I wanted cross rails for the occasional trip to Lowes. For less than $15 I assembled these, starting with an 8' 2x3 board. (I'm not much for metalworking.) Ripped off a corner to bevel the front surface. Sanded and sprayed black. Attached to rails with 4 pair small L-brackets with bolt and wingnut. I added a couple hooks on the back of each for attaching bungee cords. Cut out stencil to finish it off with "official" Jeep, in silver. Have more photos if there's interest in more details.
DIY Cross Rails: Start with a 2x3 ...
7Jeeps
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I wanted cross rails for the occasional trip to Lowes. For less than $15 I assembled these, starting with an 8' 2x3 board. (I'm not much for metalworking.) Ripped off a corner to bevel the front surface. Sanded and sprayed black. Attached to rails with 4 pair small L-brackets with bolt and wingnut. I added a couple hooks on the back of each for attaching bungee cords. Cut out stencil to finish it off with "official" Jeep, in silver. Have more photos if there's interest in more details.
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WOW, I wish you thought of this sooner. That came out awesome.
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I'd wonder about deflection over that span with any weight up there.
(you could rip the 2x in half, router out a channel in both halves that began and ended an inch in from ends, bed a steel rod into the channel, glue the board back together and proceed)
I managed to use my cross bars from my Suzuki but if I had to start from scratch and wanted to home build I'd think about square metal tube and a hacksaw if I didn't have a sawzall and a metal blade.
(you could rip the 2x in half, router out a channel in both halves that began and ended an inch in from ends, bed a steel rod into the channel, glue the board back together and proceed)
I managed to use my cross bars from my Suzuki but if I had to start from scratch and wanted to home build I'd think about square metal tube and a hacksaw if I didn't have a sawzall and a metal blade.
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I have read my manual, honest, but do not recall seeing a roof rail load limit anywhere.
Do you know what it is?
Do you know what it is?
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If I'm not mistaken, it's 150lbs.
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Per the 2008 manual:
"To avoid damage to the roof rack and vehicle, do not exceed the rated load capacity of your cross rail system or the roof rack system maximum load capacity of 150 lbs (68 kg). Always distribute heavy loads as evenly as possible and secure the load appropriately."
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"To avoid damage to the roof rack and vehicle, do not exceed the rated load capacity of your cross rail system or the roof rack system maximum load capacity of 150 lbs (68 kg). Always distribute heavy loads as evenly as possible and secure the load appropriately."
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If you search the [Exterior] forum for "roof," you'll find several discussions of the pros and cons of a variety of cross rails, e.g., OEM MOPAR, generic eBay and DIYs such as mine. I, too, preferred the rails on my previous XJs: thinner and easily moveable. Still, the Patriot roof rails are so short, there's little benefit to having cross bars that slide forward and aft. I had to have a little overhang on each end to attach the outboard L-brackets. One could bevel the end of the boards to reduce the profile. It would probably look better, too.
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353 Posts
I think these might be just what I'm looking for. At least these are as close as I've found. Anyone have these and can offer a review? Thanks.
http://performancedodge.stores.yahoo.net/jeparoracrra.html
Sorry Link would not embed.
OOPS! I guess it did.
http://performancedodge.stores.yahoo.net/jeparoracrra.html
Sorry Link would not embed.
OOPS! I guess it did.
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421 Posts
I bought the MOPAR factory rails and if I had to do it over again I would do exactly what 7Jeeps did. Years ago, I made a similar setup with 2x3s that I used on multiple vehicles for many years and it worked great. Attachment points are possible anywhere on the 2x3s and the strength and cost cannot be beat. Very safe also. imho.
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Such a different stuff! BTW, could the size be customizable? I actually seen bigger cross rails, which appear to accommodate more baggage around. The price is fair though, which is truly worthy as i took a glance on the appearance.
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"could the size be customizable?" Well, if you needed something stronger, then 2X4s could be used. Or perhaps add a 3rd rail in the middle. But keep in mind, the recommended max. carrying capacity of the roof rail system is only 150 lbs.
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163 Posts
How is the paint holding up on yours? I thought of adding a piece of chamfer to my ebay cross bars to cut down on noise, but I was worried about having to repaint them constantly.
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RE: "How is the paint holding up ...?" Ummm, yeah, about the paint. I'd say poorly. My original paint was just rattle-can black, w/o any primer. (I was in a hurry!) It quickly began to peel off. Plus, since I didn't seal the ends of the boards, the paint has failed there as well. The lesson: don't underestimate Mother Nature and the power of sun & rain. My do-over plan includes sealing end of boards, sanding off old paint, priming and brushing on coats of black enamel.
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