'97 Wrangler hardtop load rating?

[Neskie Crawler]

Does anyone know how much evenly distributed weight you can safely put on a 97 hardtop? I searched the manual and found nothing as well as no decals on the hardtop either. I mean, I've only really seen photos of canoes on top. I'm looking to carry a couple 2x4's into the woods and common sense tells me that's fine but what is the actual permitted weight?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

If the load is well distributed, like from a rooftop carrier that spreads the load among its mounting points like the Con-Ferr carrier I used years ago, I'd guess 75-100 lbs. would be safe. I carried a soft luggage bags occasionally on mine and my wife's alone had to weigh 50 lbs.

Mine had flat steel pieces going across that rested directly on the hard top which did a good job distributing the weight.

This from many, many years ago.

 

[Chris]

I agree with Jerry. If the load is evenly distributed I would think up to 100 lbs. would be safe. I would not attempt to push it beyond 100 lbs.

 

[billiebob]

I carry 5 ladders every day... maybe 200#.. never any issues

 

[billiebob]

Love how quick the Yakima System comes on/off.

 

[Neskie Crawler]

o.k.but let me throw a curve in here- I'm talkin' NO brackets/cargo racks- just on the hardtop itself, just a blanket to protect the finish?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Ok, if you're just laying some 2x4's etc. across it, no problem. Just strap them down well enough so they can't come loose and you should be fine.

 

[billiebob]

well there are spots on the hardtop with structural reinforcing and places where the hardtop is pretty flimsy. I'd be concerned with the load departing and killing someone more than cracking the roof. Get a rack rated to haul what you need or borrow a pickup.

 

[Neskie Crawler]

well there are spots on the hardtop with structural reinforcing and places where the hardtop is pretty flimsy. I'd be concerned with the load departing and killing someone more than cracking the roof. Get a rack rated to haul what you need or borrow a pickup.

Pickup? never! I'd tow a trailer with my Jeep. This is no hillbilly trip down the highway, 25 mph speed limit secondary roads and only 2 miles or so, or a rack would be the way to go, I always have safety in mind. Just looking to protect the top.

 

[billiebob]

OK, I do it too.... pick up 2 2x4s and drive 3 blocks without tying them down. And I agree, a $1K trailer does so much more than a pickup.

 

[john arata]

thats a good point its a slippery top things would definetly move on the top if it wasnt strapped down tight

 

[EJD]

Love how quick the Yakima System comes on/off.

Any chance you have an overhead picture of where you mounted all 4 of your Landing Pads/Towers?

Looking for where exactly are the best spots to "drill through" on our hardtops. I just bought a new Yakima setup like yours and am looking to do the installation in the next couple days. The instructions that come with are specific to fiberglass hardtops in general but not specific to TJ's. So curious to see if you recommend any sweet spots or have any tips/insight?

Thanks!

 

[billiebob]

heres the front mount.

 

[billiebob]

Heres the rear. On my YJ I put the holes same distance apart but the TJ roof shape changed and the is a slope, taper to the rear on the TJ.... hence the extra holes. I'd bolt down the front, then adjust the rear till you get the bars level. Then drill in the rears.

 

[EJD]

Heres the rear. On my YJ I put the holes same distance apart but the TJ roof shape changed and the is a slope, taper to the rear on the TJ.... hence the extra holes. I'd bolt down the front, then adjust the rear till you get the bars level. Then drill in the rears.

Got ya. Thanks!

 

[Sunder]

Pickup? never! I'd tow a trailer with my Jeep. This is no hillbilly trip down the highway, 25 mph speed limit secondary roads and only 2 miles or so, or a rack would be the way to go, I always have safety in mind. Just looking to protect the top.

If this is just a 1-time thing to haul a couple 2x4's a couple miles...I would just take the hardtop OFF and strap the 2x4's to the roll bar.

 

[Window jeep]

I carry 5 ladders every day... maybe 200#.. never any issues

View attachment 3152

Hey billiebob is that a 32 ft ladder on your jeep? I'm about to use mine for work and I have a 32 ft, also a 24 ft. If it is how bad does it drag in the air on the road. Thanks

 

[billiebob]

how bad does it drag in the air on the road

On a TJ?? You won't even know it is there. Mine is a 28'. Fits with less than 2' overhang. I have a third cross bar off the bumper too tho. I wouldn't do more than 10' without it.

 

[EJD]

Hey billiebob is that a 32 ft ladder on your jeep? I'm about to use mine for work and I have a 32 ft, also a 24 ft. If it is how bad does it drag in the air on the road. Thanks

Thats kind of a cool contraption, did you make that custom? or is that something thats sold somewhere?
You could use that for a big canoe or kayak/SUP too I bet. Nice!

 

[Window jeep]

On a TJ?? You won't even know it is there. Mine is a 28'. Fits with less than 2' overhang. I have a third cross bar off the bumper too tho. I wouldn't do more than 10' without it.

View attachment 47805

Ok thanks for the info I'll send you a picture of what I've done once it's all together. I'm putting a smittybilt rack on because I use my soft top in the summer. Your the only guy I've found that's using a jeep to haul ladders. Thanks again