Barn Door for JK factory hardtops

[ReconH3]

I did a quick sketch showing how this idea might work with no drilling on the Jeep or hardtop...

A bracket of 16-gauge steel (1/16" thick) would go on top of the tub/under the hardtop and be secured in place with the hardtop bolts, and a top mounting arrangement that uses the hatch hinge bolts in the back and clamps on the the drip rail in the front would enable a rack like the one you're asking about to be mounted without drilling.

I've drawn it with a Molle grid, but any kind of arrangement for mounting things could be done. Wouldn't be hard to make, just requires a little detailed design and some accurate bending. No drilling, easy to install/remove.

Anybody want one? Might be a fun project to do .

Yes!!!! Only thing I would do different is make holes in between the Molle slots. I would do that so you can mount bolt on accessories, such as Quick fist. I know can mount them in the slots, but will tend to shift along the slot. Just an idea to your already great idea.

 

[jscherb]

Yes!!!! Only thing I would do different is make holes in between the Molle slots. I would do that so you can mount bolt on accessories, such as Quick fist. I know can mount them in the slots, but will tend to shift along the slot. Just an idea to your already great idea.

Adding holes between the slots is an excellent idea.

It wasn't my great idea though, the initial idea was Jorsn's. All I did was design a way for it to mount on a JK hardtop without drilling .

I wonder if there would be enough interest in it to make a prototype and see if some company wanted to market it?

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Do you think it's possible to have a rear side mount similar to this for the JK? I realize the G Wagon has upper and lower rail mounts and the JK doesn't, but you seem to be able to come up with a solution to everything:sombrero:

 

[jscherb]

The "Rubican" 2.5-gallon container that I've been testing for a company has been officially released: http://www.retrofitoffroad.com/shop...rlocking-liquid-container-system-black-water/

A Rubican on my Overland Rack prototype:

 

[TrailBadger]

@Jeff Did you create/design these Rubicans?.. the reason I ask is that I'm needed a better designed twist knob because of my arthritis. if I was to purchase a product like this i wouldn't be able to tighten or loosen the twist knob. I need something more like a pressure latch that runs through the main mounting hole and flips down or up causing a pressure tight seal against the mounting bracket.

 

[jscherb]

@Jeff Did you create/design these Rubicans?.. the reason I ask is that I'm needed a better designed twist knob because of my arthritis. if I was to purchase a product like this i wouldn't be able to tighten or loosen the twist knob. I need something more like a pressure latch that runs through the main mounting hole and flips down or up causing a pressure tight seal against the mounting bracket.

No, I didn't design them, I just tested them for the company.

But in the time since you posted that question while I've been sitting here at my desk watching the news I designed a solution for you. All it takes is a piece of plywood (or plastic or some other suitable material), a hole saw (or use a jigsaw if you don't have the right size hole saw), and a rat-tail file.

I printed the drawing out on my printer on cardstock, cut it out, and "tested" it on the desktop...

 

[Comanche Scott]

The "Rubican" 2.5-gallon container that I've been testing for a company has been officially released: http://www.retrofitoffroad.com/shop...rlocking-liquid-container-system-black-water/

A Rubican on my Overland Rack prototype:

Congrats Jeff! :beer:
The JK is one more step closer to a self contained RV, with the black-water tank.

 

[jscherb]

Congrats Jeff! :beer:
The JK is one more step closer to a self contained RV, with the black-water tank.

Yes, you could use it for what the RV-ers call "black water", but I think the what the company meant by their description is that it's a water container that's black .

And no congrats are due to me, all I did was test it.

 

[TrailBadger]

No, I didn't design them, I just tested them for the company.

But in the time since you posted that question while I've been sitting here at my desk watching the news I designed a solution for you. All it takes is a piece of plywood (or plastic or some other suitable material), a hole saw (or use a jigsaw if you don't have the right size hole saw), and a rat-tail file.

I printed the drawing out on my printer on cardstock, cut it out, and "tested" it on the desktop...

Fantastic Jeff wonderful creation. I do like the Rubican design better than the rotopax design. Thanks you for helping with my suggestion. Now even I could loosen or tighten the knob. If we go this route I'll have the shop look at your design and go from there.

 

[jscherb]

Fantastic Jeff wonderful creation. I do like the Rubican design better than the rotopax design. Thanks you for helping with my suggestion. Now even I could loosen or tighten the knob. If we go this route I'll have the shop look at your design and go from there.

Thanks for giving me the chance to design something for you .

I always enjoy the challenge of someone posting a problem and seeing if I can come up with a practical solution for the problem. Also enjoyed when Jorsn posted the question about whether the side rack idea on the G-wagon could be adapted to the JK.

 

[TrailBadger]

Jeff just thought about your design.. although you made the wooden handle for the top knob.. it would need to be designed for the mounting knob also. So a 2 hole handle/tool of sorts with an opening for the twist open fuel cap and another opening for the mounting knob.

I like the Rubican spare tire mount as seen on this site:

http://www.retrofitoffroad.com/shop/jk-jeep-wrangler-2007-2015/jeep-rotopax-tailgate-hinge-mount/

But can this mount be relocated on the drivers side for easier access to refuel (tank and Jerry can) at the same time if needed. The image shows the mounting bracket on the passenger side..

 

[jscherb]

Jeff just thought about your design.. although you made the wooden handle for the top knob.. it would need to be designed for the mounting knob also. So a 2 hole handle/tool of sorts with an opening for the twist open fuel cap and another opening for the mounting knob.

That's easy. This is a photo of the mounting knob - it's got spokes in it so the easiest way to make a tool for this is pins that engage the spokes.

Here's how:

You might drill the holes a 7/32 instead of 1/4 so the dowels are a press fit in the holes to make the assembly stronger.

I like the Rubican spare tire mount as seen on this site:

http://www.retrofitoffroad.com/shop/jk-jeep-wrangler-2007-2015/jeep-rotopax-tailgate-hinge-mount/

But can this mount be relocated on the drivers side for easier access to refuel (tank and Jerry can) at the same time if needed. The image shows the mounting bracket on the passenger side..

It's designed to mount on the passenger side for two reasons - mostly because it bolts directly to the tailgate hinges, which are on that side, but also because if it were on the driver's side it would be directly in front of the tailgate handle/lock, making it very awkward to open the tailgate.

 

[jscherb]

This morning I put a final finish on the mold master flat fenders. I was planning to shoot them with clear, but discovered I didn't have enough clear on hand for the job, so I shot them in white epoxy instead. After the epoxy cures a few days I'll make the molds.

 

[Comanche Scott]

Yes, you could use it for what the RV-ers call "black water", but I think the what the company meant by their description is that it's a water container that's black .

And no congrats are due to me, all I did was test it.

I thought you were the one who hooked up the retailer with the mfg.

BTW: The black-water comment was meant jokingly. That said, black isn't a good choice for potable water.

Fenders are looking really good!

 

[jscherb]

The company that's doing the Tactical Spare cover sent me this photo of a patch they put on the side Velcro on their 37" test cover. I was thinking many people would put flags, military patches, things like that... I haven't seen one like this before:

 

[ReconH3]

The company that's doing the Tactical Spare cover sent me this photo of a patch they put on the side Velcro on their 37" test cover. I was thinking many people would put flags, military patches, things like that... I haven't seen one like this before:

I love that. I would make it twice as long in case somebody wishes to put more than one patch, or a long one with a name.