2-Door Rocklander Rack System

[dirtwheeler]

I'm thinking about getting the 2-Door Rocklander Rack System (https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-2-door-pro-rack-system.html). I'm curious if there's anyone that has this system and what their thoughts are on it.

I'd add on the brackets for my stock metal rear bump. I'd also add the "JL Wrangler Tube Kat Walk" and "Front Lower Pod Light Mounts". The price as configured for this comes out to $2,781.

I plan to put a gear basket of some sort on it (haven't picked one out yet), and maybe a roof-top tent eventually. I'm just looking for opinions from folks that might have personal experience with this rack system before I spend the money and time on it. The main thing I like about this one over other ones I've seen is the high static and dynamic load capacities, which gives me more options later. It also looks fairly straightforward to put on and take off if I need to (all bolt on). I've also been pretty happy with my other Metalcloak purchases - lift and skid plates (I think the "ARS" brand is owned by Metalcloak - not sure though).

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[AmericanPatriot100]

I don’t have opinions on the rack system cause I don’t have one but that’s a sick looking rack for our 2drs. I think GOBI makes a rack system for 2drs also. My buddy has it for his grand Cherokee WK2 and a roof top tent.

 

[dirtwheeler]

I don’t have opinions on the rack system cause I don’t have one but that’s a sick looking rack for our 2drs. I think GOBI makes a rack system for 2drs also. My buddy has it for his grand Cherokee WK2 and a roof top tent.

I don't see a gobi frame like the one Metalcloak/ARS makes but maybe I'm missing it. Gobi makes some basket style roof racks I might check out later though.

 

[Nosivadbor]

there are a lot of downsides to that ARS rack system. I think the Maximus3 is much more sleek and practical, with the only downside being you have to drill the roof.

https://www.maximus-3.com/product-page/jl-2-door-roof-rack-system-52110f

 

[dirtwheeler]

there are a lot of downsides to that ARS rack system. I think the Maximus3 is much more sleek and practice , with the only downside being you have to drill the roof.

https://www.maximus-3.com/product-page/jl-2-door-roof-rack-system-52110f

What are the downsides? I'll check out the maximus3

 

[Nosivadbor]

What are the downsides? I'll check out the maximus3

1) price
2) a lot of extra weight above the roof vs competing racks.
3) greater wind noise vs other racks.
4) ARS uses relatively large tube, and industry standard components for roof racks need adapters
5) overall vehicle height may Limit fitting in a garage.
6)complex mounting, may limit what rear bumper you can run.


benefits are
it’s no drill into the roof
the length of the platform may be appreciated
unmatched weight capability
looks bad ass

 

[OminousSkitter]

What are the downsides? I'll check out the maximus3

This one doesn’t matter to most people, but for me it’s just one more thing to collect snow/ice and makes it harder to clear it off.

If you don’t want a pioneer platform, Maximus-3 might sell just their brackets if you call them, and unistrut fits for the crossbars.

 

[Ratbert]

I don’t have opinions on the rack system cause I don’t have one but that’s a sick looking rack for our 2drs. I think GOBI makes a rack system for 2drs also. My buddy has it for his grand Cherokee WK2 and a roof top tent.

Gobi's is significantly wimpier. That's evident when you look at two Wranglers with ARS' and Gobi's side by side.

 

[Ratbert]

1) price
2) a lot of extra weight above the roof vs competing racks.
3) greater wind noise vs other racks.
4) ARS uses relatively large tube, and industry standard components for roof racks need adapters
5) overall vehicle height may Limit fitting in a garage.
6)complex mounting, may limit what rear bumper you can run.


benefits are
it’s no drill into the roof
the length of the platform may be appreciated
unmatched weight capability
looks bad ass

Another pain point is that replacing a windshield requires disassembling part of it, especially if you have a kat walk.

I'm not sure that the larger tubes count as a disadvantage. I appreciate that they're so damn beefy / rugged, especially when you bump a tree with it.

 

[AmericanPatriot100]

Gobi's is significantly wimpier. That's evident when you look at two Wranglers with ARS' and Gobi's side by side.

