Roof Rack

[FZJ80ismybaby]

ok, so here goes...

ive been looking around on here, and am wondering which roof rack is the bast/ can hold the most weight, and doesnt tower above the truck making it look, well... odd. im stuck beteen Defender, Wilderness, Yakima, Thule, Etc.

please help me make a decision.

 

[2mbb]

Strength to weight ratio, low profile, functional...look no farther than the African Outback roof rack sold by Slee Offroad.

Slee - Roof Racks

 

[krookedpandas]

I liked my wilderness but it was heavy and didn't like trees to much. I've tried to sell it but its pretty mangled from the Texas brush.

 

[NLXTACY]

If they were available anymore I'd say INTI

 

[Luke111]

ARB Rack

Don't forget ARB they have great racks. I was talking to Cam at IPOR and he told me ARB will have a new aluminum rack available. You might give him a call.

Lou

 

[askeyey]

my .02...everything I've owned from Yakima has been great until the first winter....then everything rusts to hell and stops working. I would not buy Yakima products again. My Thule racks hold up very well. I have a surco roof rack and that is hanging in great.

 

[FZJ80ismybaby]

on the slee rack, do you have to get the one that has the sunroof hatch, or is there a seperate one for the 62 or 60 that i'm somehow not seeing when i look at it?

 

[2mbb]

on the slee rack, do you have to get the one that has the sunroof hatch, or is there a seperate one for the 62 or 60 that i'm somehow not seeing when i look at it?

If you get the full length rack, all they have is one with the sun roof hatch.

 

[5280Hawk]

I have a Wilderness Rack on my 60 and it is Stout! the Attachmets are very good, it holds a Ton of stuff. I welded in a expanded metal floor into mine.

 

[Trapper50cal]

I imagine this is NOT what you're looking for but just for visual reference....
The biggest Defender available for the 60...

By trapper50cal, shot with EX-Z60 at 2008-12-21

 

[2LCs]

I've got the Wilderness and I love it... It's been on over 5 years and still solid and stout. I got a custom nylon webbed tarp with aligator straps for it so it can carry anything.

 

[FZJ80ismybaby]

well i was looking at the Defender the most, i havent got a price, but i really like all the accessory mounts on it for lights and such, why not Defender?

 

[Trapper50cal]

well i was looking at the Defender the most, i havent got a price, but i really like all the accessory mounts on it for lights and such, why not Defender?

Big & Towering & Odd

 

[jmkfj60]

Who do you get the Wilderness Racks from?

 

[FZJ80ismybaby]

Who do you get the Wilderness Racks from?

spectre off road... sor.com

 

[FZJ80ismybaby]

cant you get shorter mounting brackets for the defender?

i must say that i like the slee rack, yes its pricey, but it looks like it can hold some good weight, and it hugs the roof quite nice. i dont like towering racks. low profile is good

 

[Trapper50cal]

My brackets lower to about 5.25" which actually is only an inch away from the roof in the middle. That's the issue with the tallness on the sides, the overall arch of the roof...

 

[jfnall]

i have a Wilderness rack, full length. very stout. my only complaint with the design is the fact there is not a "floor" in it. I welded in some extra bracing and a floor of perforated metal. strong enough to stand on. Had it sprayed with Armorthane bedliner too.

this rack came with the truck, and then i did the extras. if i were to buy one new, I would look seriously at the one 2mbb has on his truck.

as far as a dealer for wilderness, call them directly and see if you could by one. I have bought parts directly. Garvin Industries.
Garvin Industries Wilderness Roof Racks, Accessories, cargo rack for Jeep, SUV, Truck, 4x4, Off Road storage

could also check a local 4x4 supply guy and maybe save a bundle on shipping. they are VERY heavy. impossible to take off for 1 man. i have a hoist and it is still extremely difficult by myself.

jeff

 

[JoeCanadian]

go to your local fab shop. custom it the way. i fabbed up a rack got my rig, for loading 25 foot railing sections on. we can make you what ever you want at
CLIMAX WELDING 250-202-4644

 

[DBS311]

I also had the full length Wilderness rack and loved it. Very strong and great dimensions (they are available in 4" and 6" heights). As already mentioned, the knocks against it are weight (110 lbs.) and the crappy "floor kit" that Garvin produces for it. If I were doing it again, I'd get something aluminum like the AO rack from Slee or the Frontrunner from Equipt. I believe Hannibal and Eezi-Awn also have racks but I'm not sure who imports those. Don't forget, the aluminum racks are $$$$$$.

For those on the east coast, 4x4Connection has good prices for the Wilderness racks.

I posted earlier about Aluminess having a sweet aluminum rack on clearance for $795. It's lightweight and stout.
http://www.aluminess.com/closeout.htm