Safari Roof Rack Install

[brownrxmd]

Since I've started my long distance travel one thing has become blatantly apparent I have no room in the cj. I am no means a neat freak but I can hardly stand it when things just roll around in my jeep. My ropes, air pump, jumper cables and maps have to be neatly stowed. Beside my seat I keep a small bag with a few wrenches a couple of screw drivers, electrical tap a knife just basic hand tools for little things. Behind my seat I keep my cooler my medical bag, pillow and blanket. Snacks are usually in the passenger seat in a shopping bag. Other than the bare necessities I don't want a lot of clutter. To give me a little extra room when I want to camp but not haul a trailer load of gear I installed a Roof Rack by Warrior Products. Model 857. I bought the rack from Morris 4x4. My biggest complaint was the amount of time it took to actually get the rack. Apparently it was being built by Warrior Products for over a month. Shipping was fast once the folks at Fedex got it.


The rack came in two large boxes. The packing was really good. In one box was the rack itself and the hardware. In the other box was the front and rear "hoops".


I assumed when I ordered the rack that the front hoop would be measured to fit the stock windshield frame of a CJ5 . So I had to remove my LED lights. Not such a big deal I plan on installing the lights on the rear of jeep.


The fit of the front hoop wasn't perfect. The bolt holes didn't line up perfectly but I was able to grind some of the edge off of the bracket and make them fit. The holes were spaced right but the leading edge of the bracket bottomed out in the windshield channel and I had to grind maybe an 1/8 of an inch off to make it work. Another thing I didn't like was that Warrior didn't use black grade 8 bolts. The silver bolts to me are an eyesore and something I'll have to replace.


The directions are pretty generic but easy to follow. Physically I only had myself to do the install definitely would be alot easier with two or more people.



To fit the rear hoop I moved the basket into place against the front hoop then slid the rear hoop into place on the back of the basket. I zipped tied the the front hoop to hold the basket in place.


This pic is kinda confusing but it is looking head on at the side bolts that hold the rear hoop in place. There is a backing plate on the inside of the jeep. I simply placed the top edge of the bracket alongside the top edge of the jeep tub and drilled.


After the hoops were in firmly in place I had to drill the holes in the hoops to keep the basket from moving. To do this I used a wedge to spread the basket from the hoops and drilled my holes that I marked. I could not reach the middle front basket bracket, I didn't feel like crawling across the front of my jeep, I'm old, I have bad knees, was 7 buds into the install, I'll get to it later.


There isn't a lot of space between the basket and my soft top and maybe there doesn't have to be if nothing moves. I am concerned that when the top billows from positive air pressure that the top will rub against the basket. I'll keep an eye on that.

The basket seems to be solid no wiggling at all. I now have a new hand grab when climbing into the jeep. The basket measure 45x45x5. I also bought a 15 cubic foot waterproof bag that fits in the basket to keep stuff dry when it's riding on top. It'll be nice if I can keep daily camping stuff up there. Next I want to buy a rack mounted tent or awning that attaches to the side of the rack.

 

[Petescj]

Ive always wanted a rack for the Cj but it just wont clear the garage door with the 35s. Plus with a Jeep lifted like mine Id need a ladder to load and unload it. Sometimes its the little details that stand out. I see what you mean about the bolts. I dont like the way they made you drill your tub for the rear hoop either. Ive seen other designs that go off the existing holes behind the tail lights. Thanks for the write up and update us after you get some use out of it.

 

[brownrxmd]

Ive always wanted a rack for the Cj but it just wont clear the garage door with the 35s. Plus with a Jeep lifted like mine Id need a ladder to load and unload it. Sometimes its the little details that stand out. I see what you mean about the bolts. I dont like the way they made you drill your tub for the rear hoop either. Ive seen other designs that go off the existing holes behind the tail lights. Thanks for the write up and update us after you get some use out of it.

