Milford Cargo Barrier Write-up

[socalsuv]

I've had the Milford Cargo Barrier for about 6 weeks now. I am very impressed with the quality. If installed correctly, its very secure with no rattles / annoyances. I mainly got the barrier for our dogs, but I also frequetly have tools in the cargo compartment that I'd rather not have embedded in my skull should I get in a head-on collision. The rear-view visibility with the barrier installed is great. The barrier also provides some good anchor points to bungee stuff that you don't want rolling around.

I purchased the Milford Cargo Barrier from www.midwestlandcruiser.com. They seem to be the only place in the U.S. that had them in stock. Slee did not have any in stock and said that they didn't foresee getting any in the near future. Anyway, the cargo barrier was $479 plus shipping from Wisconsin. You need to make sure you order the right barrier for your 100. Apparently there are two different barrier models for my '01 100. The difference is related to the rear AC/Heater controls and vents.

The instructions that come with the load barrier are specific to the Australian model 100 (Landcruiser Sahara) so they were not 100% applicable. They are also a bit confusing. The main difference is that apparently in the Australian model 100, the rear grab handles are in the exact same location (i.e., symmetrical). On my LX, the rear grab handles were not mounted symmetrically.....they are mounted on different planes. All mounting hardware is included, although I did use some different mounting bolts which I'll explain in the thread.

I first started by removing all the 3rd row seat mounting point trim plates that were held in by a single torx-head screw. Once these were removed, the carpet comes up easily. You'll also need to remove the rear child restraint anchor point covers (they just pop off) to measure off the center of the bolt. The instructions have you start locating the upper mounting locations, however since my grab handle configuration was different, I stated with the lower mounting points.

Standing at the rear of the truck, facing forward, the instructions state to measure 155mm to the left of the passenger side child restraint center bolt. I found that 155mm put the mounting plate EXACTLY on the seam between the bare metal and the black coating. The black coating material is about 1/8" thick so the plate would not seat properly. I ended up using the edge of the black coating as my placement location and it worked well. Measure forward from the center of the child restraint mounting bolt 25mm (see photo). This will locate the center hole in the mounting plate. With this location marked, use a center punch and mark all three hole locations.

[socalsuv]

I first drilled all three holes with a 13/64"(5mm) drill bit. Be very careful drilling throughout the entire install since you'll come close to things that should NOT have holes in them. As you can see from underneath the truck, the mounting location is just to the outboard side of the support channel.

[socalsuv]

I then re-drilled the top and bottom holes with a 23/64"(9mm) drill bit. The center mounting hole needs to be drilled out to 7/8" (22mm). I did not have a 7/8"(22mm) hole saw, so I used a stepped drill bit which was probably much easier to center.

[socalsuv]

Once the holes are drilled, coat the bare metal with some rust inhibitor (Tekote - included with the barrier hardware). Thread the copper wire installation tool (included) through the mounting plate and cover the mounting plate with the mounting plate rubber seal. Then thread the mounting plate/seal through the 7/8"(22mm) hole.

[socalsuv]

Pull up on the installation tool to locate the mounting plate flat against the bottom of the sheet metal. While holding the installation tool, place the cover plate seal and countersunk metal cover plate over the installation tool. While holding the installation tool, fasten with the two 5/16" BSW x 1" screws. Once fastened, pull the installation tool out of the center mounting hole. Sorry for out of focus pic.

[socalsuv]

Picture from below...

[socalsuv]

The drivers side lower mounting point is exactly the same.

[socalsuv]

The next point to locate is the passenger side upper mount. You'll need to remove the side window trim panels. In order to do this, you'll first need to remove the grab handles and 3rd row seat belt anchors. You'll also need to pop off the upper center trim piece above the tailgate. With this piece removed, you can carefully pop out the anchors that hold the side window trim. I didn't completely remove the side window trim...just pulled it far enough away to get access to the metal frame near the grab handles.
From the rear passenger side grab handle rear mounting hole, measure forward 90mm. From the centerline of the grab handle mounting holes, measure 6mm toward the side window. This will be the center hole location for the mounting plate. Go through the same hole drilling process as you did for the lower mounting holes and fasten the mounting plate. Don't worry too much about drilling through the roof.....there's more room there than you'd think....at least 4".

[socalsuv]

With the passenger side upper mounting plate installed, carefully drill a hole through the plastic window trim so that it lines up with the center hole of the mounting plate. Snap the side window trim back in and reinstall the grab handle and 3rd row seat belt anchor. The barrier comes with an M10 Wing bolt to anchor the barrier to the mounting plate. I could not easily get this wing bolt tight enough and also didn't like the fact that it made the grab handle entirely useless.

[socalsuv]

I opted for M10 x 1.5 x 50mm bolts. I cut down the passenger side mounting bolt to 30mm, otherwise you can't get the bolt in the hole with the grab handle in the way. I guess the only down side to using these bolts is that you'll need a wrench to remove / install. Then again, I couldn't get the wing bolt tight enough to feel good about the installation anyway. Regardless, it doesn't negate the grab handle.

