Wilderness rack bolted to hard top!!

nwacarguy · 05-05-2004, 09:08 PM

Check this out.
http://www.garvin-industries.com/track_racks.htm

It's bolted to the factory hardtop.
I think it looks cool and would like to do it, but does anyone think that might overload your hardtop?

nwacarguy · 05-06-2004, 12:15 PM

Does anyone have this rack?

04JeepTJ · 05-06-2004, 12:41 PM

You could probably get away with light, bulky items i.e. sleeping bags or something.

KaiserJeep · 05-06-2004, 12:41 PM

It's brand new and only the manufacturers test vehicles are likely to have it. Thus it is totally unproven by the independant marketplace. The cargo capacity is not specified that I can find, for the TJ hardtop.

I would guess that in severe terrain however much weight is on the roof would be stressing the hardtop mounting hardware. I have already seen some TJ tops with cracks, I would personally not consider this unit. My preferred approach remains something like the KargoMaster Congo Cage that mounts to the windshield hinges and tailights area - and does not apply any stress to the hardtop, and is softop compatible to boot.

Red Rubycon · 05-08-2004, 06:45 AM

I saw something similar on last trip to Moab, looked just like it, but I thought it was a home made set-up. I d/n get a chance to talk to the guy but he carried his tent and camping supplies up there. Would think you'd be OK with a few hundred pounds, but wouldn't put much there.

But what do you do when the hardtop is off and you want a rack? That's why the Kargo Kage and others might be worth considering, in addition to proven field record.

04JeepTJ · 05-11-2004, 10:14 AM

I wouldn't put more than 50 pounds. A regular metal roof with a roof rack can't handle hundreds of pounds so I doubt a flimsy hardtop could. You have to consider the weight shifting and getting heavier and lighter as your jeep's suspension travels.

It would be a cool idea if the tracks somehow transferred the weight to the rollbar. Then it could hold a lot of weight since the hardtop is doing essentialy nothing.

sulldoggy · 05-11-2004, 02:33 PM

I have a Yakima Warrior basket mounted on a bolted on
rack set up...works fine! I put alot of stuff up top..well over
one hundred pounds when I vacation..no sweat.
The Rack is bolted on well back on the roof,,from the b pillars
to the back.
I've carried luggage, bikes, a dresser, coolers..etc. Works great!

sulldoggy · 05-11-2004, 02:36 PM

Oh also the installer was dead set against installing a track system! Though that was what I wanted.
The weight should be carried well back on the roof.
The roof is pretty strong and rigid from the bpaillars to the rear.

PdXmAc · 10-15-2004, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sulldoggy

I have a Yakima Warrior basket mounted on a bolted on
rack set up...works fine! I put alot of stuff up top..well over
one hundred pounds when I vacation..no sweat.
The Rack is bolted on well back on the roof,,from the b pillars
to the back.
I've carried luggage, bikes, a dresser, coolers..etc. Works great!

I'd like to see some pics of that setup!

sulldoggy · 10-15-2004, 12:49 PM

Being technically challenged I've yet to be able to figure how link, post, whatever..any pics! I could send them to a regular email address as attachments

BigJeepJay · 10-15-2004, 01:00 PM

I like the TJ Travel Rack that they make for the interior of the Jeep. Looks like it could be useful for camping but I am not sure how much weight it can hold as it is supported by the rollbars.

Oman Jeep · 10-15-2004, 02:12 PM

Well, Garvin knows Jeeps and they've made racks for ages...

That track system could help spread the load along the length of the top. It will be different to just bolting a rack directly to the top. How much different, I don't know.

I still prefer the Garvin Wilderness original TJ roof rack. You can run that even with the top off.

Quadratec part number 12041 002 for that one, cost $609.

Edit: Corrected Part Number

As others have said - this particular rack on the hard top is new, so time will tell if it holds up. But I guess somebody has to be the test-rat.

