Thank you. I'm very happy with how it looks, how strong it is, and how easy it is to install and remove, it's exceeded my original design expectations.

 

Excellent idea. Subscribed.

 

Tonight I had to remove one of the side mounts from the JK so I could check a few "as-built" dimensions for the engineering drawings I'm working on, so I decided to do a timed test - how long does it take to remove the mount?

Ground rules:

1. Before starting the uninstall, the Jeep has to be ready to drive. Therefore, no preparation for the uninstall could be done on the Jeep beforehand.

2. Since this was to be a timed test of the side mount removal, not a test of how long it takes to remove a jerry can from the mount or a Rotopax from its mount, the container (this was the side I had the Rotopax on) was removed before starting the clock.

3. I was allowed to have the necessary tools out of my tool bag, since I also wasn't timing how long it takes me to get tools out of my *%&$ hard-to-see-in bag.

4. When the clock stopped, the Jeep had to be ready to drive. Therefore, no other operations on the Jeep are allowed except getting in, turning the key, and driving away.

With tools in hand, I called for my lovely assistant (my wife) to start the stopwatch on her phone. When the mount was off and the Jeep was ready to drive away, I called for her to stop the clock.

Elapsed time: one minute and fifty seconds.

Since installation is the reverse of the removal process, we'll call the install less than two and a half minutes, assuming it might take slightly longer to start threading a bolt into a hole than it takes to remove one.

BTW I did this out in the driveway and it was drizzling.

 

jscherb,

You may want to consider an optional metal part which allows locking the Jerrycan/Rotopax in place, and which also covers the caps and the mounting bolts.
It doesn't necessarily have to replace the tightening strap, just to prevent easy theft.

 

Rotopax offers a locking mounting stud, so that's covered: https://rotopax.com/LOX-Pack-Mount.html

There are locking jerry can straps on the market, I use these:



The photo on the left above is the stock strap as it comes, the two other photos show how I've modified them to have adjustable locking latches - with the adjustment I can really snug down tight on the can to prevent any movement or vibration.

The straps above only fit jerry cans. I'm not aware of a locking strap that fits NATO or Sceptre cans.

The base mount itself is secure.

So the only thing there isn't a ready solution for would be NATO and Sceptre cans, if anyone is aware of a locking strap for these please let me know. If there isn't anything available and if there seems like enough demand for a universal locking strap to fit all cans, maybe I'll design one and see if I can get it manufactured.

 

Thanks !

 

Another source for the HD tailgate hinges... Gr8Tops just announced they're shipping the HD hinges, and until 5/15 they're throwing in free shipping: JK HEAVY DUTY REPLACEMENT TAILGATE HINGES | GR8TOPS

 

Hey jscherb,

Try browsing the following link for hold-downs on the NATO and Scepter cans. They are usually held in place going over the top along the handles and over the cap.

For the Scepter cans, a lot of us already use the cap wrench to really lock the twist cap on. Once the gas expands, it's pretty much impossible to take the cap off by hand unless you have the cap wrench for it so I personally wouldn't be too concerned about not having a hold-down that doesn't lock/secure the cap in place....

https://www.google.com/search?q=scep...ay%3B800%3B600

 

examples...

 

There are some like these (Blitz cans) that actually "grab" on the handle and also along the ridge/seam of the bottom of the can so less metal being used....

http://www.amazon.com/BLITZ-GAS-CAN-...rry+can+holder