Roof Rack for a JK

[Steve Curren]

I am thinking of getting a roof rack for my 2008 2 door JK. What I would like to ask anyone who has one what type they have and how high is the structure off the roof. I would like to carry water / fuel cans as well as get in and out of the garage which is 81" tall.
Thanks,
Steve

 

[Bennyhana]

I have Garvin's Wilderness rack on my 07'. It is about 3" above the roof and still allows me to remove the freedom panels with the rack on. The rack itself is 4" deep and from the bottom of the rubicon rock rails to the top of the rack is 59". Mine is on 33" tires with a 2" lift and barely fits in my garage. I don't have a garage door opener and have to use a bungee cord to pull the door all the way up it's track to get the Jeep in.

 

[willywaxer]

I have the Gobi and like it because it requires no holes in the Jeep and allows me to easily pivot it up to raise/lower or exchange the soft top. Fits in my garage just fine, even with a ski rack attached.

 

[scarysharkface]

I've got the Kargo Master Congo Cage and Safari Rack. Can't speak to how tall it is, but no holes drilled and I can get the hard top panels off without having to pivot the rack (which it will do if you're removing a soft top).

John

 

[Steve Curren]

Thanks for the information, I have about 6" of clearance and I am really wanting a rack but it almost looks like I will have to get a tire swing with can holders and a rack on it. You said yours was 3' above the roof now is that everything or just the base where the basket sits on?
Thanks again for all your information.

 

[huskyfargo]

Go with the Gobi. I've spent a lot of money and time researching and trying different racks. I now have a Gobi, and it's fantastic! I have a 3.5" lift, 34" tires, and the Ranger rack. I'm still about 2.5" short of hitting my 7' garage opening. This means I can still go through an auto car wash too.
Of course, my JK probably isn't sitting a true 3.5" higher, being that I have a bunch of heavy equipment attached.

 

[JPK]

About the lowest rack I've seen is the Front Runner rack from SA. Its available in the US through: http://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/Roof-Racks-c35/

They offer high feet for table stroage under the rack, or probably best for your application, low feet that keep the rack pretty tight to the top.

The is a hard top rack and requires drilling into the hard top. Also, its aluminum, so its fairly light and corrosion resistant, though the feet are steel.

JPK

 

[catfish]

http://www.discountramps.com/car-top-carriers-roof-racks.htm

One these might work if you can figure out how to mount it.

 

[GunnIt]

Gobi all the way. I have the Baja fuel carrier and it mounts well to the floor of the rack and is very solid. Forget fitting in a 81-in garage with the attached fuel cans.

My JK has 37-in tires and a 4-in Teraflex long arm lift and the top of the rack is 84-in off the ground.

Had a Kargo Master Congo Cage and Safari Rack on my TJ and it was a good rack. I like the Gobi better.

 

[outdoors]

You'll benefit with any of the racks mentioned above... It will come down to what particulars suite your fancy including price... good luck and nice upgrade coming up for you..:safari-rig:

 

[Steve Curren]

I am sitting about 74" high so if I got a roof rack it would have to be a low one like JPK spoke of. I am still torn between a roof rack and a tire swing with can holders and a rack on it, I am afraid of getting a roof rack and finding it top heavy with it loaded. Speaking of loading I also would have to load it with items that would clear my garage as I would hate to have to pull out and load up when I was leaving. Also getting full cans up and down would be fun and the items would also cut down on gas mileage. Decisions, decisions and I am going crazier trying to decide but I am getting closer to getting the tire swing.
The tire swing I am looking at is just a bit more expensive than the Front Runner roof rack so price is really not a deciding factor so please let me know if you have a preference and why.
Thanks to all who have answered, I have read and carefully checked out the items.

 

[UNI]

Bennyhana Posted: I have Garvin's Wilderness rack on my 07'.

X2 on the Garvin Wilderness Rack. This is the second Jeep we have used Garvin Racks on. I have no complaints and would purchase our next rack system from Garvin in a heart beat. We can not put our Jeep into a standard size garage door opening, our height is to tall.