Yet Another Roof Rack
05-06-2013, 12:11 PM
#32
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Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: straight 6
I have this conversion posted in my build thread but I figured I'd throw it over here too. This how I "made" the HID lights I'm going to run on my roof rack:
I started out with some cheap $10 KC knock offs from HF:
Then I went to ebay and purchased a HID conversion kit; $30.
The light from HF were original 55w and were pretty bright; I took out the bulb and wiring and substituted my bulb.
It screwed right in! Very nice!
There was so much room behind the lens, that the ballast for the HID fit in there making it a very compact unit . I tried them out and they were RIDICULOUSLY BRIGHT. They completely kill me high beams. You can clearly see the beam of light. Very, very happy with the outcome.
I started out with some cheap $10 KC knock offs from HF:
Then I went to ebay and purchased a HID conversion kit; $30.
The light from HF were original 55w and were pretty bright; I took out the bulb and wiring and substituted my bulb.
It screwed right in! Very nice!
There was so much room behind the lens, that the ballast for the HID fit in there making it a very compact unit . I tried them out and they were RIDICULOUSLY BRIGHT. They completely kill me high beams. You can clearly see the beam of light. Very, very happy with the outcome.
05-06-2013, 12:35 PM
#33
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Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
I spent a total of about 6 bucks and an hour and a half or so
about how many feet of tubing did you use?
05-06-2013, 12:43 PM
#34
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Mine is going to be carrying a lot of weight, more weight than I'd trust to the stock roof mounts, so I went the gutter/more expensive way. That one looks good though!
05-06-2013, 12:50 PM
#35
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Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: straight 6
It actually came from two awning sets that I got from the furniture store that I work at. I just cut them and priced it together. It is well under a hundred pounds but very sturdy.
05-06-2013, 01:21 PM
#37
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Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Ive been trying to find scrap like that but no luck. I've heard a few horror stories about the gutter mounts, but I think if you have enough of em its not bad.
05-06-2013, 04:25 PM
#39
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Gutters being ripped out taking large amounts of body metal with them.
05-06-2013, 04:26 PM
#40
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Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Basically too few mounts too much weight, bending the gutters after hitting the rack on a tree or a rock, breaking through the gutters, doors hitting the mounts (that one is rare and not really a problem). But there are many more "bulletproof-sturdy" stories than issues with them. Just basically make sure they're in right and that they're not overloaded.
Sorry if I scared ya, they're definitely the most sturdy way to do it besides welding or bolting it directly to the roof.
Sorry if I scared ya, they're definitely the most sturdy way to do it besides welding or bolting it directly to the roof.
05-06-2013, 04:31 PM
#41
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Basically too few mounts too much weight, bending the gutters after hitting the rack on a tree or a rock, breaking through the gutters, doors hitting the mounts (that one is rare and not really a problem). But there are many more "bulletproof-sturdy" stories than issues with them. Just basically make sure they're in right and that they're not overloaded.
Sorry if I scared ya, they're definitely the most sturdy way to do it besides welding or bolting it directly to the roof.
Sorry if I scared ya, they're definitely the most sturdy way to do it besides welding or bolting it directly to the roof.
05-06-2013, 05:34 PM
#42
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Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: straight 6
Basically too few mounts too much weight, bending the gutters after hitting the rack on a tree or a rock, breaking through the gutters, doors hitting the mounts (that one is rare and not really a problem). But there are many more "bulletproof-sturdy" stories than issues with them. Just basically make sure they're in right and that they're not overloaded.
Sorry if I scared ya, they're definitely the most sturdy way to do it besides welding or bolting it directly to the roof.
Sorry if I scared ya, they're definitely the most sturdy way to do it besides welding or bolting it directly to the roof.
07-09-2013, 10:01 PM
#45
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I think I finally have all the welding done 
. Today I welded up my system for bolting down my spare and highlift. So I welded a bolt down to a plate running between two of the bars. A threaded rod can be screwed down into this bolt and the rod can then hold down the spare. Same basic system for the high lift. I have the highlift laying on its side inside the basket vs on the outside. Nice thing is, if I want the cargo room I can just unscrew the rods and have a clean, open rack. I'll get some pics of the stuff bolted down in case this isn't all that clear.
. Today I welded up my system for bolting down my spare and highlift. So I welded a bolt down to a plate running between two of the bars. A threaded rod can be screwed down into this bolt and the rod can then hold down the spare. Same basic system for the high lift. I have the highlift laying on its side inside the basket vs on the outside. Nice thing is, if I want the cargo room I can just unscrew the rods and have a clean, open rack. I'll get some pics of the stuff bolted down in case this isn't all that clear.
