Roof Rack / Cargo Basket

Difficulty 3/52–6 hrs$200–15001984-1990, 1991-1995, 1996, 1997-2001

Short answer

Roof racks (Gobi, Hutchinson, Smittybilt) provide cargo carrying for overland builds. Drip-rail mounted XJs need specific brackets; high-roof XJs and Sport models differ.

Silver SUV with a steel front bumper, winch, auxiliary lights and roof rack parked on a beach — Photo: Lance Asper on Unsplash

The XJ's flat roof and tall sides are perfect for a roof rack — significant cargo capacity, RTT support, and gear mounting. Roof rack options:

Gobi Stealth: ~$1500. Premium, modular, full-length design, mounted to the rain gutters. Industry standard for overland builds.
Hutchinson XJ rack: ~$900. Welded steel, classic look, full-length.
Smittybilt Defender rack: ~$600. Budget choice, full-length basket.
ARB Base Rack: ~$1200. Modular flat platform for RTT mounting.
DIY: $150-300 in steel tubing with weld time.

Mounting points: 1984-1996 XJs have drip rails along the roof; 1997-2001 XJs (with the "flush" gutter design) require track-mounted feet. Verify rack compatibility with your year.

Load capacity: depends on rack + roof — the XJ unibody can take ~150 lbs static and ~75 lbs dynamic. Don't load a roof rack like a flat-bed truck; the high center of gravity affects handling and the unibody mounting points stress over time.

Use cases:

Hi-Lift jack and traction boards.
Roof-top tent.
Lumber/long cargo.
Spare fuel cans.
Awning mounting.

The "safari rack" full-length style is the iconic XJ look. Combine with rear bumper tire carrier for a complete overland exterior package.

Why it works

Massive cargo capacity
RTT mounting
Gear organization
Iconic look

Trade-offs

Weight at high CG
Wind noise
Load capacity limited
Cost (premium racks)

Tools required

drill (track mounting)
metric sockets
torque wrench

Parts

Part	Vendor	Est. price
Gobi Stealth XJ rack	Gobi Racks	~$1500
Smittybilt Defender XJ rack	Smittybilt	~$600
ARB Base Rack XJ	ARB	~$1200

Sources

Gobi Racks XJ

Written and maintained by an AZ wheeler and driveway wrencher. How we source guides. Always cross-reference your factory service manual — modifications affect vehicle safety and warranty. Work at your own risk.