Overhead Molle Panel Install (Hooke Road)

Found out hooke road “makes” an overhead molle panel storage shelf for the third gen. Decided to give it a try the product looks good it’s powder coated no blemishes given that it is a Chinese manufactured item. The way they want you to install it is utilizing the same clips that hold the handles. It’s a tricky fit, and I wouldn’t trust any real weight on the rack installed like this. So I ended up using Meso-Customs handle retention kit and 6mm jacks from Amazon. You will have to uni bit the clip holes a bit to make the jack nuts work. Now it feels like I could hang real weight on it. The reason I’m giving it a try is price point and regular molle slots not hexagon since I’ve heard hex molle sometimes can be a pain to strap molle bags. I do wish the rack was more hugged up to the roof but given that no one sits back there still keen on keeping it.

 

Old post; got it. Nevertheless thought I would ask, are you still using this guy? Impressions/advice? (I just bought one - before seeing your post.) Bigger question: Would you happen to know the dimensions of those rectangular cut-outs? I ask because I'm hoping that some available version of a MOLLE backer will fit. Thanks for whatever you got on it.

 

Still using it! Don’t keep it loaded up unless on trips to make things easier to reach. If you got people sitting in the back seat definitely can’t keep it loaded up. But pretty impressed so far sturdy as can be. I use my back seat to keep a lot of items stored since I sleep in the back Softopper on trips. Don’t have tape measure in the truck rn but when I get back home I’ll send you some measurements.

 

I went ahead and pulled the trigger on one, ha. Currently I have a net in that spot. I usually toss a hoodie and breads up there, ha. Stuff keeps falling out so it's time for a change, ha.

 

I'd love for for an access cab, but everything that I've found is standard cab only.

 

The part in question goes in a double cab (not standard). Not sure if that's what you meant. I'm not aware of one for an access cab either.

 

Those clips are a B! I got it though after struggling in the heat for a minute. I like the rigidity more than the netting that I had up there. Will be testing it out this weekend.

 

Thanks. my thought without having messed with it yet, is that there should be a way to but use a jack nut or flange nut to make that thing more secure. Thoughts? I am also conversing now with an Etsy seller "Mojave Manufacturing" regarding some custom MOLLE backers to fit those weird cutouts. The larger cutouts are 30x70MM which doesn't align with the available backers I find. Will advise if Mojave has a solution. Should be simple enough as the backers are 3D printed nylon composite.

 

Yeah I used 6mm jack nuts and a meso handle retention kit on mine. It’s definitely secure to hold some real weight now

 

I was tugging on those handles before I took them off, they seemed like they were pretty secure. I was pulling myself up with them so I'm not too worried. Will be testing this weekend see how they hold up.

I really like the jack nut solution but the Meso handle kit is out of stock everywhere.

 

Yeah I noticed that too. Out of stock worldwide it would appear. So, that weird attachment Toyota uses is pretty irritating; I mean hey Toyota...why NOT just bolt the f-ing thing to the body right? Anyway... I'm going to play around with M6 bolts and jack nuts - maybe fabricate some kind of bushing.

 

Yeah my 2015 had bolts in the body for the handles they changed it with the 3rd gen.

 

Just did about 800 miles in the last 4 days. This overhead storage works like a champ! Nothing fell, nothing shifted, everything was were I put it. This just replaced my bungee net. Plus it stays out of my rearview, ha.

 

Update: Emailed Meso Custom. No prediction on when the handle kit will be available. It's extinct.

My solution is pictured. That flimsey clip thing Toyota made for the handle seemed like a terrible idea not at all worth repeating. (Some terrible ideas are worth repeating; not this...) No. So, some caliper measuring and scouring Amazon for spacers, with result: I bolted it up there using M6 bolts. Quite secure. The crux of it was the fact that the panel mounting bracket uses a stepped-down rectangular opening at 32×34 MM inside dimensions. The square aluminum washer you see here is 32x32x2MM (designed for solar panels). Works perfectly. If anyone wants the parts breakdown, I can post that on request. Amazon hardware ocean. I may add an oh-$hit handle made out of 550 cord. TBD. Also good news, I spoke with Alec at Mojave Manufacturing. I sent him the specs and he's now making MOLLE backers for this HOOKE panel as a stocked item. (He did not charge me for a custom job.) I don't have the backers in hand yet so I can't report on how they work.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1760583005/1-316-x-2-38-hooke-road-molle-panel

 

Amazing time to order some backers!

 

Yes - would appreciate the parts breakdown for mounting! Those factory clips do not seem like a good idea.

 

Hi there. So here's what I used:

M6 steel jack nuts to anchor the M6 bolt. (1 per hole)
1/4" ID x 1" OD steel washer (2 per hole)
M6 x 25mm - socket hex bolts (one per hole)
M6 ID x 18mm OD - coned countersunk aluminum washer (one per hole)
M6 ID x 15mm OD x 2mm thick aluminum standoff spacer (one per hole; the red thing in the photo, THIS fits inside the 5/8" hole in the square washer to act as a reducer. I could not find square washers with a 1/4" hole.)
1-1/4"(32 mm) x 3mm thick x 15.8mm ID center hole, Aluminum Flat Plate Square Washer for Solar Panel Mounting Clamp (1 per hole) Here's the link:

$10 eoere 50 PCS 1-1/4"Aluminum Flat Plate Square Washer for Aluminum Profiles Solar Panel Mounting Solar Clamp, Thickness 1/8", Hole diam: 15.8 mm, Apply 1/2"" Bolt, Silver

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D21TV2PS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Note: the jack nuts I found on Amazon came with an installer tool - simply a threaded puller but works better than just using your mounting bolt to compress the thing. Someone else here mentioned having to Dremel the jack nuts to get them through that rectangular opening in the truck wall BUT, I did not need to do this. I put a bolt in the jack nut, held it with a Vice-Grip, and just worked it through there; took some force but not enough to deform anything. Using my photo, it should obvious how to stack all that crap together. Definitely secure.

 

That's very helpful! Now that I'm spending close to $50 on hardware, I really hope I like and use this thing once it is installed. Someone should put some kits together and sell them!

 

The thought crossed my mind. In fact in retrospect, I should have just done the solid - asked for your address and mailed you a baggy with all the shit in there LOL. (PayPal 10 bucks or something - whatever.) Sorry too late. Anyway I question if it's worth selling my hack because in the first place, I don't think Hooke Road products are really top tier i.e., probably Chinese stamped steel. But then, there aren't many options for an overhead MOLLE panel for double cab gen 3 Tacomas. Fortunately, it's quite solid and the hack works. It would hold 20 pounds or more securely. If you read this whole thread, I mention that Mojave Manufacturing (Etsy) made me some MOLLE backers to fit this thing (available on the Etsy site now) - because the cutouts are a dumb size which acknowledges too, that no two MOLLE panel brands make panels with the same size holes. Alec at Mojave is also making some opposite-side backers so you could mount a single M4 screw for like, attaching a Kydex sheath or a camera. This is all just an exercise in adolescent hacks - adult Lego building basically. LOL. Best - Joe