looking for roof rack plans - North American Grand Cherokee Association

pk · 07-09-2004, 01:04 PM

Anyone have any roof rack plans or building tips?

Particularly in attention to the mounting aspects. I really get sick when I see that premade mounting hardware costs an arm and a leg. I'm not looking to slide it around, just mount and forget using the stock tracks "if possible" if it wont cause leaking issues.

oh yeah, its for a 97 gcl so, no raised rail, its flat mounted tracks. thanks

zj_phil · 07-09-2004, 01:33 PM

I built a rack for mine, i am trying to get some pics of it up, but for starters i used a THULE TK2 and cut it inhalf. then i jsut got longer bolts from the hardware store, welded the some flat stock on to my basket and bolted it down the the rack. I really like the way mine turned out. The mounting it really solid. i can email you pics if you would like.

pk · 07-09-2004, 03:38 PM

I priced the thule tk2 kit and they want $90 here where I live. I realise it's not much but If possible I'd like to avoid paying that kind of money just for feet. Is there a way to mount a rack directly to the rails if they were stripped down?

kevman · 07-09-2004, 06:46 PM

I like the way kevins rack mounts to the rails...looks super solid. Another option in my mind is to mount it directly to the roof and forget about the rails altogether. The holes are already there and you can use the stock torx screws so if your building a rack why not build some legs to mount it to the roof directly (like AEV). Another advantage is the fact you can have it sit as low to the roof as you desire (unlike alot of basket style ones that sit a good couple inches higher than they need to be.

robselina · 07-10-2004, 10:21 PM

I've been thinking about this lately too, and what I think I'm going to use is the stock bars that are adjustable on the rails. So, I'm going to clamp to those bars, and use all the existing roof rack hardware. No leaks, less fabwork....just wonder if it's all strong enough?

zj_phil · 07-11-2004, 04:48 PM

TK2 shouldnt be anything more than $35, check out www.rei.com make shure you are getting jsut the TK2 not the entire foot and load bars.

zj_phil · 07-16-2004, 12:11 PM

follow this link and there are a few pics of my basket. I will try to get some more up.

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/470090/2

07-09-2004, 01:04 PM	#1
pk Senior Member Grand Junkie Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 329	looking for roof rack plans Anyone have any roof rack plans or building tips? Particularly in attention to the mounting aspects. I really get sick when I see that premade mounting hardware costs an arm and a leg. I'm not looking to slide it around, just mount and forget using the stock tracks "if possible" if it wont cause leaking issues. oh yeah, its for a 97 gcl so, no raised rail, its flat mounted tracks. thanks

07-09-2004, 01:33 PM	#2
zj_phil Member Grand Rookie Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: WI Home, Marquette MI school. Posts: 83	I built a rack for mine, i am trying to get some pics of it up, but for starters i used a THULE TK2 and cut it inhalf. then i jsut got longer bolts from the hardware store, welded the some flat stock on to my basket and bolted it down the the rack. I really like the way mine turned out. The mounting it really solid. i can email you pics if you would like. __________________ 94 ZJ \| 5 spd \| roof rack \| BB \| RE Gen II Discos \| 31" Truxus MT on Black steelies \| KN FIPK \| high flow cat and turbo muffler \| Kevins Radiator Support\| trimming body daily!

07-10-2004, 10:21 PM	#5
robselina Senior Member Grand Junkie Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 256	I've been thinking about this lately too, and what I think I'm going to use is the stock bars that are adjustable on the rails. So, I'm going to clamp to those bars, and use all the existing roof rack hardware. No leaks, less fabwork....just wonder if it's all strong enough? __________________ Rob

07-11-2004, 04:48 PM	#6
zj_phil Member Grand Rookie Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: WI Home, Marquette MI school. Posts: 83	TK2 shouldnt be anything more than $35, check out www.rei.com make shure you are getting jsut the TK2 not the entire foot and load bars. __________________ 94 ZJ \| 5 spd \| roof rack \| BB \| RE Gen II Discos \| 31" Truxus MT on Black steelies \| KN FIPK \| high flow cat and turbo muffler \| Kevins Radiator Support\| trimming body daily!

07-16-2004, 12:11 PM	#7
zj_phil Member Grand Rookie Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: WI Home, Marquette MI school. Posts: 83	follow this link and there are a few pics of my basket. I will try to get some more up. http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/470090/2 __________________ 94 ZJ \| 5 spd \| roof rack \| BB \| RE Gen II Discos \| 31" Truxus MT on Black steelies \| KN FIPK \| high flow cat and turbo muffler \| Kevins Radiator Support\| trimming body daily!

07-09-2004, 03:38 PM	#3
pk Senior Member Grand Junkie Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 329	I priced the thule tk2 kit and they want $90 here where I live. I realise it's not much but If possible I'd like to avoid paying that kind of money just for feet. Is there a way to mount a rack directly to the rails if they were stripped down?

07-09-2004, 06:46 PM	#4
kevman Member Grand Rookie Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 33	I like the way kevins rack mounts to the rails...looks super solid. Another option in my mind is to mount it directly to the roof and forget about the rails altogether. The holes are already there and you can use the stock torx screws so if your building a rack why not build some legs to mount it to the roof directly (like AEV). Another advantage is the fact you can have it sit as low to the roof as you desire (unlike alot of basket style ones that sit a good couple inches higher than they need to be.

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