Safari Roof Rack Install
brownrxmd
Jeeper
- Posts
- 100
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- Location
- Wittmann, Az
- Vehicle(s)
- 1980 Jeep Cj5.
5.3 Vortec
SM465 transmission
D300 Transfer
3.07 gears
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.

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.