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2 Door Roof Rack Options

Paul19JLR

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Where are the installation instructions? I'm trying to figure out where the rack is attached. Will I need to drill new holes in the Jeep to install? Can the hard top be removed while the rack is in place? Is the rack compatible with a soft or bikini top?
It's not compatible with a soft top. You could maybe get away with a sun shade. It's easy to remove. Just a few extra bolts.
All the mounting brackets use existing threaded holes in the sport bar.
IMG_20200807_100053417_BURST000_COVER~2.jpg
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Boatbuilder88

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Hi guys

Any 2 doors running any sort of Roof Rack right now? I cant seem to find anything, except maybe the Mopar rails, which I also cant quite tell if they will work on the 2 door. Also people seem to complain about whistling.

There are other brands like http://www.rhinorack.com/en-us/products/roof/roof-racks/vortex/vortex-sg-black-2-bar-roof-rack_sg59, but none of them say they fit the 2 door.

Is this because the rails cant be fitted to the removable part of the roof, making the roof too small?
Hooke Road racks look the same as the Rhino Rack Vortex SG2 racks. (Probably made in the same Chinese factory.) $130 on Amazon. I mounted them on the rear section of the hardtop. They are light duty racks (snowboards, small cargo box) but they do seem pretty solid.

Jeep Wrangler JL 2 Door Roof Rack Options 20201011_172651
 

Pibou

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Maximus-3 has been engineering roof rack solutions since 2014, so we know a thing or two. With all due respect I don't think you are a roof rack expert.

The Maximus-3 JL 2 Door Roof Rack System has been tested with a static load of over 900-pounds. To my knowledge, our system is the strongest in market thanks to its mounting system which fully transfers/distributes the load to our heavy-duty internal brace brackets - mounted to the sportsbar "aka factory roll bar."

The hardtop is just sandwiched between internal and external load bearing brackets. There are thousands of Maximus-3 Roof Rack Systems in the field with zero-reported catastrophic failures - nor damage to hardtop. Our rack systems have even fared well in roll over situations. This system may be too much for you, but some people need to carry more than 150 LBS and that's why we created this high capacity system.
Hi,
Where is it possible to buy your Roof Rack System In Europe, near Luxembourg or Brussels?
Do you have a dealer there?
Thanks for answer.
 

Obi.Wan.Shawnobi

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I send my 2dr into Front Runner on the 1st so they can test for a full length rack. I've been waiting for something like this and hopefully soon, they will have a solution. Go check out the 4 dr or gladiator pics to how it looks.
 

dtortie

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I send my 2dr into Front Runner on the 1st so they can test for a full length rack. I've been waiting for something like this and hopefully soon, they will have a solution. Go check out the 4 dr or gladiator pics to how it looks.
Will this be a backbone-type (drill into roof) setup?
 

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Here's my report for the SMS Auto Parts' Exposed Racks 2-Racks system for 2018+ JL (2 Dr) / JLU / JT (4 Dr) Hardtop.

I chose this system because it looked like it would meet my needs:

1. Easy to install and take down (if necessary)
2. Can support carrying a RTT in the future in case I need to.
3. Can be installed with a soft-top in case I get a soft-top in the future.

I ordered through George @SMS Auto Parts during the ordering process and he was very courteous and helpful!

This is what I purchased:
The 2 crossbars rack system: (I will get another crossbar in the future if I decide to get a RTT)
https://www.smsparts.com/product-page/8-00-9755-bk-m-f-jl-jlu-hard-top-pkg-txt-blk


Support feet: (to spread weight evenly across the crossbar / hard-top)
https://www.smsparts.com/product-page/8-00-9915-1-5-ss-feet-for-o-land-xbars

Click-in Brackets (B18): (for possible use in the future for a RTT or a cargo basket)
https://www.smsparts.com/product-pa...racket-3-8-x4-5-5-16-bolt-holes-sits-parallel

These items were FedEx to me and I received them within a 5 days from ordering (including weekends).

This is what it looked like when unboxed:

Jeep Wrangler JL 2 Door Roof Rack Options 20201011_172651
Jeep Wrangler JL 2 Door Roof Rack Options 20201011_172651
Jeep Wrangler JL 2 Door Roof Rack Options 20201011_172651


The crossbars are stored in the long black tubes you see in picture #2. Overall, items were very securely packaged.