Personally as I enjoy having the top off, I'll go for the rack that mounts at the tub rather than the roof.

sulldoggy · 10-15-2004, 02:30 PM

I agree , the installer at Rack Attack would do a track system, but not guarantee it, due to the atleast 6 holes needed allowed more chances for leaking, and shifting a load back and forth on tracks along the roof, was in his opinion, unsafe on a fiberglass shell..oh well

05-06-2004, 12:15 PM	#2
nwacarguy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Fayetteville, AR Posts: 118 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Does anyone have this rack? __________________ ollllo

05-11-2004, 02:33 PM	#7
sulldoggy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: medford ma Posts: 391 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I have a Yakima Warrior basket mounted on a bolted on rack set up...works fine! I put alot of stuff up top..well over one hundred pounds when I vacation..no sweat. The Rack is bolted on well back on the roof,,from the b pillars to the back. I've carried luggage, bikes, a dresser, coolers..etc. Works great! __________________ 2000 TJ, BLACK, 3" Teraflex lift, 32" BFG ALL-TERRAINS ON BLACK ROCKCRAWLERS. Yakima roof cargo basket, Okele seat covers.custom mats, Patriot rear tire carrier/bumper

05-11-2004, 02:36 PM	#8
sulldoggy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: medford ma Posts: 391 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Oh also the installer was dead set against installing a track system! Though that was what I wanted. The weight should be carried well back on the roof. The roof is pretty strong and rigid from the bpaillars to the rear. __________________ 2000 TJ, BLACK, 3" Teraflex lift, 32" BFG ALL-TERRAINS ON BLACK ROCKCRAWLERS. Yakima roof cargo basket, Okele seat covers.custom mats, Patriot rear tire carrier/bumper

10-15-2004, 12:49 PM	#10
sulldoggy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: medford ma Posts: 391 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Being technically challenged I've yet to be able to figure how link, post, whatever..any pics! I could send them to a regular email address as attachments __________________ 2000 TJ, BLACK, 3" Teraflex lift, 32" BFG ALL-TERRAINS ON BLACK ROCKCRAWLERS. Yakima roof cargo basket, Okele seat covers.custom mats, Patriot rear tire carrier/bumper

10-15-2004, 01:00 PM	#11
BigJeepJay Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Freetown, Ma Posts: 2,110 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I like the TJ Travel Rack that they make for the interior of the Jeep. Looks like it could be useful for camping but I am not sure how much weight it can hold as it is supported by the rollbars. __________________ Pics... [URL="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v516/JeepJay/"]http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v516/JeepJay/[/URL] TJ Stretch Thread... [URL="http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=348220&page=3"]http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=348220&page=3[/URL]

05-08-2004, 06:45 AM	#5
Red Rubycon Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 701 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I saw something similar on last trip to Moab, looked just like it, but I thought it was a home made set-up. I d/n get a chance to talk to the guy but he carried his tent and camping supplies up there. Would think you'd be OK with a few hundred pounds, but wouldn't put much there. But what do you do when the hardtop is off and you want a rack? That's why the Kargo Kage and others might be worth considering, in addition to proven field record.

10-15-2004, 02:12 PM	#12
Oman Jeep Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates Posts: 4,794 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Well, Garvin knows Jeeps and they've made racks for ages... That track system could help spread the load along the length of the top. It will be different to just bolting a rack directly to the top. How much different, I don't know. I still prefer the Garvin Wilderness original TJ roof rack. You can run that even with the top off. Quadratec part number 12041 002 for that one, cost $609. Edit: Corrected Part Number As others have said - this particular rack on the hard top is new, so time will tell if it holds up. But I guess somebody has to be the test-rat. Personally as I enjoy having the top off, I'll go for the rack that mounts at the tub rather than the roof. __________________ 2001 TJ Sport AEV Highline Fender Conversion 35 x 12.50 R15 STTs on 3" lift, 4.56 & Ected Rear ARB Tire Carrier & Road Armor Front Bumper HID Headlights & AMP Research Retractable Side Steps CLICK for more info....

10-15-2004, 02:30 PM	#13
sulldoggy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: medford ma Posts: 391 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I agree , the installer at Rack Attack would do a track system, but not guarantee it, due to the atleast 6 holes needed allowed more chances for leaking, and shifting a load back and forth on tracks along the roof, was in his opinion, unsafe on a fiberglass shell..oh well __________________ 2000 TJ, BLACK, 3" Teraflex lift, 32" BFG ALL-TERRAINS ON BLACK ROCKCRAWLERS. Yakima roof cargo basket, Okele seat covers.custom mats, Patriot rear tire carrier/bumper