Cargo Basket and Rear Light Guards

I've done a search on cargo baskets and rear light guards (some info on cargo basket helped initiate a search and no threads on rear lamp guards).

As a result, I've done research on both and here are my findings: (with questions to follow)
Cargo Baskets
Sarco Safari Racks:
Dim: 40x50x5 (WxLxD); Price: $278 (includes adaptor kit, no cargo net)
Comments: Rep. at Urban Jungle SUV (http://www.urbanjunglesuv.com/?surco_safari_roof_racks_urban_jungle.htm) said the 40x50 was better than the 40x60 so as to access the front factory basket. Great light mounting system: lights mount in front of the basket as opposed to on top.

Yakima LoadWarrior Roof Rack
Dim: 44x39x6 (WxLxD); Prince: $304 (includes basket and net, not sure about the adaptor kit, I think it's included)
Comments: 4 in. wider than the Sarco but shorter in length (39" vs. 50"). It's more expensive (is this because it's better in construction?

Nissan Safari Basket (made by Yakima)
Dim: 27x38.5x2 (WxLxD); Price: $144.85 (includes basket, net, and mighty mounts)
Comments: Obviously smaller in all dimensions, but price is great!

Tail Lamp Guards
WAAG Rear light Guards
Price: $154.00 (according to Xterraparts.com (http://www.xterraparts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=Xterra&Product_Code=WAAG-13559) )
Installation: This (http://www.xterraparts.com/html/inst_WAAG_rearlights.html) I'm not familiar with. Looks as though it uses existing factory h/w or has additional h/w, and no adhesive?!

Nissan Xterra Tail light covers
Price: $114.75 (according to Xterraparts.com (http://www.xterraparts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=Xterra&Product_Code=999G4-00001) )
Installation: This (http://www.xterraparts.com/html/inst_999G4-KM000_01.html) seems like a very cheap way to install something that's to take some type of abuse.

Side Comments:
I've seen Calmini's Safari Rack (http://www.purenissan.com/roof_rack.htm) , just don't like the way it replaces the factory rack altogether
I don't like Raingler.com's Net (http://www.raingler.com/shop/productDetails.asp?productID=30)

I have 9.5 in of clearance between my X's factory Rack and the lowest point of entry into my garage (no body lift).
I don't plan on removing the rack often.

Questions:

Does anyone have experience with these Safari racks? (construction, installation issues, functionality while using off-road)
What about the Tail light covers? (are they worth getting)

Thanks in advance for comments.

Tail light covers are a waste of money, and are more likely to rip off your lights than having nothing at all (the extended bar edge can catch on tree branches instead of the branch just sliding harmlessly across the rear light).

I had one and found it worked fine...but the truck was to tall to go in the garge so I sold it! I also found it a lot wider than the factory rack and has no useable floor. Otherwise it is a good rack. I now have a Nissan Safari basket that sits down below the rails of the X like this.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/220465Dicksrack2.jpg
Like Schlud said, don't waste your time on tail light guards!!!

I think you will find that you can get a much better deal on the Surco Safari rack than that. http://www.thinkjeep.com has them as well for much better prices.

I have a Kargomaster Bushaman Steel rack that is awesome, albeit heavier than the Surco Aluminum rack. A place to get Kargomaster racks at a decent price is http://www.dpgoffroad.com

You can get get the Kargomaster in Aluminum (in hindsight, I wish I had, instead of the steel one), but I like the rack nonetheless.

Schlud,
What are the dimensions of your rack?

rrdstarr,
Are you happy with your Nissan cargo rack?

It works great for my current situation....If I had a foot more of a garage, I would have kept the Surco.

I've had a 48x50 Kargomaster safari rack on my truck for almost 3 years now and I love it. Easy to install with horizontal Mighty Mounts and quite solid.

Phil,
you have a 48x50 kargomaster w/horizontal mighty mounts, I'm on the Kargomaster website, and I don't see it listed. Also, what vender did you get your mighty mounts from?

http://www.kargomaster.com/bushman.asp

Sorry, I meant 42" x 50" not 48".

Don't even try to search their site for mounting info since the Xterra still isn't listed. :bloated: A few other guys have this rack as well (and have had it for a couple years) and have had good luck with them - Schlud, KillerX, etc.

I bought the horizontal Mighty Mounts from a local Washington DC boating company since they are also used to put skies/boats/gear on top of vehicles. Searching for Yakima Mighty Mounts in any search engine should bring some results. Give me a shout if you need more info.

I have the Kargomaster rack mounted with rubber coated U-bolts on the outer rail. This might require drilling a hole in the rack.

Mighty mounts can also be had from Xterraparts.com for a pretty decent price.

Originally posted by wqbang


Mighty mounts can also be had from Xterraparts.com for a pretty decent price.


Duh. You are right indeed. Didn't even think about them even though I just orded $$$ worth of stuff from them last week ...

That price is a rip off for a Surco. I only paid like $160 for mine from Summit Racing and they also have free shipping on all orders. Which is a good thing if you also order a Hilift jack from them. They have Hella and KC lights as well as brush guards if you're into that sort of thing.


:monkeypis
____Brushguards