MOLLE Panels

So what's the deal with the MOLLE Panels? I'm not sure I completely understand what the dimension of the cut outs, are and how to attach something to a MOLLE panel on the truck.

From what I can tell, it doesn't look like Mil-Spec MOLLE; although, you could probably attach Mill-Spec stuff; although, it's not like I need a truck bed full of mag pouches. Then I see people attaching High-lift jacks (which is not Light) and mounted with metal.

It looks like different vendors have different spacing. So are there standard attachments or a standard pattern?

 

I wasn’t sure what you were talking about until I received notification that Timmy had a new video today.

https://youtu.be/nIOzIhN3Uo8

 

Ha, it's pronounced Molly not Molé. Molé is what you put on your enchiladas. It's an acronym for Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment.

But yah that's the stuff. Notice the two version he showed, the newer version now has slots and holes and rectangles.

Then looking at CaliRaised
They have different patterns among their own products.





This is what a standard MOLLE pattern looks like.


When you mount something to a MOLLE platform you want the last location to line up exactly right and fight snugly. The willy nilly dimensions don't let you do that.

So I'm a bit confused how I would mount things effectively. It seems at it's really an array of holes?

 

@itr1275

Forgive my ignorance but what do you expect to attach to your truck anyway that requires you to use a MOLLE setup?

I ask because I have a lot of MOLLE equipment and I never even use it unless I'm running a shoot house or doing a night shoot.

 

Yah, that's my point, I don't need 120 Mag pouches in my bed. But there is Tactical Timmy that keeps is AR with him at all times - "just in case".

They call it MOLLE but I don't know that it's standard MOLLE or how they attached to it. It looks to me like is more of a lashing board?

 

I know what it is, I only said I have lots of gear that utilizes it.

It's a standardized pattern in which you can weave and attach pouches, etc.

I guess what I'm asking is, what are you going to attach that you can't use a method outside of using MOLLE?

 

Me personally, maybe bodies? I dunno, I was trying to figure that out, maybe it's useful for lashing to. But I'm not sure of the mechanical interconnect for equipment storage, more than bags and stuff.

I've seen high-lift jacks and shovels, which is very good. But I can make a mount for that too.

So in the end how do you connect stuff to it, like a high-lift?

 

So, MOLLE is meant for on-body, or carried over body equipment. Think of magazine pouches, a radio pouch, an individual first aid kit that needs to be on your body if the need arises, a gun holster, etc.

It's not meant for bigger, heavier items like the hi-lift jack you mention.

For a hi-lift jack or shovel, a lot of people use quick-fists or some variation of. Others just run a bolt through with a wing nut or similar to hold it in place. Really just a panel or bracket that's attached to the bed, with pegs, a stand off, or some way to run a bolt to cinch something down. For other items, like a co2 tank, there are brackets you can buy to just bolt wherever you see fit.

Here's my co2 tank for instance -



That cali-raised setup you posted is not MOLLE by any means but instead has closer spaced holes to accommodate a custom bracket, hanger, or whatever the end user decides to use.

 

This is helpful. I was thinking about the question of what would I attached. It would probably be empty most of the time.
However, thinking of off road.

• High-lift (maybe not?)
  
• Shovel
• CO2 Bottle + stuff
  
• Tools - box/pouch
• Tow strap
• General supplies in a pouch (first aid, flashlight, etc)
• Keep stuff from sliding around - Water, gas cans, cooler (set on bed but secure to side)

Daily use, I would probably want a way to secure bins or maybe use it as away to secure payload. Keep stuff from rolling around.

IMO (I'm sure someone will correct me). The 4 Gen 1 tie downs are next to useless for stuff other than a motorcycle. However, they are much stronger than panels we are discussing.

In the end I want the bed to be more functional for smaller cargo on and off road.

 

Hi-lift?

I don't have one, and won't bother though it could be used as an alternative to a winch.

CO2, you already saw my setup. Behind the driver seat on the floor (extended cab) I have a small tool bag that carries 2 types of deflators, my inflator and hose, and an extra gauge.

In the built-in storage (again, extended cab) I have a snatch strap, as well as 2 sets of d-rings and a hitch-shackle.

Behind the passenger seat on the floor, is a tool bag with all the tools I'll need to work on my truck.

Inside the bottom center compartment, below the center console, is a first aid kit, 2 flash lights, and a flare. Also some cash in 1's 5's and 10's just in case.

Glovebox carries my small handheld radio, notepad, and pen.

