Jeep LJ building Questions

[weinbern]

Here is the Garvin Expedition rack on my LJ.

Its a good stong rack rated at 300lbs for offraod use. My rack is eqipped with two Thule 54" cross bars on Garvin mounts along with a shovel and axe holder. Garvin also offers a HighLift holder though I mount my HiLift on the rear bumper.

They offer a front wind deflector which I would get - probably will get - to limit wind noise for when the hard top is on. Changing tops is not fun but not too bad, the rack unbolts from the front risers and, after unbolting intermediary supports at the rear, tilts back on the lower rear supports. You would need to tilt the rack back to lower the soft top or use the "sunrider" half fold provision.

My only complaint of any sort is that the powder coating could use improvement and after four years of east coast ocean spray/beach and snow treatment exposure it is showing some rust that I need to remove, and it will need to be painted.

I recently spoke with Garvin and ordered a 1/2 length rack for my JK Unlimited hardtop and they informed me that they had improved their powder coating and now use a better primer. The new rack appears to have better powder coating, but only time will tell.

Here are views from one side and the other. BTW, the top boxes carry about 50lbs worth of gear, day in and day out and have for four years. No issue with the rack. Also the rack has carried ~80lb canoes and other stuff, in conjunction with the loaded boxes, off road without problems.

Hope this helps.

JPK

Nice rack... never thought i would say that to somebody not wearing a bikini.... No offense but I am too cheap to pay $1k for a rack... I think i can make one for about $300.

Think i am gonna start with Genrights rear corners with high flares and PSC rockers.

 

[grahamfitter]

The congo cage is strong enough for a RTT? Could you possibly estimate how much weight ur putting on it when its stationary and fully setup (occcupants + tent)?

Its definitely strong enough. I've used one with a RTT and more on a TJ and now the LJ. Normally the rack has the RTT and a couple of whitewater kayaks and I would imagine that the lot probably weighs a shade over 200 lb. Add 175 lb or so of people on that side of the tent when camped. Don't forget, though, that the static weight isn't important because its not putting anywhere near the same force on the vehicle as the dynamic weight does when driving.

Cheers,
Graham

 

[weinbern]

Cool. Thanks that helps alot.

 

[Phreak480]

i was able to find the garvin rack in slightly used condition more thna once on craigslist. i got mine for $550 and then 2 weeks later saw another for $450. just gotta look around a bit i guess.