[uphill]

Yes, I am somewhat obsessive.

This is a photo of the new SCORPION Gear Storage Rack. You'll note that the rack itself is still a bit "rough". That's because it's a prototype that I'll be testing and improving over the coming month or two. It is an endoskeleton that provides for hard points throughout the back of the FJ that you can cinch to and opportunities to hard-mount equipment to the rack itself.

A shotgun rack (not in photo) fits facing the passenger compartment (forward) from the top cross-bar that you can see in the photo. In this configuration a Jeep TJ M-PAC rack is installed. You can also install the Springtail M-PAC that goes on the rear door if you want a rack that crosses the back completely.

Stay tuned for more photos as I try to raise the bar for storing gear in the back of the FJ.

It bolts in/bolts out of the back of the FJ in about ten minutes. The mount is constructed of 1/4 inch steel wall DOM (1" diameter) and 1/4 inch steel strapping.

 

[DominicG]

Looks awesome!

Does cowboy plan on selling these?

 

[SoCalOcFj]

Dang L..............that is very nice! Bravo!

Looking forward to seeing the final version!

 

[Moeses18]

Lookin good, I can't wait for the final version...I'd be very interested!!!

 

[fjessence]

looks so handy i love it, and if you wanted you could throw some criminals in there too! haha

 

[FJVP]

I like that Larry...

 

[uphill]

I added two 9" Quickfists to the rack to support the weight of the 20 lbs. CO2 tank

The larger than standard tank is there because on a long trip (like the Summit and the after-Summit run) I want to have enough gas to re-fill the tires several times. I also want enough to run my air-tools in the event of a problem on the trail.

I'm experimenting with "the best location" for things stored in the back of the FJ now. Here is an example of one solution for the recovery strap (pictured). It will additionally hold 300 feet of rope and the tree saver strap. There are more examples coming.

 

[therelaxer]

Larry, you always take things to the next level. ;D Awesome, can not wait to see you in Ouray.

 

[uphill]

We are SERIOUSLY thinking of making the Scorpion Rack out of STAINLESS STEEL. They'd be manufactured in China, which means that we can do it and make the final product affordable. The rack on my FJ is a prototype only, suitable for field testing and tweaking so that when the finished product comes out, it meets the demanding standards of the FJ community.

The M-PAC racks and the Scorpion Rack, which incorporates additional M-PAC racks increase my interior storage capacity by about 25%.

 

[Guest]

I like the adjustability of the rack, being able to do pretty much anything with it according to your own personal needs. Very nice indeed.

 

[Acetechno]

Larry, Where did you buy the Quickfists? I hope local. What does this stuff cost? Thanks.

 

[uphill]

I bought the quickfists on-line. They aren't expensive. I managed the best price when Google directed me to a fire department supply house in Pennsylvania.

 

[CADavebert]

Cabella's has a good price for the quick fists. The big ones were 9.99 each. It's just the shipping that hurts.


Rack looks really good Larry. I'm keeping it in mind as I plan future mod's for that part of the rig.

 

[mattmainster]

Any progress on this Larry?

 

[uphill]

COWBOY4x4 was working on the final prototype - is in the process of a divorce and is relocating to AZ so we've been delayed in final development, but it's going to happen.

The Summit runs, Kokopelli Trail and Moab showed me that the concept is sound. I'm working on a way to put a small refrigerator in the position held by the smaller seat cushion/seat (easy in/easy out), leaving the larger seat for passengers if any. I'm looking at one of the top-loading refrigerators. They have a bit smaller capacity, but my needs aren't great.

For longer trips in the summer, ice, even in the "5-day chests" doesn't last much longer than 2 days.

Because of the way the rack is set up and the way I store my gear, I thought that replacing the small seat with an ice chest would leave me maximum room for storage (on top of the chest in the back seat area as well as a full back-bay where the rack is).

 

[CADavebert]

...I thought that replacing the small seat with an ice chest would leave me maximum room for storage ...

Interesting idea....

 

[mattmainster]

COWBOY4x4 was working on the final prototype - is in the process of a divorce and is relocating to AZ so we've been delayed in final development, but it's going to happen.

The Summit runs, Kokopelli Trail and Moab showed me that the concept is sound. I'm working on a way to put a small refrigerator in the position held by the smaller seat cushion/seat (easy in/easy out), leaving the larger seat for passengers if any. I'm looking at one of the top-loading refrigerators. They have a bit smaller capacity, but my needs aren't great.

For longer trips in the summer, ice, even in the "5-day chests" doesn't last much longer than 2 days.

Because of the way the rack is set up and the way I store my gear, I thought that replacing the small seat with an ice chest would leave me maximum room for storage (on top of the chest in the back seat area as well as a full back-bay where the rack is).

I think I am going to install an Engel Slide-Lock system on the back of that small seat so our ARB Fridge/ Freezer can go from the trailer to the FJ when I'm not towing. Just need to rig something up to keep that seat from bouncing.

Can't wait to see the final version of your gear rack!

 

[GTKrockeTT]

I think I am going to install an Engel Slide-Lock system on the back of that small seat so our ARB Fridge/ Freezer can go from the trailer to the FJ when I'm not towing. Just need to rig something up to keep that seat from bouncing.

Can't wait to see the final version of your gear rack!

Where are the little mainsters going to sit?

 

[DominicG]

Ha.

 

[FunJunkie]

COWBOY4x4 was working on the final prototype - is in the process of a divorce and is relocating to AZ

well that rally sux. No wonder I havn't seen him around for a while :-\