Surco roof rack, will it work on my "jacked" gutter?

**Kettles** · 08-30-2009, 09:07 PM

hoookay, so I want a roof rack, and I was looking at surco, because its cheaper than a lot of em. So I was going to get this rack (60"): Surco S4560 - Surco Safari Basket Racks - Overview - SummitRacing.com with these adapters: Surco GM100 - Surco Safari Basket Rack Installation Accessories - Overview - SummitRacing.com

only problem is a tree decided to dent my gutter, and I feel it might be right where the gutter mount would go. If anyone has this rack could you let me know if this dent would be a problem

If it would interfere, I could get the 50" rack: Surco S4550 - Surco Safari Basket Racks - Application - SummitRacing.com
or the stock rack mounts, or I guess the shorter rack and the stock mounts would work. I am not sure as the 01 has short rails that end at the b pillar.

SO anyone with pictures of either rack installed would be great so I will know if it works.

Also if someone knows of any other rack that looks atleast as good, and doesn't cost much more if any thats cool too.

Thanks
-Kevin

**leftlanetruckin** · 08-30-2009, 09:12 PM

why not pull the gutter back out mate??
seems to me that it would be a better fix than trying to adapt to a bent gutter rail...

martin

**Kettles** · 08-30-2009, 09:15 PM

Tried and failed. Do you know how strong a rolled piece of sheetmetal is?? Pretty damn ridged if you ask me. Thats why it is only as dented as it is.

I tried prying it back out. Ended up just rocking the whole jeep on the suspension a lot. Maybe on jack stands, but It doesn't wan't to move as far as I can tell. The fender damage on the other hand pulled right out.

KINGJB · 08-30-2009, 09:17 PM

I have that roof rack but i have the mounts that mount to the factory rails that run parallel to the body or perpendicular to the bumpers

**leftlanetruckin** · 08-30-2009, 09:18 PM

its easy enough. why not swing by alocal body shop and ask them the easy way of doing it?
hint, start at one end and work your way across....

martin

**Kettles** · 08-30-2009, 09:20 PM

Is that the 45X60 or 45X50? Looks like it works fine with the stock rack mounts. Are those the j100 adapters?
Looks like whatever you have I will probably order tomorrow!

**Kettles** · 08-30-2009, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leftlanetruckin

its easy enough. why not swing by alocal body shop and ask them the easy way of doing it?
hint, start at one end and work your way across....

martin

For one, I don't care enough. 2, I doubt I can do it. 3, its not worth the energy if I did, because the curved piece of roof is also dented, and that would need to have welded studs on, and then slide hammered out. The whole roof area right there is bent in a bit. It took a good whack.

**leftlanetruckin** · 08-30-2009, 09:29 PM

fair enough then!

martin

Veeb0rg · 08-30-2009, 11:03 PM

My surco clamped right at where your gutter is squished.

I believe the mount bars are adjustable, so you could just move the front bar forward a bit.

**Kettles** · 08-30-2009, 11:09 PM

If anybody knows off hand the length of the short roof rack rails that would be awesome. I can measure it tommorow if not. I like the one king posted, but I don't know which length it is (I assume the 60 because thats the summit default for an xj). I am still debating, factory or gutter. I like gutter more, but it might not work right.... Actually looking at all the pics, whatever size that one is, will work with gutter mounts, I might have to slide the whole thing back a little (inch or 2, or forward I guess), or just the front bar though.. no biggie.

Edit: I am one click away from buying the 45X60 surco from summit, with the gutter mounts (and free light tabs apparently). Just a quick looksee to make sure I cant get it cheaper somewhere else.

**Kettles** · 08-30-2009, 11:37 PM

Well AJ finnaly got back to me, so I think ill get that first. SO untill a later date /thread

**aircruiser** · 08-31-2009, 01:36 AM

back..bahaha i customized my rack..i got it mounted on 3 crossbars using one of the factory bars to hold more..and my gutter is bent too..from a tree

**Kevin108** · 08-31-2009, 11:40 AM

You need a 2x4, a portable saw, a floor jack and a parking garage!

Cut the 2x4 to fit between the concrete ceiling or a steel beam and the gutter lip, jack up the XJ some and your gutter will unfold.

**Kettles** · 08-31-2009, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin108

You need a 2x4, a portable saw, a floor jack and a parking garage!

Cut the 2x4 to fit between the concrete ceiling or a steel beam and the gutter lip, jack up the XJ some and your gutter will unfold.

Interesting idea. May have to find a fixed steel beam sometime the right height. I dont think there is a solid place in my dads garage to do that. The I beam is to close to the wall, maybe the garage door fame/jamb (w/e it is called) would work... lol, i would only need a 12" piece of wood.. I have a feeling that going into a parking garage and start cutting 2x4's and jacking up my jeep, that people wouldn't like that.

**XJH-007** · 08-31-2009, 12:30 PM

I just happened to drive the XJ today......this is the 48X60 with the stock rack-rail adapters. I personally don't like the gutter mounts. The newer XJ's had shorter factory racks, so I slid mine all the way up front...it just balances out the look better I think....

08-31-2009, 12:30 PM	#15
XJH-007 I drank what? Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Morrison, Colorado Posts: 4,674 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I just happened to drive the XJ today......this is the 48X60 with the stock rack-rail adapters. I personally don't like the gutter mounts. The newer XJ's had shorter factory racks, so I slid mine all the way up front...it just balances out the look better I think.... __________________ Scott-Crawlorado Native I have an addiction..... 00' XJ_T-n-T Y-Link/6" RE_OME's_33" KM2's Tera 4:1 / 4:56's_Elec. Locked D44 84' CJ7 4"BDS 33's **02 WJ Overland