Nice install. Thanks for the pics.

I have all the parts and was about to install this this weekend but am now second guessing using the side loaders after seeing your write up.

How tights is the fit of the mount against the roof? Is it too tight to adjust the mount or does the mount just touch the roof when installed? Was the additional spacer necessary just to get the rack to fit?

I liked the side loaders as opposed to the wide loaders because the side loaders seemed to be less obvious when the rack was not on. Do you have any pics of the gutter mounts installed without the rack on?

Thanks in advance for any input you have.

 

Alex - Did you buy your rack yet? See the SD Install Party thread for this weekend? We need to install your rack if you have it if you don't come over with the family and chill by the pool and have BBQ!

 

Sorry for the delayed response, just got back in town.

I'll check for a picture of the mounts without the rack.

Fit is tight - still workable, but you really have to avoid the tempatation to torque down the towers too much. The only spacer I used was the rubber pad (supplied with the gutters) and a piece of bicycle innertube inserted in the Yakima tower to force the clamp to align more vertically (I'll see if I have a picture of that as well)

Bottom line - its functional. I hauled a load of light camping gear on the roof to the Mega Meet and it didn't budge, crack, fly off, make noise, nothin. I wouldn't put a really heavy load up there with a lot of windage or wheeling stresses, but its good for making the move from garage to campsite, or surf spot or whatever.

I've ordered the GOBI, so I can carry some heavier camping gear or at least carry some gear while offroad.

I'll check for pics.

 

that looks good!!

 

Well the top isn't fiberglass and side mounts like that, won't support very much weight and over a period of time, will crack and degrade the sides of the hardtop

A better consideration would be the MBRP rack that will support from 500 to 900 lbs with very little strain on the top alone



This rack does not come off, but makes the hardtop removal EASY, provideds handles on both sides

Makes camping very easy with lots of extra space and strength

JIMBO

 

Agreed - flimsy ass top. But if you come up a little short on the coin - the Yakima rack set up will get you and some light stuff to and from the beach or campsite or wherever.

When you add up the cost of the cargo options I'm convinced its cheaper to buy a craigslist F150, pay a private driver to load it, follow the jeep to the camp, and set up the campsite, then massage achy feet, than it is to buy a cargo bumper, rack, and trailer. I really like the idea - just not in the budget plan for a middle class dude paying through the snot locker to live in SoCal.

 

Sorry, didn't mean to infer, that you had a "low limit" fund, but

You were entering a writeup, for a system that will crack and overload the low quality tops we have on our JKs

If yours doesn't have any ill/unexpected damages-good for you

I didn't figure you wanted to trade your jeep, for a Ford F150 !!

JIMBO

 

No worries - I just posted the write up for anyone who was interested in seeing pics of a yakima side loader set up. It was just info.

Opinions welcome. I personally don't think the top is in any great risk of cracking if the mounts are done properly and you mind the loads you put on the rack. Its very similar to a boat hull or windsurfer - where the strength comes from shape and geometry, not necessarily material. I think the top is actually plastic, but it was a little powdery - almost like an epoxy. Dunno - Chrysler can answer that one I guess.

I've already decided I'd rather have more load capacity, thats why I ordered the gobi rack. But, with the cost, its definitely a hit in the wallet.

I will say - I was impressed with load capacity of the rack you have. It seems very stout. Trailer looks cool - just more than I need or could afford.

Cheers.

 

I'm sorry Lizard-I've just read so many times, that the top has broken around the tub bolts, or cracked from who knows what, Hell, mine will probably crack where I've got the rack attached

You're description is pretty straight and will probably work ok

I'm not sure of the tops composition, but it seems to be baked on inner/outter with a pcv type filling and now I hear that the MFG of the top is BANKRUPT !!

Enjoy your job, Ill just run off into the sunset

Cheers--JIMBO

 

Nice and that trailer is.....sawwweeeettt!