im planning on building my own roof rack. i want to be able to put a spindle on it for a full size spare and run some lights on it. are the stock mounting locations a good spot to put my creation on? for running wiring thru the roof any suggestions on placement and waterproofing?

 

Stock roof mounts aren't really up to the job of holding a spare tire in place. As for waterproofing I have no idea. I've never owned a Jeep that didnt leak.

 

depends what tire/rim. If he runs a smaller tire with an aluminum rim it will be fine.

 

Mount to your drip rails/rain gutter. The stock mounting location is not up to par.

 

I should clarify. Tires+rim will hold fine on the roof without doing damage.

But when you get in an accident that tire turns into a missle if its mounted by the stock rails. It'll rip right off the roof.

Happened to a guy I know through another forum, it ripped the cross bars right off the rails.

 

and just for comparison. I had my roof rack mounted to my gutters and i rolled mine and it was still attached dented the roof and rain gutters, yes. but stil attached.

 

True. But maybe its just a trail rig that doesn't see over 20mph, not saying a tire/rim coming at you at 20mph wouldn't be scary. haha

 

are you talking about making a full basket? or do you just want the lights on it and a tire?

 

Lol yeah if it didnt hit over 20mph I doubt there would be too big of a chance of it coming lose but whats scary is when it does. lol

Friend of mine built a roof basket that he called "Beefy" then mounted it to the stock cross bars, it slid off the front when he hit a rock. Slid down the windshield and onto his hood. lol. That was at crawl speed, he bumped over the rock and the force of up then quickly down ripped it off.

 

damn that sucks haha. what did you do? did the windshiend crack?

 

yea wouldn't recomend the stock rails for mounting just rip those things off try to either copy these or buy a set they are cheap
http://www.jcroffroad.com/Merchant2/...ry_Code=XJMISC
these will work alot better for you as far as running wires I have just drilled a hole through the roof and just goober the **** out of it with some silicone holds up pretty well

 

heres a good look at the drip rail mount would be pretty easy to fab

 

No but it left big scratches down it. We just lifted it back up top, emptied the basket into his back seat and told him he was a retard for having stuff up there when he had almost nothing INSIDE the jeep. lol

 

Deffinitly gutter mounts. I can sit on my 35" spare, on my roof rack, while drinkin a brew.

 

same. I also can fit an air mattress in my rack and sleep with someone on it. and then we have had 600lbs on the roof and it didnt flex.

gutter mounts for the win