changing back to full roof rack

I just bought a 99 jeep cherokee that has a half roof rack that came standard with all the newer model xj's. I plan carry long lengths of moulding on the roof occasionally and would prefer the older models full roof rack.

I was gonna check out the junk yards and was wondering which year did they change to the half rack. Also If i was to get a full rack from an xj before the face lift they recieved in 96 would there be any probs in fitting it to the newer models (im hoping the width and length should be the same).

Any info is much appreciated!!

Whoa. I have an '89 and a '98 with what I'd consider to be full length racks. Both only have 2 cross bars.

My girls rig is a '92, and has no rack at all. Dunno if that helps at all, perhaps it's a package thing?

Never have seen what I'd call a half rack. 'Course I'm only 5'5". lol

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**EDIT**- OK, I just went and looked at the '92 (no factory rack) and my '98... It looks as though my full racks structure is supplied by 2 main 'slats' near to the 'rain gutters', which the 'cross-slats' attach to. Inside of those two are several other supporting 'roof-slats', that I suppose give the sheet-metal of the roof more structural integrity.

All parts of this rack seem to be drilled and bolted to the sheet-metal of the roof itself. Meaning, if you modify, be ready to remove the head-liner and start some precision drilling.

~Good Luck

If it is going to be that big of a job then i think i'll make do with the one i have.
The "half" roof rack that im talking about is where the rails along the gutter of the roof stop just before the front door of a 4 door model. Rather than the full one that stretchs all the way to the front window. You can then push the 2 cross rails further apart giving a wider base to tie stuff to (like lengths of moulding).
The half racks seem to be more prevalent than the full racks where i am (new york), so maybe its a geographical thing?
Thanks for looking anyways!

My 92's rack rails are attached with tapered philips head sheet metal screws. So find the rack off an older xj around early 90's and remove it yourself so you have the screws to go with it. Then put it in place on your roof after removing your rack and mark the holes and drill them out with a bit that's a little bit smaller than the screw so the threads will bite into the metal. Then when you get ready to install it down just put a little silicone around each hole to prevent any leaks around it and you should be good to go.

So it's not a nut/bolt thing, but a sheet metal screw thing huh?

Well that's not so bad.

Yah they're about a half inch long like a shorter version of the screws in the dash. Was gonna pull mine off but didn't want to mess with trying to fill in the holes yet. Prolly do that next spring so I can make sure they're sealed good.