Factory Jack Bed Relocation Project Using Molle Panel

[goalieThreeOne]

I'm in the early stages of installing a new audio package for my 801a. Part of that package is a full length behind-the-seat subwoofer enclosure for two 10" woofers. I'll detail that in future posts. But that enclosure requires me to remove the factory jack mount behind the rear passenger side seat. What I didn't want to do was stuff in in the under seat tray and take up storage room that I need to store my PPE, FAK, Straps, etc. Plus I didn't want it rattling around. I had considered the Swing Case, but was unsure if the jack would even fit, plus it blocks the bed light. I did not want to invest in a Hi-Lift jack and none of the bottle jacks on the market had enough stroke for a flat tire with a 9inch sidewall. So figured I'd take a stab at my own solution while re-using the factory jack.

For this project, I started with a BuiltRight Industries Passenger Rear Molle Panel. To attach the jack, I used their QuickFist Long Arm Riser Mount. I also bought a set of their MOLLE hardware, but did not end up using that for this project. After some careful placement, I came up with this:

Now this is really nothing new, since the Long Arm clamps are meant for Hi-Lift jacks. But they also work well for the factory jack package. If I decide to invest in a Hi-Lift down the road, it's as simple as adding a small Molle panel to the front BoxLink mount and clamping it across the two panels. The second half of this project will be to establish a way to mount the factory jack extension in a way that doesn't require tools. Right now I'm thinking I'll use the extra MOLLE hardware I got, along with a long 1/4-20 thumb screw and mount it to the MOLLE panel exactly like how it mounts to the factory jack location. I will also try to find a waterproof nylon bag or pouch to put the jack in to protect it from the water that leaks past my Revolver tonneau cover.

The panel does block some light, but it's still far better than a Swing Case. I might end up mounting a light with a flexible arm to this panel, or one on the driver side plugged into the 12V jack, so I can have some light I can position around the bed and tailgate for range trips.

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[Flash69]

You sir a a genius!!!! I have the BuiltRight Rear Molle panel. I have a fire extinguisher mounted to it with a quick release. I am also installing a major audio system which has a full length amp rack on the back wall. I’ve been looking for ideas for a place to mount the factory jack. This never even crossed my mind. I’m ordering the clamps right now. Thank you!

For the light, I didn’t like that is was blocked as little as well. My solution is to install some LED bed lights at the top of the bed just under my bed cover. This will give me much more light with the added benefit I can change colors if I like. LOL

 

[KTM753]

Great use of your Molle panels! I haven't found a good use for mine yet. Thinking ratchet strap storage...

 

[goalieThreeOne]

You sir a a genius!!!! I have the BuiltRight Rear Molle panel. I have a fire extinguisher mounted to it with a quick release. I am also installing a major audio system which has a full length amp rack on the back wall. I’ve been looking for ideas for a place to mount the factory jack. This never even crossed my mind. I’m ordering the clamps right now. Thank you!

For the light, I didn’t like that is was blocked as little as well. My solution is to install some LED bed lights at the top of the bed just under my bed cover. This will give me much more light with the added benefit I can change colors if I like. LOL

I’m gonna live with this for a little bit but if the molle ends up making the light too dim I’ll take out some of the grid with an angle grinder.

 

[goalieThreeOne]

Great use of your Molle panels! I haven't found a good use for mine yet. Thinking ratchet strap storage...

BuiltRight has some molle pouches that you can probably fit two ratchet straps in. That might be on my list in the future.

 

[Mszczewski]

They have a case that’ll fit about 8 standard size ratchet straps without blocking the light. Or in my case 4 ratchet straps and a bunch of bungee cords.

 

[JJSnell]

I'm in the early stages of installing a new audio package for my 801a. Part of that package is a full length behind-the-seat subwoofer enclosure for two 10" woofers. I'll detail that in future posts.

