Freedom top storage in truck bed

[Blue Ridge]

Picking my new Gladiator up on Monday and I'll be eager to take the panels off. Somewhere on these forums I saw where someone had made a holder for the FT cover bag using 2x4s that fit perfectly in the bed. I used the search feature and couldn't find it so I searched the "What did you make" thread and then skimmed the entire "What did you do to your Gladiator" thread (yes, all 684 pages) and still no luck. I live in the NC mountains and rain can come out of nowhere here, so it's one of the first mods I plan on doing. But with no truck to measure, I was hoping maybe I could the needed info to get a head start on it. I have a BAK revolver 4s tonneau cover coming on a Fed Ex truck supposedly today, and don't expect any issues using the two together but they will have to lay flat, obviously. Thanks in advance.

Sponsored

 

[kaeo_15]

@Blue Ridge

Rather then spending $ on a holder for the Freedom Panels, I encourage you to consider a @Bestop Sunrider for hardtop, for use during the Summer.. Buy the Twill offering...

You'll be able to pen and close it in seconds. You can open and close without even getting out of the JT. No worries about someone stealing your Freedom Panels from the back of the JT or you or your lady damaging a panel when taking it off...putting on...

I know... $800+ but do know that in a few years when you say by bye to your JT, you will easily be able to sell the Bestop Sunrider , here on the forum, etc., for about half of what you paid for it.

I second this. Pricey, but also my favorite mod so far. I open the top up far more than I would if I was using the freedom panels.

 

[jrb517]

Just bought a sunrider from someone here on the forums for 450. Absolutely worth it. It would've taken me longer to justify the 850 Bestop wants for it, but I would have eventually caved. Being able to have the entire bed with the top open is perfect.

 

[j.o.y.ride]

I can't get past how goofy the Sunriders look when open

 

[Blue Ridge]

I've been really on the fence about it. Don't love the look when open, but I won't be the one looking at it. If I could score one for $450, I'd definitely give it a try. But having no garage, the Freedom Panels would still have to go somewhere.

 

[Deleted member 30519]

I was looking at the sunrider but it looks like it will touch my mopar roof rack when opened.

 

[LiftedrubiconJT]

How hard is it to remove the sunrider if you want to take the back top off and be completely naked?

 

[jrb517]

How hard is it to remove the sunrider if you want to take the back top off and be completely naked?

4 T40 bolts and lift it off. Super easy.

 

[Higher_Ground]

There is certainly a cultish following for the Sunrider, but that isn't what you wanted to know.

I remember seeing that post you're talking about but don't have the time right now to look for it. I will take a look tomorrow.

That being said, the storage bag is the perfect width to clip to the tie downs behind the rear window. There are loops in the corners of the bag. With a normal sized caribiner for $2 ea you can just clip it to the tie downs. I would avoid hitting any jumps with them in the bag but I don't see how they would get damaged outside of a wreck or having other stuff in the bed on top of them.

Now that I have a bedliner and tonneau cover I don't even clip them in. Just put them in the bag and close the tailgate.

 

[869 KPH]

@Blue Ridge, very interested in what you dig up for this. I intend to do something similar and kind of assumed by the time I got there that there would be some under-tonneau form-fitting holders for the panels. I think/thought the same about at least the front doors as well. I know it would take up some space, but some custom-cut foam blocks would do it and I'm surprised they aren't already available.

 

[SnazzGlad]

I just put the tops in the storage bag and laid them down in the bed. Ratchet strapped them so they wouldn’t move and put my tonneau cover down. I ended up getting a sun rider top. But the above worked for me.

 

[TheGreatCO]

I just put the tops in the storage bag and laid them down in the bed. Ratchet strapped them so they wouldn’t move and put my tonneau cover down.

This is exactly what I do, never had any issues.

 

[MOD]

Picking my new Gladiator up on Monday and I'll be eager to take the panels off. Somewhere on these forums I saw where someone had made a holder for the FT cover bag using 2x4s that fit perfectly in the bed. I used the search feature and couldn't find it so I searched the "What did you make" thread and then skimmed the entire "What did you do to your Gladiator" thread (yes, all 684 pages) and still no luck. I live in the NC mountains and rain can come out of nowhere here, so it's one of the first mods I plan on doing. But with no truck to measure, I was hoping maybe I could the needed info to get a head start on it. I have a BAK revolver 4s tonneau cover coming on a Fed Ex truck supposedly today, and don't expect any issues using the two together but they will have to lay flat, obviously. Thanks in advance.

I took a screenshot at the time, thought it was a clever idea. Page 657

 

[Blue Ridge]

Nice find! I must have missed it. Not proud to admit that I spent 3 hours skimming that thread this morning!

 

[Ohio JKU]

Harbor freight moving blanket (camo of course).

Sponsored