installing Yakima Side-loader brackets ?
03-10-2020 | 12:18 PM
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Joined: Jan 2020
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From: Utah
Year: 2012
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 6 cyl
installing Yakima Side-loader brackets ?
Hello, I have a 2012 Grand Cherokee with stock roof rails and cross bars. I want to carry a small 12 ft boat up there, but the cross bars are too close together for good balance. I want to keep these stock rails on, and install some extra crossbar components, for occasional use, that are as far apart as possible. I have a Yakima Q tower that clamps to the front door so thats all good. The rear is another problem. The tapering bit of the stock rails go clear to the very end of the roof panel so there is no room to attach other brackets there (I have thought of trimming off some of the plastic tapering part to make room) . I am now looking at installing Yakima Side-Loader (artificial drip rail) brackets at the top of the D pillar and attaching Smittybilt drip rail brackets to that. Easy on and off as needed. The Yakima Side-loaders are sort of intended to be mounted on camper shells, with easy access inside, 2 through bolts (4 inches apart) , and a big backing plate. I pulled down the inside trim from that area on my GC and found huge complexity. Tapered, to joining, and very cramped, unibody sheet metal, no access for the forward through bolt, no room for the backing plate, and its all within inches of the side curtain airbag! I showed it to a body shop expert and he advised against doing this, but said if I was intent on doing it, to do the through bolt on the rear hole (where there is access and room for a big body washer) , and use a riv-nut (with no backing plate) on the front, and hope for the best. I admit I am a bit of a maverick and frequently try stuff that is considered a bad idea by the “main-stream”, and sometimes I am very happy with the results. Other times, not so much….. (my kids say they have my tombstone epitaph all ready… “It seemed like a good idea at the time!”) So has anyone ever tried this, and how did you do it? Thanks again for your help.
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