Rola Roof Basket Arrived

[LibertyTC]

Rola roof basket is a beast. It was packaged inside a large cardboard box then another box as shown in photo was the main packaging. It looks like a 38lb beast. The powder coating probably will not stand up to my outside conditions, so I am going to use 2 cans of Spray Tremclad Clear coat, before install.
Look like Ryan and I have another Saturday night install ahead!:smokin:
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[huntbuggy]

Man that looks pretty nice. Just 2 questions - about how deep is it and if you don't mind me asking about how much was it?

 

[Luke]

Sweet ... where did you order it from Tim? Oh and can I use it during the summer when your KJ is neglected ... oops I mean stored

 

[LibertyTC]

Heck of a drive to borrow the rack there Luke..Stored? Not this summer...Come out here then we can all go camping!
Came From Rack Attack locally, had one in the warehouse $220.tax in.
It is not that deep maybe 5 inches http://www.etrailer.com/Roof-Cargo-Carrier/Rola/59504.htmlbut is slimline and looks great/very strong. Also has an extension available for it as well.

 

[Luke]

Very nice!

Not storing her this summer?!? It appears as though Socks has been a good influence on ya!

 

[LibertyTC]

Ryan is a big influence on this build and my wallet is starting to hurt.
KJ924 in this thread sold me on the Rola basket, the second shot down of his red KJ, shows the rear of this basket and simply put looks great overall.
http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39477&highlight=rola+roof+basket

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Can't wait to see it.

 

[Luke]

Ryan is a big influence on this build and my wallet is starting to hurt.
KJ924 in this thread sold me on the Rola basket, the second shot down of his red KJ, shows the rear of this basket and simply put looks great overall.
http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39477&highlight=rola+roof+basket

Always loved the look of his KJ ... if I had any use for one that is the kind I would get.

 

[Dave]

I like that roof basket, TC. Don't forget a pic when you get it on.

----

Hi Luke. Glad to see you back the last couple of days.

Dave

 

[LibertyTC]

Luke,HJ,Dave & Huntbuggy stayed tuned for the installation photo.. no worries.
Right now it is in the clear coat department.....going to seal the powder coat nicely.
Trying the New Tremclad "Satin" finish for this job. More suited to powder coated texture.
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[Luke]

Good stuff .. I can smell the fumes from here ... bzzzzzzzz

Oh and while I think of it ... that original PIAA bulb, now 26 months old is still kickin'. I just finished taking the housing apart on the headlight that ruined the other bulb with moisture. I thought it was going to be a real pain and that I was going to have to bake the sealant off. Luckily they did such a crappy sealing job at the factory that I was able to separate the housing with an exacto knife and some careful prying. I cleaned the inside, resealed the housing and it is now better than new.

 

[richar43]

I have a question for anyone that has a rola roof rack, or a roof rack of any make. I plan on purchasing a rola roof rack in the next few weeks (tax time), and i would like to know how everyone is mounting them to the rails, and as low as possible as well. I mean is everyone buying the cross bars or making thier own. Also by the way, nice looking libby, very sharp as well.

 

[LibertyTC]

Th Rola Rack has it's own brackets that are universal clamp type to fit square, round, or factory Oem like the bars I installed. I am sure you can turn your own hand made bars so that they sit from the bottom of the Kj rails, so the mount sits low. If you do mount it low, it will be almost impossible to clean the roof under the bars and basket though.
I know my set up will not sit that low, but it is like a removable system. The cross bars can be left on 24-7 as for canoe, and the basket will sit on top of the bars. Once the original bars are spaced properly for the basket, the basket can be easily removed come winter to remove weight and drag when not in use. I can see simply leaving mine on, but until I test it on the highway for noise, not sure if it will be a permanent mount.
I do want to still be able to clean the roof below the bars and basket so mounting on top of the OEM bars will be best then.
Luke, glad to hear you are good to go again on the light seal.
Here are a few install clamps and Other Info photos.
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[richar43]

Thanks for the info, i didn't even think about having to clean under it, that would be quite the pain, considering the snow we get here in NY. Looks like I'm going to look at some crossbar options.

 

[BjBnet]

uh oh, I wouldn't use that clear coat on there......





just kidding
Can't wait to see it all done!!

 

[LibertyTC]

Assembly Begins..

The Powder Coat is easily marked or scratched without the clear coating. Even though I used the Satin finish clear coat, only time will tell if this protects as well as the regular gloss clear coat. One thing is for sure, that for leaving this basket in outdoor conditions, it is now way better protected from the elements.
Instead of using the Tremclad spray another option would have been to pay $100 and taken it to a powder coating shop, that could have applied a real powder coat in clear, and baked it in.

Assembly should consist of using silicone with all the screws and where both sides of the two sections join, to better waterproof these seals, and prevent interior rusting.
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Even though the instructions show a canoe on top, I think they forgot something..
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[tommudd]

I hate seeing rack 6 inches above the roof, looks stupid to me, :shrug:like an afterthought, not part of the Jeep
Mount them as low as you can, the original one I had, the bottom of the rack was even with the rails only an inch or so between it and the roof in the middle
removal was like less than 5 minutes if I wanted to clean or wax under it

 

[LibertyTC]

Yes Tom I agree it would be nice to have your cross bars mounted lower so the basket sits more flush to the roof line. That being said, I think that once the basket is mounted on the OEM cross bars, it still will be practical & look just fine!
Almost mounting time & Rockin .."Rola" rockon.gif
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[Ry' N Jen]

I like the powder coated finish better...
Also harder wearing than the clear coat will be.

 

[huntbuggy]

Love how you put pics for everything Tim, gives a good idea every step of your installs, and sprouts new ideas.

Agree with Tom I'd like to see if there's something (cheap) to get the crossbars low to the roof and have even a tall rack be low profile.

Saw this thread on jeepforum and hope there's somewhere in Canada I can find the fence clamp on tees...

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f28/how-roof-rack-crossbars-cheap-849907/

Will start hunting at Rona, Lowes, HD or mebbe a fence place?

For a larger canoe or a jonboat am wondering if anyone has fabbed a support up front to mount under the hood forward of the windshield? Maybe not as far forward as the bumper but you know what I mean...