So have you ever looked at something you did and start second-guessing yourself? I am in that process now.

Been looking at the Ex lately and have started thinking that I don't really like the safari rack so much. Yes, it gets the spare out of the back and gives me more room for long trips. Yes, I now have a place to store a couple of jerry-cans for carrying more fuel if needed. Yes, I now have a place to tie junk down if needed.... but.... somewhere in my minds eye, I'm getting the creeping feeling that it looks "overkill".... that it kinda looks stupid up there....

My son says its cool and to leave it alone. All the younger guys I know think it "rocks"... My dad (75 yrs old) thinks it's the dumbest thing he's ever seen and wonders why anyone in their right mind would add that much top-weight to any vehicle.

So, I am including a couple of pics. One with the rack and one without. I know opinions are subjective. I have not made up my mind yet about it, but having a hard time with it. Probably because I fabricated it myself and took a lot of time doing it. I know I could sell it because it looks like I bought it somewhere.. looks professional... so, let me know what YOU would do.

Thanks to all.

James

 

I think you did an excellent job in design & fit & finish, but I personally don't like the look of them.

But it fits your need- if it is a need than I would leave it. I don't think you could make it look better by design. They just are not attractive to me.

If the whole truck was all blacked out, lifted with huge bumpers and light bars etc, it would fit the vehicle better.

.02 please

 

Leave it IMHO

 

I don't mind the roof rack but regardless, your Ex sits low (like majority of 2WD Exs). I think if it was raised a few inches, you'd be happier. The roof rack (to me) looks like it's weighing your truck down (even though we know that's not true). HTH

 

With the antennas and no rack it looks like something is missing...keep it!

 

James you did a fantastic job on the rack...

I would only use it on long trips if really needed.

 

Its a hard choice. I like the cladding better on the top picture and I like the rack in the bottom picture.

 

It is your truck, not your sons and not your Dad's.

Do what you want.

IMO, MPG killer.

 

I like it. It serves a purpose. I think form should follow function, so if something has utility, then I don't care so much what it looks like. That said, I might not leave it on there all the time, maybe just on trips or if I was hauling something. Main reason I would take it off is that it won't fit in my garage, and I have gotten spoiled to working on stuff with walls and a concrete floor around me. I guess the wife doesn't really need it for grocery trips and errands, and I would worry about someone stealing my spare/jack/shovel or whatever else I had on there.

 

Great points by all! Thank you for the thoughts and the wonderful compliments on the rack.

I think I am in the same boat as a few of you.... IF it was lifted and had 35's the rack would look more at home.... mecdac is correct, it IS a mpg killer, I averaged almost 14 on some long trips of straight highway without much head-wind before the rack; now I get 12.5 to 13 tops... sometimes 11.3!!

Wow... I'm still not really sure.... but I am leaning closer to taking it off. Maybe I'll put it behind the garage and keep it for the next Jeep XJ or 4Runner I get to take on the trails... I can cut it down and re-weld it to fit.... or just put it up for sale and start from scratch again if I ever want to put one on a different vehicle.

Thank you all for your input. I'll keep standing in the driveway and staring at it for another day or two and make up my mind. I'll let you know. :-)

James

 

I'm with you on this thought most of the time.... one of my favorite vehicles of all time was a 1974 International Scout. Talk about "utility" only.... you actually AGED on long trips in it. My friends and I used to get out of it after a 3 hour trip to go fishing and would instantly say "Well, there's 4 months of my life I'll never get back!" Loved that beat up old thing. But not for family-hauling.

 

If you decide to sell it I would be very interrested

 

I like the looks of the rack, really good work on it. However, if you aren't using it regularly I don't see the point, aside from looks.

 

Thanks copsey!

Harley, I'll let you know if I decide to sell it.... however, shipping this monster will be pricey... no way to ship it pieces! :-)

James

 

I like this look. That said, if you're not using it regularly I'd likely remove it to save MPG.