Does Anything Work With OEM Rack?

[Tex]

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?

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[yuvalla]

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?

Any progress on that? Will be happy to learn if so... thanks

 

[wigglysqiggly]

there is a member here that made his own mounts and looks oem. should look for that post

Found it


https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/diy-oem-roof-rack-awning-mounts.77594/

 

[AK007]

I ordered this OEM looking roof rack off of Amazon and installed it last night. When I went back online to look for an install video i saw that they had side accessories on both driver and passenger sides….

https://a.co/d/hqIJYeb

interested in finding these compatible accessories…

 

[Spicygb]

I ordered this OEM looking roof rack off of Amazon and installed it last night. When I went back online to look for an install video i saw that they had side accessories on both driver and passenger sides….

https://a.co/d/hqIJYeb

interested in finding these compatible accessories…

So I saw this rack a few months ago, how did the fitment end up being? I’d like to get the side ladder, pulling stuff out of the roof box is a little tricky.

 

[AK007]

So I saw this rack a few months ago, how did the fitment end up being? I’d like to get the side ladder, pulling stuff out of the roof box is a little tricky.

Fits great! Looks like a bit more space in between the front 2 panels for ease of removal. I'll try to take some pics by this weekend.

 

[Tex]

Any progress on that? Will be happy to learn if so... thanks

I got as far as making the measurements, and considered welding up a plate steel subframe but couldn't figure out how to address the fit inside of the rails as that piece needs to have a slip fit on all sides to be structurally sound. I decided it would probably be better to have it CNC cut from a block of aluminum, but I lack the CAD knowledge (and program) to make a file to send off to a machine shop. I wish I had one of those fancy 3D scanners that would just convert my part into voxels or something I dunno it's computer magic stuff and it helps you cast programming spells I think. I'd be happy to ship the subframe pieces to someone that could make a DXF out of them, I'll pay for two sets of parts to be made, they can keep the second and I'll post the DXF here for anyone else that wants to get some made.

 

[HeHateMe]

Fits great! Looks like a bit more space in between the front 2 panels for ease of removal. I'll try to take some pics by this weekend.

Any updates or pictures to share?

I have the OEM rack, but noticed this one and the side accessories and was interested. I like it goes all the way to the rear versus the OEM shorty.

I did get the Mabett rear cross bar, but it'd be better if it had side rails.

 

[yuvalla]

I ordered this OEM looking roof rack off of Amazon and installed it last night. When I went back online to look for an install video i saw that they had side accessories on both driver and passenger sides….

https://a.co/d/hqIJYeb

interested in finding these compatible accessories…

Look very nice. I wonder if you can buy only the rear roof rack and adjust/add it to my existing original OEM rack? Do you know if that is possible, or is it a must to buy the entire roof rack? This will allow a great look, as well as adding a mounting platforms kits on the rear side windows.

 

[BK1]

Im going w the BA Tents single mount w both sides. Same height as oem and cross bar is now black only

 

[yuvalla]

I wonder if someone will pick the glove...

I think that if someone will build a supplemental rear roof rack product for the original OEM roof rack, but also one with long rails that can be physically connected to the original roof rack, that can allow us, the ones who purchased the original OEM rack, connecting rear side mounting kits to it, he will see a good market for it. I know there is a strong demand from customers who purchased the OEM roof rack and are looking for such a solution. As the current OEM roof does not provide rear-side mounting plate kits, such a solution type can be extended for this purpose. I believe this will allow the development of a much larger ecosystem for Ford Bronco mounting kits on top of this rear roof rack.

I found something that looks very close to it,

https://www.amazon.com/Snailfly-202...8e-85565b7fd4f8&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_atf_m.

The problem is it is a stand-alone rear roof rack (very similar to the original rack), but it can't be used as a supplemental product.
If someone takes this and only creates the "right" connectors, replacing the original rear OEM connectors to allow the connection of the rear part with the original OEM roof rail, it will be a perfect product. Adding to it some connectors to the long rails to allow side mounting kits to be connected will make it even greater. I am sure it is doable, and as written in the beginning, I hope someone will pick the glove.

 

[lni]

I've seen another thread that mentioned this particular product, but I purchased the Yakima Awning, marketed by Ford. It fits the cross bars on the factory rack with no issues at all. It is a very stout connection. https://accessories.ford.com/yakima-awning-1

The few times I've used it, it was very windy and it easily survived the evening while extended.

 

[mblur05]

I'm surprised no one else has come up with more Mounting Options for the OEM roof rack but I guess since it's limited in it's capacity no one wants to put in the time to make anything.

Being that I'm an Engineer, I'm the type of person that will make my own parts if I can. That being said, I've been working on some Bracket/Mounting Plate designs for the OEM Roof Rack. These would be able to mount Aluminum Extrusion Cross Bars with T-Slots for more roof add on options. See my two designs that I created. I've seen something similar for other vehicles, but nothing for the OEM Bronco Roof Rack.

This is still a work in progress, so the designs are not final but I'd like to get some feedback.
I have a place that can laser cut the plates and bend them using Aluminum. I was thinking .187" thick should be enough and they can Powder-coat them.

Option A: essentially this has the Bracket follow the OEM Rail profile. I created a plate on the bottom to fully secure it to the entire Rail. I added slot holes for all mounting points to make it more versitile. On the outside extension part of the plate it has slots so anyone can add accessories like an awning or other items. You can add an Aluminum T-slot Extrusion bar along the outside to connect two of the brackets, thus making it more universal for adding more stuff. This one has a lot of bending involved so it will be higher in cost.

Option B: this is the simple approach that is similar to another roof rack manufacturer I saw but they don't have the bronco OEM rack add-ons like this in their line up. These simple plates mount the to the exsiting threaded holes on the OEM rails. You can mount the Cross Bar above the OEM rail or below the rail. I have two designs, one has both hole mounts.

I don't have anything laid out yet for the Cross bar in the back where it mounts to the Hardtop. The plastic covering is formed to match the oval OEM cross bars which dont have any T-Slots and they have thin walls too. I'm sure if you wanted to add one of the Rectangular Extrusions you would need to cut some of the plastic to fit it between the plastic covers. Something I'm still thinking about.

Nothing is set in stone for either design and I still need to make some test pieces via 3D printing to try out first. Right now I only have an estimated cost for what either option would take to make. I don't know what the weight capacity would be, since this is only preliminary design.

Most likely the cost could be:
Option A -Estimate: at least $250 or more per cross bar set = (this would include four plates -Left/right -top & bottom plates, +powdercoated, plus one black cross rail extrusion from Tnutz with the predrilled holes/tapped end holes etc.).

Option B -Estimate: $150 per cross bar set = (again it would include two plates for mounting one cross bar with the predrilled holes/tapped end holes etc.).

Granted those prices would be lower if I get a higher quantity made.

I'm also working on some other designs for other parts of the bronco.

Let me know what you all think and which one would you be interested in seeing.
Thanks!

 

[XupBronco]

I've been looking for side racks (over side rear window on hard top) that mount to OEM roof rack. Is there such a thing? It seems there's only options to mount another rack on top of the OEM rack.

I'm trying so hard to still get into those 6' 6" parking garages and still use the thing for what I want on trails, and hoped a side mount system would work best... Anybody know of anything like that? Molle or otherwise?

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