I just put a Kargo Master 60X50 Safari rack on my 97 XJ. I just attached it to the factory cross rails and bolted it down with square U-bolts. In it I have sitting a 31in spare tire on a steel wheel....it weighs 65lbs. I think the rack may weigh even more then that. So I think I am close to the factory "150lbs distributed" rating of the roof rails. How much stuff have you guys put on the factory cross bars? Also, does the 150lb rating apply to the cross bars or the rails themselves? My reason being, the rack is rated at 500lbs. I want to be able to put a bunch of stuff up there. So respond here, and vote in my poll.

 

In the poll, option one is supposed to read "Clamps on factory CROSS RAILS will be fine"

Tell me what kind of weight you have put on your setup and describe it in your post please.

 

i have a surco with the roof rail mounts (mount to the factory rails, NOT the crossbars) and i've had 400lbs on it no problem.

 

BUMP! Only 3 votes? Some of you guys have got to have something to say about this! 93XJLI, How big is your Surco rack? This is the 52X60. I am thinking about cutting it down to 48 so its not so wide. I'll post pics later today once I dig out of the snow.

 

here is my rack. not sure of the brand it was given to me, first I mounted it to the crossbars and put my spare tire in and watched the bars flex... no good. besides it sat up too high and looked funny. then i went to the rails. forgive the rust it's to cold outside here in the northeast to play with paint. I will paint them and the rack come springtime. the steel plates you see on top are the same as the ones that slide into the rail and 7/16 bolts slide in and lock right tight to the guides inside the rails on my 94 2-door.

 

Thanks for posting pics. I have a 97 so I have the newer style rails. I think the way I have it now will work...but it does look funny. It looks funny not only because it is up so high but it is SO WIDE. I got it used from a guy that had it on a Congo Cage on a Wrangler. It does not hang over the sides...but it is even with the drip rails. It looks a little to serious if that makes sense. It nees lights all over it and my jeep needs like 2 more inches of lift so I can look like I am really going on safari!

 

I would say since you have the newer style rails to go ahead and get a drip rail mount. I wouldnt trust the factory cross bars to take the weight of a rack and a tire and whatever else you might throw in there. especially when you consider all that weight and wind shear at highway speed

 

I guess I will bump again with photos on Monday. I'm really surprised I don't have more info by now. The thing is on there pretty sturdy. I might change it just to make it look nicer though.

 

Bump. I will post pics of how I have it setup tomorrow some time. Looking for more info on this.

 

Bump with pics. What do you guys think about this?

 

looks like a sexy rack but I must say that rdeskater's rack is much more proportional to the size of his jeep, yours just looks slightly to wide. Personal opinion of course

 

I agree. It is the largest one they offer at 52X60. I got it AND a wrangler Congo Cage for a rediculous price. Like...pooped myself when the guy told me what he wanted for it. I think I might cut it down to like 48in wide...not sure yet. The point was it was so cheap I could not pass it up so I am living with it being to wide. IT looks like I am REALLY going on freakin safari. I'm just not sure about the mounting.

 

BUMP! I'm thinking I need to do something because one of the factory bars looks like it is starting to come apart on the end. Also getting ready to add the weight of a better tire mount and a hi lift. How many of you are running a gutter mount? Please tell my why you went with it.

 

I would go with the gutter mount or different cross rails. the stock ones cant hold much weight, and just imagine the stress on them when you hit bumps in the road and that rack is bouncing up and down.