Adding A Roof Rack To A Cap

[D45]

I have an ARE Z Series cap...........carpet lined with dual LED strip lights

Love the cap, stupid that it did not come with a track roof rack system

Anyone have issues with leaking or durability of the fiberglass after drilling and mounting some rails?

 

[amo292]

No Issues whatsoever for me. I added Thule tracks to my cap a couple years ago and haven't had any leakage. Take your time and you will be good to go.

 

[D45]

Thanks, I definitely do not want to mount the towers directly to the cap

I want the long running tracks, like what you have, for adjustability

Obviously just use some stainless steel fasteners and some clear marine grade silicon

 

[Clawhammer]

I added a rack from a Ford Explorer to roof of my cap. I sealed the bolts with silicone and put two nuts on the inside to minimize loosening due to vibrations. I hung a cargo net on the inside from the nuts. The best part was, it cost $10.

A rack from a Cherokee or 4runner would also work, as they all have the flat tracks.

 

[D45]

Thanks, I am going to pull the cap off anyways, to have the bed sprayed with LineX

I figure while the cap is off, it will be a good idea to add a rack

I am going to measure and see what length of rails I will need

I plan on buying everything used, for sure

 

[Clawhammer]

I hacksawed my rails to be shorter, it was pretty easy. Put a big fender washer or some flatstock on the inside.

FYI, I stole the rack idea from these guys, and there's some good info in this thread:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/junkyard-roof-rack-630944/

 

[stingray1300]

Get a Thule. They make a track system that you can customize to your needs (Yakima is a lower grade set up. My supplier won't even carry Yakima anymore).
.
When you mount the track, get 2 hardware kits. Drill and fill EVERY hole, not every other hole like most installer do. Use silicone sealant to seal each and every hole. Double nut the threads inside the cap.

 

[D45]

I'll get whatever I can find for the best price, used

Why two hardware kits? How many bolts are typically used for each track?

 

[TommyG]

Second the comments on the Thule. They goe so far as to have different kits for metal vs. fiberglass. You wont have any trouble if you take your time and install it right.

 

[Ducky's Dad]

I have had Yakima tracks on two trucks for 10 and 17 years respectively, no leaks and no issues unless grossly overloaded. By overloaded I mean 60 mph through a pasture with almost 500 pounds on the rack. Only issue there was a bent crossbar from the load bouncing around. Now I know that Yakima sells a bar with double-thick walls, only in 86" to be cut to whatever length you need, so that's what I'm replacing my bars with. I looked at Thule and decided Yakima was better suited to my requirements.

 

[stingray1300]

I'll get whatever I can find for the best price, used

Why two hardware kits? How many bolts are typically used for each track?

Usually, the tracks only come with enough hardware to do every other hole. Go figure...
.
Also, I use 3 cross bars. I had 2, and after a trip to Alaska, the RTT had started "deflecting" (slight bending) one of the cross bars. I immediately added a 3rd (as I was advised to begin with)
.

I have had Yakima tracks on two trucks for 10 and 17 years respectively, no leaks and no issues unless grossly overloaded. By overloaded I mean 60 mph through a pasture with almost 500 pounds on the rack. Only issue there was a bent crossbar from the load bouncing around. Now I know that Yakima sells a bar with double-thick walls, only in 86" to be cut to whatever length you need, so that's what I'm replacing my bars with. I looked at Thule and decided Yakima was better suited to my requirements.

YOU should have no issues. Yours are old enough not to be Yakima's "off-shore" stuff. The newer Yakima equipment isn't nearly as good as the older equipment. I'm going by what my truck equipment supplier told me, as I was looking for "whatever". I got the Thule. I hope your Yakima continues to serve you well!

 

[Ducky's Dad]

I have three bars on the truck that bent a bar, and I'm adding a fourth bar as part of the repairs. That assumes that I can find a pair of the discontinued towers on my setup.

The other truck has a two-bar setup, augmented with a Yakima DryDock in the hitch. I carried a 950-pound load of lumber, up to 22-foot timbers, and managed to bend a bar in a 60-mile drive. Grossly overloaded? Absolutely. But everything survived except the bar and it's ugly but still usable. If I had distributed the load differently, the bar might not have bent. The towers seem to be able to handle a lot more weight than the bars can. And still no leaks from the track.

 

[ramonortiz55]

For anyone interested, there is a Bajarack group buy going on in TW.

Figured id let you guys know since we are talking about roofracks..