Fender Mounted Axe and Shovel on JK? Your vote counts!

[SunTzuNephew]

Like many, I've carried pioneer tools on off-road trips for years. I've had occasion to use the shovel, and high-lift jack, and even a bow saw from time to time.

I've never had to use my ax, though. Has anyone used one regularly? All I seem to do with mine is sharpen it, and apply rustproofing....

OBTW, mounting on the fender looks cool. I'd put the business ends towards the cab though,

 

[StumpXJ]

Practicality (is that even a word?), functionality, and legality aside... I personally dont think it looks all that great. Just an opinion though, if you like it and think it will work for your needs, go with it.

~James

 

[crusader]

I like the idea, I just don't like the execution...

As you said, Land Rovers have had shovels and pickaxes mounted there for years:

Of course, land rovers have a lot more flat real estate on the top of the wings (fenders) than your jeep does.

With that in mind, I think it's your mount that is the problem. If it were me, I'd just get some Quick Fists and mount the shovel on one side and the Axe on the other. That way, they'd be inside the body lines and would be less-likely to snag a branch or pedestrian.

Plus, it's not like you're going to be driving around to the grocery store and the mall with those things out there all the time anyway. I presume you'd just slap them on for those trips to the bush.

 

[mmccurdy]

I like the idea, I just don't like the execution...

As you said, Land Rovers have had shovels and pickaxes mounted there for years:

Of course, land rovers have a lot more flat real estate on the top of the wings (fenders) than your jeep does.

I think the key here is that the shovel is neatly tucked inside the lines of the (hard) fender on the defender.

After several thousand miles of off road driving in various conditions, my JK flares have pushed away their fair share of branches, and even kissed the occasional rock at times. Aesthetic concerns aside (and they are not insignificant), had I mounted my axe and shovel in that spot I would have found them lying on the side of the trail -- no doubt still attached to the flare -- a long time ago.

Of course, as far as functionality goes, it's all about how and where you drive. Stay out of brushy areas and tighter trails and you may never have a problem. As far as the aesthetics... well... I can't really help you there :ylsmoke:

 

[BIGdaddy]

humm...no.

maybe if you had one object on each side (axe/shovel)...

x2...this.

 

[SilverBullet]

personaly, I like the idea. However, if your fenders are plastic, I think over time fatigue and wear from the extra weight on the fender flare mounts would prove too much. Now if you have metal flares as a replacement or could somehow brace from underneath to help in weight distribution to a sturdier part, then I really like it.

 

[The Adam Blaster]

I like the idea of utilizing dead space, and aesthetics, we don't need no aesthetics!! Form over function right?

But, in regards to the extra wear and tear on the fenders, I wouldn't be so much concerned about the weight of the tools, but the aerodynic factors that would act on the fender. That shovel is going to act like a little wing and depending on which way you mount it, will cause down or up pressure when you're driving down the highway.
Then on rougher roads, with that weight bouncing up and down, chances are that the fender's attachment points will fail eventually.

Bracing the fender over the factory setup will help with this of course.

But, in the end, you have to decide for yourself if you like the way it looks.

 

[leman]

i like the way it looks. add some bracing and run it :smiley_drive:

 

[Desert Dan]

It looks great on the Land Rover but on the JK it would get torn off in the brush my first trip out.

Maybe if you could mount it flush to the fender and or use a differnet shovel?

 

[mhiscox]

X2. Mounting a disemboweling tool (the shovel) on the leading edge of the fender might have been favored in the Roman Coliseum, but it has no place in litigation-happy USA.

Lest my reputation with Chip and others suffer a Vald The Impailer-type meltdown, rest assured that the shovel is nowhere near as leathal as the pictures make it look. The shovel head can be quite a ways back on the fender, the pointy end is down and the gap between fender and shovel is small. No way to disembowel anyone, even intentionally.

Lots of reasons why this mounting may not be the best, but the leathality of the shovel isn't one of them. The innocent bystander is far more likely to be done in by the pedestrian-unfriendly winch bumper and associated HiLift jack. :sombrero:

 

[jrose609]

Mike

I like the idea of them mounted on the fenders, but I'm with the guys that suggest an axe on one fender and shovel on the other. Tuck them in so they don't get hung up.

 

[Tight_wad]

Its your JK, do what you want to do. Me personally, I would do it to mine. I do like the old army jeeps that had axes and shovels under the entry area on the sides.

 

[mhiscox]

Thanks to everyone who helped me out on this thread. Still haven't decided.

I hear you guys about one tool on each fender, which is good--maybe using Quick Fists--but then if it turns out to be lame, I need two replacement fenders instead of one.

And there's always the roof rack or the back of the door.

Anyway, I'll post up something when they're mounted. Thanks again.

 

[Brian McVickers]

Mike,

1 - If you are putting the spare tire on the roof -- How will you get to it? How will you deploy the tent? How tall will that make the rig?

2 - Considering you are removing the spare tire carrier contraption -- There is nice open space on the shell on either side of the rear window. The axe could be mounted flush on one side of the window and the shovel mounted flush on the other side. Quickfists may be the answer for that location, just one hole for each mount and if it does not work out the holes could be plugged in the fiberglass however I think that location could turn out to be just right and a permanent location.

Regards,
Brian

 

[mhiscox]

If you are putting the spare tire on the roof -- How will you get to it? How will you deploy the tent? How tall will that make the rig?

The roof rack is possible because the flipover roof and tent are history. I have a new roof setup that lifts the front edge pneumatically to provide headroom and you sleep in the cabin rather than in the tent.

There are some more not-too-exciting pictures at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/mhiscox01/EarthroamerLiftingRoof?feat=directlink

The vehicle will end up just under 9 feet tall with roof closed. Opening the roof adds about 38 inches. Tire can be either tossed off or lowered off with a recovery strap.

Considering you are removing the spare tire carrier contraption -- There is nice open space on the shell on either side of the rear window. The axe could be mounted flush on one side of the window and the shovel mounted flush on the other side. Quickfists may be the answer for that location . . .

Good plan, Brian, except that one of those two area will be getting a couple of the combo folding handhold/footstep things I need to get up on the roof.