Thanks! I definitely have plans for a few other projects on the jeep.
do you think i'll need to sand/grind it down at all before priming it? I just want to make sure it lasts

 

No sanding, grinding required. Just clean the oil off, and spray with the etching primer. Let cure fully, the spray the desired color.

 

sounds pretty neat, I'll have to look into it! I'm also getting some quotes for powder coating this week so if that's affordable I might go that route

 

Powder cost is the way to go if it fits your budget. Just make sure you have done all your welding, including future tabs for cb antenna,reverse lights ect.

 

I dropped the rack off at a local powder coat place today. It's going to be sandblasted and coated in a nice satin black, and Rick (the owner) gave me a great price! It's not like my cheap nature to have someone do something for me, but I want it to last and I'd probably have a good amount of cash and work into it just to get it prepped and painted anyway.

A couple days ago I picked up some cheap brake lights and welded on some tabs in the back to mount those on. I'll probably just wire them into the hatch light. I also got 4 KC 57 Series lights for the front!

Here's some photos of it mounted on the Jeep, finally. I'll have more on Monday when I pick up the finished rack from Rick.

 

That looks great man! can't wait to see it painted!

 

Thanks! I'm excited to see it too!

 

Looks really good man!

 

I'm not sure if anyone is still following this, but I finally was able to pick up my roof rack from the powder coat shop on monday (I had to take it back because the guy did a really bad job the first time). The finish still isn't perfect but it's good enough... And I think it looks great on the jeep











I love my KC 57 Series lights!


I also added two brake lights in the back. I still have to wire them up though.


And here's how I did the wiring for the KC lights...



I got everything on the roof in the right order


and then drilled a hole (I filled it with black silicone after this)


I ran the wires through the headliner and then down the weather strip inside the door jam...




From there, I ran the wires through the inside of the fender and into the engine bay through a nice hole that was already there


the relays are only a few inches away from the hole and the power source




not too bad, but I hate the look of messy wires in an engine bay...


then I ran the wires back into the car and up into the ash tray


and that's where the switches are


I also cleaned up the wires here and on the roof

 

Clean wiring. Nice attention to detail man.

 

thanks dude, I try my best to keep a nice clean look haha

 

Looks great! I like the additional brake lights

 

great job!~!
I am seriously thinking I need a roof rack for my XJ
Will you be wrapping the KC lights in wire loom?
BTW, where in MI?

 

Thanks guys!
I already wrapped up the wires on the roof (just didn't have a pic), and I'm in the Saginaw area

 

Great build thread bud! Nice work on all accounts... Keep it up!