Opinions on hardtop roof racks
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Medford,MA
Opinions on hardtop roof racks
I'm currently looking into having a Yakima rack (track and tower system) mounted ion my wife's Unlimited..I loved this rack on my old TJ. That said I was wondering if anyone has tried this on a 2 door? I Know folks have concerns about load weights, and multiple holes drilled on your roof. Even the Yakima section on
Quadratecs site only shows the track system available on a 4 door.
But then I saw this on 4WD..
These guys seem like pros, so why not??
Opinions?
thanks
Rich
Quadratecs site only shows the track system available on a 4 door.
But then I saw this on 4WD..
These guys seem like pros, so why not??
Opinions?
thanks
Rich
Last edited by Robar; Mar 13, 2009 at 01:57 PM.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
From: PARKER, COLORADO
I want a rack for my hardtop, bad, but I'm still hesitant to drill into it. I'm thinking about going with the Yakima raingutter system to be used only on the freedom top front panels. That way I can use them in both summer (front freedom panels only) and in winter with the rest of the hardtop in place. I don't plan on any excessive loads, other than camping gear and such. I've got a Hitchhaul that will carry the heavy stuff in back. Just need to find some kind of small rack that will occupy that space. 
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Medford,MA
I want a rack for my hardtop, bad, but I'm still hesitant to drill into it. I'm thinking about going with the Yakima raingutter system to be used only on the freedom top front panels. That way I can use them in both summer (front freedom panels only) and in winter with the rest of the hardtop in place. I don't plan on any excessive loads, other than camping gear and such. I've got a Hitchhaul that will carry the heavy stuff in back. Just need to find some kind of small rack that will occupy that space.
mounts on hardshell mountplates, on the outside of his 2 door top..Just below the outer roofline. Only on the rear top panerl..looked darn good..
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
From: PARKER, COLORADO
I saw that too....that's another option, keeping that in mind.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
I use the sideloader matched with the 1A raingutter tower from Yakima on mine. I've done a 500 mile road trip with 4 bikes on the roof and had no issues at all. I've also run it with two bikes and a rocketbox. It's a different set-up than what you're looking at, but seems to work equally as well. I had them on my pick-up shell too and they were great.
As a note... I had to modify the sideloader mounts a little to get them to work, so if I were to do it again, I'd use the Yakima widebody mount instead. I don't think you'd have to mod that one at all.
Here is a pic of my JK from a WHILE ago with the rack mounted.
As a note... I had to modify the sideloader mounts a little to get them to work, so if I were to do it again, I'd use the Yakima widebody mount instead. I don't think you'd have to mod that one at all.
Here is a pic of my JK from a WHILE ago with the rack mounted.
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,907
Likes: 185
From: Maine
I want a rack for my hardtop, bad, but I'm still hesitant to drill into it. I'm thinking about going with the Yakima raingutter system to be used only on the freedom top front panels. That way I can use them in both summer (front freedom panels only) and in winter with the rest of the hardtop in place. I don't plan on any excessive loads, other than camping gear and such. I've got a Hitchhaul that will carry the heavy stuff in back. Just need to find some kind of small rack that will occupy that space.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
From: PARKER, COLORADO
I use the sideloader matched with the 1A raingutter tower from Yakima on mine. I've done a 500 mile road trip with 4 bikes on the roof and had no issues at all. I've also run it with two bikes and a rocketbox. It's a different set-up than what you're looking at, but seems to work equally as well. I had them on my pick-up shell too and they were great.
As a note... I had to modify the sideloader mounts a little to get them to work, so if I were to do it again, I'd use the Yakima widebody mount instead. I don't think you'd have to mod that one at all.
Here is a pic of my JK from a WHILE ago with the rack mounted.
As a note... I had to modify the sideloader mounts a little to get them to work, so if I were to do it again, I'd use the Yakima widebody mount instead. I don't think you'd have to mod that one at all.
Here is a pic of my JK from a WHILE ago with the rack mounted.