Pretty much everything's covered without the use of extra bins, etc.

Oh and when I feel the need, a shovel goes right on top of the bags behind the driver/passenger seat. Full d-ring shovel cause small ones suck if you really need to dig something out like I did months ago for a stuck Ford Focus.

 

I've had the truck 20 years and doing what your doing the entire time. There must be a better way. Maybe it will work, maybe it won't. That's why we have these discussions.

Ok, so it's not for you. I'm not sure what your point is?
'
Geez it's not like I'm asking for round cup holders or anything.

 

No worries

Just a discussion as you said; sharing ideas for things that work for me. You could share ideas I haven't thought about, idk

Didn't know you had your truck for 20 years, hard to guess something like that.

 

I've squirreled everything in every nook and cranny in that truck. Sometimes it works well other times it's a PITA.

BTW the 2K Taco has square cup holders, not sure if you got that reference. Most useless feature ever.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/square-cup-holders.243353/

 

Oof that's a horrible cupholder.

Almost as bad as the one stowed by the air vents in a 3rd gen 4Runner

 

I'm glad to report that the new Tacoma has 13 cup holders and made the Car and Driver's list. Must be trying to repent for the complete fail in 2000.
https://www.caranddriver.com/features/g21527944/most-car-cupholders/

I just need two suitably round cup holders. Center console replacement is on the list of stuff to do.

 

Reviving an old thread as I have asked about OG fab molle panels here before. We are STRONGLY considering their ceiling panel for over the rear seat. We are a family of 5 and do serious trips with our first gen and I need accessible storage ideas for the kiddos in the back seat.
I’m imagining a series of small sealed up bags that the kids can keep toys and coloring books or rain jackets etc in. Zipped up and girly mounted they should be reliable and safe and versatile for what the kids/we need. There is very little useful space inside the cab so any ideas I can find I am willing to try. It’s pricey though.
Does anyone have that panel and is it useful or gimmicky?

 

If folks are wondering what can be secured via MOLLE, here’s a shot of my truckbed w/ full Cali Raised setup:

5 driver’s side pouches fore to aft:
1) tire deflators, digital tire gauge w/ purge
2) zip ties, small bungees, nitrile gloves, trash bags
3)

$200 NOCO GB70 2000A UltraSafe Car Battery Jump Starter, 12V Battery Booster Pack, Jump Box, Portable Charger and Jumper Cables for 8.0L Gasoline and 6.0L Diesel Engines

NOCO GB70 jump starter
4) ratchet tiedowns, soft straps
5) cam tiedowns

Front bed wall pouches L to R:
1) 9mm rounds
2) extension cords, flashlight, bluetooth spkr, elec tape

fire extinguisher

Rotopax, 1ea 2gal water, 2 gal fuel

Passenger side fore to aft:
1) first aid kit
2) shovel/axe secured via Kolpin Rhino Grips, camp chair

My most-used items are kept on the driver side.

As for MOLLE specifics, I like its modular nature and the fact that I can easily reconfigure things to accomodate future additions. For example, I can rotate my extinguisher to the vertical and free up all the MOLLE slots it’s blocking currently if I need to add something. Also, there are plastic fasteners that fit into the MOLLE slots to secure a million other smaller things should the need arise, there are pre-drilled holes everywhere to mount Quick Fist or Kolpin mounts, the slots make for a million lashing points, and I like how the MOLLE system allows me to keep everything secured from rolling around and organized by pouch. It’s especially appealing to those of us who served in the armed forces because it’s familiar and many of us already have compatible gear too.

I don’t speak for everybody, but most folks I see whom carry this amount of gear just toss it into a giant tub or two and it slides around in the truckbed. I’m guilty of this too, but the MOLLE stuff stays w/ the truck at all times while my Plano tubs are packed up mostly with universal and non-specific gear that I crossload into my other vehicles as needed.

As far as the spacing on various panels, it’s not standardized so it’s trial and error. The Cali Raised stuff has provisions for attaching things like Rotopax mounts, which require more metal surface area to accommodate the weight, and this knocks off the standardized spacing, which doesn’t allow for a proper MOLLE weave in every location. Also, random brand MOLLE pouches often have odd strap spacing, ie two straps close/big space/two straps close, which can come in handy in some spots on the Cali Raised system, but if you’re ordering from Amazon, the pouch strap spacing may or may not reflect what the product photos show.

My $.02

 

The ogfab center console molle is nice. The first gen selection photos are actually from my truck. Héctor is a great guy.

 

Been mounted solid for years now