ChippyDiese1

I found a great deal on a Thule Hullivator and bars, however, I could not find anything suggested for an install on a cherokee with factory roof racks. Thules web site suggest you use gutter mounts. Seeing as I already have a bit of rust forming on my gutter mounts I wanted to avoid this option (as well as the 200 dollar price tag). What I got had the car style bases and I figured I could make that work some how.

I removed the factory rack and bar system but wanted to keep the factory rack because they look a helk of a lot better than stupid gutter mounts IMO. I mocked up the mounts I got with the racks, measured, and drilled some holes. You will see I originally wanted 3 mounting bolts on each mount but the box tube style rack made the back one near impossible to get to without drilling a hole in the back (I didn't want to compromise the structural integrity so opted not to). After a long game of operation getting the lock nuts in place on the outer two bolts, it is plenty stout.

If you have a kayak your loading on a lifted XJ, especially a heavy one like I have, the Hullivator is a great piece of engineering that makes loading way easier. There are plenty of videos on youtube on how it operates. I included a few pictures, feel free to ask any questions.