I have 31's with a 2.5 inch lift and a couple of inch body lift. I thought I would have to air down the tires but it clears my storage garage door but just barely. I've seen some of these racks mount to the rear bumper, the Rugged Ridge Sherpa Rack mounts to the rear bumper. Body Armor makes one that mounts underneath the tub maybe to the frame. I don't know about mounting to the rear brake lights since the brake lights are plastic and you have to get these bolts really tight. I like the ones that bolt to rear bumper the best. I use my rear tire carrier/fuel racks as a step to climb up. I have it welded to the rear bumper and bolted to the tub. I'll let you know if it holds up to anything, It's gonna get a good test in just over a month.

 

[tarry99]

Tried this years back..........I hate to say it but with that roof rack loaded I think you will find out that it will create a very high top heavy COG along with losing what little aerodynamics in regards to fuel mileage and bucking air that CJ may have had previously........Short camping trips , Yes / Interstate , I doubt it.
We went back to using a trailer and inside did some creative storage boxes that kept things separated to the point you would not have to unload the Jeep just to find one thing. Fortunately your not carrying any passengers back there as that further complicates the space issue.

Building a CJ6 now....... that extra 20 inches makes a big difference!

 

[Peanut Butter]

I bought a set of these for my jeep:



There not for everyone, but I really like them. It gave me a lot of room for the small things I like to carry with me. The ones I got were black. They needed some help with the securing of the part you sit on. Now I have a water bag mounted, also a bag that holds my raingear in easy reach. Your mileage may vary. Rod

 

[Torxhead]

That looks good! but when you wheel in the trees you might want to take a chain saw with you.

 

[brownrxmd]

Tried this years back..........I hate to say it but with that roof rack loaded I think you will find out that it will create a very high top heavy COG along with losing what little aerodynamics in regards to fuel mileage and bucking air that CJ may have had previously........Short camping trips , Yes / Interstate , I doubt it.
We went back to using a trailer and inside did some creative storage boxes that kept things separated to the point you would not have to unload the Jeep just to find one thing. Fortunately your not carrying any passengers back there as that further complicates the space issue.

Building a CJ6 now....... that extra 20 inches makes a big difference!

I had a larger one on my 99 tj and when loaded down you could definitely feel it and that basket was much larger than this one. I generally pack pretty light when I go camping, last summer I took a trailer load because I was gone for 3 months. But I carried lots of extra non camping stuff like a set of new tires and the top box of my tool chest. In Feb I'm heading out driving from Homer Ak, down to Az I'm hauling my atv and everything else I don't ship outta here first. I don't plan on camping (-40 temps) so I'll have to prioritize what goes on the rack. I use large plastic black totes in my trailer. I carried 12 of them up full of stuff in my trailer. I would love to see pics of your CJ6 !

 

[brownrxmd]

I bought a set of these for my jeep:



There not for everyone, but I really like them. It gave me a lot of room for the small things I like to carry with me. The ones I got were black. They needed some help with the securing of the part you sit on. Now I have a water bag mounted, also a bag that holds my raingear in easy reach. Your mileage may vary. Rod

I have a set of those also. I love them I don't put anything in the drivers side seat but the passenger seat pockets are loaded. Mine even has a water bottle holder on the inner bolster. I think these are an awesome idea.

 

[brownrxmd]

that looks good! But when you wheel in the trees you might want to take a chain saw with you.

lmao!

 

[Petescj]

I hate to say it but with that roof rack loaded I think you will find out that it will create a very high top heavy COG.


Building a CJ6 now....... that extra 20 inches makes a big difference!

COG was another thing I was worried about as well. Ive decided on a CJ8 for all our camping trips. Probably pick it up the end of February to get it ready. May still pull a small (back 1/2 CJ7 ) trailer.

I bought a set of these for my jeep:



There not for everyone, but I really like them. It gave me a lot of room for the small things I like to carry with me. The ones I got were black. They needed some help with the securing of the part you sit on. Now I have a water bag mounted, also a bag that holds my raingear in easy reach. Your mileage may vary. Rod

Id forget whats in all those pockets.