Roof rack install pictures. Half DIY basket and Factory OEM roof rails

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Giant Rock

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I ask a bunch of dumb questions around these parts and really appreciate the help. I don't have much value to offer but thought I could at least post about this roof rack I installed.

I wanted to install the factory roof rails (I bought them on Ebay for like $250) plus add a basket up front that could hold a full size 33inch spare tire plus some fuel and things like a shovel. Most roof baskets were not wide enough but I finally found one that was the perfect width. In order for it fit along with the Factory Roof rails I needed to install the rails farther back than I believe they come normally. It took me awhile to figure out how to mount it but eventually found these awesome Gutter Mounts by Smittybilt. Also your standard roof rack bars from companies like Thule and Yakima are insanely expensive. I opted to by a 10ft long piece of Superstrut from Home Depot for like $20 bucks which I then cut to fit and sprayed with bed liner, works perfectly and is strong as heck.

Now that it's all installed I couldn't be happier. Thanks so everyone here who helped along the way.

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skysurfer

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Fine work! Just remember when loading up the front basket that the gutter rails are held on by screws and not welded to the body. Should be fine for the things you posted though.
 

TubeTruck

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Looks really good! Now you just need the ladder that goes on the back door.

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NCBurb

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sweet! Where did you get that ladder? And also is all the weight of that on those little trim pieces over the doors? Will those hold?
 

TubeTruck

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That's a pic I found online. I can't find those ladders anywhere. I know Smittybuilt used to make them but they are pretty much Jeepers now.
 

rpcraft

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Looks really good! Now you just need the ladder that goes on the back door.

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I'm somewhat curious what the setup is on the rear portion of that carrier? I'm not as familiar with the Burbs as I am a K5 but looking to maybe setup one in the future similarly. Thanks!
 

NCBurb

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That's a pic I found online. I can't find those ladders anywhere. I know Smittybuilt used to make them but they are pretty much Jeepers now.
Rats. I used to see those all the time on the back of those conversion vans that were all over the place in the 70s and 80s...I wonder if you could cut one of those down, if you could even find one...
 

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