MetalCloak is an American manufacturer based in California that has been designing and building off-road components exclusively for Jeeps for over two decades. Every part is CAD-engineered, laser cut, welded and finished in-house, and the company backs its structure and coating with a lifetime warranty.

Rocklander Sky One-Touch Top Rack System - Jeep JL Wrangler 4-Door

The Rocklander built around the Sky One-Touch power top. The trusses are routed so they clear the sliding canvas - with a standard rack the Sky top cannot open normally.

How the ARS system is built

ARS (Adventure Rack Systems) racks do not rely on roof rails or on the roof itself. The structure stands on a floating foundation: the load is distributed to the body and to the frame, so the roof does not carry everything. The ARS front hoop is a load-bearing member - the only one on the market that needs no additional supports.

Structure

• Front and rear hoops: 2" steel tube, .120" (3.05 mm) wall
• Integrated handle: 1" steel tube, .120" wall
• Roof trusses: 2" steel tube, .120" wall
• Clamps: 3" x .50" wall mild carbon steel - over 3,200 lbs combined clamping force
• Frame mount brackets: 1/4" (6.4 mm) hot rolled steel
• NVH bushings: high durometer urethane - damping vibration and noise
• Finish: black powder coat; mounting brackets: gold zinc

Engineered bend in the trusses

The trusses carry a deliberate forward slope that reduces the push load on the body-mounted front hoop. That lets the trusses sit low - and the lower the load sits, the lower the whole vehicle's centre of gravity at full capacity.

Load capacity

The manufacturer rates the ARS rack on the JL Wrangler at 350 lbs (about 159 kg) dynamic and over 850 lbs (about 386 kg) quasi-static. Dynamic is what you carry while driving; quasi-static is, for example, a roof tent with people inside while parked.

Important in Europe: the strength of the rack is one number; the roof load limit Jeep states in the owner's manual is a completely separate one - and that is the figure that applies on the road. For the Wrangler it is many times lower than the rack's own capacity. The manufacturer's high figures apply to off-road use and to static loads.

What's in the kit

• Front hoop
• Pier plates
• Roof trusses
• Rear hoop
• Frame mount brackets
• Flexural footings
• NVH urethane bushings
• All required hardware

Options and add-ons

The rack can be expanded with the Kat Walk platform over the hood (rated 300 lbs), upper and lower pod light mounts, and cross bars for a roof tent. The rear hoop mounting depends on your bumper - the factory steel bumper uses the R75048 braces, a MetalCloak bumper uses bracket R75070. Our price covers the base configuration with factory bumper mounting; contact us for other configurations.

Fitment

Jeep JL Wrangler 4-Door 2018 and up with the Sky One-Touch top only.

Important limitations

• The Roof Pak basket will not work on Sky-Top equipped Jeeps.
• Does not fit the JL 392 due to the taller cowl and hood.
• Does not fit the JL 4xe due to the charge port - the 4xe version is R74030.

Wind noise: the manufacturer states plainly that adding racks and accessories to the exterior may increase wind noise, especially on soft-top and Sky One-Touch models.

What owners say

2 reviews averaging 90%. One describes a real issue worth knowing:

"Solid rack, wind issues. Just wanted to give an honest review as there aren't many for the one touch sky roof version. Rack itself is very solid and very well designed. Finish and components look and fit great. The problem I'm facing is the front hoop bar redirects the way the wind hits the soft top to a point it rattles it enough to jump off the seals on the sides while driving above 55 mph." - 4/5

This affects the Sky top canvas at higher speeds. Worth factoring in if you cover a lot of motorway miles.

Installation

Easy but time consuming - the manufacturer quotes 3-4 hours. We recommend two people.

Homologation: this product carries no European type approval. Road legality after installation is decided by the vehicle inspection station; check before buying if in doubt.

We import this product directly from the MetalCloak factory in the USA. Please contact us for the current lead time before placing an order.

Warranty and service

MetalCloak backs its products with a lifetime warranty on structure and coating for the original owner. The warranty does not cover accident damage, incorrect installation or owner-performed modifications. As an authorised dealer we handle the whole claim process for you.

Why buy from us

Szekla4x4 is a Jeep-focused shop and workshop. We import MetalCloak parts directly from the manufacturer, advise on the right configuration for your model year and engine, and can fit the part in-house. If you are unsure about fitment for your vehicle, contact us before ordering - a VIN lets us confirm the match.