Scrambler - Kayak / Canoe Roof Rack

[Lonestar]

Hello!
New Scrambler owner here, I was wanting to install a kayak roof rack on our 1981 Scrambler hardtop. We are wanting to install a roof rack to mount a canoe on our Scrambler for business promotion purposes (parades, photo events, business prop, etc.) the canoe only weighs about 40 lbs.

I have attached a photo of our Scrambler. I feel like the tension on the lines that secure the canoe would also help keep the hardtop secure, but not sure if it would cause damage to the hardtop shell or rear window.

I have not been able to find any photos online of Scramblers with kayak/canoe roof racks. Would a roof rack affect the way the hardtop is secured or possibly cause damage?

 

[bigwalton]

Welcome! Are you talking about this being on the half cab? You you'd have something in the bed to hold the other end or would it be down in the bed?

With anyting mounted on the top, I'm not seeing how the tie-downs help secure the top because the tie downs would go to the rack on top of the top, right? Not the body tub?

Maybe explain it a bit more as to how you're looking to do this.

 

[Lonestar]

Thanks @bigwalton
We are considering putting a kayak/canoe roof rack on a half cab and then for the bed of the Scrambler, we are considering adding a hitch rack carrier to support the back end of the canoe. The tie downs would cinch down from the front and back.

Biggest concern:
Could the removable half cab be damaged by the added weight from the canoe?
OR
Is the half cab strong to support the added weight of the canoe?



Here is an example picture of the setup we had in mind (disregard the non-Jeep Scrambler photo as I could not find any online with this type of setup)

 

[Lonestar]

This canoe mount setup looks more classic and traditional. Probably wouldn't add too much weight to the half cab...

 

[bigwalton]

Gotcha. Why not come off of the rollbar with something to get above the hard top? If you’re only taking about occasional use, you might be ok, but with a simple fiberglass top like that I wouldn’t want to trust it very far at all. The attachment at the windshield frame is a known weak point and I’d be hesitant to add anything for load. Just my feeling.

 

[Lonestar]

Ahhh, I appreciate the head up on that. I figured there was a reason I didn't find any photos of canoes on top of these half cabs.

The rollbar is a good idea. I think the rollbar sits a little lower than the top of the roof of the half cab, but I could probably cut a low profile foam block and place it along the top of the rollbar to give it the elevation above the roof that it needs to have the canoe rest on it.

 

[AdamH]

Take a look at RockHard rear cage add-on for Scramblers. That should do what you need. I'm envisioning installing that then something to raise up the canoe/kayak to keep it off the front half top. I had one on my '83 when I bought it. It's $900 or so but it's an option.

Rock Hard 4x4™ Bolt-In Rear Sport Cage for Jeep CJ8 Scrambler 1981 - 1986 [RH-1005-A]

www.rockhard4x4.com

 

[CJ-8_Jim]

Below is what I did 20+ years ago when I was brand new newbie to CJ-8s (and when I had no hitch receiver).

HOWEVER: 20+ years later (now with both knowledge and a hitch receiver), I would have first tried this first (but flip this around into the vertical position): Harbor Freight Bed Extender
To extend far enough past the spare tire, you may also need this: Harbor Freight Receiver Extender


Original design when I was a CJ-8 newbie and before I had a hitch receiver:

Hauling a canoe wth a half cab

Still debating switching to a half cab. The largest issue I can find right now is where to put my canoe when I use it. Not a deal breaker; but, certainly something I want to get to the bottom of.

www.cj-8.com

Hauling a canoe wth a half cab

Still debating switching to a half cab. The largest issue I can find right now is where to put my canoe when I use it. Not a deal breaker; but, certainly something I want to get to the bottom of.

www.cj-8.com

 

[Lonestar]

@CJ-8_Jim Wow! That looks great. Nice CJ-8 and Mohawk canoe!

I like the canoe rack on top of the half cab that you built, that certainly stabilizes the canoe better. Did you make the half cab roof rack out of wood blocks or foam blocks?

We have a receiver extender we are going to try here soon, I can post some photos once I get it mounted.

 

[CJ-8_Jim]

@CJ-8_Jim Wow! That looks great. Nice CJ-8 and Mohawk canoe!

I like the canoe rack on top of the half cab that you built, that certainly stabilizes the canoe better. Did you make the half cab roof rack out of wood blocks or foam blocks?

We have a receiver extender we are going to try here soon, I can post some photos once I get it mounted.

No holes or modifications were done to the half cab roof.

Those are just foam canoe roof blocks (sold for the sole purpose of roof mounting canoes on automobiles) placed hovering over both the roll bar and the rear edge of the half can roof (where the roof is structurally more sound)

 

[DOJOLOACH]

This is the cleanest way I've seen it done.

This guy said he basically made larger soft top bows and mounted them on the sides of the tub, with the front being attached to the windshield hinge holes