roof rack

[mingez]

Anyone know of where (other than EBAY) to pick up OEM roof rails and roof rack mounts for an XJ.

I don't mean a safari rack that connects to the rain gutters, but rather the OEM slide rails fitted to the roof.

Also, perhaps the amount of effort it takes to mount those... if anyone else has ever done this.

Danka--

 

[TwistedCU]

The factory roof rack is really poor quality and has very little strength. I would look into other options ( http://www.accessconnect.com/safari.htm ) if you have no rack at all. Mine is already busted, and it's a 2000. I was carrying was some lumber, but it wans't very much weight. I've heard the older ones are just as bad.

If you're set on a factory rack, go to a junkyard. The only other option besides eBay would be the stealership.

Bitte

 

[mingez]

Now, when you say your's is already broken, do you mean the mount rails, or the cross bars. (I don't know the correct jargon for those stupid things)

In other words, the "dealy-thingy's" that go front to back and mount to the actual vehicle itself, or the "thing-a-mah-bobs" that attach from one rail mount to the other...(side to side)

Grazie ancora!-----

 

[XJNick]

Hi,

I had bad luck one time when I was carrying a door on the factory roof rack one day. The rails were old and apparently weak and broke at the connection between the cross rails and the tracks (where there are like rubber pieces to hold them together).

I still need to replace mine but haven't gotten around to it yet... I'll probably weld something custom up though... :mrgreen:

-Nick :!:

 

[TwistedCU]

Now, when you say your's is already broken, do you mean the mount rails, or the cross bars. (I don't know the correct jargon for those stupid things)

In other words, the "dealy-thingy's" that go front to back and mount to the actual vehicle itself, or the "thing-a-mah-bobs" that attach from one rail mount to the other...(side to side)

Grazie ancora!-----

the thing-a-mah-bobs, not the dealy-thingy's.

The crossbars fit into the sliders in a very fraile setup. To put it mildly, they suck. The main rails that mount fropnt to back don't look too beefy either, but mine are still tight.

 

[ROGLSTUBB]

The factory roof rack only has rated capacity of about 150 LBS. I made a roof rack out of alum tubing then I used hose clamps to mount it to the exsisting roof rack. My thoughts were if I spread the load more evenly it have any problems and it has not had any. I only use the roof to carry a full size spare and as a platform for some perimeter lighting.

It may not be to easy to install. On the old XJ the rails were mounted close to the edge of the roof I had a hard time getting to the rubber backing nut to fix a small roof leak at one time. It may not be worth all the hassle.

Just curious what are you planning to use the roof rack for?

 

[mingez]

Just curious what are you planning to use the roof rack for?

Carrying, 151 lbs of tube socks. :mrgreen: (See post in Gen Chat on spending $500)
JK.

I'll probably be mounting some lights, carrying some gear, and place a spare on it. After reading this... I'm thinking I'll be going with the rain gutter mounted safari rack. I just prefer the look of the rail mounts, but me thinks it may not be worth it.

 

[ROGLSTUBB]

If mine did not come with the factory racks I would have built a rack to mount to the gutters myself. I think the safari racks are more versatile. and are not as flimsy as the factory setup. It will definatly be easier to install.

 

[mud4feet]

Not much help here, unfortunately, but I've got a Top-5 roof rack on my TJ and I've hauled 200 lbs. of tube socks - no problem! :lol: Seriously, though, if anyone out there with a TJ or a YJ is interested, I've got a "new in the box" Top-5 roof rack that I was going to put on eBay. It may be missing one cross-member 'cause I've somehow lost one of mine, but we could work a deal. Hey, 100 lbs. of tube socks is still alot!!! :lol: