Roof rack on a TJ??

[Midnightsecurity]

Have any of you out there installed a roof rack to your hard top on a TJ ? My jeep dealer is saying I shouldn't because it'll crack my hard top...and I'm not completely sold on that theory. I would like to install one to carry my kayak/light gear, my theory is if it's installed with care, there shouldn't be an issue. At the most I figure there should only be 10-15lbs on each of the 4 corners, divide that by 2 bolts = 5-7.5lbs on each bolt.

Thoughts, opinions, and experience welcome! Thanks all

 

[superj]

if they would crack the tops, i don't think all the after market companies would sell them so much because of the bad rep they would get. i have seen a few around town but i don't know anyone personally with one so i can't ask but next time i see one in the parking lot i'll check it out

 

[Chip01TJ]

A buddy of mine has one of the clamp on roof racks on his and he will toss pallets lumber and whatever up there with no problems yet. I don't believe he had too drill any holes in his fiberglass to mount it though it clamps just over the door. It works well for him.

Sent from my iPod touch using Jeepz

 

[superj]

dang, i totally misread that you were talking about drilling into the top and mounting a rack. i can personally answer this one.

my top had a rack on it. someone drilled the top and mounted some bars about 18 inches apart, for some odd reason. i don;t know what would only need 18" to carry but anyways. my top has no cracks in it and it is the original 87 laredo hardtop. i had to fill the holes during the rainy season, as that is when i bought it so for now, they are full of rtv

 

[Midnightsecurity]

Chip01TJ: I looked at the clamp on ones as well, one will work above the doors but not sure how I can mount one above the rear windows :-S

 

[Midnightsecurity]

Superj: thanks man, that's kinda what I thought, start small and go slow and nothing should crack, ya 18 inches is kinda a small rack lol

 

[superj]

Maybe jusr use some of those huge flat washers to spread the load more

 

[TLCJ5]

You can buy mounts for the clamp on racks. The rack companies sell them for pick-up truck caps & vehicals that don't have gutters. I plan on putting some on my TJ for hauling a canoe.I think fender washers on the inside would be a good idea for speading the stress. I've never heard of any cracking issues.

 

[Midnightsecurity]

Perfect, I will def look into those, there's just not enough room inside ! Lol

 

[JohnnyO]

There are racks that mount to the body and rear bumper and not the roof.

 

[s-bear]

The problem with splitting is likely caused by, over tightening and/or guys using self tapping screws or screws/bolts that are to large or too small for the hole drilled. Pre-drill your mount holes with a drill bit that makes a hole which will be a snug fit for the mounting bolts/screws. use lock washers and flat washers and do not over-tighten them. A little bit of blue locktite will serve you well. -steve

 

[Midnightsecurity]

Thanks steve, that was basically my theory as well, the hard top seems like pretty tough material and should be able to handle it, roof racks here I come ! Lol

 

[jfrabat]

There were some roof racks from the Junk Yard (I think it was an explorer or something) that you can get on the cheap. I'll see if I can find that post on the web and post a link...

 

[jfrabat]

There were some roof racks from the Junk Yard (I think it was an explorer or something) that you can get on the cheap. I'll see if I can find that post on the web and post a link...

Here's the link:

Junkyard Roof Rack - JeepForum.com

Felipe

 

[superj]

i was going to use the rack off my cherokee, which is identical to that one (i now notice) but i decided since i have a little 5' trailer, i didn't need to drill anymore holes in mine.

but, the factory cherokee one is exactly like that and has a rubber strip that goes down underneath the whole piece that bolts to the roof. it is a little wider, if i remember though so its more like a stock rack would look, i imagine

 

[Midnightsecurity]

Here's the link:

Junkyard Roof Rack - JeepForum.com

Felipe

That's awesome! The guy did a great job on it too, thanks for the link

 

[Midnightsecurity]

So I went to my local scrap yard...and behold if I didn't find a 92' ford explorer with roof rack, and be damned if it wasn't a perfect fit, no cutting or mods, just drill holes, silicone and bolt, voila fits great lol spent $40 on racks and $15 on supplies