I have been wondering about roof racks for the future. Ive looked a few different ones. It seems like the ones with full coverage of the roof are either super expensive or really flimsy.

Does anybody have any suggestions on some to look at? Or where to look?

 

Plan on making my own for those exact reasons.

 

Why do you want one?

 

to hold a spare tire and other random things

 

Not a good place for a spare makes the XJ top heavy and hard to get the tire up/down from rack.

Been there done that once, then bought a swing out tire carrier bumper. I use the rack for lighter weight items like camping gear and the like.

 

i was thinkin it would be heavy up there. I also want to put some lights on the front of it

 

Carr brand makes a light bar that bolts on and you can mount whatever lights you to want to it.For 649 bucks you can get a rear bumper with a tire carrier http://www.jcroffroad.com/product/XJ/XJAC.html

 

I already have a smittybilt rear bumper but thanks. And yeah idk if I want just a light mount. The roof racks just look good to me

 

If its a daily driver a roof rack will knock a mpg or two off if that matters to you.

 

it is my daily but i only drive about 25-30 miles a day round trip. And in going to be getting about 6 inches of lift and 33s soon so mpgs are going to go down anyhow

 

I plan to build something like jmu427 is in the process of building. Just a place to mount lights front, rear and maybe sides. Also, carrying longer length materials such as metal or lumber won't be such a hassle either. It will also serve as a place to strap down kayaks or other gear for longer trips.

Like you my jeep is my DD and the rack will serve more function than most use theirs. I do not plan to carry the spare up there or the jack. That is why I want just a low profile or possibly no side rails rack.

 

I'm happy with my surco, I have had a bunch of scrap metal in it and holds well. They mount to the factory roof rack

 

what size is that? And do they make a longer one or an extension?

 

That's the main reason I want a roof rack. When I worked in television, I used to drive microwave trucks with 360° scene lighting. We used them a lot more than I would have expected. Sometimes I wish I had them on the XJ.

I haven't found a commercial rack I really like yet, so I was thinking of buying lights first and building my own rack around them. The only other thing I want to put up there is a set of those traction boards for getting out of sand and mud.

 

Yeah those things look pretty helpful. Part of my reason for a rack too.