Surco J100 Jeep Roof Rk Adaptr 4/Set Review

Ordered these recently to install my Surco rack onto my 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo (4.0 liter 4x4). I was somewhat confused by the reviews posted here, and other vendors had the wrong picture displayed with the J100 part number which sapped my confidence of where to obtain the correct adapters. Surco's website is not clear on what part number to order for a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. After much research I ordered these and this is what I learned:



The J100 adapters do fit my 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. A search of the web describes a special version of the 1998 Grand Cherokee, named the 5.9 Limited. Information available suggests the 5.9 Limited has "A lower-profile roof rack that eliminated squeaking problems found on the base 5.2 L limited", and may be the reason some say the J100 adapters will not work on the 1998. They worked on my 1998 Laredo, but may not (probably won't) if you have a 5.9 Limited. (I would suggest calling Surco if you have the 5.9 Limited).



My adapters came well packaged and are well manufactured. Surco seems to have corrected any fastener deficiencies as my adapters installed quickly with the Surco supplied allen wrench and my 1/2" combination wrench. Took about 20 minutes to install by myself, ensuring the rack was square with the vehicle, centered, and that the rear hatch would not impact the rack.



Love the aluminum Surco rack for its light weight (keeping the Jeep's Center of Gravity low) and 5" high rails. Highly recommend, especially for the price.
Got this adapter set in order to mount my Surco cargo basket to the factory roof rack of my 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. According to the Surco web site, these brackets were the ones I needed. When I first tried to slide them into the crossbar, everything looked good; however, the way they slid together was not the right way to mount them. When I tried to slide them into the crossbar as explained in the instructions (and shown in the product picture), I could no longer attach the bolts. I tried to loosen the bolts all the way without detaching them, but it still wasn't enough. Basically, the bolts aren't long enough to attach the adapters to the basket crossbar.



While I still haven't been able to mount these adapters on the Jeep and then attach the basket, I'm certain I'll be successful just as soon as I buy longer bolts. While the product will work...eventually, I'm giving it one star because I find it completely unacceptable to have to replace parts just to make a product do the job it was designed to do. What a terribly designed product.
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