I have a 1990 Jeep Cherokee with a factory Roof Rack. I purchased a 39 x 65 roof rack to put on it. it looks ... ok. However... I am concerned that my 30 yr old rails will not hold much wieght. Do you have any suggestions for ribs that would fit in the same track? I saw a jeep or a photo recently where the person had acquired probably close to 10 ribs to put on thier jeep. Well there are not a lot of 90's around to take racks from.. it appears my 90 rack is different from some of the newer racks. Idea?? hacks? Has anyone taken a rack from a new ZJ and put them on ??

-H

 

Your roof rack rails are held on by "Well Nuts" that have probably never been replaced. So the rubber on them is more than likely old, and coming apart?
You could replace all of them very easily, or you could replace them with Rivenuts?
Rivenuts would hold the factory rails pretty well, depending on what your plans are for your roof basket?

 

Try and find some aftermarket rails that fit the factory one...??? Not an entire kit, just the slide rails. I'm sure its safe to add2 or 3 more, then have evenly distributed weight in the rack.

Maybe a junk yard? Its possible you can call around and see if they will put their eyes on a set out in the yard still on an XJ... and not just guess at it.

I'm gonna pick up a cargo rack soon and I didnt even think about the factory rails not being able to hold whatever I put up top. Of course, I wasn't planning on packing half my house up there either... Spare tire, cooler, sleeping bags.... the larger items.

The outside edges of the roof is much stronger than the center, hence the rails attach to the edges and is bowed upwards to prevent the rails from bending down under pressure.