Thule, Yakima, Proline, and others, I'm beginning to thing that the Mopar (made by Yakima for the Liberty) might be the best option, coming in at a little over $300. I would rule out buying anything costing over $600.

I've been looking at the thule baskets and yakima baskets both require cross bars. Ebay seems to be the cheapest place on prices so far bought thules cross bars and mounting foots with locks for 125 shipped (used). Wind noise increased enought that you notice it I guess factory bars are quiter but won't hold much weight. I've seen some custom built baskets but they are just as high in price as thule or yakima. Take a look at the http://www.rackwarehouse.com/index.html I've caught a few items on sale.

The Wilderness Racks mount directly to your roof rails with some "feet" they supply. They also have a spare tire mount accessory and others. Pretty good rack. The front tilts back so you can cut a piece of plexiglass and make a wind deflector.

_________________
Founder of L.O.S.T.
2006 CRD Sport
Mods: GDE Hot Tune w/ 364#@2000rpm/Air Box /3" Str8 Exhaust/ASFIR Alum Skids/245-75R-16 Cooper STT PRO/OME LIFT w/Clevis & 4 Spring Isos/AirTabs/Rigid 10" S2 LED/4xGuard Ctr Matrix Bumper
Drag Strip:Reac=.1078_60ft=2.224_1/8=10.39@64.8mph_1/4+16.46@80.8mph

The Wilderness Rack looks like a nice item, well made, lo-profile. Thanks!

Where is the best place to get a Wilderness Rack?

They are made by Garvin and www.rocky-road.com stocks them for the KJ

_________________
Founder of L.O.S.T.
2006 CRD Sport
Mods: GDE Hot Tune w/ 364#@2000rpm/Air Box /3" Str8 Exhaust/ASFIR Alum Skids/245-75R-16 Cooper STT PRO/OME LIFT w/Clevis & 4 Spring Isos/AirTabs/Rigid 10" S2 LED/4xGuard Ctr Matrix Bumper
Drag Strip:Reac=.1078_60ft=2.224_1/8=10.39@64.8mph_1/4+16.46@80.8mph

I'm presently working on customizing a Rola Roof Rack for my CRD. They are 150 bucks for the standard size one from etrailer.com. They also sell an extension for 50 bucks. I've bought both and used the discount code 'acuramdx.org' to get 10 percent off the purchase. They are steel tubing, but that is all I can weld with my mig. I would have loved aluminum for the weight savings, but not at the cost of a tig welder. I've learned alot about pipe bending versus tube bending on this roof rack expedition I've been on. Can't justify 450 for a tube bender and die when I can get a Rola for under 200 and fab up some mounts.

I've cut the extension down from 18 inches to 11 and installed in the standard rack. I plan on welding up some brackets to the standard mounts where the roof rails exists. This will give me a rack that goes from half-way back of the front windows to the rear of the vehicle, and it will ride much closer to the roof than if I mounted on cross-rails.

I decided on this option because when I go camping/wheeling, I need two spares just to be safe (learned this the hard way), and the standard size roof racks could not hold much after you put a spare up top. This is accounting for the spare on the rear door.

Well, that is all I have to offer on the matter until I get mine mounted. I'll ask some one to host pics if there is interest.

Good luck, GilaMonster