Looking to fins a roof rack for the hard top that wont break the bank but will be able to haul my kayak when I go fishing. I do not want the full cage like some people use. I have taken top off and strapped to roll cage before but looking for one I can keep the top on if I need to. What is the best way to haul kayaks and where can I buy. Thanks

 

Check out Yakima if you're looking for a dedicated hard top rack.

http://www.quadratec.com/products/92024_2010_07.htm

Lange also makes one that might fit your needs.

http://www.quadratec.com/products/12031_03_07.htm

 

Yakima makes a removable tower that fits in the rain gutter of JK. Technically they say jk can't do kayaks, Did a lot of research and saw others running same set-up.

Here is a pic of mine.



Here are the towers. http://www.amazon.com/Yakima-1A-Rain...ngutter+towers

You need bars as well. I went with the 66in http://www.amazon.com/Yakima-Roof-Ra...NDA8TM4NMXV7P4

Yakima locks are a good idea as well to make sure it does get stolen

 

I picked up my Thule system from REI. The thing that sold with the Thule is that it's made in the U.S. I went with the "Stacker" attachment, it was the cheapest on but allows up to 4 kayaks. I think it would've been around $430 but I had a coupon for 25% off.

 

I went with the Garvin cross bars the mount, it has a large metal bracket that sandwiches the hardtop in the middle for a bit more support. It was very secure and I noticed all the hardware was high quality. I bought used Yakima saddles from eBay. I liked it but found the 80lbs Hobie a pia to lift and mount on my own after a day of fishing and peddling so I made a cheap yak trailer from a harbor freight trailer.

 

Teraflex NEBO! Same one I am getting for the same reason! inexpensive, low profile when unloaded and can take weight when needed.

 

Looks like a nice setup. Looks really sturdy. The only issue I would have is drilling holes in the top, but that is personal preference.

 

If you're only hauling one kayak, the rain gutter mounted Thule or Yakimas work just fine; I've never had a problem.
I don't use any kayak accessory brackets. I made rollers for the cross-members out of foam plumbing insulation (the black ones) and wrapped them with 2" wide black plastic tape. That way, once the yak is on the rack, it rolls just fine and when you use ratchet straps to tie down they compress and hold things in place. I run another strap from the front of the yak to the loop on the hood, and that keeps the yak straight in the wind. You can also run another strap from the back of the yak to the spare tire.
The advantages are price, no drilling, and easy install and take-down.

 

I will be using the rack for more than yaks tho. bikes, kayaks, camping gear etc. Its not a big deal drilling your roof. not at all. Teraflex supplies all the templates etc for it. Painless.

 

Short XJ roof rack is an option? Low profile and doesn't look like an after thought, like some of the aftermarket racks.

They're cheap too. Way under $100.