To read more about the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, click here.
It has been a long time coming, but late last week we performed our first factory rack removal on the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Whispbar on tracks
Special thanks to Steve from upstate Washington for making the trek down to Rack Attack Portland. He intends on using the roof rack for carrying a canoe, and wasn’t quite satisfied with the OEM rails and the Mopar accessory bars, which have a crossbar spread of only about 30″. Our custom track system should yield a maximum spread closer to 48″.
From the topsides...Grand Cherokee Whispbars
Disclaimer–this was one of the more challenging custom installations we’ve developed in recent history. When Jeep designed and engineered the roof, they sure didn’t intend for us to pull the factory rails off! There are many extra steps involved with this system setup, so if you plan on doing it yourself please give us a call for tips & tricks.
Parts used in this installation include:
Thule TP54 tracks (cut to 52.25″)
Alternately, you could of course go with a Thule or Yakima setup, check out some of our other ‘tracks’ blogs to see the parts.
rear view Whispbar on 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The best part? Steve reports the rack was virtually silent (with the sunroof closed) on his drive back north, and with a little bar-position tweaking, any remnant sound has been eliminated!
While not necessarily the best setup for everyone out there, the factory rack removal and custom Rack Attack Whispbar & track system gives the new Jeep a sleek and lo-profile look, while adding functionality to the rig by offering a stronger and more versatile rack platform. Give us a call anytime to discuss this option for your Jeep, or any other vehicle you are thinking about racking out.
-Scott
503.226.7300
[...] Cut to the chase…take a look at our recently completed 2011 Grand Cherokee factory rack removal here. [...]
It looks great… but what would be an example of someone for whom this setup would not be a change for the better over the Mopar sold crossbars… which look terrible, have got to be loud, and obviously can’t support as much as a direct connect crossbar system like this. What downside could there possibly be to going this route? Thanks for the great work and update!
If you are simply transporting a couple bikes, one/two small kayaks, or a small cargo box, the Mopar bars would probably be just fine. Much of the equipment we sell is universal, so it should fit directly to those bars. If you are deeply invested in Thule/Yakima/other rack gear and you like its versatility, you’d be a candidate for the factory rack removal. Also if you carry long or overly heavy loads, or are the kind of person who likes to mod their car or truck, you’d be a good pick.
Did that answer your question ok?
Thanks,
Scott
Have you done any work with the 2011 Subaru Outback. I need to carry 18′ sea kayaks and the OEM racks aren’t going to do the job.
Thanks,
Kim
Kim the best setup we’ve found for the new Outback is the Yakima Landing Pad 12 setup. We have featured it here: http://rackattackportland.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/new-series-cars-of-the-future-a-rack-installers-opinion-part-1-2010-subaru-outback/
Hi guys! Any more updates on racks for the 2011 GC? Any word from Yakima? I am looking at the thule set up or the Mopar set up, Thule is more expensive. Is it worth it? I will carry one kayak and possibly a small box. Bikes and other stuff will go on the hitch. Nice rack removal mod, but that might be too much for me and I’m in NC, a bit too far away.
There is nothing else in the pipeline that we’ve heard…just the Yakima Q towers or Thule Podium setup. The Podium will be much more versatile than the Mopar racks, and you won’t have any trouble fitting accessories to a Thule bar. Thule gives you the best weight capacity at 165lbs.