JCR Roof Rack Initial Bad Impression

[JcrOffroad]

@JcrOffroad I see that the price for the short rack has jumped from $765 to $999. Are there any changes/improvements in the one sold today vs a few months ago or is it just inflation?

A few months ago they were 10% off along with the rest of our racks. The additional cost is the price of materials and shipping continues to climb.

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[Projected]

@FrostySerb. This is a really late reply, but I just saw this posting. I wanted to like this rack and still do, but I do not hold it in as high regard as I did when I first bought it. The rack looks good and has a unique look. But functionality is not there. The long aluminum bars have a low weight capacity. The long aluminum bars also rattle because of flex.. I had spent months trying to quiet it down but to no avail. it even rattles sometimes just at idle and the vehicle is loud already, and this just adds to it or puts it over the top for me.. Finally, the front of the rack requires you only to use a led light bar and is not compatible with other types of lighting like kc pods, etc. If I had to do it again, I would have gotten something else...

Old thread, but I want to reply to your comment since I am experiencing similar with my JT full rack.

Mine was quiet until I added an Eezi-Awn 2000 1.5 meter (weighs 24 lbs) awning and bought the JCR awning mounts. The JCR rack side plates are too thin and allow the back of the rack (from the rear mount back) to flex back and forth over bumps causing endless noise, even on pavement. Off road it is driving me crazy. This weekend I had 2 front thru axle mountain bike wheels mounted up there flat and the noise was even worse with the addition of the lightweight wheels.

I'm going to try and bolt some steel angle at a 45 degree angle from the rear most cross bar to the side plates. Hopefully this works, as at this point I view this rack as perfect for someone that likes the look of a rack with no intention of actually using it. Kind of like the multiple rotopax gas and water tanks I see mounted on "overlanding" rigs as they drive back and forth to work. Looks cool bro.

Also, when I bought mine in 2022 I had to buy new hardware for the roof/foot mounts because what JCR sent was the incorrect thread. I called them and they said they didn't know how that could happen, but didn't offer to send the correct hardware.

 

[jbcrane]

Uh... another bump to this old thread. I want so much to like this rack. It checks all of my boxes. I wonder if anyone can speak to the quality/longevity of it? My optimistic hope is that whatever quality control issues stemmed from the Covid-era Customer Service short comings have been worked out here 5 years later (?). My intended use of the full rack is to carry camping stuff above the roof and prevent endless unpacking inside the vehicle. I'm also looking at the new Sherpa QDHD (just released 2 months ago), but I don't think I need to carry 500/1,200 pounds (I'll never use a RTT), and I don't like the idea of drilling so many holes in the fiberglass top. Not to mention the exorbitant cost ($2,500), and the fact I have the headliners and don't know how all that would work. This JCOffroad Roof Rack (full) looks perfect for my application, but after reading through this thread I'm a little skeptical. Can anyone help a fellow out? Thnx, JBC

 

[azjl#3]

maybe if your customer support team is slammed, that tells you something about your product...

Full disclosure, I had there JK rear bumper and tire carrier back in 2014, awesome. But I didnt use anything from them in 2024 because it just doesn't look good.

 

[reldausa]

Uh... another bump to this old thread. I want so much to like this rack. It checks all of my boxes. I wonder if anyone can speak to the quality/longevity of it? My optimistic hope is that whatever quality control issues stemmed from the Covid-era Customer Service short comings have been worked out here 5 years later (?). My intended use of the full rack is to carry camping stuff above the roof and prevent endless unpacking inside the vehicle. I'm also looking at the new Sherpa QDHD (just released 2 months ago), but I don't think I need to carry 500/1,200 pounds (I'll never use a RTT), and I don't like the idea of drilling so many holes in the fiberglass top. Not to mention the exorbitant cost ($2,500), and the fact I have the headliners and don't know how all that would work. This JCOffroad Roof Rack (full) looks perfect for my application, but after reading through this thread I'm a little skeptical. Can anyone help a fellow out? Thnx, JBC

It's now living on my second Jeep. I've been quite happy with it after 5 years of use. I've carried maxtraxx, hard cases, bags, etc on it and it's held up really well. The only things that have rusted out are the legs that sit on the gutters.. probably because that's where water usually accumulates... a few screws here and there but everything else is still holding up well.. no fading or any other issues.. hope this helps!

 

[Projected]

Uh... another bump to this old thread. I want so much to like this rack. It checks all of my boxes. I wonder if anyone can speak to the quality/longevity of it? My optimistic hope is that whatever quality control issues stemmed from the Covid-era Customer Service short comings have been worked out here 5 years later (?). My intended use of the full rack is to carry camping stuff above the roof and prevent endless unpacking inside the vehicle. I'm also looking at the new Sherpa QDHD (just released 2 months ago), but I don't think I need to carry 500/1,200 pounds (I'll never use a RTT), and I don't like the idea of drilling so many holes in the fiberglass top. Not to mention the exorbitant cost ($2,500), and the fact I have the headliners and don't know how all that would work. This JCOffroad Roof Rack (full) looks perfect for my application, but after reading through this thread I'm a little skeptical. Can anyone help a fellow out? Thnx, JBC

I replied to your PM, and just realized I basically wrote the same in my comment above. I would choose something else. I see Motobilt has a similar rack, search Motobilt Full Cab Roof Rack for Jeep JLU

 

[jbcrane]

Thanks to everyone for offering your opinions and experiences. I've ordered the full rack and am going to see how it goes. The rack checks all the boxes for my use and I like the idea of its weight and low profile. I like that it's made in Michigan. And I like it's sleek, barely visible appearance. We're not going to be overloading it and will certainly never put a roof top tent on it. We're more in the couple of fly rods category and lighter camping stuff to get it up out of the way, maybe an awning some day. So in the spirit of chalking less than ideal Customer Service experiences up to the COVID malady, I've gone all in: black hardware, light brackets, tie-downs, etc. Didn't do the reinforcement for rear... don't imagine needing it.

Anyone who runs a business knows things don't go perfect 100% of the time, and it's how those instances are handled that separates the wheat from the chaff. I want to like this solution. We'll see how it goes and report back.

 

[Panda Mafia]

It's now living on my second Jeep. I've been quite happy with it after 5 years of use. I've carried maxtraxx, hard cases, bags, etc on it and it's held up really well. The only things that have rusted out are the legs that sit on the gutters.. probably because that's where water usually accumulates... a few screws here and there but everything else is still holding up well.. no fading or any other issues.. hope this helps!

Good to hear!
Ive been wanting to get one. Called JCR yesterday to get a quote for shipping to Canada Still waiting for email back. Probably busy. Lmao I hope they did not forget about me.

Ps I think they sell replacement bolts in black. Can replace the rusted ones...

 

[reldausa]

Good to hear!
Ive been wanting to get one. Called JCR yesterday to get a quote for shipping to Canada Still waiting for email back. Probably busy. Lmao I hope they did not forget about me.

Ps I think they sell replacement bolts in black. Can replace the rusted ones...

Great to know! Thanks!

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