PDA

View Full Version : New roof rack on the way :)



saar
08-29-2013, 06:23 AM
Hi,

I started that roof rack with mixed emotions...
After 10 years with my Jeep, I thought about selling my XJ and buying a Land rover discovery TD5. I read a lot about it and it seems that for now I'll keep my XJ, so I had to build a new roof rack since we bought a new tent (pretty huge - coleman for 8 people :) )

So, here is the first picture while working on it. I will update the thread as the build will move on...

It came out pretty big: 1.7m X 1.3M (67" X 51")

http://www.jeepsallover.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=107&d=1377774878&stc=1

Saar.

4.3LXJ
08-29-2013, 10:13 AM
I think you made the right decision with keeping the XJ. Land Rovers are decent vehicles, but very expensive to fix, at least here. Good luck on the rack

BlueXJ
08-29-2013, 10:18 AM
Saar the rack looks very strong, Awesome project. I also agree with 4.3 that the decision to keep the XJ was a good one.

saar
08-29-2013, 11:56 AM
Hi,

Landrovers aren't cheap to maintain here as well, that is why I decided to keep the XJ (although, the parts are not too expensive, the problem is that it seems that you need a lot of cheap parts :) )

Regarding the rack,
It will be stronger than in the first picture, I will upload more images later (have to take them first :) ).
It should hold:
Spare tire
20 liters of water (5 gallons) tank
Hi lift
Tent
Chairs, mat and mattresses.
(I guess some more stuff too)

Thank you,
Saar

4.3LXJ
08-29-2013, 12:10 PM
That is the problem with the XJ Saar, if you have a family there is not enough room for the camping stuff. When it is just me, I travel light. But when the wife goes, even with the back seat folded down, it is loaded to the roof. Thinking about a rack too just for camping trips. We seem to be accumulating more gear

saar
08-29-2013, 12:21 PM
Well, I'm traveling with my wife and 2 kids...
so we look like that:
http://www.jeepsallover.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=108&d=1377796763&stc=1

Mudderoy
08-29-2013, 12:23 PM
Well, I'm traveling with my wife and 2 kids...
so we look like that:
http://www.jeepsallover.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=108&d=1377796763&stc=1

A little less color and you'd look like you were on the surface of the moon!

bluedragon436
08-29-2013, 01:03 PM
Glad you chose to stay with the XJ.. That new rack is looking good... Am going to work on trying to mount mine, as I didn't get any of the crossrails that are supposed to be used with it...

saar
09-01-2013, 01:12 PM
Few more pictures:

fitting the mounts:
http://www.jeepsallover.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=109&d=1378028061&stc=1

Connecting to the original rails:
http://www.jeepsallover.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=110&d=1378028064&stc=1

(welding is just to fix it in place - final welding will be on the ground, not on the Jeep :) )

The screws that holds the original rails:
http://www.jeepsallover.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=111&d=1378028068&stc=1

bluedragon436
09-01-2013, 01:33 PM
Looking good... Look forward to seeing how you do the final mounts once you are done with them..

saar
09-04-2013, 07:05 AM
Time for an update :)

The mounts:
Inner mount - connected to the original rails:
http://www.jeepsallover.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=114&d=1378296125&stc=1

External mount:
http://www.jeepsallover.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=113&d=1378296121&stc=1

Spare tire holder:
http://www.jeepsallover.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=112&d=1378296118&stc=1

Painted, ready to install (need one more man to lift it, it came out pretty heavy - I guess 30-40kg):
http://www.jeepsallover.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=115&d=1378296129&stc=1

TimmyTXJ
09-04-2013, 07:12 AM
Looks solid Saar! Great work!

EricT93
09-04-2013, 08:51 AM
Awesome looking rack sir!

EekGirl96
09-04-2013, 09:06 AM
Looking Good Saar!!!

;)

oderdene
09-04-2013, 09:48 AM
well built, thanks for sharing bro. waiting installed photos. please do not forget photos showing mounting details

saar
09-05-2013, 01:22 PM
Thank you :)
Some more photos:

Mounting to the original rail:
http://www.jeepsallover.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=117&d=1378404836&stc=1

Location of the "External" mounts (not assembled yet):
http://www.jeepsallover.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=118&d=1378404840&stc=1

Final look:
http://www.jeepsallover.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=116&d=1378404833&stc=1

There are total of 5 mounts on each side, 3 internal, connected to the original rails and 2 external.

Missing:
1. external mounts image
2. loaded picture :)