Interior Overhead Molle Rack

May I ask what part was terrible on the install?

 

mainly holding the very thick (a good thing) and heavy rack up while trying to line the long bolt up with the jack nut.

 

Mine does not angle back at all. It would definitely be easier to get that first screw started if you had another set of hands to help...but I really didn't struggle at all getting mine in place.

 

Gotcha. Yeah it can be a little awkward holding it above your head while trying to screw it in. I suggest having a Buddy help or if you are by yourself use a broom stick/pole to prop it up in the middle.

 

I just held it with my head.

Momma always said it would take me anywhere

 

It helps if you leave your helmet on too.

 

For the sunroofers: rear attachment point is the coat hooks?

 

Correct. It replaces the hooks and uses those 2 holes for mounting.

 

Thanks! Keeps me from having to buy replacement hooks that I destroyed taking out the headliner.

 

Installed mine over a year ago. Probably my favorite mod I've done to truck. I ran some Bungie cord across just to keep everything tight. Also added some grab handles and got rid of the OEM ones.

 

Stew’s actually being pretty nice about this... if you’re having a hard time holding a 5lbs rack over your head maybe put it down, do some shoulder exercises and try again tomorrow

 

Holy schmokes that was rough. Nothing wrong with MESO’s product or design, but getting the grab handles and rack on was painful. The last set was the toughest. I ended up pinning everything in place with a screwdriver in each hole and then securing the rack and pulling a screwdriver out to replace with the screws.

2 hours, 3 screwdrivers, 1 Allen wrench, 5 jacknuts, 1 soft mallet, 2 needle nose, 1 car wash sponge, 1 auto clothes hanger bar, 3 bungees, and about $30 in the swear jar and I’m all done.

Sponge on the head for lifting. You don’t want to see the clown circus video. Solo work in a nighttime garage. Toyota must have used up all the tolerances in my truck as I had a bit of separation issue between the nuts on one side.

But it’s all in now and quite stealth if you ask me.

Thanks for another great product @MESO!!!

 

Haha I ended up not installing with the spacers. Panel stays off the headliner except at the mounting points. Even with help, it was rough.

 

Those that purchased the handle retention kit. Did you have trouble screwing the provided screws? The threads appear to be a different thread size.

 

My experience was very similar (also non-sunroof model). Retaining the grab handles, in hindsight, was not worth the extra effort. I should have just thrown some paracord grab handles up there instead. I actually installed the rack using the shorter screws first (it was still a pain to do alone with the spacers). Then I tried to remove each one and replace it with the longer bolt for the handles, but couldn't get it to work. I had to take the rack back down and reinstall it with the handles and longer bolts in one shot. I ended up using a long wooden dowel to force the rack upwards and bend it into shape while I fit the final screws into place. For those joking about not being strong enough to hold the rack over your head... it took more like 50 pounds of force, overhead, reaching out away from your body, with your non-dominant hand/arm, while you try to line up screws and curse at the world. It's DEFINITELY a two person job.

 

Yep. A challenge for sure. I even rolled over with feet up trying that.... aside from the totally uncomfortable vibe I got from being in a backseat with my legs in the air.... it didn’t work so well.

I’m wondering if Meso would share his standoff cad file so I could print some shorter ones.

 

Got my sunroof version installed today. Used the stainless hardware just to get it in. Took the extras he provided and put a couple coats of plastidip black on them. Once they dry, I’ll replace the stainless with the black.

 

One good thing about retaining the handles, is that the hardware doesn’t show.