Right on. I was going to add that he is sponsored by GOBI but I got distracted and hit post. I’ve heard of gobi but never heard of the ARS rack but it looks way beefier than any of the ones I’ve seen in person. Which are probably gobi because they don’t look super stout. 2 of the ones I’ve seen in person had minor bends on a used wrangler. One of them was on a 2dr JK my wife was in love with. We saw it online with the rack. In person it we saw it was on there because it was removed due to safety concerns with structural integrity but they did say that all the welds were still in tact. Not sure the make on that one.

 

[jpribe]

I have one on my 4 door. It's bulky, yes. I had to remove the hoop around the windshield to get new glass, yes. I haven't experienced any obnoxious wind noise. It does have extruded aluminum rails if you add the platform, which I used to add tie downs and whatnot. I bought it due to the overbuilt nature of it (I do maintenance on our rentals).

It is expensive, yes. But, I carried a dozen 6 foot fence panels on top of it no problem. I can walk on it no problem. Throw anything I can lift up there and strap it down and I know it isn't moving.

Pics for your viewing pleasure.

 

[dirtwheeler]

I have one on my 4 door. It's bulky, yes. I had to remove the hoop around the windshield to get new glass, yes. I haven't experienced any obnoxious wind noise. It does have extruded aluminum rails if you add the platform, which I used to add tie downs and whatnot. I bought it due to the overbuilt nature of it (I do maintenance on our rentals).

It is expensive, yes. But, I carried a dozen 6 foot fence panels on top of it no problem. I can walk on it no problem. Throw anything I can lift up there and strap it down and I know it isn't moving.

Thanks. I appreciate the feedback. I'm still leaning toward this one. Will probably order soon. The only downside (from what others posted) that will be a little annoying is the additional height for getting in the garage. But I usually keep this vehicle in the driveway.

 

[3TV]

I have one on my 4 door. It's bulky, yes. I had to remove the hoop around the windshield to get new glass, yes. I haven't experienced any obnoxious wind noise. It does have extruded aluminum rails if you add the platform, which I used to add tie downs and whatnot. I bought it due to the overbuilt nature of it (I do maintenance on our rentals).

It is expensive, yes. But, I carried a dozen 6 foot fence panels on top of it no problem. I can walk on it no problem. Throw anything I can lift up there and strap it down and I know it isn't moving.

Pics for your viewing pleasure.

Great pictures. These show what the Metalcloak rack is going to look like better than other pictures I have seen.

So, comparing the Metalcloak rack system to the others, I think the Metalcloak system has the edge. It is beefy, strong, and has a solid mounting system that can be reversed without altering the vehicle. I especially like that catwalk feature.

I had a roof rack on a TJ back in the day, and after a year or so I decided I didn't want it anymore. But if I removed it I was left with holes in the hard top that I had drilled to install it in the first place. So, I kept the roof rack and just lived with it, even though I had decided I didn't want it.

The other roof rack that has been shown that requires drilling holes in the roof and has a lower profile looks out of place on a Jeep in my opinion. It is too fragile and wimpy looking.

 

[doc_riverz]

I'm thinking about getting the 2-Door Rocklander Rack System (https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-2-door-pro-rack-system.html). I'm curious if there's anyone that has this system and what their thoughts are on it.

I'd add on the brackets for my stock metal rear bump. I'd also add the "JL Wrangler Tube Kat Walk" and "Front Lower Pod Light Mounts". The price as configured for this comes out to $2,781.

I plan to put a gear basket of some sort on it (haven't picked one out yet), and maybe a roof-top tent eventually. I'm just looking for opinions from folks that might have personal experience with this rack system before I spend the money and time on it. The main thing I like about this one over other ones I've seen is the high static and dynamic load capacities, which gives me more options later. It also looks fairly straightforward to put on and take off if I need to (all bolt on). I've also been pretty happy with my other Metalcloak purchases - lift and skid plates (I think the "ARS" brand is owned by Metalcloak - not sure though).

I have it in my garage ready to install. I’ll get back to you when I do.

 

[doc_riverz]

I don't see a gobi frame like the one Metalcloak/ARS makes but maybe I'm missing it. Gobi makes some basket style roof racks I might check out later though.

The Gobi racks touch the body and rub the paint. Reportedly.

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