Kargo Master Jeep Congo Cage

[brianb2]

Hey folks, I'm on the hunt for a roof rack and I'm leaning towards the one from Kargo Master. I like that it fits close to the TJ's shape and is rated at 500lb. It's main use will be more for overlanding type trips with the family. Any of you have experience with this rack or any rack for that matter. Any tips on things I should be looking for? I'll probably build my own basket to go on top of the rack.

Thanks, Brian

https://c1.rt-static.com/images/pro...e/thumbs-300x300/50301_congo_cage_on_jeep.jpg




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[RangerRick]

A friend had one on his YJ wrangler. It would hold a Sh!t ton of "stuff" but usually required 2 men and a small boy to climb up there and load or unload it. Damaged the tub behind his tail lamps where it mounted from the wobble and vibration. The hinges also broke several times and needed to be re-welded where they attach to the behind tail light brackets. He finally had to get shorty quarter panel guards to cover the sheet metal rips. Also vibrated wobbled and was wind noisy on the freeway losing a couple MPG for wind resistance. I had the Garvin Wilderness rack which was very stout and held just as much weight but went all the way to the frame in the back. It was a quality unit that looked 1st class and was richly powdercoated. It also cost me MPG and was noisy on the freeway. Went back to using the military Jeep trailer and will never look at or run another roof rack again. Affects center of gravity way too much for any amount of somewhat moderate to serious off-roading like the Rubicon trail. Everything you put up there gets vibrated with rub marks or little holes in your canvas stuff bags from the violent ride. Not to mention the rafting innertubes and kayaks that were damaged by pine tree branches stabbing through or puncturing them. My CB radio range dropped way off because the huge hunk of metal it represents to the RF near field. No amount of tuning will fix that. No thanks, get a basket for your swingout tire carrier or a real Jeep trailer with extra long toung and swivel pintle mount instead. Just my experience with racks in 15 years & 250k combined miles, long term test on 2 Jeeps. YMMV!

 

[brianb2]

Good info, thanks. I've been using a basket that fits in my tow hitch. May stick with that and take your advice on the spare tire basket. I've got a soft top, so I still need to figure something out for SUPs and Kayaks.


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[Chris]

I can't be of much help other than this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00133X6LI/?tag=wranglerorg-20

It's got three reviews there, which isn't a lot, but it sounds like people like it except for one guy who complains about it being loud (which is stupid, because that sounds like he either installed it wrong, or he's just to stupid to realize that cargo on top of your roof might not be that quiet, haha!).

 

[dylansalrin]

I also want a rack for random things I currently haul on my hard top. I would not get the Kongo rack or the shittybilt combo. They look plain goofy to me. The basket is separate from the frame so it ends up being way higher than it needs to be and there is a gap between the jeep and the basket that looks IMO wrong.. plus with people saying how bad both brands rust.. it saving for GOBI or wilderness. (If I decide to keep this jeep)


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[AOR]

Go Gobi.
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/gobi-jeep-racks-at-allens-offroad.2779/

 

[AOR]

Do a Gobi Rack.

Great pricing from this vendor.

 

[Shwane]

I second the Gobi rack. They're pricey, but you get what you pay for. I love mine. I put all kinds of stuff up there. Camping gear, charcoal, cases of water, seats for the Mardi Gras parade. It came with a ladder, mounts for lights, a wind jammer, mounts for shovel/jack, the kit that allows it to hinge back and expose the whole top and a sunroof insert.

As far as noise, its been there since I bought my jeep so I dont have anything to compare it to.

Powder coating on it seems up to par. No peeling.

Attached some old pics for reference.

Disclaimer: My center of gravity remains intact most of the time, we have no rocks, mountainous trails or Moab type stuff around here. And if I need to get off kilter, I remove any heavy items from the top.

 

[brianb2]

Thanks, appreciate the additional feedback. Not sure which way I'm leaning. Going to keep doing my research.


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[Sunder]

I bought a Kargo Master, but won't be installing it until spring.
I've read about some of the issues with it (wind noise), which I *hope to alleviate by spraying foam inside the bars, and making a wind deflecting plate. But I also heard some of the much more expensive ones can sometimes have similar issues.

Some of the other roof racks were nicer, but since I paid $277.15 US including shipping for a new one, I felt the other ones weren't worth the $1000+ premium I'd have to pay on top of what I just paid.

I really just wanted it for transporting SUP's and kayaks, and the occasional thing that won't fit in my Jeep, like 2x4's, etc.
I plan to not have it on my Jeep 24x7, and just put it on when I need it.

So if you're still looking by summer, I might have some experienced opinions on it.

 

[dylansalrin]

Where did you find a full rack for under $300?? Did it come with basket?


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[JP13]

Do a Gobi Rack.

Great pricing from this vendor.

What's the difference between the Ranger and Stealth?

 

[dylansalrin]

What's the difference between the Ranger and Stealth?

I believe one is for round lights with tabs and the stealth is for a 50" square light bar Allen will confirm though!

 

[Sunder]

Where did you find a full rack for under $300?? Did it come with basket?

Bought it on a Black Friday sale at: https://www.realtruck.com/kargo-master-jeep-congo-cage/
Looks like it's $308 right now.
I bought just the cage, no basket. (just for SUP and kayak).

 

[brianb2]

I bought just the cage, no basket. (just for SUP and kayak).

That's what I was thinking as well. If I need a basket they're easy enough to fab. I like the idea of coating the inside of the tubes to help prevent rust.



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[OldYeller]

Bought it on a Black Friday sale at: https://www.realtruck.com/kargo-master-jeep-congo-cage/
Looks like it's $308 right now.
I bought just the cage, no basket. (just for SUP and kayak).

They are still $275 directly from Kargo Master, free shipping.

http://kmsafaristore.com/en/classic-congo-cages/176-jeep-congo-cage-tj-1997-up.html

My TJ came with one.They aren't nearly as noisy as people make them out to be, the soft top is 10x worse and its hardly noticeable with the hard top installed.Youll be glad you bought it, I use mine alot for stuff like ladders and pvc.

 

[AOR]

What's the difference between the Ranger and Stealth?

I believe one is for round lights with tabs and the stealth is for a 50" square light bar Allen will confirm though!

Great question. The only difference between the two is the Ranger has a taller front section above the windshield (about 9"). Thus, you can put larger round lights there, such as the Pia brand. Both you can get for 4 light setups. With the Stealth though, you must use more rectangular lights. This is due to the front section only being around 7" in height. The stealth is configured for a 40" lightbar. Other than that, same, same. I am sure that, if requested, the Ranger rack could be setup for a single or double ( WHAT? ) light bar. I am also sure there would most likely be an upcharge for that.

Have a blessed and prosperous day!

Allen

 

[JP13]

Great question. The only difference between the two is the Ranger has a taller front section above the windshield (about 9"). Thus, you can put larger round lights there, such as the Pia brand. Both you can get for 4 light setups. With the Stealth though, you must use more rectangular lights. This is due to the front section only being around 7" in height. The stealth is configured for a 40" lightbar. Other than that, same, same. I am sure that, if requested, the Ranger rack could be setup for a single or double ( WHAT? ) light bar. I am also sure there would most likely be an upcharge for that.

Have a blessed and prosperous day!

Allen

Thanks for the reply. I wish there was a fastback version for my LJ. I think what I want doesn't exist. I'll probably end up making one.

 

[AOR]

Wild Boar Off Road has one for a fastback JK. Maybe they can whip you one up for the LJ.

http://www.wildboaroffroad.com/category-s/111.htm