Attaching Things ...

I want to attach a Maglite, fire extinguisher and some other items to my X ...

Do I pop off the panels, drill holes and attach the brackets with nuts, bolts and washers, or do I use coarse screws (ala sheet metal type) and just attach the brackets without taking off the panels ? ...

If doing the latter method, should I be concerned that I'll hit something vital ? ...

And, will the mounting brackets hold without nut, bolts and washers ? ...

Thanks ...

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Later, but soonest ...

Pepper Kay

[This message has been edited by pepper kay (edited 06-11-2001).]

The easiest way is with a small hole, and a sheet metal screw... However, over time, I suspect that the soft plastic around the threads might not take the abuse of either a heavy fire extinguisher or repeated use of the Maglite, pulling it out of the clips...

I was planning on taking the panels off and attaching these items with real screws/nuts. It might be overkill, I don't know - but I'd rather do the job once, even if it is a little tougher.

Of course, in some spots it might just be impractical to take off the panels...

Just my thoughts...

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01 SE 6cyl 5spd Solar Yellow

What I would do is pop the panels off and put some flat brackets behind the panel to support the bolts/screws (perhaps the same type you would use to secure a stereo to the car, ya know the one with the holes in it). Might prove to balance the load of the items you are attaching to it. Sorta like nailing to the stud.

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2K1 XE Silver Ice 4x4
2 pack
Find all you need in your mind if you take the time. -DT
#3

plus, it's really simple to remove the plastic paneling throughout the x. just be careful on the back cargo area panels to ease those plastic thingies out gently - as the top can break off very easily. they're not screws & they just pop into place...

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PepperKay,

I have a large MagLite on my driver's side door, and a fire extinguisher in my back compartment. I removed the panels on the door and the right rear compartment area, drilled holes, and put in a wood lathe behind the panel (with washers). You can get big, thick paint stirrers at Home Depot for this (Don't get cheap little ones, get the large ones made from better wood). They are pine and easy to drill, but will provide support. You won't have to worry about the wood scraping the plastic (like steel), or providing something that might short out any wiring. Be careful with the panel's plastic, it scratches easily if anything hard is under the panel while drilling. I found out the hard way.

I will be at the San Diego run up Palomar Divide Road this next Saturday if you want to see what I've done.

One more piece of advice. Don't buy any of those cheap car fire extinguishers from First Alert, etc. Look in the yellow pages under fire extinguishers or fire supplies & equipment. Find a place near you and buy a small industrial style extinguisher. These are about the same price, are very sturdy, and best of all can be refilled. These use metal parts and not plastic. They come with nice solid metal mounting brackets, not cheap plastic ones. Many of these extinguisher companies are people who work out of their homes and drive around to small businesses. I got mine from a guy with a home business (near me) for about $20 and it is a really top-quality unit. If you bought a cheap one at Wal-Mart or something, return it and buy a better one.

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X_tempore
2000 Aztec Red SE 4x4

I have a fire extinguisher on the back right panel and a 3 d-cell maglight on the back left panel. Both are put in with self-tapping ,5/16 hex head sheet metal screws. They are both just as tight as the day I put them in.

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Kevin
00' Super Black SE 5 speed
superblackxterra.tripod.com

Hey Pepper... Here's a few pics of what my
Maglight installs look like...

Here's the front driver's side 3D Maglight:



Here's the right rear 4D Maglight pic:



If you need instructions, let me know and
I'll email you... Hope this give you some
ideas...

- Air B

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Xterra 2001 SE 4x2
Air Butchie Productions
Is that an Xterra in your pocket or are you just glad to see me!!

Where are yall gettin those clamp kits I can't seem to find them at any shops here in town.

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'01 super black XE 4x4
name: VADER

I do it both ways,
if its something that is going to be yanked, like the maglight, the mag clips can be tight, I'll take off the panel and rienforce the area.
if its a normal bracket, holder, add-on, I just drill the panel, but I use those metal anchor sleeves ( like for the rear deflector into the hatch ) If I decide to move or remove the bracket, it leaves a clean trimmed hole. Put the screw back into the anchor and no one is wiser it was drilled.

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member of http://www.soxc.org
http://www.geocities.com/x_canuk

found my clamps @ home depot - right next to the maglites... & i saw them @ osh hardware, too. look around, i think b/f found them on amazon.com, too.
my f/e came w/ a mounting clamp thing...

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imacase,

Yes, you can find the brackets at Home Depot near all the flashlights.

I mounted my big MagLite in the same place as Air B in the front door panel, except that I put the brackets a bit farther apart. I mounted my fire extinguisher right where he mounted his rear MagLite. I have Crutchfield pictures and directions for removing the panels if you want me to email you. They provide these directions for changing the speakers behind those panels.

Steve

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X_tempore
2000 Aztec Red SE 4x4

Imacsae... Around here, Southern California,
you can find them at Fry's Electronics,
Home Depot, Target and Kmart... If you have
stores like this in El Paso, then check those
stores out...

- Air B

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Xterra 2001 SE 4x2
Air Butchie Productions
Is that an Xterra in your pocket or are you just glad to see me!!

I installed my maglite (3D size) this week with the clips bought at Home Depot.

I mounted mine to the passenger side of the shifter console with the existing screw holes. I went to the hardware store and bought two sheet metal screws a little longer than the factory ones, screwed them in and voila! I use only two scres (one in each hole) and it is perfect.

Minty clean and strong.

PJBAZ

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Hey x_tempore:

I'd like those instructions for taking off the panels ... if you could send them, I'd be appreciative ...

And Air B - glad to see you're Alpine Green too

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Pepper Kay

You know it, Pepper... Woo Hoo...

- Air B

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Xterra 2001 SE 4x2
Air Butchie Productions
Is that an Xterra in your pocket or are you just glad to see me!!

I had trouble finding clamps. Neither of the 2 local Home Depots carry them. I finally went to a Store that sells boating supplies and bought a set of universal clamps. They were white so I painted them grey. I was able to mount them on the passenger side of the shifter console using the existing screws. A few days later I saw the real Mag clamps in Sports Authority!

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I'd like a set of these instructions as well. I'm a bit of a clutz when it comes to doing stuff like this and every little bit of info is helpful.



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01 Solar Yellow SE 4x4 Auto
Guy's Xterra Pics

Guy,

I'll send them to you as an email. (I already sent them to Pepper).

Nice run we had today up Palomar... Hope to see you again soon.

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X_tempore
2000 Aztec Red SE 4x4

I'd like the instructions also, if it's not too much of a hassle. Never know when you're going to need them...

Thanks in advance,

GT

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- Grumpy Tom
http://www.grumpytom.com
Unbreakable toys are useful for breaking other toys...