Close up shot of the support feet:
Jeep Wrangler JL 2 Door Roof Rack Options 20201011_172651


Installation was very straight forward and the provided installation instructions were easy to follow. Came with hex wrenches for installation but you will need a regular adjustable wrench for install as well.

I did encounter a small issue with one of the bolts that attaches the crossbar to the bracket that sits on the gutter. Not sure if the issue is with the bolt being out of spec or the bracket being out of spec, but I couldn't tighten it completely and I most likely cross-threaded the bolt and nut. I worked with George @SMS Auto Parts and he will be shipping me replacement bolt and bracket.

This is what it looks like installed:
Jeep Wrangler JL 2 Door Roof Rack Options 20201011_172651
Jeep Wrangler JL 2 Door Roof Rack Options 20201011_172651

Jeep Wrangler JL 2 Door Roof Rack Options 20201011_172651
Jeep Wrangler JL 2 Door Roof Rack Options 20201011_172651

Jeep Wrangler JL 2 Door Roof Rack Options 20201011_172651

I didn't know how high the crossbars would sit but after installation,
they actually have very low profile!!! I really like that look. I measured the distance from the rooftop (at center) to the top of the crossbars and it was approximately 1.5"!

No noticeable increase in wind noise that I could discern with the crossbars installed.

We will be using it to carry the Thule Force L 628 cargo box for a ski trip next weekend so we'll see how it goes with the cargo box.
Jeep Wrangler JL 2 Door Roof Rack Options 20201011_172651


Hope this helps those looking for rack system for a 2-Door JL.

Jeep Wrangler JL 2 Door Roof Rack Options 20201011_172651


Jeep Wrangler JL 2 Door Roof Rack Options 20201011_172651


Jeep Wrangler JL 2 Door Roof Rack Options 20201011_172651


Jeep Wrangler JL 2 Door Roof Rack Options 20201011_172651


Jeep Wrangler JL 2 Door Roof Rack Options 20201011_172651


Jeep Wrangler JL 2 Door Roof Rack Options 20201011_172651


Jeep Wrangler JL 2 Door Roof Rack Options 20201011_172651


Jeep Wrangler JL 2 Door Roof Rack Options 20201011_172651
I’m probably going with the exact same setup. I have some Yakima round bars left over from a VW Golf we used to have. I just need to get some gutter towers. I also have an old Yakima cargo box laying around. Not only cheap because I have most of it already, I like how easy the cargo boxes can be removed.
 

Obi.Wan.Shawnobi

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So here it is, the Front Runner Extreme rack on the 2dr JL. This is a ' through the roof' rack that bolts to brackets that are mounted to the roll bars. The front bar goes down to a plate that has holes to mount ditch lights.(P.S, we pay higher taxes in California to get summer weather in December, lol)

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Tom73

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Hooke Road racks look the same as the Rhino Rack Vortex SG2 racks. (Probably made in the same Chinese factory.) $130 on Amazon. I mounted them on the rear section of the hardtop. They are light duty racks (snowboards, small cargo box) but they do seem pretty solid.

Jeep Wrangler JL 2 Door Roof Rack Options 20201203_190020
Any drilling required with these rails? Still waiting on my Jeep order and want to be ready to hit the slopes. I’m only looking to use my existing Thule ski holders with mine.
 

Hypalon Man

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Still a no drill frame or rack system for a 2 door JL Soft top?
 

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Boatbuilder88

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Hooke Road racks look the same as the Rhino Rack Vortex SG2 racks. (Probably made in the same Chinese factory.) $130 on Amazon. I mounted them on the rear section of the hardtop. They are light duty racks (snowboards, small cargo box) but they do seem pretty solid.

Jeep Wrangler JL 2 Door Roof Rack Options 20201203_190020
Any drilling required with these rails? Still waiting on my Jeep order and want to be ready to hit the slopes. I’m only looking to use my existing Thule ski holders with mine.
No drilling required. The racks clamp to the rain gutters.
 
 



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