One of the most common complaints about our project Jeep has to do with the limitations of cargo space. Like a double-edged sword, this lack of storage allows the Wrangler unrivaled maneuverability both on and off the pavement. However, it comes at a significant price. The interior of a Jeep TJ has less than 46 cubic feet of space for amenities such as camping equipment, tools, pets, and people. Perhaps that's why the aftermarket has so many storage solutions for Jeep Wrangler owners. From theft-deterrent interior lockers to exterior-mounted rack systems, bolting on additional space in a Wrangler is super easy--especially if you know what additional gear you want to bring along. Our recent list included a cooler big enough to hold a weekend's worth of food and drinks for two people, two 5-gallon jerrycans of fuel, and camping gear. So follow along as we update Teal-J with two very multifunctional rack systems that add valuable area for additional equipment, while keeping in tune with the adventurous look we were after.
Storage for Teal's Caboose
Our first upgrade comes from Hanson Enterprise. Hanson has a long-standing reputation for premium quality bolt-on bumpers and cargo racks for Jeeps and early Broncos. We fit Teal-J with one of Hanson's tried-and-true 60-inch-wide rear bumpers. Aside from durable double-welded construction, and a attractive black powdercoat finish, this bumper features a robust swing-out style spare-tire carrier that serves as the foundation for a variety of well-thought-out cargo-carrying options. The bumper also comes with all the options we'd expect to see on a trail rig, and then some. From inch-thick shackle tabs to an integrated 2-inch receiver hitch, the Hanson unit delivers. This picture shows the rack setup we chose for Teal-J (PN JC5-B). It was designed to accommodate one 5-gallon gas can on each side of the tire, and up to a 50-quart cooler on the platform above the tire. We liked this arrangement because it doesn't protrude out past the spare tire, and when fully loaded, the tire carrier still functions properly to allow easy access to the Jeep's rear storage compartment. This rack removes easily when a less adventurous look is preferred. Two bolts secure the rack positively to the swing-out tire.
We especially liked the built-in...
We especially liked the built-in Hi-Lift Jack mount integrated right into the swing-out spare-tire carrier. No more rattling around behind the front seats--now our Hi-Lift Jack is easy to grab when the need arises. Two large wing nuts secure the jack to the tire carrier. There is even a mount for a Max-Ax multitool above the Hi-Lift Jack mount.
The Hanson cargo rack ties...
The Hanson cargo rack ties into the upper portion of the passenger-side body for added strength. This feature gave us total confidence that the lower hinge would never deflect or bend with up to 300 pounds loaded on the rack.
It is always nice to crack...
It is always nice to crack open a cold one after a long day on the trail. So Hanson Enterprise integrated a convenient little bottle opener on the swing-out to aid in the refreshment process. It is little details like these that set Hanson's products apart from the rest.
A Rack Above it All
When considerably more space is required, whether it's for camping equipment, or home improvement supplies, a roof rack is the best solution. So we tracked down the old factory hardtop that came with Teal-J. Some of you may remember back in 1997 that then Feature Editor Ben Stewart added a roof rack to this particular hardtop. Well, we found it, and unfortunately Ben had left it out in the salty air of Malibu, California, for the past six years. A close inspection of this roof rack revealed significant surface corrosion and tons of what we'll just describe as barnacles.
With the old roof rack removed,...
With the old roof rack removed, we stopped into Off Road Unlimited (ORU) in Burbank, California. ORU builds an attractive new roof rack that is designed to accommodate up to 300 pounds of additional gear. The Defender Series line of roof racks are built from 16-gauge, 1-inch-round steel tubing.
One of the nice features of...
One of the nice features of the Defender Series roof racks are these welded auxiliary light tabs. The front has two and the rear has two. We plan to utilize these for perimeter lighting later down the road.
We chose to mount the new...
We chose to mount the new roof rack directly to the factory hardtop because it was a simple process that didn't require custom fabrication or complicated bracketry. We simply drilled six holes on each side of the hardtop, inserted a rubber well-nut in each, and bolted it down. A dab of silicone on each well-nut ensured a watertight seal.
We liked the aerodynamic design...
We liked the aerodynamic design of the Defender roof rack, its attractive textured black powdercoat finish, and its rugged-looking vertical connection braces that feature flared holes for added strength. As you can see, the rack houses all our camping essentials without a problem. We scored a 4x4-foot nylon cargo net from Garvin Industries (PN 91003) to help secure our gear to the Defender roof rack.