Affordable roof rack for JK Unlimited

[The Swiss]

The search function did not really give me any good answers.

I am looking for an affordable roofrack for my JK Unlimited to mount my Maggiolina RTT. So I don't want/need any basket or anything, just the side bars and cross bars.

I know that some members on this board fabbed their own; unluckily that is out of the question for me. What can be recommended? What not?

Thanks.

[WFTW]

I had the Wild Boar Products roof rack and Maggiolina roof top tent mounted on my JK. Didn't use the basket part of the roof rack.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i51/jasonsgu/IMG_1066.jpg

[DMK]

Your only option for the JK with the freedom top is a rack similar to the wild boar rack or Gobi. The hard top isn't structural enough to mount something as heavy as a RTT. I mounted tracks and a Yakima system to mine first hoping that it would work, but I wasn’t happy with the amount of flex the top had so I looked into a body mount rack. I went with the Gobi rack over the wild boar; it mounts to the front window and the frame. It is solid and I was really impressed with the quality. The rack is lower profile then most of the big basket types and It doesn’t require any drilling to mount it. I am now looking into tent options and haven’t found one that I really like yet. Good luck with your searching, I had a hard time pulling the trigger purchasing the Gobi, but without a way to carry gear on top, the jeep would’ve had to be replaced with something else.

[LUISJG]

kargo master congo cage

[Zeero]

Best bang for your buck, for simply just the frame, is by far the Congo Cage....

Highest weight capacities both dynamically and statically for the lowest price.

An outstanding product as far as I am concerned. Half the price and double the strength of anything else out there to.

[XXXpedition]

build your own. for me it was way cheaper than anything on the market AND exactly the way i want it!
i can't weld either, but i found somebody who was willing to help...
http://xxxpedition.com/XXX-Project/Installations/Roofrack/IMG_2471.JPG
more pics also in thread Project XXX (http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24093&page=3)

[Zeero]

Thats a way to do it as well.... nice work.

[The Swiss]

I looked at the Congo Cage; looks very well made. What I did not like is the predominant hoop in front; I would prefer not having a cross bar until behind the opening of the freedom top to keep wind noise at a minimum. The design of the Congo Cage does not really offers itself to modify it and move the front bar further back.

I like the Smittybilt SRC roof rack because its cross bars can be removed but they currently do not offer a rack for the JK. I talked to them today; they are working on one that should be on the market by mid summer. I guess I will wait for a couple weeks before making a decision.

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: The MBRP roof rack, I've got one coming in two weeks

They will support 1000 lbs and attach to the HARDTOP, with internal truss

Check out MBRP.inc and click on the roof rack, for JK unlimited

:victory::wings::safari-rig::safari-rig: JIMBO

[grahamfitter]

I looked at the Congo Cage; looks very well made. What I did not like is the predominant hoop in front; I would prefer not having a cross bar until behind the opening of the freedom top to keep wind noise at a minimum. The design of the Congo Cage does not really offers itself to modify it and move the front bar further back.

I like the Smittybilt SRC roof rack because its cross bars can be removed but they currently do not offer a rack for the JK. I talked to them today; they are working on one that should be on the market by mid summer. I guess I will wait for a couple weeks before making a decision.

I looked at the SRC rack for my '05 LJ Unlimited. The only problem I see with it is its not easily removable because the mounting brackets aren't separate and the rack is mounted between the rear bumper and the frame. This may not be a problem for some but I remove the congo cage off my '97 TJ if I'm not going to be using it for a while. That involves removing just four bolts and only takes a couple of minutes.

Of course the JK rack may be completely different; The JK congo cage is very different to the TJ version -- no drilling required. As they say, YMMV.

Cheers,
Graham

[The Swiss]

:sombrero: The MBRP roof rack, I've got one coming in two weeks

They will support 1000 lbs and attach to the HARDTOP, with internal truss

Check out MBRP.inc and click on the roof rack, for JK unlimited

:victory::wings::safari-rig::safari-rig: JIMBOAny links to their Website?


I looked at the SRC rack for my '05 LJ Unlimited. The only problem I see with it is its not easily removable because the mounting brackets aren't separate and the rack is mounted between the rear bumper and the frame. This may not be a problem for some but I remove the congo cage off my '97 TJ if I'm not going to be using it for a while. That involves removing just four bolts and only takes a couple of minutes.

