ARCHIVE 80 Series D-Pillar Mount

[NLXTACY]

It looks like it would still work with the eye bolts on the "little something" you were working on in April.

Actually I gave up on trying to find the correct eye-bolts and actually came up with something that is more useful. I got first article last week and need to harden/heat treat and then nickel plate. Need to make a Wits' End punch to mark these:

 

[Dubbinchris]

Actually I gave up on trying to find the correct eye-bolts and actually came up with something that is more useful. I got first article last week and need to harden/heat treat and then nickel plate. Need to make a Wits' End punch to mark these:
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These look like fixed "bolts" from the rock climbing world.

 

[NLXTACY]

These look like fixed "bolts" from the rock climbing world.

Fixed anchors but yes there are dozens of manufacturers of these types. But the majority of them have curved mounting faces to prevent turning on rock, and none of them have the correct sized bolt opening to be used for vehicles. So I get this one to myself

 

[mingles]

Well, I thought I started this project in January but it turns out I started this in Aug of 2014. Sheesh.

I am in the middle of several projects but because of vendor issues, supply issues or just money issues, I have time to continue working on other projects to see them to completion. One of those projects is the D-Pillar Mount that I originally just wanted for myself until the local guys saw what I was working on and said, "me too!" This meant redesigning for it be produced on a larger scale.

Since I removed my 3rd row seats and removed the 3rd row seat belts, I had these holes just sitting there in the pillar and it just looked unfinished. I saw what one mudder made which was a clever little mount that holds like a small fire extinguisher and I thought that the design could really go in a different direction.

I wanted a mount that would go from the rear of the 3rd row slider window and the rear hatch in order to give myself as much usable space as I could. The then made the height from the plastic cargo panel up to the top of the slider window. Its not a huge amount of space but depending on what I wanted to install it could actually give me a lot of options. Of course it grew into a monster because there was no shortage of options I could have taken. There is lies the problem. I know what I wanted and I kind of developed in that direction. But since others *might* want it I now need to keep in mind others needs. I'm a giver like that "flipoff2:

In its current iteration the mount bolts to the top 3rd row seat belt hole and also into a smaller bolt hole found just under the plastic cargo cover. I would be 10000x happier if there was a third bolt hole to attach to but so far I've had no like in finding it. So with only two bolt holes, one being fairly small, its fairly stable but not enough to bring me the warm fuzzies. It just may be one of those things I need to just accept and move on. Others may not see an issue but I do.

The mount itself is "L" shaped with a tall, skinny side facing the rear hatch and the wider side facing into the cargo area. The idea of the tall, skinny side was to make it either a quick release vertical drawer which could hose a narrow first aid kit or it would just be a painted, reflective panel notifying the presence of a first aid kit or fire extinguisher. As I started developing I noticed that this may not work out because of the curvature of the D-Pillar panel. The is moot if the panel is removed but I just don't see many people being willing to remove the panel just to add my stupid mount.

As I started developing further I realized I could make something more useful by making a "power strip" or "camping module" that would have all the wiring necessary for USB charging ports, LED cooking light, 12v power, etc etc. So I made up a proto and played around. Then I added in a square hole to add in an extension cord for a power inverter. Why did I did that? Because mounting a power inverter inside the cargo area makes it awkward to get to the 110v plugs. Not everyone is all that thrilled to move the panel to someplace more convenient. So I made some extension cords using a square, snap-in Edison plug ans soldered it to a standard 6ft extension cord. Worked perfectly.

On the wide side of the mount I started making interchangeable panels that could be dedicated for a first aid kit or common tool kit or fire extinguisher or whatever. Then I considered, am considering, make a large APU type accessory that would snap into it that would carry all sorts of stuff. Or it could be a MOLLE plate where you could just add your own bags, or it could be a flat plate with just Velcro. No shortage of options but it started getting too unwieldy because I was concentrating too much on what I THOUGHT you folks might want instead of, well, asking and getting input.

This mount is high visibility and its intended for that.

I'm all ears. I'd love to get feedback because after 18 months of working on this I would love to see this see the light of day.

I like the idea and where it is going (multiuse panel). This is indeed wasted space and that unused upper bolt begs for an attachment.

A few thoughts...

1. For any serious weight (fire extinguisher, small inverter, etc) I share your concern about only having two mounting bolts. Is there any way to brace off the rear window latch for the third point?

2. For those of us in wetter climates I can see the weatherproofness of an exposed switch/outlet panel being a challenge. While water doesn't necessarily drip on that location, every time the hatch is opened when it's raining that spot is exposed to moisture. While removing my rear seat belts this weekend (in a steady light rain) my tools working on those same bolts got soaked. Weatherproof switches could be used but weatherproof DC and AC outlets start to get a bit bulky for that space.

3. I would be excited by a MOLLE panel on the large flat surface with a three point mounting design. I would prefer the small face with pre punched holes (mix of square, round, rectangular) with included plastic knockout plugs to finish off the unused holes. The challenge with the "almost there" knockouts (like on the FEM) is that you compromise the powder coating as soon as you start cutting the plugs out. It can be touched up, but that is just one more step.

FWIW - I used the cavity where the seat belt roll went as my "outlet box". It is big enough to hold DC and AC outlets md already has wire access holes in the rear. My long term thought is to makes drop in access/outlet plate to cover that cavity so I don't need to remove the whole side panel every time I want to access wiring.

In conclusion, I think your plate idea is innovative and would certainly be useful but I can't see you retiring off the sales profits. The demographic of 80 owners who have more money than time to throw at mods has progressively shifted towards the more time VS money camp.

