Where do you store your gear

[EDELWEISS]

Ive started to pick up some gear for my Wrangler, now its a question of where to mount and/or store the gear. So far Ive got a bunch of gas(7) and water(3) cans. OK I went over board but I got a good deal on the old style gas cans and brand new water cans. I dont have any can mounts, but my original thought was to strap them side by side in the rear (no back seat).

Ive also got a hi-lift jack. I got it cheap from a buddy; but he didnt have the mount. Ive seen them mounted on the hood and upright on the rear bumper. Do I need to be concerned about it getting debris in the mechanism if its exposed.

I picked up a pioneer tool rack (shovel, pick, and axe), at a military vehicle show. Its the same one used on everything from Hummers to 5 tons. It was too good a deal to pass (cheaper than I could buy the tools). I thought about mounting it on the hood; but its big. Would mounting it on the front bumper, in front of the grill be a problem?

Thoughts?

[jwessell11]

Not sure if this will get flagged but here is a link to a jerry can mounting bracket from quadratec
http://www.quadratec.com/products/12202_01.htm

I have not seen anybody have trouble with the hood mounted Hi-Lift.
There is also this that you could mount the pioneer rack to. If you know someone that can weld they might be able to make it cheaper.
http://www.quadratec.com/products/12138_000_07.htm

[Netpackrat]

I've posted pictures of my jerry can and gear boxes here before and won't repeat that, but my hi-lift jack lives on my roof rack and is in the weather full time. It's always worked when I've needed it too, and the only thing I ever do to it is once in a while I spray the mechanism down with LPS-2 oil. One thing I would really like to get at some point is the "Max" tool, which has attachments for all the pioneering tools that go on one common handle. It's kind of expensive, but compact enough that you should be able to keep it inside of the Jeep. I don't care for the hood mounts for the hi-lift jacks; the Jeep hood is kind of flimsy to begin with, and that's putting a lot of weight on there. There is also the risk of it winding up in your teeth in the event of a collision.

[kimber_lover]

I have my HiLift mounted on my brush guard up front and it does catch a lot of road crap that did affect it's performance. I need to WD40 it to keep it working. I have also used can mounts from Adventure Trailers; they work great....

[Spiffy]

I really like the swing out tire carrier where you can carry 2 or 3 cans and the jack. It's expensive but I want one... someday.

[NoBucks]

Rain, sleet, snow, brush, rocks - nothing has adversely affected my Hi-Lift jack that a can of WD40 or some spray grease couldn't fix. If you don't lube it before you use it, you'll think it's broken. Spray down the mechanism and it will run like a trooper.

If you're worried about protecting it, Hi-Lift sells a cover for it. I carry mine in the open, on a rack I built on my spare tire carrier.

For carrying tools I have a compartment mounted under the back seat. The seat swings forward for access, and when closed, it's the lid for the compartment.

[EDELWEISS]

Im thinking the rear mount is a good spot for the jack and possibly mounting the pioneer tools inside, although the front bumper seems like an option too. I dont have a back seat so theres a little extra room in the back. Im hard pressed to think where I would mount ALL the gas and water cans; but Id like to be able to carry a few.

And of course I have to save room for the MGs....

[NoBucks]

How's your temp while you're riding trails? That's what will determine if you can mount anything in front of your radiator. If your Jeep runs hot on the highway, forget about mounting anything in front of the grill, because you'll overheat on the trail.

Every Jeep is different, though. What year is your Wrangler? Is it a new one? If so, this may not be an issue. YMMV.

[McGyver]

I have the plastic storage container for my Hi-lift mounted on the roof rack. I made my own shovel, pick, and axe carrier that mounts to the rear roll bar. You might be able to adapt yours with some 2 or 21/2" muffler clamps around the rollbar.

I dropped a boatload of cash on Tuffy lock boxes. They are expensive but they are durable and pretty secure. I have felt safe leaving my pistol in an open top Jeep locked in the Tuffy box while swimming.

15146

[EDELWEISS]

This is what I have now. Its a 2006 with Right Hand Drive.
http://www.cstatic-images.com/main/MDC/12/418712/319402167.jpg (http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail/photos/multiPhotoPopup.jsp?paId=373518756&tracktype=usedms&aff=national)

and here's the concept Im trying to accomplish--
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$%28KGrHqJ,%21iQE2LH%29eUFSBNzJUilBc%21%7E%7E_12.J PG

except that I wanna use the factory roll bar to mount my RPKs. A roof rack is tempting but I think it will interfere with my arc of fire......

Im new to Wranglers (unless you count M151s). Ive seen Jack covers in the various catalogs, are they worth the effort?

[BlondeGuy]

I keep my gear in a plain brown UPS style truck. Ready to bug out when i have too.
15171

I have different sets of graphics so that I can easily change it's appearance.

It is escorted by a upgraded Daimler Ferret.

15172

Depending on the situation, there are several bug out place I have plans to go.

I think I am ready for the Zombie Apacolypse.

[Netpackrat]

How's your temp while you're riding trails? That's what will determine if you can mount anything in front of your radiator. If your Jeep runs hot on the highway, forget about mounting anything in front of the grill, because you'll overheat on the trail.


Be aware that the newer Wranglers all run "hot" by design, as part of the emissions controls. Once it is warmed up to operating temp, my '01 TJ's temperature gauge never varies from 210 degrees, no matter how cold or hot it gets, or how hard I am running it.

Also, +1 on the Tuffy boxes. Expensive, but worth it.