LAST CALL: Roof Rails for 2-door Bronco? Pros vs. Cons? After Market?

[Gpscharron]

I finally feel like I am 95% there in regards to what I want and how I want it. Here is a topic that I go back and forth with: Roof Rails or not?

I know it is a personal choice and here is my thoughts regarding it based on my needs.

Pros:
1. More storage area
2. Back big items
3. Looks Cool
4. Under $400 (Not bad)

Cons:
1. Not as easy to take WHOLE TOP OFF (Love open Air!!)
2. Pulling The Bronco already with RV (More weight)
3. Really no need since I have room in my RV to store.

Are you getting them? Why or Why not?

Do you think it will be easy to take off?

Thanks!

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[Lowcountry Bronco]

I'm not, looks easy enough to add one later if needed but have never used the one on my FJ for more than a hand hold to wash the roof so my opinion might not sway you.

 

[dgorsett]

I finally feel like I am 95% there in regards to what I want and how I want it. Here is a topic that I go back and forth with: Roof Rails or not?

I know it is a personal choice and here is my thoughts regarding it based on my needs.

Pros:
1. More storage area
2. Back big items
3. Looks Cool
4. Under $400 (Not bad)

Cons:
1. Not as easy to take WHOLE TOP OFF (Love open Air!!)
2. Pulling The Bronco already with RV (More weight)
3. Really no need since I have room in my RV to store.

Are you getting them? Why or Why not?

Do you think it will be easy to take off?

Thanks!

I think $400 for something totally integrated into the vehicle design is a good value. Aftermarket stuff will be available, but nothing will fit like the factory rails and they are adaptable to aftermarket accessories , carriers, baskets etc. Really my only must have accessory, anything else I can probably add aftermarket cheaper.

 

[ace119]

I've been having the same debate. I will probably go aftermarket because I want a smaller roof rack & basket that will only be attached to the rear part of the hard top (2 door). There's a 2 door Rubicon near me that has a similar setup, I like how it allows for easier removal of the front panels and the whole roof.

 

[Jr87mustang]

I am going to wait and see what the deal is with the shorter OBX fishing concept rack first. I like the shorter design but have some questions. How much does it hold? Will it integrate with the larger rack to span the whole hard top? I'll just add these questions to the pile.

 

[Dads_bronze_bronco]

I finally feel like I am 95% there in regards to what I want and how I want it. Here is a topic that I go back and forth with: Roof Rails or not?

I know it is a personal choice and here is my thoughts regarding it based on my needs.

Pros:
1. More storage area
2. Back big items
3. Looks Cool
4. Under $400 (Not bad)

Cons:
1. Not as easy to take WHOLE TOP OFF (Love open Air!!)
2. Pulling The Bronco already with RV (More weight)
3. Really no need since I have room in my RV to store.

Are you getting them? Why or Why not?

Do you think it will be easy to take off?

Thanks!

What I find on my Jeep is, when I need to carry extra stuff, I generally don't need the top of, and vice versa. So the Kargo Master Congo Cage hangs from the garage ceiling most of the time. I have propped it up on the trail to drop the top, but it is an inconvenient extra step.

On the Bronco, the set up is $400 which is reasonable, and is easy to remove and install. And I won't need to hang it from the ceiling. Theoretically you could take it off at basecamp, and stow it out of site in a tent or ultralight trailer. So good to go.

i.e., what rack system are you going to get that won't be a PITA when you want to remove the roof? (From experience a cage is a PITA too.)

 

[ZackDanger]

I am going to wait and see what the deal is with the shorter OBX fishing concept rack first. I like the shorter design but have some questions. How much does it hold? Will it integrate with the larger rack to span the whole hard top? I'll just add these questions to the pile.

Ford has said the shorter rack on the fishing concept was a one-off and won’t be available for sale.

 

[AzScorpion]

While the price is reasonable I won't be getting them. Besides, It will just give my gf an excuse to bring more junk when we go away!

 

[pan-y-cerveza]

I am going to wait and see what the deal is with the shorter OBX fishing concept rack first. I like the shorter design but have some questions. How much does it hold? Will it integrate with the larger rack to span the whole hard top? I'll just add these questions to the pile.

Ford has said the shorter rack on the fishing concept was a one-off and won’t be available for sale.

Thinking about this over enchiladas tonight...I was wondering if it's possible to DIY the short rack. You'd need two racks, or at least two rear horizontal bars, but it would be do-able. Maybe not very feasible.

I'd be willing to try it.

 

[ATLBronco75]

I’ve been in contact with GOBI and they plan to build a rack ASAP. So, I’m going aftermarket.

https://www.gobiracks.com/

 

[pan-y-cerveza]

For sure...but there are already two rear mounts. I'm assuming no modification would need to be done on the roof.

 

[pan-y-cerveza]

Every one we've seen has two sets of notches. How it all functions, I don't know, but I imagine you can hook into both.

 

[ZackDanger]

Thinking about this over enchiladas tonight...I was wondering if it's possible to DIY the short rack. You'd need two racks, or at least two rear horizontal bars, but it would be do-able. Maybe not very feasible.

I'd be willing to try it.

It’s all going to come down to the attachment method. With just the rear rack those points have to be strong enough to resist the upward pressure of the wind trying to pry it off, without the advantage of the front attachment points acting as a lever to hold it down.

 

[Dads_bronze_bronco]

Every one we've seen has two sets of notches. How it all functions, I don't know, but I imagine you can hook into both.

that's a four door - the discussion started on the two door, on which I am not seeing that front mount notch:

 

[pan-y-cerveza]

It’s all going to come down to the attachment method. With just the rear rack those points have to be strong enough to resist the upward pressure of the wind trying to pry it off, without the advantage of the front attachment points acting as a lever to hold it down.

Maybe this will be one of the 200 accessories.

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