Ideas for a rack

[GGINN]

I am looking for ideas on adding a rack to my YJ. I cannot utilize the rear area, as I often have passengers riding in back. Any suggestions as to what works and what doesn't. Does a top mounted rack mean trouble on the trail, considering the terrain we wheel in. Trees etc. Does anyone utilize a rear rack and if so how bout some feedback. Just looking for way to make the YJ more comfortable while were out wheelin. As you guys know, they don't have much room inside to carry gear and such :confused:

Thanks,

Greg

[78cj7]

Greg, any roof rack will get hung up on the trails. The best rack would be a bumper or hitch mounted one, the only reason I would go for a bumper mounted over the hitch is the bumper style will decrease your departure angle and possibly impede recovery as well.

[GGINN]

Yes, that logic works for me. I think I am going to sketch up something for a rear rack and make it myself. I value the input.

Thanks,
Greg

[RangerPaul]

Hey Greg,

Is your spare mounted on the rear door? If so, you could try something like this:

http://www.quadratec.com/Assets/Images/42524/42524-lg.jpg

[Ggg]

Nice photoshop-ing Paul. I bet something very similar could be fabricated ourselves.
Greg what exactly are you thinking of stowing away on this rack? That will give all of us some idea of how big it needs to be.

[Hickory94]

I am looking for ideas on a rack.
Thanks,

Greg

I like double D's :crzy: :idea:

[78cj7]

Not top be the doubting Thomas :ras: but I am not sure that particular rack would work well for long:crz: . The issues I see are that the rear tailgate was never designed for the weight. If you have a larger tire there you are already past design and if you add weight on the rack you are compounding the issue:mad2: . When you are on a trail it would be worse than on a road because the constant jarring from the trails would weaken the tailgate over time and make unusable:idea: .

Now if it were tied in at the top to the roll bar it would help as the rollbar could support some of the weight and stiffen up the entire structure :nya:

[Smirty]

I'm with Brian on the weight thing on the rear door. I had a 32" BFG hanging off mine and it didnt bend the door but it was significantly heavier than than the stock tire. When I hit bumps on the trail, you could see it jar up and down a bit. I could only imagine if I had a rack on there with a cooler of beer (100-150lbs)...I might get thirsty:nya: .

[GGINN]

Hey thanks for all the input. I really need something to stow gear while on the trail. When we have passengers, it gets crowded very quickly. I was thinking a rear rack like Paul mentioned, but I think I would like more room. I am still leaning on something like the roof rack. At one point in time, I imagined a rack that I could readily take on and off. One that would not be too permanent. There are alot of options. If you have the money. I guess I'm still going to have to stew on this one. Thanks everyone.

Greg

[RangerPaul]

Nice photoshop-ing Paul. Can't take credit for that, I just linked to a picture at Q$$dr@t3c. :nya:

[Ggg]

Greg how about a Bantam trailer. You could carry a lot of stuff in there including LOTS of BEER, nice cold BEER, MMmmmm.:idea: Could mke it into a "kegerator".
I found one that would fit Greg's needs well, knowing he likes bicycles.
http://www.boyink.com/splaat/bantam-trailer/

[GGINN]

Bikes and beer. What else do you need to carry while out on the trail. Thats pretty cool Greg. I think I found what I'm lookin for on a Ford Explorer web site. I'm going to hit Menards and price up some materials. And if I cant find a way to mount this idea to my Wrangler, I may have to break down and buy an XJ :)

Greg

[Ggg]

Post a link G lets see it.

[78cj7]

Remember Greg I have a garage and tools (bender and welder) we could always make something as well

[GGINN]

Lemme find it, and I will post it. This idea is for the basket only. I will have to make up some mounts.

Greg

[GGINN]

Well dog gone it. Looked thru my history log and can't find the page. Sorry. Will keep trying. Thanks for the great offer Brian. I may take you up on that sometime. I'll let you guys know what I come up with. I have a friend with a TJ that wants to do the same thing. Were butting our heads together, and trying to figure this thing out. We are both machinists, and have access to material and machines to fab something up, just don't have it all together yet.

Greg