2005 TJL Tiedown rail instalation

[BPage]

Here are two pictures of the side walls and what I am trying to do (hope I can get these pictures to load).

I think it would be a cool mod...but the way it is going right now I may have to mount it laying down on the fender well like the third picture? But then I am worried about the load it can support at a 90 degree angle. I think the manufacture rated the rails at 500 lbs but that had to be a straight up pull, not at an angle.

 

[BPage]

Can anyone tell me how to get the pictures to show in the thread, without making people click on a link to see them?

 

[BPage]

Is the Jeep top on or off. How about attaching a piece of angle iron to the top rail using the stock hard top holes. Then attach the rail to the angle iron.

http://www.yalesteel.net/servlet/the-117/STEEL-ANGLE-IRON-L/Detail
Here is a quick google search of the angle iron I am talking about.

Damn... didn't think of that??? That actually sounds like it would work. :clapsmile

I wonder if the top rail could stand the pull? The force of a straight pull on the slide loc (type) rail would equal a force straight down on the top rail of the jeep? Ya think it would bend the top rail of the jeep?

 

[inked33]

you can always put some angle iron underneath the rail for extra support?

 

[Gear]

I think it is worth a try. Home Depot sells some pretty good size aluminum angle iron. I don't think it will bend the Jeep but then again I have no idea what you are trying to tie down. I think if you ever decided to put the hard top on you could always sandwich the hardtop between the angle iron and the Jeep rail. You might need to notch the angle iron for some high spots but it should work. I would try and use as many holes on the Jeep to attach the angle iron. 3 should be enough.

Good luck!

 

[StumpXJ]

If it were me, I would mount it flat as you have in the last picture. I have the same mounts in my XJ, and you will likely never have a straight pull. I use them as an angled pull all the time, and they work great.

If you dont want to mount them flat, then the angle iron would do the trick for sure, but you have to get creative so it doesnt affect the seal of the hard top. maybe mount the angle iron under the rail, instead of on top. Use a countersunk screw from the top, and you should be good.

Definitely doable in many ways, just got to figure out what works best for ya.

Bottom line though, definitely forget the JB weld for that set-up. It has its place, but not in this application.

~James

 

[BPage]

So I am still working on the install, but I have mocked up something and bolted it in. I used a 2x1 steel track from Lowes and some bolts from a fastener shop.

Take a look and let me know what you think?

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

So, how does that work with hard top or soft top placement/installation?

 

[BPage]

Well, I only have a soft top and it works fine. it is inside the drip edge so it doesn't even touch the soft top.
And I would imagine if I had a hard top I would just sandwich the metal between the hard top and the body and put the bolts back in. should work fine.

So, how does that work with hard top or soft top placement/installation?

 

[KSJeep]

Interesting Idea, may have to look at something along that line for the TJ.

 

[BPage]

Finished

Sorry for the delay in posting... however here is the finished product.

Turned out great.

Things I would do different:
1. I bought this truck bedliner spray in a can and put three coats on the 2x1 angle that I used to mount the rail to... stuff scratches right off! Need to find something different to use.

2. I should have bought a longer piece of 2x1, that way I could move the rail back and forth as I see fit, instead of being constrained by the hardtop hole locations. my 2x1 was 3 ft long and my rail was 3 ft long so it kinda hindered where I could place it.

But besides that I am good.
Hope others benifit from my mistakes and accomplishments.

B.Page
:smiley_drive:

 

[BigAl]

Can you just drill thru the body and use a button head bolt from the outside? Fin a black torx button head and you could make it look stockish

 

[BPage]

I could have, but I wanted the outside to still have a smooth finish...

My original thought was to weld it to the inside wall, however there were two problems with that. 1. the rails are aluminum, and you can't weld two dissimilar metals. and 2. I wasn't read to repaint my Jeep yet... the heat would have most definitely bubbled the paint on the outside.

 

[kvincent]

Another option, though not as versatile, is to simply replace the hardtop bolts with eye bolts and washers. You can use them with the top on or off.

 

[Chuck59]

Great idea. Looks well fabricated!. Thanks for the idea and fab insight.