- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
I need some opinions here. I'm looking for a full length roof rack for my JKU, want something that looks clean, is capable of hauling a good amount of weight (possibly a RTT and it's occupants, so 500-600#'s or so when parked). There are a lot of options out there, but some of them look silly. One thing I really dislike are mounting tubes hanging down the sides of the Jeep... they make the rack look like a cheap after-thought, not a clean addition. Jeep recommends carrying NO WEIGHT on the JK hardtop... so that limits the options. Other factors to consider are how easy is it to remove the freedom panels and the rest of the hard top? I don't think I'll remove the full hard top too often, but like the idea of having it be a simple operation.
The best looking rack IMO is the Eezi-Awn K9 2.2 but noticed that it doesn't tie into the cage, body or frame... rather rest on the fiberglass hardtop ONLY. They don't provide a weight limit, but say it'll "carry any load" and even mention mounting a RTT to it. This doesn't seem like a great idea, but it looks like a clean, functional and low-profile rack and I like the way it looks. Here's the Eezi-Awn K9 - http://www.equipt1.com/item/k9-2-2-meter-roof-rack-system-for-jeep-wrangler-jk-4-dr#
The runner up is the Front-Runner Slimline II, which bolts to the windshield frame and thru the hard top to the roll bar. This seems like the cleanest and strongest option and I like how they have a dozen different accessories that work with their rack. Honestly this is what I'll probably end up with, I really do like it and you can remove the freedom panels while leaving the rack in place. To take off the rest of the hardtop, you have to unbolt the supports from the roll bar, which adds time to the job. You can run the roof rack w/o the hard top too. Here's the rack. - http://www.frontrunneroutfitters.co...ack-jeep-wrangler-jk-5-door.html#.VeG9U5erF6J
Another option is the Gobi Stealth rack, it's not bad looking but to make it a full length rack you have to add an additional basket that costs another $180, on top of the high (IMO) $1600 price tag!
It ties into the frame and windshield brackets, but I don't know that I'm a fan of the round tubework and the part up front that's built for lights looks silly, IMO. My round tube rack on the Land Cruiser whistled in the wind and made a lot of noise. It comes with a ladder that mounts at the rear of the Jeep. You can remove both hardtop portions with the rack in place, which is nice. - http://www.gobiracks.com/racks_detail.cfm?ID=471
There is also the Garvin Expedition rack.... I don't like the look at all and you have to drill into the body panels for the rear mounting points. It's one of the least expensive options, but is a full-length rack. - http://www.wildernessracks.com/inde...expedition-rack-07-14-jk-wrangler-4-door.html
Honorable mentions... there a few other options that aren't full length, but are still worth mentioning. I'm not considering these due not being full length, lack of weight carrying capability and just plain looks.
The Rhino Rack Backbone, with a 260# limit. It has a small internal frame wrapping around the rear window to distribute weight, but limited in load capacity.
The AEV Roof Rack, which ties into the roll bar, but it's a 3/4 length rack and for some reason I don't care for the looks at all. AEV won't put a number on weight capacity, but say it will carry a RTT.
What are your opinions? I'm leaning towards the Front Runner Slimline II but wanted some input from others.
The best looking rack IMO is the Eezi-Awn K9 2.2 but noticed that it doesn't tie into the cage, body or frame... rather rest on the fiberglass hardtop ONLY. They don't provide a weight limit, but say it'll "carry any load" and even mention mounting a RTT to it. This doesn't seem like a great idea, but it looks like a clean, functional and low-profile rack and I like the way it looks. Here's the Eezi-Awn K9 - http://www.equipt1.com/item/k9-2-2-meter-roof-rack-system-for-jeep-wrangler-jk-4-dr#
The runner up is the Front-Runner Slimline II, which bolts to the windshield frame and thru the hard top to the roll bar. This seems like the cleanest and strongest option and I like how they have a dozen different accessories that work with their rack. Honestly this is what I'll probably end up with, I really do like it and you can remove the freedom panels while leaving the rack in place. To take off the rest of the hardtop, you have to unbolt the supports from the roll bar, which adds time to the job. You can run the roof rack w/o the hard top too. Here's the rack. - http://www.frontrunneroutfitters.co...ack-jeep-wrangler-jk-5-door.html#.VeG9U5erF6J
Another option is the Gobi Stealth rack, it's not bad looking but to make it a full length rack you have to add an additional basket that costs another $180, on top of the high (IMO) $1600 price tag!
It ties into the frame and windshield brackets, but I don't know that I'm a fan of the round tubework and the part up front that's built for lights looks silly, IMO. My round tube rack on the Land Cruiser whistled in the wind and made a lot of noise. It comes with a ladder that mounts at the rear of the Jeep. You can remove both hardtop portions with the rack in place, which is nice. - http://www.gobiracks.com/racks_detail.cfm?ID=471
There is also the Garvin Expedition rack.... I don't like the look at all and you have to drill into the body panels for the rear mounting points. It's one of the least expensive options, but is a full-length rack. - http://www.wildernessracks.com/inde...expedition-rack-07-14-jk-wrangler-4-door.html
Honorable mentions... there a few other options that aren't full length, but are still worth mentioning. I'm not considering these due not being full length, lack of weight carrying capability and just plain looks.
The Rhino Rack Backbone, with a 260# limit. It has a small internal frame wrapping around the rear window to distribute weight, but limited in load capacity.
The AEV Roof Rack, which ties into the roll bar, but it's a 3/4 length rack and for some reason I don't care for the looks at all. AEV won't put a number on weight capacity, but say it will carry a RTT.
What are your opinions? I'm leaning towards the Front Runner Slimline II but wanted some input from others.
