Hood tool storage

Seems there is a bit of interest on my hood fab job. The goal here was to get all the tools that may be needed on the trail in an easily accessible location (was getting tired of unloading gear to get to them), and have that access be totally tool free. A review of availble space in the 3B didn't take long and this was the only real option available. I built the hood in this case, but think all of this would be adaptable to most Jeep hoods. The 3B hood was ideal. I am not especially attached to red paint, but it makes things easier to find in the mud.



Tube on left side photo holds the lug wrench. It has a spring loaded plunger in the bottom that applies forward pressue (think Remington 870). The lug wrench is slipped in and then rotated downward into an open end box and the forward pressure locks it into place. The trenching shovel handle is held in place by a similar spring loaded sleeve and released by pushing rear ward and holding latch pin. The jack is an overcenter spring latch with the jack slots opening upward at about 15 degrees so gravity helps retain it. The jerry can spout just screws into the larger tube which is sealed and gasketed to keep it clean. The double bitted axe is held in by a torsion spring loaded latch and the slot for the end of the handle is open upward when the hood is closed, again for gravity assist. The gusset on the front of the hood keeps it from moving forward.











And, yes, I know I have too much time on my hands-not really. Moral of this project: never buy a spool gun if you actually like to weld.

 

awsome.

 

Thats gotta be the coolest thing Ive ever seen

 

very nice . is the hood made of aluminum ?

 

Very creative. Good job!!

 

Wow, that sure looks good. It will be easy to find items while on the trail.

 

All aluminum: skin is 0.063" 5052, rest is 6061, most of which is 0.125". The previous version was fiberglass skined, but the aluminum works much better. The only part that was farmed out was having a local sheet metal shop roll the corners. They did a very nice job. The skin was "top coated" with Turbo Liner as things are always getting tossed on there when camping. We have been using this edition for 2 years now and so far, it has functioned very well.

 

A really COOL idea...

I always like this kind of post. It makes me want to go add "features" to the jeep...

Thanks for posting.

 

WAY COOL!!!
I'd have never thought of underhood storage like that. I feel inspired!!