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Side Roof Rack Rails - NEED HELP PLEASE..

251K views 258 replies 84 participants last post by  jmags 
#1 ·
Hello all, im tring to add the factory roof side rails to my JGC which did not come with them from the factory. I have attached photos of the top of my jeep and the rails that i got. I was at the Jeep dealer today to see if they could put them on but they had no luck saying that the side airbags are in the way for them to be screwed inplace. The front and back of the side rails have slots on bottom of them for something to hold it down while the middle of the rails have the holes that i can screw down from the outside top of the veh when the old rails are removed. I have tried everyway possible to get them mounted and had no luck... has anyone gone through this or know of a solution??? Please help... thanks!!!
 

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#8 ·
jdbadcat - do a google search for 2011_wk_luggage_rack.pdf

It looks like we have the rivnuts already installed and you have to slide the rail into place so that it holds into the molded clips. Give this a try and let me know how you make out. I went to order the side rails for myself but they're a couple of weeks out so I wont know how it works for a couple of weeks. Hopefully this works and the problem is solved.
 
#9 ·
I am currently going through the same situation, with the same side rails. Without thinking about it, I purchased the OEM cross rails for my base model '12 Laredo. They did not fit and after attempting installation with no success I called jeep and received the same explanation re: the airbags. I had to send bk the cross rails and am now working with yakima for a door sill mounting system. The only concern I have is if the feet of the mounting system will clear the factory side rails or if they must be removed and somehow the holes filled???
 
#13 ·
I am also wanting to replace my side rails but have not yet purchased the ones from justforjeeps. I noticed a link at the bottom of this page called W2Kjeep.com. On the next page I chose the Silver GC and scrolled to the bottom of the page. There is a link in blue "luggage rack removal (PDF).This looks like this might do the trick. please let me know. thanks.
 
#15 ·
In Australia we get the chrome rails with the channel on our WK2.
The rails are held in place by clips at the front and back and torx screws in the middle.
The screws fix into rivnuts that are in the roof and form a seal from the outside. There is no need to access the underside.
These rivnuts are a special item and inserted with a tool. They are readily available from industrial hardware places and maybe could be adapted.
Check this out for info http://www.wk2jeeps.com/misc/2011_wk_luggage_rack.pdf
 
#16 ·
WK2's that have the black molding strips do not have the rivnuts needed to install the silver side rails. The real pain comes from having to drill out the existing threaded inserts to install the rivnuts. This has been a nightmare for the dealers attempting it. I went with the Thule setup through just for jeeps and it worked out really well. Those guys were awesome! They took the time to work through Mopar to come up with the right solution for me. I tried to go the route of replacing the black molding strips with the silver side rails and it just wasn't worth it. This Thule setup is totally the way to go. Thanks again to the just for jeeps guys. They really took the time to work with me and help me find a solution that works.
 
#17 ·
Can I ask a question - just for my information......
If the black moulding strips are fixed by threaded inserts can these inserts not be used to fix the silver rails?
The rivnuts are just a threaded insert themselves - as the name suggests.
It seems a bit strange that existing threaded inserts would be drilled out just to be replaced by another threaded insert. Yep, that would be a bugger of a job.
If someone wanted a stock look surely the silver rails could be adapted if threaded inserts are already in place?
Thanks
john
 
#27 ·
This situation literally makes me sick. I have the OEM replica cross bars sitting here (got them on eBay, very nice actually) and a aftermarket snowboard rack to strap to those.

My Altitude has these 'decorative' rails everyone is talking about here

1) What a joke
2) There HAS to be a solution to this other than that horrible looking overpriced Thule setup that grips the doors
3) I'm not drilling anything on my roof
4) Can we reach out to some aftermarket companies here? This affects how many WK2s?
 
#28 ·
over at Cherokeesrt8 dot com - some dude with an SRT8 WK2 did this no problem , ordered factory side rails and installed them himself

I just asked him for more details

Here is a pic of his SRT8 with the factory side rails installed that everyone seems to think is so impossible with a Thule crossbar system



WK2 Only-Ski Racks? - Page 2 - Cherokee SRT8 Forum
 
#31 ·
Ok - see this doesn't really help me much sorry but thank you for the picture Chris

I need to install factory cross bars in order to utilize a snowboard system
 
#34 ·
You just need to get longer bolts and screw the oem's down...but first you need to find a screw or use sealant to cover the bolt holes not used. You can get the oem side rails on justforjeeps.com Call 1888-651-jeep and talk with peter...tell him scott from jeepgarage sent you for a discount. I believe they also have the thule cross rails

Jeep Grand Cherokee - Carriers & Cargo Hauling
 
#36 ·
Thanks Scott - I wish someone had a write-up on this process , and those factory rails are prrriccey. Maybe I'm cheap?
 
#37 ·
You may be the first.....the oem side rails may come with longer bolts...not sure. But you need to figure out which bolt holes you DONT use when installing the oem side rails and fill them with a bolt or sealant to keep your roof from leaking. Also...do this at your own discretion as you will not have the bolts that are required to hold the rails down. I would not overload the rails.
 
#38 ·
Right - all I really want to do is get up to 4 snowboards up there-

FYI for the sake of information to this community the part #s are here for the OEM functional roof rails. These are Chrysler/Mopar Factory part #s.

55079172AI (Right)
5079173AI (Left)


 
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