<Pulls up a chair with a bowl of popcorn to follow the future speaker install>

 

[goalieThreeOne]

<Pulls up a chair with a bowl of popcorn to follow the future speaker install>

The enclosure just shipped. So that will be coming soon. Shop expects to have it for four days. I probably won’t get pictures of everything going but I will make a very detailed write up on what I did and what it’s like

 

[nitrobass24]

Thanks a lot! Something else I need to do now.

My ratchet Straps just roll around in the bed currently, this would be perfect.

 

[goalieThreeOne]

Part 2!

The last thing I wanted to hang from this is the jack extension, rather than rattle around in the console or storage box. I'm not sure if the jack extension is a Raptor only thing, or if other trims have it.

What I wanted to do was create a captive stud to go through the holes and have a knob to cinch it down so fi I ever take it off, I don't have 6 pieces of hardware to keep up with.

I started with a 1/4-20 bolt, fully threaded, 2 3/4 inch long. If I were to do it again, I'd get a 3 or 3 1/2 inch bolt instead just to get more threads on the knob. I simply threaded it from the back side of the MOLLE panel (which meant unmounting it) and then cinch it down with a nylon anti vibration nut and a washer.

Now, you can stop here and just use the knob I'll show you in a bit and it's done. But I didn't want the extension banging around and rattling, so I ended up getting some rubber tubing from McMaster-Carr. The diameter is important. It needs to be 1/4" inner diameter, 7/16" outer diameter. This allows it to pass snugly through the holes you'll see in a bit. If your bed is uncovered, you'll want the UV resistant stuff but other than that it really doesn't matter what material, color, or style of tubing you use. Unfortunately MC only sells the tubing I got in 25 foot roles, so now I have 24 2/4 feet of useless tubing leftover. push it over the stud, hang the extension, and then make a mark to cut with a utility knife. You want the tubing to end exactly at the same point on the stud as the extension.

Next you're gonna need a knob. I used a nylon 4 wing through-hole knob in red. You can use any knob you want, but you need to make sure the shoulder of the knob is larger than 1/2", but much larger is preferred. I chose a through-hole knob so I didn't have to worry about how much stud was sticking out and not having enough thread. If I did it again, I'd get a through-hole knob with nylon insert for anti-vibration. All available from McMaster-Carr. I used a 7921K61. When everything's in place it will look like this:

With the extension mounted:

Complete setup:

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions, I'm happy to answer them.

 

[G_Money]

Anyone tried the Maxzina or Utiiy Molle panels on Amazon? 40% of the price of builtright and have cutouts for the bedlights. Guessing the coating won't hold up as well....
https://www.amazon.com/Utiiy-Compat...13HS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[goalieThreeOne]

Anyone tried the Maxzina or Utiiy Molle panels on Amazon? 40% of the price of builtright and have cutouts for the bedlights. Guessing the coating won't hold up as well....
https://www.amazon.com/Utiiy-Compat...13HS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8&th=1

I don't want to be a shill for BuiltRight, but Matt, the owner, has done a comparison between some Amazon special panels and his own. Those Amazon panels seem to be made of really thin metal and have a lot of flex. Some of them are plastic. The MOLLE pattern doesn't seem to be standard either.

If you compare prices between BuiltRight, Putco, and ADD, the BuiltRight seems to be the best bang for your buck for a quality American made product. My thought is, you're gonna being hanging some weight on it, it needs to be durable. I think if you were just hanging a FAK or something, an Amazon panel would be fine. But I would not trust a jack or fire extinguisher.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Zyvin]

I’ve often wondered about flipping the spare tire to where the inset is toward the truck body and putting the jack inside of it (securing it so it wouldn’t rattle of course).

i would never use that jack unless I was needing that spare on.

 

[goalieThreeOne]

I’ve often wondered about flipping the spare tire to where the inset is toward the truck body and putting the jack inside of it (securing it so it wouldn’t rattle of course).

i would never use that jack unless I was needing that spare on.

You could just throw a ratchet strap around the spare and hang it. I didn’t want it under there because the last thing I want is a corroded seized jack but it would have been way more tidy.

 

[Flash69]

I had to follow @goalieThreeOne’s lead since this is such a great idea and I needed a place to move my jack for my amp rack.

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