I looked at a lot of other builds trying to decide what I wanted to do with my rig and how far I wanted to take it. Suboverland was a big inspiration for the direction I took. I liked the look of their builds along with the function. Some of my future plans come straight from their designs and concepts. While I do like the rear side window cubbies they install, I like the technical look of the Molle panels I was seeing in a lot of 4-Runners better.
I looked all over the place online for someone that was building Molle panels to fit my rig. The best I could find was a rectangular fabric Molle panel, like for the back of a seat. I mounted one up on the driver side but the Molle pattern was on its side. I made it work for a while but the fabric was too loose and items strapped to it would bang on the window. Back to the drawing board, literally.
I started by tracing out the inside of each rear window on big sheets of paper. Since I have the rear A/C unit the passenger side and drivers side window are different. I trimmed out my tracings and used what ever I could find to make the correct rounded corners. I think I used a large soup can for the bottom front corners and maybe a soda can for the top front corners. Once I had the paper template fitting I measured it all out and transferred the outline in to AutoCad. From there I looked up the specs for Molle and looked over a few different hard panels that were for other trucks and Jeeps. I then drew the Molle into the outline with some slots and holes along the edges for mounting options. I sent the finalized AutoCad files to a couple of online places that say they will take your plans and CNC them into a selection of materials. All the prices were more than I was willing to spend. I reached out to a couple of friends that specialize in non-automotive stainless steel fabrication and just asked for a quote. The first questions I got were "What the heck is it and what's it for? I explained what they were and that they were for my search truck. Next thing I know both panels show up with a note to consider them a donation provided I promise to send the search team if they are ever lost. I can do that! Thanks to Juan, Don, Brendan and Marcos. Other than my time to trace out the windows and draw up the AutoCad files the panels did not cost me anything.
I used some stainless I had available to make up some brackets for the top. I dropped the headliner and mounted them straight to the steel roof framing. On the bottom I pulled the inner plastic trim off, mounted some standoffs that I could screw the bottom of the panels too. They are good and secure. I do not hear them rattling around at all going down the road. I did have to trim the drivers side at the bottom middle. I did not leave enough room to pull the cubby out to get at the jack and items I have shoved in that space. I went back and updated my files to account for it if I ever need to build another set.
Overall I am happy with the way they turned out. Just recently I did stumble across Orange Box Design & Fabrication's website (https://www.orangeboxxfabrication.com) that says they are building custom fit Molle panels, similar to what I did, for 2000-2006 Suburbans (along with a bunch of other vehicles). I do not know anything about Orange Box other than what is on their website. If I had to do it over again would I buy or would I build? If I didn't have some good friends I might not have had a choice. I don't have a CNC laser jet in my garage. Hmm maybe I should see if Orange Box is hiring?
![DS Molle 1.jpg DS Molle 1.jpg](https://expeditionportal.com/forum/data/attachments/606/606761-64c8425f6eadaf31464651b533561a74.jpg)
![PS Molle.jpg PS Molle.jpg](https://expeditionportal.com/forum/data/attachments/606/606762-96b5860882c0be09dbdb5d5b332f092f.jpg)
I looked all over the place online for someone that was building Molle panels to fit my rig. The best I could find was a rectangular fabric Molle panel, like for the back of a seat. I mounted one up on the driver side but the Molle pattern was on its side. I made it work for a while but the fabric was too loose and items strapped to it would bang on the window. Back to the drawing board, literally.
I started by tracing out the inside of each rear window on big sheets of paper. Since I have the rear A/C unit the passenger side and drivers side window are different. I trimmed out my tracings and used what ever I could find to make the correct rounded corners. I think I used a large soup can for the bottom front corners and maybe a soda can for the top front corners. Once I had the paper template fitting I measured it all out and transferred the outline in to AutoCad. From there I looked up the specs for Molle and looked over a few different hard panels that were for other trucks and Jeeps. I then drew the Molle into the outline with some slots and holes along the edges for mounting options. I sent the finalized AutoCad files to a couple of online places that say they will take your plans and CNC them into a selection of materials. All the prices were more than I was willing to spend. I reached out to a couple of friends that specialize in non-automotive stainless steel fabrication and just asked for a quote. The first questions I got were "What the heck is it and what's it for? I explained what they were and that they were for my search truck. Next thing I know both panels show up with a note to consider them a donation provided I promise to send the search team if they are ever lost. I can do that! Thanks to Juan, Don, Brendan and Marcos. Other than my time to trace out the windows and draw up the AutoCad files the panels did not cost me anything.
I used some stainless I had available to make up some brackets for the top. I dropped the headliner and mounted them straight to the steel roof framing. On the bottom I pulled the inner plastic trim off, mounted some standoffs that I could screw the bottom of the panels too. They are good and secure. I do not hear them rattling around at all going down the road. I did have to trim the drivers side at the bottom middle. I did not leave enough room to pull the cubby out to get at the jack and items I have shoved in that space. I went back and updated my files to account for it if I ever need to build another set.
Overall I am happy with the way they turned out. Just recently I did stumble across Orange Box Design & Fabrication's website (https://www.orangeboxxfabrication.com) that says they are building custom fit Molle panels, similar to what I did, for 2000-2006 Suburbans (along with a bunch of other vehicles). I do not know anything about Orange Box other than what is on their website. If I had to do it over again would I buy or would I build? If I didn't have some good friends I might not have had a choice. I don't have a CNC laser jet in my garage. Hmm maybe I should see if Orange Box is hiring?
![DS Molle 1.jpg DS Molle 1.jpg](https://expeditionportal.com/forum/data/attachments/606/606761-64c8425f6eadaf31464651b533561a74.jpg)
![PS Molle.jpg PS Molle.jpg](https://expeditionportal.com/forum/data/attachments/606/606762-96b5860882c0be09dbdb5d5b332f092f.jpg)