Mark's Keeping the Jeep

[articulate]

I batted around the idea of selling my Jeep for about a year, but decided it’s been too good of a vehicle, loads of fun to drive, plus it’s paid off, and – well – Jeeps are really cool.

I’m keeping the Jeep. For kicks, I set out to find a way to mount the Eezi-Awn on it, and dove into the roof rack segment of the marketplace. I found 11 readily available, mass produced racks:

Top Five
Garvin Wilderness
Olympic 4x4 Dave’s rack
Olympic 4x4 Sports Rack
Bestop Highrock 4x4 modular hinged rack
Kargo Master Congo Cage
Smittybilt Rockcrawler Off Road Rack
Warrior Products Safari Rack
Off Road Unlimited Defender Rack
Off Road Unlimited Expedition Rack
Rugged Ridge RRC Roof Rack (same as Smittybilt, or seemingly so)


Naturally, I needed a durable rack that can handle the weight of a roof tent – not a small chore based on the way such racks must mount to a TJ body tub. But equally important I needed a rack that would not interfere with the snorkel. So the games began.

Based on these two criteria, the Kargo Master Congo Cage and the Olympic 4x4 Sports Rack came out on top as the ones that would work with the snorkel. The odd “hump” on the Congo Cage’s load bars gave me a little pause and concern for the mounting of the roof tent, and the Olympic rack was one perfect plane.

A couple of issues I addressed:

Drilled out the rack mounting holes in the rear of the Jeep to use larger bolts/nuts
Olympic's lengthwise bars are not heavy gauge, so they flex under the weight of the tent and person; rigged a support at the roll cage
For bike mounting with a Yakima SprocketRocket, I had to install Yak load bars. Simple with u-bolts.


Here she is. Instead of black, I was talked into going with this new "green technology" color they call "Sierra Chrome." Fancy word for gray:
http://www.markdstephens.com/jeep/olympic_sports_rack/jeep_rack_main2.jpg

[desertgirl66]

Dude! That is totally beautiful! Very clever all the way around. Look slike a fun rig to drive :smiley_drive:

[absolute]

Good looking and functional!
:)

[flyingwil]

:smilies27 What a piece of crap... you should buy a Toyota!

Lol... I would keep it too Mark... you have way too many memories in that puppy... Gas tank stories, Coalson Ranch, ect... Keep me posted on how Chloe likes the Jeep... (O||||O)

[OverlandZJ]

F'n awesome...

:safari-rig:

[slooowr6]

Wow, wow, wow really nice. Please take a pic of the support you put in on the roll cage!

BTW/OT, your pic looks very nice. Nice color and light!

[FourByLand]

Here comes baby #2!!!

:jumping:

[Desertoutpost]

Cool! Nice clean install!! Looks like and ad campaign pic!

[kcowyo]

Here comes baby #2!!!
:jump:



Nice rack, ambassador.

[DaktariEd]

Very nice!
Really makes you look twice...

http://www.bajataco.com/smileys/safari.gif

[FlyingWen]

Lookin Great Mark! Question.. where do you put the car seat in that bad boy or does Brooke have to ride on the rack???

[goodtimes]

*biting toungue*....

nope...can't let you do it buddy. You need to address the rear mounting point (right above the tail lamp). I can see this becoming a problem as the sheet metal tears. Put a set of steel corners on it to solve the problem.

I have been considering a very similar solution (although I would go for the custom made rack...). How does the jeep handle with the tent up there? My jeep handles like crap without a tent, I can only imagine it being worse with one....and gas milage? Dare I ask? I have to drive slow to get 17......

I keep going back and forth between that and a Chaser.....of course, when J&R pull my ticket out of the hat next spring....the decision will be final...

Seriously, nice. But put steel corners on it before you start tearing sheet metal.:)

[goodtimes]

Oh, and just why in the [censored] is your jeep so clean?!?!?!?!

[flyingwil]

Oh, and just why in the [censored] is your jeep so clean?!?!?!?!

For pictures... duh...

[articulate]

Here comes baby #2!!!

:jumping:
No comment.


