Well, I finally did it—I ripped the old roof rack right off our Gladiator because it was garbage. We’ve tried to make it work for a couple years, but it had to go. The problem is, the roof racks we really want long-term are the quality overlanding options that run anywhere from about $800 to $1,800. So instead of rushing into a big purchase, I went looking for a short-term solution that would keep our adventures going. In this video, I install and review the Hooke Road BXG.3035-S roof rack cargo carrier that’s designed for the 2018–2026 Jeep Wrangler JL and Gladiator JT hardtop. I walk through the simple six-step build: laying everything out, assembling the outer frame, adding the cross beams, and setting up the rain-rail mounting brackets with the included rubber caps and adhesive strips to help protect the paint. I also share a few “voice of experience” tips—like not tightening anything until it’s all aligned, choosing rack orientation for better aerodynamics, and re-tightening bolts after a few weeks of driving (especially dirt roads). For around $300, it checks most of our boxes and bridges the gap while we shop for the long-term rack.