Rooftop cargo box that doesn't interfere with Freedom Panels?

[PeterInCO]

I just ordered the MOPAR roof rack w cross bars: https://www.moparonlineparts.com/sku/82215387.html

I want to put a rooftop cargo box on it, but still want to be able to remove and replace the front roof Freedom Panels. I also want a decent quality box with a lock on it. Any recommendations. Would prefer not to spend over $1000. Closer to $600 would be awesome.

Thanks!

-Peter

2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited

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[AndySpill]

Peter, allow me to think out of the box (no pun intended) here, much that you've already pulled the trigger on the cross bars.

Perhaps your challenge doesn't like in a cargo box that's short enough to merely sit behind the Freedom Panels, but rather....

maybe repurposing the taller Sky One Touch cross bars, e.g. https://therackshop.com/2018-2025-j...h-sky-roof-thule-crossbar-complete-roof-rack/ (yes, I get that you don't have a Sky One Touch roof) is your path of least resistance, allowing enough vertical clearance perhaps to pop a Freedom panel and slide it out, even if the longest of cargo boxes sits on top of the Freedom panels, albeit with enough vertical space between the box and panels to effect the panel removal.

Perhaps a waterproof fabric cargo bag, I don't know if you need a lockable box, might be suitable and this link, albeit showcasing a roof top tent, not a cargo box, might serve as inspiration for size, if not also such a higher crossbar's clearance (that looks though like a homemade rack, not Sky One Touch Crossbars, but you get the idea.)

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...uch-roof-roof-rack-options.71846/post-1632353

 

[PeterInCO]

Peter, allow me to think out of the box (no pun intended) here, much that you've already pulled the trigger on the cross bars.

Perhaps your challenge doesn't like in a cargo box that's short enough to merely sit behind the Freedom Panels, but rather....

maybe repurposing the taller Sky One Touch cross bars, e.g. https://therackshop.com/2018-2025-j...h-sky-roof-thule-crossbar-complete-roof-rack/ (yes, I get that you don't have a Sky One Touch roof) is your path of least resistance, allowing enough vertical clearance perhaps to pop a Freedom panel and slide it out, even if the longest of cargo boxes sits on top of the Freedom panels, albeit with enough vertical space between the box and panels to effect the panel removal.

Perhaps a waterproof fabric cargo bag, I don't know if you need a lockable box, might be suitable and this link, albeit showcasing a roof top tent, not a cargo box, might serve as inspiration for size, if not also such a higher crossbar's clearance.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...uch-roof-roof-rack-options.71846/post-1632353

Thank you, Andy. I was worried that might be the answer. I will see if it's too late to cancel my MOPAR rack order...

 

[PeterInCO]

Peter, allow me to think out of the box (no pun intended) here, much that you've already pulled the trigger on the cross bars.

Perhaps your challenge doesn't like in a cargo box that's short enough to merely sit behind the Freedom Panels, but rather....

maybe repurposing the taller Sky One Touch cross bars, e.g. https://therackshop.com/2018-2025-j...h-sky-roof-thule-crossbar-complete-roof-rack/ (yes, I get that you don't have a Sky One Touch roof) is your path of least resistance, allowing enough vertical clearance perhaps to pop a Freedom panel and slide it out, even if the longest of cargo boxes sits on top of the Freedom panels, albeit with enough vertical space between the box and panels to effect the panel removal.

Perhaps a waterproof fabric cargo bag, I don't know if you need a lockable box, might be suitable and this link, albeit showcasing a roof top tent, not a cargo box, might serve as inspiration for size, if not also such a higher crossbar's clearance (that looks though like a homemade rack, not Sky One Touch Crossbars, but you get the idea.)

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...uch-roof-roof-rack-options.71846/post-1632353

Are there other rack/crossbars that have more raise that you are aware of? Are you suggesting that Thule rack from experience or guessing that it will allow the freedom panels to go in and out?

 

[AndySpill]

Are there other rack/crossbars that have more raise that you are aware of? Are you suggesting that Thule rack from experience or guessing that it will allow the freedom panels to go in and out?

I think that you are asking me if there are other rack/crossbars that have more raise than that you purchased that I am aware of.

I may be wrong in that assumption. But if I am correct, my first link features a crossbar system designed higher than that you likely purchased, so it fits under a folded Sky One Touch (SOT) roof system (much, again that you don't have that system but the hard top), that can still be used on your hardtop, and offer you that clearance. That link is not of Thule product and I believe several vendors offer such higher clearance cross bars for the SOT.

Perhaps I've misunderstood your question.

 

[PeterInCO]

I think that you are asking me if there are other rack/crossbars that have more raise than that you purchased that I am aware of.

