MOLLE Panel Projectiles

I see a lot of MOLLE panels mounted above the rear seat height mounted with different size, weight and shaped items (tools, axes, extinguishers, etc). I would consider most of these to be possible projectiles which use mounting devices that seem to account only for static weights. In the event of a crash do those of you who have these consider the possible outcome of the possibility of one of these coming loose and flying towards you or one of your passengers? For the record I think the application, in theory, is an outstanding use of space, but this is something is worrisome to me. Thoughts?

 

Fair point. Something to keep in mind when deciding to get panels, or deciding what goes on, or when it goes on and off. The side airbag curtain is another consideration, since it deploys near to that. Saw a pic once where it seemed the curtain blows into the space behind it.

Molle panels are held on by two long, fine-pitched screws, likely into sheet metal brackets spot welded to the body, and one bolt in the clothes hanger spot. It’s good to think about how things break and how much it would take to do it when planning out what should go there. They are still plenty useful to help get light/soft objects out of the way.

 

I remember when my brother slept in the back window shelf on the way to Disney from Toronto, in my mom’s 1976 4Dr Cutlass Supreme on a 1981 road trip.

95% I’m driving solo, and I worry more about being hit from behind at full speed when I’m stopped, or going through an intersection and someone running the red and t-boning me. Projectiles are the least of my fears. But for context, my molle panels will only be filled for road trips, as I worry about theft.

 

Exactly what I mean. If a rope smacked me in the back of the head due to another erroneous driver I would walk away. If a fire extinguisher or axe came loose, not so sure.

 

I too am a child of the seventies. I rode backwards in the station wagon jumper seat and used lap belts when applicable. I am not scared of projectiles as a whole, but I am concerned about ones I purposely place at head height with a few straps to hold them.

For context, a coworker was hit head on while driving his work van. A piece of all-thread was launched forward, and almost impossibly so, fit between the metal divider grate and reached through the windshield. The back end did not make it through and it was half bent from the rear of the vehicle through the cab and out the windshield. I sat in the driver's seat to collect the driver's belongings, after the accident, and it was not an inch from my neck. I realize this was an odd occurrence, but it has always stuck with me , and the importance of securing loose items in vehicles prior to departure.

 

Work vehicles I completely agree, as there are liabilities and employees rush to get from one site to the next. I used to buy new vehicles for cell site installers, and all the vans were outfitted with shielding from back of van behind the 2 front seats.

 

You could get the Panels that separate the back from the 2nd seat for ease of mind?

 

the panels mounted in the window are useful because it uses space that can’t otherwise be used. Molle panels mounted elsewhere just get in the way, unless you never use the cargo area for different things.


All this stuff is a balance though. Mount light stuff only, or at least anticipate how/when failures will occurr and try to adjust your driving to how you’ve rigged up your 4runner.

 

That’s how I do it. I have my heavy stuff up top and bags down below. But that’s me. I saw some guy post up a picture where had had a molle panel that looked like a separator for dogs and that shit was PACKED!

 

Yeah, I’ve seen people asking if those add on cross-mounted racks/shelf that go from one panel to the other were rated to carry a mig welding setup and a lead acid battery on it! Sheesh!

Now I dont regret being that kid that broke stuff just to see how things broke lol. I guess that’s given me a little sense of what it takes to break different things haha. No way I’d ever even think of imagining carrying that much weight on those things.

That said, I do have a fire extingisher mounted on mine. A lift kit too. And a steel bumper with a winch. Probably just as safe to have kept riding my murdercycle as a hobby.

 

If my fire extinguisher kills me, it kills me. I don't really care

 

I don't use molle panels because they reduce security by exposing my gear to bad guys "shopping".

I have a heavy duty cargo net than I use in the cargo area. I securely cover my gear w/ that so nothing can fly around.

Then I pull my OEM cargo cover over the whole thing and I'm secured from prying eyes.

To each their own...

 

For that reason I don't put much on mine, just light weight easy to grab things and small items in pouches. They're not held on by much, I personally wouldn't want to put as much weight (extra if people have that shelf that spans between both) as I've seen some people put in.

Edit: like others mentioned, it's mostly "wasted space" without the Molle Panel, so anything I can mount there is bonus for ease of access. Great spot for paper towels too.

 

I prefer a plastic tub! Nothing dangling and jangling around!

 

I have mine double Velcro but nothing like an axe or fire extinguisher. Bear spray, sunscreen and off. Along with first aid kit