Question.. where do you put the car seat in that bad boy or does Brooke have to ride on the rack???
This is set up for dad-n-daughter trips only. :)
For now, the baby seat is in the passenger seat (air bags disabled, thank you very much). I have to put the back seat in, which means removing the mountaineer rack and buying a new top. I haven't taken the bikini top off in a year and a half, and in that time my regular top has taken a crap. The one to get is the Viking Fast Back . . .



*biting toungue*....

nope...can't let you do it buddy. You need to address the rear mounting point (right above the tail lamp) . . . put steel corners on it before you start tearing sheet metal.:)
Thanks for being a buddy. I didn't even think about that. Great idea. I will do so. I could order some on the interweb, but do you think a place like Desert Rat or 4 Wheelers Supply will carry that kind of critter?

But geesh. Handling is quite poor with the tent up there, but I've got a squishy Old Man Emu suspension. TJs really handle like junk anyway. And mileage that I clocked came in at a little over 16 MPG, with at least half being on the highway. But I'm stylin' with sweet, headbanging 3.07 gearing in those differentials. Yeah.

Edit
BTW: the tent isn't up there full time. No way. This little experiment was just to see what it would be like. I will toss the tent on there for a multi-day adventure or two.

[Willman]

Mark......Is that the new Eezi-Awn color????? Looks darker than the one on your other rig....

Jeeps look good with chome!!!!!!!:hehe:

[flyingwil]

Mark......Is that the new Eezi-Awn color?????

I think he has a Serries 2 Eezi-Awn, so, nope.

[Willman]

I think he has a Serries 2 Eezi-Awn, so, nope.

Old series 2????
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f374/nicwillman/jeep_rack_main1.jpg

New series 3????
http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/ExPo/2006_12_27/IMG_1406.JPG

:confused:

Trying to learn my Eezi-Awn histroy here....

[flyingwil]

Yeah, the series 3 have larger windows and different storage pockets on the inside. The new color choices are Olive or Toupe.


Back on topic...

Mark-
I know one place where you can get both the Viking Soft top and the steel corners... Sierra Expeditions.

[goodtimes]

I could order some on the interweb, but do you think a place like Desert Rat or 4 Wheelers Supply will carry that kind of critter?

'wheelers will probably have them in stock, avoid Desert Scat at all costs. Those guys actually told me that the Ranch RS-5000 was the best shock ever built (and they did it with a strait face!!!!!). I've never been back, nor will I.

[bigreen505]

Love it Mark! Enjoy the daddy and daughter trips! Now you just need a dog. :)

[kcowyo]

Now you just need a dog. :)

Mmmmmmm.... dog. With a little soy sauce, wonton, some bamboo shoots, baby corn and a side of fried rice.


:chowtime:

[flyingwil]

Love it Mark! Enjoy the daddy and daughter trips! Now you just need a dog. :)

If he gets a dog we all should buy stock in what ever company makes Claritin!

[RunninRubicon]

[QUOTE=articulate]No comment.. . .



Thanks for being a buddy. I didn't even think about that. Great idea. I will do so. I could order some on the interweb, but do you think a place like Desert Rat or 4 Wheelers Supply will carry that kind of critter?


Not the sharpest knives in drawer. I'd recommend about anyone else:oops:

[computeruser]

But geesh. Handling is quite poor with the tent up there, but I've got a squishy Old Man Emu suspension. TJs really handle like junk anyway. And mileage that I clocked came in at a little over 16 MPG, with at least half being on the highway. But I'm stylin' with sweet, headbanging 3.07 gearing in those differentials. Yeah.

OK, how the heck do you get 16mpg with that setup? I struggle to get 13mpg with my TJ (4.0 3spd auto, K&N cold air, 3.73, 31 BFG M/T) and usually average 11-12. The K&N kit gave me 1mpg back when I installed it, and my mpg #s are post-K&N install. What kind of RPM are you turning at highway speed? I'm turning about 3200 at 75mph, which is slow by MI highway standards. You don't even want to know what happens when I've got the utility trailer full of logs or mulch...