Of course the JK rack may be completely different; The JK congo cage is very different to the TJ version -- no drilling required. As they say, YMMV.

Cheers,
Graham

Very good point! I do not plan on removing my cage often, mainly due to lack of storage space. Same reason why I keep my hardtop on most of the year even though my JK came with the dual top option.

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: I was probably a little generous with the 1000 lb carrying limit, but it's between 800 an 1000 lbs

The only link I have, is internet MBRP inc and look for the roof rack !!

:costumed-smiley-007:removeredX::coffeedrink::safari-rig::safari-rig: JIMBO

[The Swiss]

Here's the link: http://www.mbrp.com/?page=products&part=130717&make=Jeep

Looks interesting; at over $800 not really a bargain though ...

[grahamfitter]

Here's the link: http://www.mbrp.com/?page=products&part=130717&make=Jeep

Looks interesting; at over $800 not really a bargain though ...

Its definitely interesting though -- one of the few racks that doesn't extend forwards and mount to the windshield support.

I think if I had a JK I'd be talking to XXXpedition! :)

Cheers,
Graham

[JIMBO]

:sombrero:Yea, thats the reason I bought it, I didn't want tubes sticking all around the outside of the windows and rear of the jeep



Its definitely interesting though -- one of the few racks that doesn't extend forwards and mount to the windshield support.

I think if I had a JK I'd be talking to XXXpedition! :)

Cheers,
Graham

I also have NO INTENTION ,of mounting forward lights on the roof, I don't plan on doing any BAJA racing for a while

The rack has provisions for the REAR BACK-UP LIGHTS and those are a positive addition !!!

The price is normal, there ain't no more free lunch's

CHEERS

:costumed-smiley-007:victory::safari-rig::safari-rig: JIMBO

[The Swiss]

The price is normal, there ain't no more free lunch's

CHEERS

:costumed-smiley-007:victory::safari-rig::safari-rig: JIMBOWell, it's about double of what the Congo Cage costs ... Not asking for free lunches, just for good deals. Not sure about you, but money sure is tight where I am ...

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Thats just a social saying, nowadays



Well, it's about double of what the Congo Cage costs ... Not asking for free lunches, just for good deals. Not sure about you, but money sure is tight where I am ...

If you want a congo cage for your JK, then get one, if they're half the cost i'm sure you'll enjoy it and all of it's functionality

I think this MBRP rack, is a solid investment for a varity of uses, which includes lifting the hardtop off with a hoist and the JK full "t-top" freedom

:smiley_drive::costumed-smiley-007:safari-rig::safari-rig: JIMBO

[TOTJ]

I have friend that is selling a rack for a LJ. It is a Confer rack
and is in brand new condition. It was only on the jeep for a few trade
shows.
Fire me off a PM and I will give you his phone number.

[6Pins]

I don't know, that MBRP doesn't do it for me, plus I'm not real thrilled with drilling and mounting something on the fiberglass hardtop.

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Well, I can't say as I blame you, cause I was dubious to start with, but



I don't know, that MBRP doesn't do it for me, plus I'm not real thrilled with drilling and mounting something on the fiberglass hardtop.

The rack isn't supported just by the hardtop, it is trussed internally, to the jeep tub surface and when I saw 4/5 guys standing on the rack, (4x8-3/4" plywood) It kinda convinced me to give it a try

:Wow1::costumed-smiley-007:safari-rig::safari-rig: JIMBO

[6Pins]

I saw the trusses, but it seems to me like the lateral loads would be kind of dubious.

I thought someone was building one that was similar to the MBRP but mounted under the hardtop to the tub. I need to order one soon, and I'm leaning more and more towards the Wild Boar with some AEV corners for a little more comfort factor.

Nice find though

[taquito971@yahoo.com]

I have the Wild Boar rack and am happy with it so far. I use it alot more than I thought I would. But no tent on mine. I use it because the rear cargo area has a third row seat in it.

Brian

[6Pins]

I have the Wild Boar rack and am happy with it so far. I use it alot more than I thought I would. But no tent on mine. I use it because the rear cargo area has a third row seat in it.

Brian

How did you rig that up?

[taquito971@yahoo.com]

How did you rig that up?

I called up littleseats.com and ordered one! The install was very easy, and it works great. I call the JK my 4 wheel drive mini-van now. Seats 3 little ones across the back.

http://littleseats.com/4_dr_jeep_wrangler.htm

Brian