Mopar Roof Rack Spacing

[bjeep1983]

I picked up the Mopar roof rack the other day and wasn't sure how far between the front and rear I should have these spaced? I have read that I don't want to put on the removable freedom panels. I was thinking a few inches behind the panels for the front, and a few inches from the back for the rear set .. Thoughts?

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[Boatbuilder88]

I picked up the Mopar roof rack the other day and wasn't sure how far between the front and rear I should have these spaced? I have read that I don't want to put on the removable freedom panels. I was thinking a few inches behind the panels for the front, and a few inches from the back for the rear set .. Thoughts?

That is my plan...I'd avoid mounting on the freedom panels too. I'd mount the gutter feet 2" from each end of the rear section.

Edit: Comment above refers to my plans for a 2-door.

 

[bjeep1983]

Since I installed the rack last night my sat radio has been cutting in and out ... no issues prior. Anyone else having this issue? Might have to mess with the placement of the rack if it continues to interfere.

 

[My#8andlast]

Since I installed the rack last night my sat radio has been cutting in and out ... no issues prior. Anyone else having this issue? Might have to mess with the placement of the rack if it continues to interfere.

I centered my front with the back door windows and the rear centered on the rear window. Looks like it makes sense to my OCD and I'v had no Sat issues.

 

[My#8andlast]

I centered my front with the back door windows and the rear centered on the rear window. Looks like it makes sense to my OCD and I'v had no Sat issues.

 

[Forgettable1]

is there an actual engineering difference in the gutters on the main hard top vs the freedom panels? Meaning is the guidance against putting them on the freedom panels strictly related to the removability panel itself?

For light loads, Im having a hard time coming up with a plausible reason NOT to attach to the freedom panels.

 

[bjeep1983]

I like the look of that ... Going to move mine tonight.

 

[bjeep1983]

is there an actual engineering difference in the gutters on the main hard top vs the freedom panels? Meaning is the guidance against putting them on the freedom panels strictly related to the removability panel itself?

For light loads, Im having a hard time coming up with a plausible reason NOT to attach to the freedom panels.

I plan on keeping my rack on full time. If you only plan on putting them on when you need to use them, then I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t attach to Freedom panels. The channel looks the same to me.

 

[Forgettable1]

I plan on keeping my rack on full time. If you only plan on putting them on when you need to use them, then I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t attach to Freedom panels. The channel looks the same to me.

it looks exactly the same to me. And the rack seems to distribute the load directly to the roof and not the gutter. I plan on attaching a canoe for local (non hwy) trips. Just can't see how it's be an issue.

As I see it, they don't recommend attaching to the freedom panels because if they did, someone would un latch their panels while driving and lose their load (because idiots are why we can't have nice things). So FCA by default advises against using the rack for watercraft because the load bars would then be too close together to adequately support said watercraft.

 

[bjeep1983]

is there an actual engineering difference in the gutters on the main hard top vs the freedom panels? Meaning is the guidance against putting them on the freedom panels strictly related to the removability panel itself?

For light loads, Im having a hard time coming up with a plausible reason NOT to attach to the freedom panels.

I plan on keeping my rack on full time. If you only plan on putting them on when you need to use them, then I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t attach

it looks exactly the same to me. And the rack seems to distribute the load directly to the roof and not the gutter. I plan on attaching a canoe for local (non hwy) trips. Just can't see how it's be an issue.

As I see it, they don't recommend attaching to the freedom panels because if they did, someone would un latch their panels while driving and lose their load (because idiots are why we can't have nice things). So FCA by default advises against using the rack for watercraft because the load bars would then be too close together to adequately support said watercraft.

I think with a canoe the more spread out base is going to be exactly what you’re looking for. Shouldn’t be an issue, like you said.

 

[My#8andlast]

is there an actual engineering difference in the gutters on the main hard top vs the freedom panels? Meaning is the guidance against putting them on the freedom panels strictly related to the removability panel itself?

For light loads, Im having a hard time coming up with a plausible reason NOT to attach to the freedom panels.

Attach away. They are easy to move too. I just use my freedom pannels and plan to get the Sunrider For Hardtop whenever Cassie from Bestop will sell it to me. If you need more top room, go for it.

 

[auxSwitch]

I picked up the Mopar roof rack the other day and wasn't sure how far between the front and rear I should have these spaced? I have read that I don't want to put on the removable freedom panels. I was thinking a few inches behind the panels for the front, and a few inches from the back for the rear set .. Thoughts?

I got mopar rack installed last week, if I remember correctly, the manual says 7 and 34 inches from the point where freedom panel ends and the rest of the roof begins if measured from the front part of the rack's "paw"/base. I'll double-check tonight.

That said, I don't expect any issues moving those things around

 

[My#8andlast]

Yea, front one 7" from the panels. I can't think of any reason you can't though.

 

[auxSwitch]

Thanks, @My#8andlast

One thing I had to do was - adjusting the width - by default, the spacing of the legs was ever so slightly narrower than what it should've been which resulted in the outer bracket (the piece that "grabs" the outside of the rail) to have less contact with the roof edge. I'd imagine we want as much contact as possible. So:
- Loosen the width adjustment screws, set up the bar
- Adjust the width as needed, confirm the bar is centered
- Remove the bar, tighten the width adjustment screws - I wasn't able to tighten them in their installed position - not enough clearance to get in with a hex
- Put the bar back on, and now attach it for good

 

[My#8andlast]

Thanks, @My#8andlast

One thing I had to do was - adjusting the width - by default, the spacing of the legs was ever so slightly narrower than what it should've been which resulted in the outer bracket (the piece that "grabs" the outside of the rail) to have less contact with the roof edge. I'd imagine we want as much contact as possible. So:
- Loosen the width adjustment screws, set up the bar
- Adjust the width as needed, confirm the bar is centered
- Remove the bar, tighten the width adjustment screws - I wasn't able to tighten them in their installed position - not enough clearance to get in with a hex
- Put the bar back on, and now attach it for good

Yea, thought he was just asking advice about whether he could mount it on the panels or not, not an installation thread.

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