Hi,

New person here and looking for some advice. I tried to search the threads but didn't see any that discussed my specific question so, I thought I post something.

I'll start with some basic info. My 16 year old son just bought his first vehicle - a 1998 Jeep Cherokee 4 door, 2wd, 4.0, with only 95k miles on it. Has some issues that we need to fix, but it should last him years if he treats it well. (I'm not very mechanically inclined, so this will be a great father & son project)

Ok, now to my question. The one thing his Jeep needs is a roof rack, but it doesn't have one, not even the 'standard' roof racks that comes with just about every Jeep. He needs/wants this so he can put his surfboards on top when going to the beach.

So.... I need some advice. Would it be better to purchase some after market roof racks that can attach to the rain-gutter-like lip around the edge of the roof (sorry , I don't know the technical term, I hope you know what I mean) or go to the local j/y and take some of the 'standard' racks off and install by drilling holes in the roof and then using silicone to seal the holes?

We have to take the headline/headboard down anyway and reupholster due to sagging so we'll have full access to both sides of the roof. My main concern is leaking. I started to take some of the racks off at the j/y and noticed that where they are drilled into the roof, it's raised about 1/8" or so, I'm guessing that's to help prevent water from getting in.

One reason I'm considering this option is due to cost. We can get them at the j/y pretty cheap, but the after market ones I've seen online, see pretty expensive, $150-$300. And since it's my son's Jeep, and I'm trying to teach him financial responsibility, he's going to be paying for these, so again, cost is an issue.

Any help/advice is greatly appreciate. And if you have any questions I'll do my best to answer them.

thanks in advance.

Hammer

 

Is the Jeep missing the runners on the side or is it only missing the bars that go across the top? Most people install their roof racks using gutter mounts which use the gutter system and don't require use of the stock rack anyway. If you don't understand what I am saying I can go take a picture to show you.

 

Post a picture. I think that will make things more clear.

 

The roof doesn't have the runners/tracks that the cross bars go into. It does have the gutters so I know I can buy some racks and install that way, but I was looking to save money. The Yakima racks cost $200-$250 so I was looking to save by getting the runners/tracks and crossbars from a j/y for $50 or so and installing.

 

That sounds like it will work fine.

 

It's all on personal preference and budget. The stock ones at a junkyard should be fine. They can hold up to 150 pounds. Just be liberal with that silicone. Aftermarket ones using gutter mounts can hold around 300 pounds but get pricey. You should look at www.discountracks.com they seem to be the cheapest option. Also look on local Craigslist and think outside the box. I have a roof basket mounted on my stock bars. Found it on Craigslist for cheap under "Tahoe Accessories" posting.

 

thanks for the advice.

ROH

 

Yeah factory roof rack should suit your son fine. Speaking of fiscal responsibility, have you guys check Craigslist for your area? I know Yakima has a system just for securing surf boards, maybe someone's trying to move their old one. Every Jeep owner ends up using Craigslist anyway (well, and the junkyard!)

 

I have roof racks, and for me is easier to put my boards inside the jeep, they just fit right, and in case I take more than 1, it's safer.