The replacement bars from Kargo Master made a definite improvement on the fit. With the shorter bars, the front "legs" just drop down right onto the windshield brackets; no more shoving the bars back so I can put the bolt through the bottom.

Here are some finished pics...







Can't wait for next weekend!







Thanks to Marcelles at Kargo Master for sensing out the replacement bars and to the folks at Real Truck, great prices and great service!

 

the pics look great, thanks.

 

What were the measurements of the old and new bars?
Glenn

 

Polocruz, you beat me to it. I got my rails yesterday. For the two door my old rails measured 57 1/2 inches from the two bolt holes and the new ones measure about 56 inches between the bolt holes. That 1 1/2 inch made a big difference for me. I was even able to install it buy myself without needing two people to try and line up the holes for the front bars. If you have problems with yours I just emailed their support person from the Contact us link on their web site after Polocruz did. This thread and forum helped me out a lot. Thanks everyone.

 

i don't know yet, i'm thinking about just putting a little padding on the front and rear crossbars. then just ratcheting them down. i usually only have to travel 6 miles, so i think this would work for me.

 

You have the same Jeep that I do--4 dr Sahara, Red rock.
I just ordered the same rack so I have a couple of questions, if I may:

Would it be that difficult to remove the whole assembly, if desired?
How sturdy is the rack with your kayak on top?
Is wind noise bad/different with the top up?

Oh yeah, can you roll that sea kayak?

Thanks in advance.....

 

Glenn,

The old bars were 78 1/8" from bolt hole-to-hole. The new ones are 76".

Paolo

 

Hey fellow Hokie!

It's easy enough to unbolt the assembly, but you'd probably need 4 people to safely lift it off the jeep.

With the rack empty, looking back at the rear legs at highway speed, you can notice wind oscillations. That said, it is a heavy duty, sturdy rack. My main purpose for this rack is to carry 'yaks and I was worried that with a light bar/receiver hitch combo (like the Lange Original) the oscillation/twisting would be translated to the kayak bodies strapped on top, stressin' out the hulls.

This is the first weekend I've had the Yakima bars and saddles on it and it adds quite a bit of wind noise to the rig. I'll have to experiment with moving the Yakima cross bars farther back from the windshield to see if it helps. Then again the mounting adapters from Kargo Master are not the most aerodynamic.

I haven't had a chance to ride with the top up yet (the price we pay for living in Florida!) so can't compare the noise level.

As far as rolling.... I've been sticking to sit on tops... makes for better swim platforms out on the gulf!

Paolo

 

 

OK Guys. I have this same rack for my unlimited sahara soft top. I have two problems right now.

1) The Jeep is FRIGGIN LOUD with the rack on. Anyone effectively reduce wind noise?

2) It's quite a struggle to raise or lower the softtop with the rack on. The prop-rods that came with the rack do not raise the rack far enough to use the sunrider. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.