Barnes 4WD VS Affordable Offroad Bed Molle

[bill61]

I am looking into molle panels for the bed and have it down to a couple manufacturers -

Barnes 4WD and Affordable Offroad.
The Barnes seems a touch smaller/shorter in height but it uses existing screw holes.
The Affordable Offroad looks to be about 2” taller but I would need to drill and tap a couple holes to anchor it in the bottom of the bed. It also has three separate mounting brackets along the top. Has anybody installed the Affordable Offroad bed molle panels? Are the nuts on the bolts attaching the panel to the brackets nylock, or do they need lock tite?

I’m kinda leaning towards the Barnes but the Affordable seem to be stronger with the bottom anchor bolts (so long as they don’t come loose at the top).
Thoughts?

https://barnes4wd.com/products/jt-bed-molle-panels

https://affordableoffroad.com/shop/jeep-gladiator-bed-storage-panels/

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[Thunderspud]

No recommendation on which to choose as I have neither (previous owner had installed a full set from a different company). But if you have trail rails only one of those two seem to be compatible. Just mentioning it in case you didn't notice. My guess is that it's too tall and would interfere.

 

[bill61]

I don’t have the rails, so no problem with that.

 

[mdyucca]

I went with Barns. Easy install and work for me. I like that Barns are longer towards the front on the side panels. The Barns panel comes raw no primer or paint. I must have spent $40 on primer and paint for the 3 panels. Not sure if you are aware that the Barns panel consist of two pieces bolted together to make each panel. Barns does have one floor mounting point at the rear of each side panels. This helps to secure the side panels. The front panel uses front trail rail mount and lower front tie down mount.

Looking at the affordable side panels floor mounting points this would make for a more solid panel. Also, One piece panels should be more solid and I like that the Affordable panels come painted.

Under this heading ”Molle Panels for Bed” is a thread re panels with more information.

Have fun with your build.

 

[bill61]

Thank you for the info @Thunderspud and @mdyucca.
I did not realize the Barnes were a two piece panel. So the whole set is six pieces?
I only want to install the passenger side panel. I will check out your suggested thread, but I think at this point Affordable might be more to my liking.

 

[Sempe-Fi Rubicon]

I have the Barnes 4WD molle panels and I'm very happy with them. I only run the side panels but they are plenty sturdy for me,

 

[Bioacid42]

813 Fabrication has some great bed panels that use the existing holes. https://813fabrication.com/collections/molle-panels-packout-panels-storage-solutions

 

[813 Fabrication & Design]

813 Fabrication has some great bed panels that use the existing holes. https://813fabrication.com/collections/molle-panels-packout-panels-storage-solutions

Thanks! We are a small company, so not as cheap as some of the others. But, we make them in 1/8" 5052 aluminum with a texture black powder coat. No drilling, they line up with the existing holes and bolt in without using secondary brackets. The panels are formed to fit the bed. I designed them as a two-piece (upper and lower sections) so that if you only need the upper section you can do so. I have also had comments about the bed light being covered. I did that for a few reasons. More space to mount stuff and the light actually angels toward the cab. So if there is a hole directly in front of the light, it is not technically giving a full hole for the light. I did some testing with the prototypes and only slightly lost some light when there was nothing mounted to the panels. But, my main reason for not adding a hole for the light was, if you are mounting gear to the panels, it is mostly likely blocking the light, so why not maximize the space on the panel.

 

[Gvsukids]

Right Country makes one too.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B095DGZTVR?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

[bill61]

I tell you, after I started digging in there are so many choices. 813 is nice and painted. Rough Country is nice too. I started with Barnes 4WD as my favorite but now I realize I need to be careful and research as I should be able to find the perfect match for my wants.

Annnd I never knew what I didn’t know! For such a simple idea there are so many approaches.

 

[813 Fabrication & Design]

I tell you, after I started digging in there are so many choices. 813 is nice and painted. Rough Country is nice too. I started with Barnes 4WD as my favorite but now I realize I need to be careful and research as I should be able to find the perfect match for my wants.

Annnd I never knew what I didn’t know! For such a simple idea there are so many approaches.

If it helps, I just dropped prices on all bed-mounted MOLLE panels approx 15%. I have been working with production and was able to get pricing down for producing these. Being a small company and prices going up on everything, it is not easy and but I want to make them as affordable as I can while not losing to make them.

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