I may be wrong in that assumption. But if I am correct, my first link features a crossbar system designed higher than that you likely purchased, so it fits under a folded Sky One Touch (SOT) roof system (much, again that you don't have that system but the hard top), that can still be used on your hardtop, and offer you that clearance. That link is not of Thule product and I believe several vendors offer such higher clearance cross bars for the SOT.

Perhaps I've misunderstood your question.

Apologies for the confusion. I just want to figure out what options for a different rack/crossbars that will raise a cargo box high enough to allow freedom panel clearance.

 

[AndySpill]

Apologies for the confusion. I just want to figure out what options for a different rack/crossbars that will raise a cargo box high enough to allow freedom panel clearance.

Got it. So the size of the cargo box itself isn't a goal per se, but a means to an end of being able to remove the Freedom Panels, that box being no longer than the hard top sans Freedom Panels if need be for Freedom panel mobility, but fine to be longer if it doesn't get in the way of that Freedom Panel removal and reinsertion.

https://www.google.com/search?sca_e...kEHRAbN7YQtKgLegQIERAB&biw=1920&bih=911&dpr=1

 

[LukeDagny]

I have Yakima roof rack that clamps to the rain gutters, and a Sears/Thule cargo box on my 2021 JLUR. It allows use of my freedom panels.

I already had Yakima bars that I bought off of Craigslist years ago. The Cargo box I bought last year off of Craigslist for $40. My total investment was under $200.

 

[PeterInCO]

I have Yakima roof rack that clamps to the rain gutters, and a Sears/Thule cargo box on my 2021 JLUR. It allows use of my freedom panels.

I already had Yakima bars that I bought off of Craigslist years ago. The Cargo box I bought last year off of Craigslist for $40. My total investment was under $200.

Cool. Can you share which models these are? Pictures?

 

[PeterInCO]

Hard to tell just how high the base rack needs to be. Also wanting to reduce wind noise. I realize these are contradicting design requirements. I drive 85 mph on my way into Utah from CO regularly.

 

[LukeDagny]

Cool. Can you share which models these are? Pictures?

Sorry, I don't have any pictures, but I used my setup last month to travel from central PA to NC beaches, and back. On I-95 at interstate/NASCAR+ speeds there were no issues.

For Yakima parts, I have 66" round bars and 4 Rain Gutter towers. Ebay and Craigslist are good sources. Round bars are not required, it's just what I had from previous vehicles.

Here's a link;
https://yakima.com/products/1a-raingutter-system


For the cargo box, mine looks like X Cargo Sport or XL in the attached document.

https://i.sears.com/s/d/pdf/mp-tc/10091236/prod_12388207012

This wasn't my first choice, but for ~ $40, it was worth the gamble.

Also, when I'm running just the crossbars, and no cargo box, there was a slight whistling sound until I installed this air deflector. Although it is shown with a Yakima sticker, it's not made by Yakima.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/202675883549

 

[PeterInCO]

Anyone know if the Thule Rapid gutter high (8") are sufficient to allow freedom panel removal?

https://www.thule.com/en-us/roof-rack/roof-racks-and-accessories/thule-rapid-gutter-high-_-387101

 

[LukeDagny]

Anyone know if the Thule Rapid gutter high (8") are sufficient to allow freedom panel removal?

https://www.thule.com/en-us/roof-rack/roof-racks-and-accessories/thule-rapid-gutter-high-_-387101

I don't see why they wouldn't work. It says 8" clearance. That's more than the Yakima racks I'm using.

When I mounted my Yakima racks, I mounted them in a position so they wouldn't interfere with the freedom panels. I "eyeballed" it so they are about an inch or two behind the seam on the panels.

I would double check, but it looks like the link that you posted was only for the brackets and not the cross bars.

 

[Plumbean]

Is this really an issue? I have the Rhino Rack gutter mounted vortex bars and a thule rooftop box. I don't recall if I have mounted the rooftop box on the Jeep before (the box has been sitting in storage for a while), but I have had two stand up paddle boards on there and the freedom panels come out no problem. The forward most rack is still aft of the freedom panels.

 

[PeterInCO]

I don't see why they wouldn't work. It says 8" clearance. That's more than the Yakima racks I'm using.

When I mounted my Yakima racks, I mounted them in a position so they wouldn't interfere with the freedom panels. I "eyeballed" it so they are about an inch or two behind the seam on the panels.

I would double check, but it looks like the link that you posted was only for the brackets and not the cross bars.

Awesome. Thx. Yeah, the crossbars are separate. Thule stuff is frikn pricey, too. Looking for some used stuff, on sale, etc...

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