Roof Rack Idea

[MichaelGH]

Here’s a cheap and light storage solution that I’m planning on getting:
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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075SYHYHS/?tag=wranglerorg-20



You could always go the nuclear option, and get an LJ.

I got those a year ago. Absolutely fantastic idea and I would buy them 100 times over again. Don’t hesitate to jump on them…

 

[PNW_LJ]

Any idea who’s Montero that is? That’s an absolutely phenomenal truck. Except for the hi-lift…. 😂

Thank you, that’s one of my old rigs. Loved everything about it, except the IFS.

And yes, the hilift did actually get used. Though I’m not sure I would get one for the Jeep lol.

 

[PNW_LJ]

I got those a year ago. Absolutely fantastic idea and I would buy them 100 times over again. Don’t hesitate to jump on them…

Good to know, thanks!

I really like how they make use of wasted space, my only concern is security with my soft top. Any random person could unzip the side window and get to the bag in seconds.

 

[MichaelGH]

Good to know, thanks!

I really like how they make use of wasted space, my only concern is security with my soft top. Any random person could unzip the side window and get to the bag in seconds.

They absolutely utilize dead space for sure. That’s one reason they are so useful…

Anything inside a soft top Jeep is potentially mere seconds from theft. I just live with the knowing and not really worrying about it. Maybe not the best approach, but I sleep ok at night…

To be fair, my Jeep is garaged and when I am out and about I am usually not too far away from it. That probably helps deter most opportunities for issues…

 

[TheBoogieman]

So I am thinking about adding a roof rack to the Jeep. I keep needing more space, especially when hauling 4 people
I am thinking the basket would need to be able to handle 2 adults and gear

How do you decide which two adults have to ride on the roof rack? Flip a coin?

 

[Artsifrtsi]

Really I “should” sell the jeep and buy a truck, especially with the weight of the trailers I sometimes haul- But who wants to do that?

Have both... a Jeep, AND a truck...

 

[HaydukeLives!]

How much weight have you comfortably put on that? Seems like the rain gutters might not be rated for much.

I've loaded up a Yakima Load Ranger with wood and camping gear on one side and two paddleboards on the other. That's all 125lbs. So not much I guess and there is no guarantee that the fiberglass "rain gutters" in the hardtop are rated for anything. I am cautious with how much weight I put up there but since the force is mostly downward, it *seems* plenty strong. Your mileage may vary. To me, the hardtop seems stronger than the two-bolt Wide Body Yakima mounts and Yakima say that two bars should not be loaded beyond 165lbs.

 

[JAYNE]

Thank you, that’s one of my old rigs. Loved everything about it, except the IFS.
View attachment 427144

And yes, the hilift did actually get used. Though I’m not sure I would get one for the Jeep lol.

Hat off to you good sir! I’ve got a 95 SR that I’ll be doing a solid axle swap on in the next year or so. Very excited to pull the trigger on that project.

I’ve used a high lift several times before too but after getting a big ass 3ton pro eagle jack I don’t see myself bringing the high lift off-roading anymore. The jack and it’s extensions have worked far better for every situation I’d previously have used the high lift in.

Just used it this weekend to jack a friends Tacoma up out of the snow before pulling him out. Either way, to each his own!

 

[PNW_LJ]

Hat off to you good sir! I’ve got a 95 SR that I’ll be doing a solid axle swap on in the next year or so. Very excited to pull the trigger on that project.

Heck yea! You got the holy grail I see. In hindsight, I should’ve gotten a 94-96 SR, but those gen 2.5 blister fenders got me 😍.

Nice, if I could’ve SAS-ed my Montero, I would’ve kept it. Are you familiar with Adam Campbell? He’s the Blaine of the Montero world.

I’ve used a high lift several times before too but after getting a big ass 3ton pro eagle jack I don’t see myself bringing the high lift off-roading anymore. The jack and it’s extensions have worked far better for every situation I’d previously have used the high lift in.

Just used it this weekend to jack a friends Tacoma up out of the snow before pulling him out. Either way, to each his own!

View attachment 427343

View attachment 427344

😍😍

 

[JAYNE]

Heck yea! You got the holy grail I see. In hindsight, I should’ve gotten a 94-96 SR, but those gen 2.5 blister fenders got me 😍.

Nice, if I could’ve SAS-ed my Montero, I would’ve kept it. Are you familiar with Adam Campbell? He’s the Blaine of the Montero world.



😍😍

Was my first car I got and I drove it for many years! Going to tear it apart and build it to run 37s!

If I recall correctly he is one of the guys that helped put together adventure driven design?

 

[PNW_LJ]

Was my first car I got and I drove it for many years! Going to tear it apart and build it to run 37s!

Heck yea. What axle?

If I recall correctly he is one of the guys that helped put together adventure driven design?

I believe so. He’s definitely the biggest guru in the US Montero world, and has pioneered some very nice improvements for Monteros.

He did a SAS and outboarded coilover setup on his gen 2.5. Currently doing a V8 swap and SAS on a gen 1.

 

[JAYNE]

Heck yea. What axle?

I believe so. He’s definitely the biggest guru in the US Montero world, and has pioneered some very nice improvements for Monteros.

He did a SAS and outboarded coilover setup on his gen 2.5. Currently doing a V8 swap and SAS on a gen 1.

I did some digging to refresh my mind and Adams gen 2.5 SAS is exactly the build I’m basing mine off of! I’d keep the factory rear get a Dana44 in front. I’d like to put in a bunch of psc components for the steering because if feels so damn good on my jeep but that project is still a bit of a ways out.

I’d love to drop a uz1 in it someday like he did with the minty white 2.5 but then again Hyundai makes a bolt in turbo diesel that would be pretty cool to have…

I’ll get a picture of my montero sometime tomorrow. At 278k she needs some serious TLC but the frame is solid as can be and the engine is a rebuild with only 100k on it.

 

[RINC]

I’ll echo @JMT, and say that having had a roof rack in the past, I don’t think I would have one again.

View attachment 426977

Difficult to access stuff on top, and raises your center of gravity significantly, enough to feel it even on the street (though you could alleviate some of that with good shocks/swaybars).

If you’re deadset on a roof rack though, I would look at the Rhino Rack Pioneer platform offered for the JK/JL:
View attachment 426978

 

[KingCarGuyZ]

View attachment 427412

I come from VW's - would kill to have that bus, course putting anything on the roof would make them even slower than they already are.

 

[afitzray97]

yeah... that is deffinelty a concern. I would like to believe we have enough modern sealants to solve any leak. but it is literally multiple holes in the roof.

Try 3M 4000 adhesive sealant for sealing bolt holes. It's used for pretty much everything on a boat that's above the waterline but still needs to be water tight. It's UV stable and has some very good adhesive quality but is still removable. Do not confuse with 3M 5200 which is very permanent and for removal you have to pretty much destroy whatever it is that's stuck together.

 

[RINC]

I come from VW's - would kill to have that bus, course putting anything on the roof would make them even slower than they already are.

 

[KingCarGuyZ]

View attachment 427594

 

[JAYNE]

Heck yea. What axle?

I believe so. He’s definitely the biggest guru in the US Montero world, and has pioneered some very nice improvements for Monteros.

He did a SAS and outboarded coilover setup on his gen 2.5. Currently doing a V8 swap and SAS on a gen 1.

That’s my montero, excuse the rims my dad got drunk and rattle canned the whole truck that shit green one day without my knowledge and without taping anything off. I did what I could to make it look better in tan and black but haven’t gotten to the rims yet. It was originally white with grey trim and was beautiful that way…