JeepWire Review of Kilby Enterprises Inside Rack
By: Vance Anderson 01/27/00
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Kilby Enterprises Inside Rack |
Anyone who has ever traveled in a Jeep knows that you have to maximize all available storage space in order to carry all the gear you need. You have probably seen the overhead roof racks, rear 'Rubicon' racks and interior storage compartments -- but this is different. The Kilby Enterprises Inside Rack mounts in the rear area of your Jeep to provide a sturdy storage platform essentially giving you a top and bottom floor to store your gear. I never did like the idea of roof-mounted racks (too top-heavy and difficult to load) or rear racks (not enough capacity and limited access to rear) so the inside rack is the perfect alternative for me. The Kilby Enterprises Inside Rack is available for 1997-2000 Jeep Wrangler TJs with a hard top or soft-top.
Rack Construction
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The bolt-in rack includes all brackets & hardware. |
This rack is constructed from 1" square steel tubing and expanded metal for the flooring. The outer welds are TIG welded for a smooth appearance and the rest is MIG welded. The whole thing is powder coated a satin-black finish. The rack assembly consists of the main rack, two front, and two rear supports. The front and rear rack supports bolt to the Jeep using existing attachment points and the kit comes complete with all hardware needed.
Rack Dimensions: |
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Overall size: |
48" wide 32 3/8" deep 4" high |
Inside front width: |
46" |
Inside rear width: |
36" |
Front to back inside depth: |
30 3/8" deep |
Height of side rails: |
3" high |
Clearance under rack: |
17" |
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The rack does not interfere with seats, hardtop, or soft-top. |
Key Features
Installation
The installation process takes about an hour with basic hand tools. A Torx T-50 anti-tamper (has hole in the tip) is recommended but not required for the roll bar attachment bolts. If you had a factory add-a-trunk, you will need a drill to remove the previously installed Nutserts.
Note: I was unable to locate a Torx T-50 anti-tamper bit on short notice. While I was trying to grind the little anti-tamper tip out of the bolt, my friend Randy found that a pair of vice-grips could quickly and easily remove these bolts from the roll bar. I replaced the two Torx bolts with 1" long, 7/16-20 Grade 8 hex bolts with lock washers. This allows me to easily remove and install the rack with standard sockets and wrenches. (I then ceremoniously tossed the Torx bolts in the 'round-file!') |
Product Evaluation
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This rack has plenty of storage above as well as room below for large coolers, tools, and 8-gallon totes. |
I have found the Kilby Enterprises Inside Rack to be a practical storage solution for my Jeep when I dont need the rear seat. I like the fact that I can store heavy items like tools, recovery gear, and coolers under the rack. Not only does this allow me to keep a lower center-of-gravity when compared to roof or trail racks but also it also safely contains the gear in the event of a rough trail or (dare I say) rollover. The 17 high space under the rack is tall enough for my 60 quart cooler and double-stacked 8-gallon plastic storage totes (green and blue boxes in the picture at left). The square tube rail around the top perimeter of the rack is handy for strapping down the items on top. The rack is solid and does not move or rattle, even when fully loaded with gear.
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The rear support can be left in place when removing the rack to re-install the rear seat. |
What if I want to use my rear seat??
I use my rear seat often and have found that it only takes me about 10 minutes to remove or re-install the rack. I leave the rear supports in place and just remove the two bolts from the top of the rear support and the two bolts from the roll bar to get the rack out. You can even accomplish this with the hardtop in place. I do recommend replacing those pesky Torx bolts in the roll bar with hex-head bolts (I used 1" long 7/16"-20 Grade 8) to make the process easier.
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