[socalsuv]

Now on to the final mounting location. This is where the instructions were useless since the drivers side rear grab handle is mounted on the side of the frame instead of the bottom. Install the barrier and anchor to the other three mounting locations. Get the barrier in to its final location.....I used the second row of seats to visually locate the barrier so that it was even. Use the upper drivers side barrier bracket to mark the center hole of the mounting plate. With the center hole marked, drill the mounting holes and install the mounting plate. Again, drill a hole through the plastic trim so that it lines up with the center hole of the mounting plate. Snap the side window trim back in place, attach grab handle and seat belt anchor. Reinstall the upper center trim piece above the tailgate.

[socalsuv]

Lastly you'll need to make holes in the carpet for the lower mounting bolts. Reinstall the carpet and 3rd row seat anchor trim pieces.

[socalsuv]

With the barrier installed, the rear cargo mat still fits....kind of.

[socalsuv]

Pics of the final product:

[Topmounter]

Nice job adapting the kit to your rig. I have only one question, what is the scenario where someone is going to be behind the cargo barrier and need the glass breaker? I'm assuming you can't or at least wouldn't put the 3rd row seats back in with the cargo barrier installed. The tool doesn't look paw-friendly, so it couldn't be for the dogs


btw, is it me or are many of the images uploaded to these forums corrupted? Several of the images in this thread appear half clear and the other half blank.

[100 TD]

Originally Posted by Topmounter

btw, is it me or are many of the images uploaded to these forums corrupted? Several of the images in this thread appear half clear and the other half blank.

If you have a NETGEAR GGRRRRRRRRR router then it is your problem, check the help desk on netgear rubbish routers.

[100 TD]

Good write up, just a note, there are also HALF cargo barriers available for the fitting of roller drawers, made by Milford and Black Widow

[100 TD]

Originally Posted by Topmounter

I have only one question, what is the scenario where someone is going to be behind the cargo barrier and need the glass breaker? I'm assuming you can't or at least wouldn't put the 3rd row seats back in with the cargo barrier installed. The tool doesn't look paw-friendly, so it couldn't be for the dogs

Some people smear vaginal jelly on their toast, so you have to put the glass breaker in there!

[Tom B]

Nice writeup. I have been wanting to get a Milford, thanks for posting a source as well.

[100 TD]

Now you have a barrier, you may wish to read this post
IH8MUD™ Forums - View Single Post - Inability to open rear tailgate with cargo barrier installed

[100 TD]

Here is a pic of a HALF-HEIGHT barrier mount
IH8MUD™ Forums - View Single Post - African Outback Drawer System Installed!

[socalsuv]

Originally Posted by Topmounter

Nice job adapting the kit to your rig. I have only one question, what is the scenario where someone is going to be behind the cargo barrier and need the glass breaker? I'm assuming you can't or at least wouldn't put the 3rd row seats back in with the cargo barrier installed. The tool doesn't look paw-friendly, so it couldn't be for the dogs

I would never "plan" on someone being back there and needing the glass breaker. But, it came attached to the barrier so I left it on. Who knows, my wife may "accidentally" lock me in there and its nice to know I have a way out when she drives it off the cliff in to the ocean.

[socalsuv]

Originally Posted by 100 TD

Now you have a barrier, you may wish to read this post
IH8MUD™ Forums - View Single Post - Inability to open rear tailgate with cargo barrier installed

Great info, thanks! Never even realized that could happen. I guess I could always mount one of those glass breakers on the outside of the vehicle too.

[dclee]

Originally Posted by Topmounter

Nice job adapting the kit to your rig. I have only one question, what is the scenario where someone is going to be behind the cargo barrier and need the glass breaker? I'm assuming you can't or at least wouldn't put the 3rd row seats back in with the cargo barrier installed. The tool doesn't look paw-friendly, so it couldn't be for the dogs

It's for humans. It's a "just in case" precaution, specifically for the case where someone accidentally locks theirself in the back of the truck and can't get out the front due to the cargo barrier. Seems like a rare occurrence, but apparently there are documented cases of this happening in Oz (which is where the barrier is made).

[dclee]

Originally Posted by 100 TD

Now you have a barrier, you may wish to read this post
IH8MUD™ Forums - View Single Post - Inability to open rear tailgate with cargo barrier installed

This has actually happened to me on my U.S. spec Cruiser twice now. In both cases I was able to rock the truck a bit to get the offending piece of cargo off the lock, but it is definitely a problem. Now I am more careful and have to plan a bit more on how I pack if the gear will be piled that high. Aside from that extra planning effort, I don't think it's too big of a problem.

[100 TD]

Originally Posted by dclee

This has actually happened to me on my U.S. spec Cruiser twice now.........I don't think it's too big of a problem.

You obviously don't have 3 kids and have to stuff all their junk in, I have contemplated using a ratchet strap to close the gate on occasions!

[hoser]

Originally Posted by socalsuv