JcrOffroad Protyping: Crusader Roof Rack! Revisted!

[jcroffroad]

Many of you might remember our attempt at prototyping a new roof rack. We built it out of all flat and the prototype was WAY to heavy and the idea just wasn't coming together.

This was our the design we failed at making into a viable product:

So we finally decided to hit the drawing board again!

Our #1 issue was to be able to make it modular to allow for being broken down for shipping. Our last Low profile rack would cost us $175 for UPS ground :icon_sad:

After some brain storming, we came up with a nice hybrid idea between our old tube design and our new flat steel idea:

Possible options:
No Lightbar
Led Lightbar
Halogen Lightbar
Adjustable TireMount
Hi-Lift Mount
Half Sides (for front or rear section)
Full Sides
Middle Extension (for full length)
Mounts for different vehicles (TJ/YJ/CJ/LJ/JK/ZJ/KJ/ect)

 

[jcroffroad]

Turn into metal:

The hoop is a bolt on deal, the rack bolts together in the middle.

 

[jcroffroad]

These are some optional sides we are kicking around:

 

[dukie564]

looks pretty stout. What do you estimate the load capacity of the product is? Price point?

 

[XJEEPER]

Bummer about the first rack design. The new one appears to be more of a spare tire holder than a cargo/storage rack....is that the intended purpose?

 

[jcroffroad]

We are asked for our low profile utility rack almost daily, so this is an attempt to offer that again. But at the same time, we are making it modular with intentions of making it several different types of racks based on the options you choose.

 

[jcroffroad]

Just a small update.

FAQ:

Q: Light bar option?

A: We have plans to make something available but at this time nothing is in development.

Q: Why not full length?

A: Shipping; and this is the same size as our previous low profile utility rack. We plan to also offer an extension for those who would like to go full length, but again nothing has being designed.

Q: Is that too tall?

A: As you can see a spare tire still sits higher than the light bar its self, and the clearance with the lights that are mounted on there is about 3/4" if you move the back closer to the tailgate you lose the slope of the roofline and fall all the way down to about 1/4"-3/8" of clearance.

Q: Highlift mount?

A: Unfortunately this picture didn't capture it however there is an optional highligt mount on the opposite side.

Q: Can I see the tire mount?

A: The tire mount uses a similar mounting and adjustable as our rear bumper tire carriers so you can keep it as close or as far away as possible.

Q: Rotopax?

A: We have kicked around a couple ideas and we should easily be able to make a mount for 2-4 cans easily.

Q: Price and Availability?

A: At this time we don't have a ball park for the pricing, as this rack is modular it will vary greatly in price. You will be able to start with the base rack (a front and back) and build it to however you want.

 

[jcroffroad]

We are back on this today. Hoping to nail this prototype down and figure out what/how we are going to offer this beast!

Here's the rack with 15" extensions in the middle. You can also see the option adjustable tire mount:

70" long + sides:

 

[katuah]

If you need a guinea pig, let me know Seriously, though - really liking this. Any plans to add side drops/tree sliders as a bolt on option? (i.e. like the Olympic TopHat) Will this rack support a rooftop tent?

 

[jcroffroad]

Any plans to add side drops/tree sliders as a bolt on option?

Currently we are trying to get this production ready, but we are setting ourselves up for being able to add many options in the future if they sell well.

 

[jcroffroad]

Will this rack support a rooftop tent?

Is there a certain tent type used?

 

[jcroffroad]

We just started on the next prototype. Should put us much closer to getting these into production!

 

[jcroffroad]

Finally wrapping up this rack and should have the details ironed out this week!

Here is the Shovel and Axe mount:

Showing off it's capacity!

 

[sandsgg]

Finally wrapping up this rack and should have the details ironed out this week!

Here is the Shovel and Axe mount:

Showing off it's capacity!

That Rear Bumper Is Super clean

Also Nice Rack

 

[jcroffroad]

Only the led light bar left to prototype for...

The rest is into production:
http://www.jcroffroad.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=RCK&Store_Code=J

 

[jakeWI]

thats a nice stout looking roof rack. really like the sides.

 

[NOTNSUV]

Bump.

Asked earlier in the thread: Any plans for a tree/roof slider module?

Thanks.

 

[jcroffroad]

Bump.

Asked earlier in the thread: Any plans for a tree/roof slider module?

Thanks.

We have all kinds of ideas we want to add. Right now, we are working on the JK product line. We probably won't get back to messing with the XJ line until early summer.
~Brian