JL Garvin Adventure Rack nodded to fit JT

[GlacierGladiator]

I really want a rack similar to this rack for my Gladiator.
Here are the mods I'm thinking will work with help from a welder friend. This rack is a must for me so that I can continue to use a tonneau cover with a rack. Its wet here in the Pacific northwest!
I think with this rack the hard top would still slide out the back if I want to take it off & its tall enough to remove the freedom panels.
Mods to make it fit gladiator:
1. Cut & weld extensions to the top rails running front to back.
2. Add additional vertical support from top rails to frame or rock rails behind the back doors.
3. Use all mounting brackets ( front & back) that come with the adventure kit.
4. Powder coat to protect all new welds & support brackets.

I'm impatient and don't want to wait for someone to make a rack like this and I think modding an existing rack that is somewhat close will be cheaper than having a complete rack fabricated.

Let me hear your thoughts if you think this would work.

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[Sgt Beavis]

I think the main thing here is to make sure you don’t mod it so that it will tie into the bed in anyway. The bed will move independently of the body when offroading and you’ll end up damaging something. I also think you’ll have more trouble pulling the top off than you think. At the very least, you’re going to need a few helpers.

 

[GlacierGladiator]

This is what Garvin said when I asked them about creating a rack for the gladiator.
"We haven’t had much time yet to work on racks specific to the Gladiator, except for the rain gutter mounted rack (#20032). We probably won’t be making one for the entire length of the Gladiator because the body and bed of the Jeep move independent of each other. We would first look into one over the entire cab of the Gladiator."
Anyone see issues if the back supports are mounted to the frame and not the bed?

 

[Sgt Beavis]

This is what Garvin said when I asked them about creating a rack for the gladiator.
"We haven’t had much time yet to work on racks specific to the Gladiator, except for the rain gutter mounted rack (#20032). We probably won’t be making one for the entire length of the Gladiator because the body and bed of the Jeep move independent of each other. We would first look into one over the entire cab of the Gladiator."
Anyone see issues if the back supports are mounted to the frame and not the bed?

Yes, you can have the same issues because the body also moves independently of the frame to some degree. Optimally, you want the rack to be attached exclusively to the body or the frame, not both.

 

[WhatExit?]

If I was going to do a roof rack I'd look at the Gobi racks - they're one of the best racks made and they're quite popular (and costly).

Gobi offers a roof rack for the AEV Brute which is similar to the Gladiator so I'm optimistic they'll have one for the JT. I haven't contacted them so someone might want to find out.

Here's their AEV Brute roof rack:

https://www.gobiracks.com/product/jeep-jku-4door-brute-stealth/

 

[GlacierGladiator]

If I was going to do a roof rack I'd look at the Gobi racks - they're one of the best racks made and they're quite popular (and costly).

Gobi offers a roof rack for the AEV Brute which is similar to the Gladiator so I'm optimistic they'll have one for the JT. I haven't contacted them so someone might want to find out.

Here's their AEV Brute roof rack:

https://www.gobiracks.com/product/jeep-jku-4door-brute-stealth/

Yeah I don't think I thought hard enough about the bed & cab areas being independent with a full cage rack like this.
I think if I want something like this I will need 2 different independent racks. One over the bed and one over the cab so the could twist independently from each other.
I would still like as much input as possible from others on here before I venture into something like this.
Top removal with the rack on is not as important as being able to use a tonneau cover and a rack to house a roof top tent and a baja basket for storage.

 

[jurfie]

If I was going to do a roof rack I'd look at the Gobi racks - they're one of the best racks made and they're quite popular (and costly).

Gobi offers a roof rack for the AEV Brute which is similar to the Gladiator so I'm optimistic they'll have one for the JT. I haven't contacted them so someone might want to find out.

Here's their AEV Brute roof rack:

https://www.gobiracks.com/product/jeep-jku-4door-brute-stealth/

Ooo, I like that. I’ve emailed them to see if they plan to make one for the JT.

 

[h4281776]

Ooo, I like that. I’ve emailed them to see if they plan to make one for the JT.

Have they gotten back to you yet? If they wait too long I'll just make my own...

 

[jurfie]

Have they gotten back to you yet? If they wait too long I'll just make my own...

No reply yet.

 

[jurfie]

Have they gotten back to you yet? If they wait too long I'll just make my own...

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/gobi-steath-rack-over-cab.23469/

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