Show and Tell: 2dr Roof Racks - Pics and Review on what's Best

[Rymac65]

I have a 2dr hardtop Rubicon and looking at getting a roof rack, but the options for 2drs are much more limited than 4dr. Show us what 2dr Roof Rack situation you have or want and why. I prefer to have one that attaches via the drip rail instead of drilling anything directly into the top itself.

Sponsored

 

[Reinen]

Don't be afraid of drill through racks. They are much better. The HT drip rail is very weak and you can only put light things on it. Drill through is MUCH stronger.

I have the Maximus-3 Rhino Rack w/ side ladders. Great rack, very streamlined, very strong. Side ladders make it very easy to climb up there and also serve as a mounting point for gas rotopax.

 

[Nosivadbor]

Don't be afraid of drill through racks. They are much better. The HT drip rail is very weak and you can only put light things on it. Drill through is MUCH stronger.

I have the Maximus-3 Rhino Rack w/ side ladders. Great rack, very streamlined, very strong. Side ladders make it very easy to climb up there and also serve as a mounting point for gas rotopax.

I’m also in the market for a roof rack for my new 2024 2door sport.

How was the wind noise on the Maximus 3 kit?

I tried the standard old school Thule (951000) system with rectangular cross bars from my old rover and found that was really loud. To the point I pulled over during the road trip to take it off. I’m hoping it was due to how high above the roof those stuck up, and that the Maximus would be quieter. Though I really prefer the look of the rhino-rack backbone mounts, it doesn’t appear to be available for 2door.

 

[Reinen]

I’m also in the market for a roof rack for my new 2024 2door sport.

How was the wind noise on the Maximus 3 kit?

I tried the standard old school Thule (951000) system with rectangular cross bars from my old rover and found that was really loud. To the point I pulled over during the road trip to take it off. I’m hoping it was due to how high above the roof those stuck up, and that the Maximus would be quieter. Though I really prefer the look of the rhino-rack backbone mounts, it doesn’t appear to be available for 2door.

I found wind noise to be minimal to non-existent, even with the side ladders.

The slats on the Rhino Rack are oriented front to back, the front edge is tapered and all the crossbars are tucked in on the underside of the rack. All you can see from the side is the thickness of the rack and the mounting feet. There isn't much to the Maximus-3 rack that can make wind noise (other than what you store on it of course).

 

[Jeremynolan94]

I have nothing but good things to say about my Antidote half rack. It attaches with six gutter rail mounts and I've used it for over two years now to carry my C6 Rev Tent and an assortment of camping gear. Comes off and on in about 10 minutes with the ratchet strap system I attached to my rafters.

 

[veryfewposts]

Did you need a receiver extension for your 1-bike, 1up if you hadn't used the swing arm?

 

[Jeremynolan94]

Did you need a receiver extension for your 1-bike, 1up if you hadn't used the swing arm?

It worked without one, but just barely. I used a Kuat drop hitch receiver before upgrading to the swing arm and was very happy with it.

 

[muffinking]

I might be misunderstanding, but are drill-through racks really that much stronger? I'm kinda nervous about drilling into my new Jeep. Has anyone had issues with leaks or anything?

 

[ShadowCobra]

I have the Rhino-Rack Jeep Overlanding Kit (ROLJ1) and it is quite sturdy. There is some wind, especially with my 2 rooftop boxes, but it is very manageable as long as you stay under 70mph. I can definitely recommend it. In terms of dynamic weight distribution I would not add a rooftop tent when you are just using the rain gutters. For a roof top tent I would recommend a rack like Maximus-3 (drill through and internal support system attached to the roll-over cage).

 

[LazyJL]

Maximus-3 has a roof rack mount that bolts through the roof and then into the roll bars using brackets between the roof and roll bars. It transfers the rack’s weight into the roll bars and not the roof.
I needed racks to carry our two sea kayaks. Being long, strong side winds try to twist them, and something more substantial is needed to resist this force besides the plastic top.
The factory hard top has a low weight rating, another reason to use the Maximus-3 mount. Our Jeep’s rack and kayaks exceed the weight rating. While you may get away with exceeding the weight rating for a while, eventually, the plastic top will fatigue and crack. Our 2020 JLR has used these racks for four years without issues.

Instead of buying crossbars, I use Unistrut structural channel, it fits the mounts perfectly and allows many configurations and different types of accessories to be used or made. The thinner 1-5/8” X 7/8” Unistrut has enough strength for all my needs. Buy it at Home Depot or Lowes.
https://unistrutstore.com/1-58-metal-framing/unistrut-channel/p3300/unistrut-p3300.html

 

[Reinen]

I might be misunderstanding, but are drill-through racks really that much stronger? I'm kinda nervous about drilling into my new Jeep. Has anyone had issues with leaks or anything?

No issue with leaks at all. It is well gasketed to keep water from reaching the drill hole. They transfer all the weight to the roll bars, which are designed to hold the weight of an upside down Jeep. They are very, very strong.

Yes, drilling can be nerve wracking. It's definitely a take your time, save the beers for later, measure 5 times, drill once kind of thing. But it's not that bad.

 

[emgilliatt]

I have the Rhino-Rack Jeep Overlanding Kit (ROLJ1) and it is quite sturdy. There is some wind, especially with my 2 rooftop boxes, but it is very manageable as long as you stay under 70mph. I can definitely recommend it. In terms of dynamic weight distribution I would not add a rooftop tent when you are just using the rain gutters. For a roof top tent I would recommend a rack like Maximus-3 (drill through and internal support system attached to the roll-over cage).

that's a nice rack, but $1600 is absolutely insane..

 

[USMCJL]

Here are my two. Ones the mopar. Not bad, flexed to much off road but did the job through Colorado/Utah. Second one is Bestop. Much stronger. Both of these are for gear only, if you don’t want to drill through look at the Adventure Rack Systems. https://adventureracksystems.com/jl-wrangler-adventure-rack-systems.html

 

[surferbandit]

I use the Dee Zee rack that I had on my 4 door. I used all 4 crossbars….

 

[JLUR Farout]

Here are my two. Ones the mopar. Not bad, flexed to much off road but did the job through Colorado/Utah. Second one is Bestop. Much stronger. Both of these are for gear only, if you don’t want to drill through look at the Adventure Rack Systems. https://adventureracksystems.com/jl-wrangler-adventure-rack-systems.html

Thank you.

Sponsored