Lovely setup and great pictures, by the way. I've been wanting to do something like that for some time, just can't justify the $$$ for how infrequently I actually spend the night somewhere other than my house. Trying to get my wife on board with the AT trailer idea (she'd prefer an RV...), but this might be a cost-effective, split-the-difference-for-now idea. Thanks for the inspiration!!

It sure would look nice with a tent up top...
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n69/michiganpowerequipment3/mens%20weekend/Dam_Crossing.jpg

[viatierra]

I'm sure many are curious what you may have been thinking... What would you have possibly replaced the F'n Jeep with? The Weinermobile?? Perhaps you could get a gig writing for Arizona Civic Owners... Caravanfreak.com... The Grocery-Getter Journal!

Seriously, I've got memories in that baby. She's part of the family! If you think about it... its inhumane to make her sleep in the garage.

[flyingwil]

OK, how the heck do you get 16mpg with that setup?

Mark Flintsone's the Jeep to get his MPG. It sucks riding with him... he makes you push that thing all over... hill climbs are quite a work out.

No not really... The I-6 is powered by gerbil's... Here you can see how they feed the gerbils:
http://www.markdstephens.com/coalson_ranch/images/rescue_1.jpg

It must be a Jeep thing... I don't understand.

[cybercat]

Great job on keeping the Jeep. Have tent will travel :)

[flyingwil]

Great job on keeping the Jeep. Have tent will travel :)


That's a great set up!

[cybercat]

Cheers!

It's been fun building. Of course I have to say thanks to this forum for assisting me in making great choices.

[flyingwil]

Cheers!

It been fun building. Of course I have to say thanks to this forum for assisting me in making great choices.


You need to start a build up thread on that puppy, that way you don't steal all of Mark's thunder!

I attempted to chop him down... but Mark is has far more witty than I am.

[cybercat]

Good idea I'll start one soon.
The I6 is an awesome engine with the tent I get 15-16 mpg

Of course I use really mean Pika's in mine.

[articulate]

OK, how the heck do you get 16mpg with that setup?
Well, it must be the snorkel
:arabia:


The I6 is an awesome engine with the tent I get 15-16 mpg

[articulate]

Gawl dang, you guys are pulling out the stops. KC's eatin' dog, and yeah I can't do dogs (BTW) without Claritin and albuterol.

Wil pulls out that photo of us stranded waaaayyyy out there. Fond memories.

Tent is a series 2 I think. Bought it from Pangaea about a year and a half ago if that helps place it in the series (I didn't buy a SECOND tent; I'm not that liquid).

Wil, you work with Viking and some Jeep parts doofusses? I was trying to avoid shipping costs by purchasing locally since Jeep stuff is so common.


Still making memories in the Jeep.
:chowtime:

[flyingwil]

Wil, you work with Viking and some Jeep parts doofusses? I was trying to avoid shipping costs by purchasing locally since Jeep stuff is so common.
Yup... I can drop them off at your doorstep free of charge. Let me know what you are intested in and I can get you a quote, and you can then shop around. The corners I can get to you in about a day and the Viking cover would be about a weeks time to get to you.

I think Justin (Gear) had one on his Jeep?

[grahamfitter]

Nice jeep - if somewhat shiny. What wheels/tires have you got? They don't stick out of the stock fender flares at all.

Maybe I should stop complaining about my gas mileage? I get 17-20 mpg from my stock '97 TJ - 6 cyl manual with 3.08 gears - with 31x10.5 BFG A/T and Kargomaster congo rack with a Thule rocket box and a couple of kayaks. If I do 55 mph on the highway I get a shade over 20, otherwise its always around 17.

I've been deliberately been trying to add as little weight as possible to the vehicle to keep the gas mileage from dropping too much. No heavy-duty bumpers, sliders, etc.

Oh and mine is powered by squirrels but they stop frequently to drink English tea :-)

Cheers,
Graham

[kcowyo]

Yeah, when did you paint your rims?

[articulate]

I painted the OEM wheels in May or April on a spur of the moment decision. Graham, they're wrapped in 31" x 10.5" BFG Mud Terrain tires.

[grahamfitter]

I painted the OEM wheels in May or April on a spur of the moment decision. Graham, they're wrapped in 31" x 10.5" BFG Mud Terrain tires.

Thanks, Mark!

