- First Name
- Cliff
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2021
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- 1,381
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- Location
- San Angelo
- Vehicle(s)
- Bronco
- Your Bronco Model
- Wildtrak
None of the aforementioned side racks will work with the OEM rack on a 2dr, but the standalone side rack can work on the 4dr with the OEM rack because there's an extra mounting spot that isn't used on the hard top. Victory 4x4 is a sister company with JCR, and they're the ones selling Bronco stuff.
Nobody wants to make anything for the OEM rack because hiding underneath that plastic cover is a weak plastic subframe. The only things made with metal are the rails themselves, and they could be made out of solid titanium and be capable of holding 300 tons, but if you're holding all that up with plastic, it's too weak for anything but really light duty stuff. I've been looking into ways that I can replace those plastic mounts with either steel or aluminum to fully utilize the strength of the rails while still being able to use the OEM plastic covers, so it's visually identical but structurally sound. From there I'm going to see what it takes to make a set of side plates that will bolt directly to the existing side rails to give it t-slot mounting capability on the inside, a full drop-in basket, and some real estate to side mount things like a side rack, awning, flood lights, grab handles, ladder, etc. Using the side rails for structural support will give the rack a lot more capacity and won't be relying solely on the hard top to carry all that weight...similar to the way soft top racks are being made for Broncos.
I like the look of the OEM rack and I probably share the same opinion as a lot of others, I don't really want to toss the rack and buy a different one just because Ford made it virtually useless. It's going to take a lot of work to make it functional for anything beyond strapping on a kayak or a pair of skis to, however. You're likely money ahead by finding a short enough aftermarket rack with the option of a side rack, or some other method for carrying your stuff like a bumper/tire carrier/rack combo. I'm running an LOD carrier with two jerry can mounts, a hi-lift jack, and a rack right above the rear tire, that might be enough for what you need?
Nobody wants to make anything for the OEM rack because hiding underneath that plastic cover is a weak plastic subframe. The only things made with metal are the rails themselves, and they could be made out of solid titanium and be capable of holding 300 tons, but if you're holding all that up with plastic, it's too weak for anything but really light duty stuff. I've been looking into ways that I can replace those plastic mounts with either steel or aluminum to fully utilize the strength of the rails while still being able to use the OEM plastic covers, so it's visually identical but structurally sound. From there I'm going to see what it takes to make a set of side plates that will bolt directly to the existing side rails to give it t-slot mounting capability on the inside, a full drop-in basket, and some real estate to side mount things like a side rack, awning, flood lights, grab handles, ladder, etc. Using the side rails for structural support will give the rack a lot more capacity and won't be relying solely on the hard top to carry all that weight...similar to the way soft top racks are being made for Broncos.
I like the look of the OEM rack and I probably share the same opinion as a lot of others, I don't really want to toss the rack and buy a different one just because Ford made it virtually useless. It's going to take a lot of work to make it functional for anything beyond strapping on a kayak or a pair of skis to, however. You're likely money ahead by finding a short enough aftermarket rack with the option of a side rack, or some other method for carrying your stuff like a bumper/tire carrier/rack combo. I'm running an LOD carrier with two jerry can mounts, a hi-lift jack, and a rack right above the rear tire, that might be enough for what you need?
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