Roof rack

[rsliman]

I was at lowes and saw a section of fenct that looked like it would fit the xj, I measured it, and it would.. so I bought it and took it to the local 4x4 shop to weld on a couple crossmembers so I could attach it to the factory luggage rails.... not to bad for under $100, pretty sturdy too.


http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e53/rsliman/CIMG0170.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e53/rsliman/CIMG0171.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e53/rsliman/CIMG0172.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e53/rsliman/CIMG0173.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e53/rsliman/CIMG0174.jpg

[loke]

Picture?

[riverfever]

All I see is red X's.

[rsliman]

i fixed it... i think

[loke]

Invalid Attachment specified. If you followed a valid link, please notify the administrator (webmaster@virtualjeepclub.com)

That all I see when following the link.:dunno:

[riverfever]

I see it now.

[loke]

Nice

[southernoregonxjer]

hows it attatched to your factory rr?

[rsliman]

bolted to the factory rails

[southernoregonxjer]

bolted as in drilled holes thru the factory rails and bolted them up?

[rsliman]

yes... with some home fab crush sleeves

[cassio]

i like it

good job

[XJ_ranger]

:confused1:shocked:

[Matt S.]

Um... you know you have a fence on your roof right?






wow......

[rsliman]

Um... you know you have a fence on your roof right?






wow......


do i sense sarcasm?... hehehe
it works well... used it to carry a bunch of stuff this weekend.. so far no complaints

[TRNDRVR]

I'm going to Lowes. :dunno:

[beakie]

how sturdy of a fence/rack is it if you wanted to add side rails, or a full 4 sides to it?
the look is good though, good find

[Chero-King]

Looks good, it's very..... "unique"

[lighthouse jim]

I've been looking at similar fence thinking the same think as you...
Seems about the same materials and technology as a $300 rack, and lower in profile as a bonus. Does it generate much wind whistle?

[riverfever]

I'm going to Lowes. :dunno:


Ummmmmm.....if you just got back from your little trip, then where you need to be heading is to your computer to send me the pics that I so desperately need.

[djblade311]

very interesting idea. ghettofabulous! well if it works well, then kudos. TRDRVR, while you are at Lowes, can you pick me up a couple of wooden dowel rods? I need to make some lower control arms. lol

[BeJay1981]

Nice idea.....I have a Surco rack and it always seems like im always carrying something that is too long for the rack and I end up strapping it to the top of the sides anyways.

If you decide to make sides, make them removable, that would be sick.

[MogifiedXJ]

TRDRVR, while you are at Lowes, can you pick me up a couple of wooden dowel rods? I need to make some lower control arms. lol

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f144/thetvaman/new316.jpg

You stole my idea...I used a 2 x 4 though...

lol just kidding (those aren't actually mine)

[need4speedjp]

LMAO !!! i hope thats treated wood

[RockTracXJ]

Sweet idea, man. Great job in seeing something else in the fence!

[rsliman]

I do plan on putting sides on it.. Im working on a better way to mount it, make it even lower profile (ditch the factory roof rails). it does have a little wind noise, hopefully better mounting will clear that up

[POSXJGuy]

do i sense sarcasm?... hehehe
it works well... used it to carry a bunch of stuff this weekend.. so far no complaints

i had to do the same thing when i was moving from one ghetto to another. i went to the back of REI and got some old display wallrack thing they had and mounted it on my stock racks. I was able to get a couch and a bunch of other stuff up there.

not a bad idea. your idea came out a lot better looking than mine!

very resourceful!

[canadianwheeler]

bolted as in drilled holes thru the factory rails and bolted them up?

Would that be safe under load?

[2xtreme]

I must admit that that is probably one of the best ways of haveing a rack built for you that I have ever seen. Very nice.

Keep in mind that it being mounted to the stock rails significantly limits the amount of weight you can have up there. If you mount it to the gutters with any aftermarket type racks then you could significantly improve the weight capabilities.

You wind noise is probably due to it being close to the roof line or from the rails them selves. The likelyhood is that you will not be able to change that too much unless you had a solid floor on it (plastic or something similar).

VERY Nice idea,

Michael

[rsliman]

thanks.. i like it

[RickyN29]

I wonder if the KargoMaster gutter mounts could be bolted up. Then it would be super sweet!

[Hudson Bend]

Aside from just looking good, your lightweight rack idea could incorporate a better mounting system than the flexible factory rails. Since you are dealing with loads, not aesthetics, structural considerations are primary .I would not trust your rails to hold both the rack and any bulky load tooling down a bumpy road or across a rough RR crossing. Nor would I want to be driving behind you at that time. You can find excellent used racks for the same money with side rails and incredibly strong gutter mounting to keep you from driving with one hand on the wheel and the other one out the window holding onto your rack. I recently found a 60"x60" wilderness rack with spare tire bracket off a landcruiser for that money. I cut 8 inches out of the width to fit my xj. Since it is gutter mounted, I can carry upwards of 500 pounds, though I would not want to. You have a great looking cherokee there with or without your rack.