No problems with wide tires on 7 inch rims? My OEM rims rusted away so I got 15x8 4.5 BS rock crawlers which stick out a couple of inches. Your narrow setup is better, I think.

Cheers,
Graham

[JPFreek1]

Holy smokes! First off, interesting news to see that you were actually considering selling that baby! But alas, it's good to see that you made a sound decision. ;)

Mark, that Olympic rack looks phenomenal and appears to provide the functionality that you were looking for. I can't wait for us to feature some photos, etc of that baby in the mag so keep it in mind.

Kudos on your new adventure/baby rig! :clapsmile

[Beowulf]

The www.rokmen.com corners are really outstanding. I have installed several sets for friends and they are best quality I have seen.

How much does the jeep sway while your in the tent? I have been wanting to do a RTT for a long time. I just never thought any of the racks out there where strong enough.

[grahamfitter]

Seriously, nice. But put steel corners on it before you start tearing sheet metal.:)

Seriously, should I be worried? My Congo rack attaches the same way. Its supposed to support a 300lb load.

Cheers,
Graham

[flyingwil]

When's the winch going on?

[goodtimes]

Seriously, should I be worried? My Congo rack attaches the same way. Its supposed to support a 300lb load.

Cheers,
Graham

I would be worried about it with a big load like a RTT. That is a lot of weight up there. Over time, fatigue will do what it does best.

I have looked at a few of the racks, and decided against all of them for a RTT application for my own jeep. I tend to push my jeep a bit more than others...so I also tend to go for more robust designs. Big loads mounted up high put a lot of stress on the mounting points. Add in hundreds, even thousands of cummulative miles of rough roads at moderate speeds...I would worry about anything supporting a load which is mounted to sheet metal.

What is on the *inside* of that mount? How much surface area is the load spread out over? If the load is spread out over 9 or 10 square inches per attachment point, it probably will not be a problem...but if you are relying on 2 or 3 square inches from a thin, stamped fender washer, I'd be looking to beef it up.

[grahamfitter]

I would be worried about it with a big load like a RTT. That is a lot of weight up there. Over time, fatigue will do what it does best.

I have looked at a few of the racks, and decided against all of them for a RTT application for my own jeep. I tend to push my jeep a bit more than others...so I also tend to go for more robust designs. Big loads mounted up high put a lot of stress on the mounting points. Add in hundreds, even thousands of cummulative miles of rough roads at moderate speeds...I would worry about anything supporting a load which is mounted to sheet metal.

What is on the *inside* of that mount? How much surface area is the load spread out over? If the load is spread out over 9 or 10 square inches per attachment point, it probably will not be a problem...but if you are relying on 2 or 3 square inches from a thin, stamped fender washer, I'd be looking to beef it up.

Thanks, goodtimes. I'm worried enough to get corners and I'll replace the sheet metal screws that go through the light fitting with bolts, too. Although I've never heard of these racks failing and they've been around for a while.

Cheers,
Graham

[nwoods]

I totally agree about the need to reinforce the rear tub to handle the rack loads. My tire carrier wiggles a bit on the freeways (expansion joints are killer), and that slight movement has done this:

http://www.nextstepdesigns.com/images/jeep/TireCarrier/P4051371.jpg

[scooter98tj]

The odd “hump” on the Congo Cage’s load bars gave me a little pause and concern for the mounting of the roof tent, and the Olympic rack was one perfect plane.


I had the same concern with the Kargo Congo, But solved the problem by turning the "hump" to the outside and re-drilling the load bars. Having the hump on the outside works great as a grab handle and still fits in the garage to boot.


Seriously, nice. But put steel corners on it before you start tearing sheet metal.

Steel corners do make a big difference in the sturdiness of the rack....

Scooter,

http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/44770/2605299900103166998S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2605299900103166998JhKvVA)


http://inlinethumb61.webshots.com/41212/2678468950103166998S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2678468950103166998tIkNrc)


http://inlinethumb51.webshots.com/30898/2951986020103166998S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2951986020103166998OtYURA)


http://inlinethumb60.webshots.com/10555/2401838590103166998S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2401838590103166998ezuQEN)