Factory Cosmetic Roof Rails Question

CorporeSano · **Joined:** Sun Oct 19, 2014 2:36 pm **Posts:** 75

I have a 2012 Liberty Sport KK 2WD. If I want a real option for roof storage, it seems that the factory rails are just cosmetic.
Do I have to remove the entire factory rails and upgrade? and if I do, does the whole rail top piece and bottom plastic piece need to be removed ?
Does anyone have a tutorial or instructions on transitioning from OEM non functional roof rails to the functional roof rails ?

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

There's actually two options for the factory roof rails. If yours seem weak and not powder coated steel they're the cosmetic ones. If you're looking functional ones, PM AtTheHelm for a sick pair haha.

CorporeSano · **Joined:** Sun Oct 19, 2014 2:36 pm **Posts:** 75

What did others use to remove the adhesive from the cosmetic roof rails ?

lfhoward · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2014 10:40 pm

CorporeSano wrote:

What did others use to remove the adhesive from the cosmetic roof rails ?

You'll want something that doesn't dissolve the paint. When I was removing broken stick-on vent visors from my old Cherokee, Goo-Gone + elbow grease worked well to get rid of the tape residue. It took some patience though, because it only dissolves and comes off little by little. 3M tape is strong stuff.

nFodzy · **Joined:** Sun Oct 06, 2013 1:30 pm **Posts:** 389

Also recommend using a heat gun on a low setting or hair dryer as well as a plastic scraper (just be gentle on the paint)

At The Helm · **Posted:** Thu Nov 13, 2014 1:29 am

Yep, just pull off the fake caps and clean up the adhesive. There are eight studs revealed that you'll need to clean the paint off too.

Hit me up if you want some side rails at ATHFABRICATION@hotmail.com
Here is a pic of them with customer installed Rage Apex cross bars.

CorporeSano · **Joined:** Sun Oct 19, 2014 2:36 pm **Posts:** 75

Why should I buy yours over the MOPAR ones? Sell me on yours!!
Also do those mounting points rub on the paint at all ? Corners, bottom anything ?

At The Helm · **Posted:** Fri Nov 21, 2014 10:57 am

The side rails from Mopar will work, but they're very very thin steel with plastic feet (ie prone to breakage). Mine are built from heavy duty steel tubing with 1/4" thick cnc cut mounting feet and include foam tape to isolate the feet from the roof. Once joined together with crossbars they become a very solid platform. At $100, they leave plenty of room to buy a nice basket

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

Atthehelm the that pic you posted everything in it is 100 bucks

DirtyKK · **Posted:** Wed Nov 26, 2014 11:38 pm

I've been carrying a kayak on my KK factory roof rails for about two years now. Be foreworned on mine, and I've heard of others, the factory mount bolts flex and crack and have caused cracking and water leaks cause water damage to the headliner and possibly other water damage issues.

1Stewj · **Posted:** Thu Dec 04, 2014 4:59 pm

Yep. My '08 has a 5k repair bill due to the flexing bolts. Watch for the hairline cracks under the rack "feet", and under the black trim that is adhered to the paint. :furious:

12KK SFD · **Posted:** Thu Dec 04, 2014 5:18 pm

I sure hope mine can stand up to being used as anchor points for a Christmas tree this weekend. :lol:

lfhoward · **Posted:** Thu Dec 04, 2014 5:38 pm

For those hairline cracks, this $25 tube of marine-grade sealer worked great.

PALiftedKK · **Posted:** Tue Dec 09, 2014 12:36 pm

Since I got my kk, ive had a 100lb solar panel on the rails. a year later with 80mph driving and harsh rocky off roading, the panel is still there with out needing to re-torque any of the bolts. I still have faith in the rails that seem to be just for looks! id assume there would be a tire on the roof. that is a lot more resistance then my solar panel. so upgrading is a benefit.

CorporeSano · **Joined:** Sun Oct 19, 2014 2:36 pm **Posts:** 75

Ended up using goo gone and a 3m plastic scraper all from autozone. What a PIA!!!
Also found rust and cracks under the cosmetic rails. 2012 KK

12KK SFD · **Posted:** Wed Dec 10, 2014 9:08 am

Cracks already on a 2012? darn. Now I'm worried about mine. The last thing I need is a leak.

CorporeSano · **Joined:** Sun Oct 19, 2014 2:36 pm **Posts:** 75

CorporeSano · **Joined:** Sun Oct 19, 2014 2:36 pm **Posts:** 75

ATH I got your roof rails today and they look awesome! Will they rust if not painted? Should I sand before painting? what was your paint recommendations again?

At The Helm · **Posted:** Tue Dec 30, 2014 5:09 pm

Glad they made it! Answered Qs in email..

Johnny · **Posted:** Fri Jan 02, 2015 3:49 pm

Atthehelm wrote:

Yep, just pull off the fake caps and clean up the adhesive. There are eight studs revealed that you'll need to clean the paint off too.

I looked at my rails today, and tugged a little.

Is there a how-to on here to get the caps off, or do they just pop off?

Factory Cosmetic Roof Rails Question

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