 

[msapers]

I love this idea. It's a great thing to have a first aid kit but it's not much good when it's buried underneath all your other gear. For my purposes, I would like a panel that would accommodate a quickly removable molle medic's bag. Hard mounted first aid kits are all fine and good until someone is injured away from the vehicle and you have to run to their location carrying a bunch of loose supplies. I will have a slide out kitchen on my driver's side, so one of these panels with a fire extinguisher mounted to it would be best on that side. Another one of these panels on the passenger's side would be ideal for the first aid kit mount. I say "ideal" but it's such a small area, it doesn't really matter what side holds what. I LOVE the "First AID Kit" labeling. Labeling the location of your emergency gear is an absolute must. What if you're the one that's hurt and your buddies are dicking around looking for your first aid kit while you're bleeding out? A nice "in your face" label could prevent that (reflective is good too).

For the first aid bag itself, I would probably want to use something like this mounted with Velcro (even the simplest clips can befuddle someone who is operating under extreme stress, so rip and run is always good). I like the carry strap on this bag for easy transport when out of the vehicle although I would like to see the inside a little more compartmentalized for good organization. The size is perfect. 10" Medics Bag First Aid utility pouch Molle Equipped - Tan / Sa, Acid Tactical Hunting, Paintball, and Airsoft AR15 to MP5 AK47 Mount Accessories

 

[LS1FJ40]

I think your FEM sales will be a good indicator of the volume you should expect with this.

There are still plenty of us that are willing to spend a little extra to have something finished. Something that doesn't look half assed. Which, with your stuff is a guarantee of attention to detail.

The point about water in this area is why I always use waterproof connections inside my vehicle. It rains, it snows. It's a no brainer to have waterproof outlets and connections.

 

[jeffro109]

Which hole are you referring to?

The large one in the main piece under the outlet strip / LED mount. If you don't want the LED mount out in the way (which I would actually keep) then the whole add on rear panel has to come off or be cut apart to cover up the large rectangular opening in the main piece.

 

[NLXTACY]

I think your FEM sales will be a good indicator of the volume you should expect with this.

There are still plenty of us that are willing to spend a little extra to have something finished. Something that doesn't look half assed. Which, with your stuff is a guarantee of attention to detail.

The point about water in this area is why I always use waterproof connections inside my vehicle. It rains, it snows. It's a no brainer to have waterproof outlets and connections.

Yeah this will be finished in whatever way I figure I want to finish it but it'll look ok.

The other thread about using Molex connectors was kinda funny for this exact reason. Stuff gets wet all the time. In the FEM I have the switch option. I hunted down a waterproof switch. All my disconnects are waterproof. Believe me, I'm very concerned about water intrusion.

 

[LS1FJ40]

When I said "finished" I meant "done" or "professional". It won't look scabbed together like a lot of home projects do. Could virtually all of us make something to go in his location? Yes. But most of us would have something that looks like it was made in our garage. This won't. This will look like it belongs and is a quality addition.

I like the idea of the main panel being Molle and the side being where the switches/plugs are.

The way you have it designed you could sell the main frame and people could piecemeal which panel they want and it's as simple as pop rivets/bolts to hold it in place. Just a thought.

 

[Walletclan]

Hey Joey, again, if you need any CNC work done hit me up. The shop is in Thousand Oaks.

 

[Dubbinchris]

Actually I gave up on trying to find the correct eye-bolts and actually came up with something that is more useful. I got first article last week and need to harden/heat treat and then nickel plate. Need to make a Wits' End punch to mark these:
View attachment 1179268 View attachment 1179269

 

[NLXTACY]

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View attachment 1179695

Yup neither have the correct hole size nor have flat mounting surface. I actually have both of these.

 

[Dubbinchris]

Yup neither have the correct hole size nor have flat mounting surface. I actually have both of these.

Interesting. I never realized they didn't have flat mounting surfaces. They've always looked flat to me, but then again I've only ever looked at them already attached to rock while I'm hanging from them.

 

[NLXTACY]

Interesting. I never realized they didn't have flat mounting surfaces. They've always looked flat to me, but then again I've only ever looked at them already attached to rock while I'm hanging from them.

Yeah I think it's by design. It keeps the anchor from rotating on the rock.

 

[JCruse]

That is exactly what I was thinking... Having a first aid kit hanging there with plugs going down the side...

Was just looking at solar panels. Getting ready to pull the trigger on the Renogy 100 watt fixed system.

You won't be sorry, I love mine. Yesterday with the truck in the shadow of the house but otherwise partly sunny out at about 2PM, it was making 20V @ 4.97 amps to the charge controller.


NLXTACY; What a fantastic idea! Even better execution. Now all I have to do is think of a good enough use to justify getting one. LOL

Actually it's probably one of those things where the uses find themselves, and it! Things will just start growing off of it I think.






.

 

[DominicanFZJ80]

Must say; I will anxiously be awaiting when these go into production. I can see those bolts every time I look in my rear view mirror!
Also made the mistake of clicking on your store front link in your sig...purchases will be made early in the new year!

 

[gsdog2]

Pretty nice. I'd like one for one side, however for the other side, can you come up with a shelf system which mounts behind my newly installed YOTATECH side hatch windows!! It could utilize the d-pillar mount, grab handle mounts and possibly the c pillar seat belt mount.

 

[inkpot]

Will these be available in Hot Pink??

 

[NLXTACY]

Will these be available in Hot Pink??

I still have a can of hot pink plastidip @richardlillard1

I might be doing mine with UltraSuede just for kicks. Dunno.

 

[jeffro109]

any time frame for these?