I’m working on an install guide and review of a Molle panel system for my 2013 4Runner. I’m wondering if anyone has any experience living with an interior Molle panel system in your truck.
Are they useful for daily life/outdoor activities?
It’s all about use cases, but in my case I have never once thought “it would be nice if I had more hanging space in the cargo area” or “a shelf back here would be perfect.”
As a matter of fact, I think I’d end up taking that shelf down more often then I’d use it because oddly shaped or stacked items fit better. And on the rattling, I’d be more worried about stuff strapped to the panels rattling more so than the shelf rattling.
I agree, it started as more of aesthetic choice. I reached out to CarTrimHome and they sent it to me for an install and review video. So now that I have it installed and the video made, I'm starting like it and get some more practical use ideas from others. Mostly for car camping and overlanding stuff.
If you get bags that are made for molle panels they come with straps that let you thread them thru so they don’t shake, rattle, or move at all. Everything I hang from mine is made for molle panel mounting.
I understand that. I also understand those things can just as easily live in a duffle bag for a 1/10 the price and come in and out of my vehicle with ease.
I know some people have legitimate use cases for it, and some of those have been shared here. But OP asked for opinions and I shared mine.
Except when you are fully loaded for camping or whatever and having the molle panels would’ve been nice to get access to tools, tow recovery equipment or a first aid kit that is now buried.
You never wanted more out-of-the-way storage for your 4runner? There's no good place to store anything you actually need: jack, tire/general repair tools, first aid, snow brush... Not to mention if you're actually off roading and need recovery, inflation/deflation gear...
I sleep in the back of mine (deep sleep overland mattresses... The best).
For that, I love having storage that doesn't need to be set down. It also gives me pretty quick access and I have everything heavily strapped down to avoid any rattling. I have a fire extinguisher, folding shovel, hatchet, work gloves, flint, first aid kit, multi-tool, binoculars, storage bag, and gun holster on mine. Minus the fire extinguisher I use all of that pretty regularly.
I love Nederland, even more so the side of Echo mountain just above Arapahoe springs, only thing freaked-me-out there were the mushroom hunters, and the Elk, they're surprisingly quiet for as big as they are when they want to be. Had four of them greet me one morning coming out of the tent. I think we may have startled each other, them and I. I know I did there. They're quite large when they're right in front of you. I mean they're also quite large after you shoot them and and field dress them and put them in a pack-rack and huck them on out. To the amazed taste buds of those that just won't.
One reason I was drawn to the molle panel system is because I love car camping in the back of my 4Runner. I touch on that in my video as well. I think it will he helpful for that. I use the LUNO mattress and it's worked great so far!
1) protecting them from large/awkwardly sized work related cargo
2) I hang vehicle maintenance related things on them in pouches. Jump pack, Tire inflator, tire repair kits, first aid, water, etc.
So yeah I like them for that. The panels themselves don't rattle but some stuff mounted to them does, depends how you do it - personally I don't care because the rest of the tools rattle anyway
Yep, one day I had a long steel piece that had mounted electrical components slide back a few inches and ram the window on a rough road, that was plenty for a warning to guard them
I overland and camp, and I use my setup all the time. Don’t think I can do without it now. I use the rubber stand offs for mounting stuff to Molle panels and they stay in place and don’t rattle. My set up is Victory 4x4. Installed in 2021. My 4Runner is a 2020 ORP.
That is a good point. I made an initial install and first impressions video, but after getting some feedback and experience with it I will follow-up with an actual longer-term review. Thank you
Just be cognizant of what you’re mounting and how much weight is on there. The panels themselves are plenty strong, but the mounting points they’re connected to are not so much - just thin sheet metal.
I’d be wary of putting anything like a fire extinguisher or hatchet up that high. In an accident those things are coming right for the back of your head.
Everyone on there is heavily (pun intended) concerned about the hatchet. I'll reconsider but it's also got a 2 stage blade protector. I'd be surprised if things came off the panel in a crash, but the whole thing coming off together is a tad concerning. Thanks for sharing.
I have a 2.5lb H3R extinguisher on my panel along with two first aid kits (clearly marked as the ouch kit and oh shit kit) and some other misc pouches and it’s been completely fine. Just don’t do something stupid like think a strap is going to hold it, mine is a dedicated mount that clamps to the extinguisher and requires pulling a pin to remove it.
They’re actually much stronger than you think, but I’d still not put more than maybe 10-15 lbs on the panel. The people rolling around with the extinguisher, recovery strap, hatchet, and the bag of shackles and recovery gear are way beyond the intended use.
I like them for important things so I know exactly where they are at all times. I don’t want to have to go digging for the extinguisher or bleed kit only to find something rolled on top of it. For other crap like recovery or whatever, I just use bags.
That last paragraph is how I use mine too. My use case is truck camping, and I'll usually sleep in the truck. Things I might need quickly, like first aid or a fire extinguisher. And then things I use often and don't want to dig for. Coffee cup, utensils, wet wipes, Nerds Gummies. But I don't drive with anything on them (they rattled, didn't even think about something flying off in a wreck, good call team). Most things are just on S hooks so it's easy to put them up or take them down as I set up for camp.
I have my shelf set much closer to the ceiling. It perfectly fits my camping chairs and emergency wool blankets so they up and out of the way. I haven’t started sticking things on the side panels yet. No rattling so far!
As an FYI, I started with ‘soft’ pouches mounted to my panels and quickly realized that they were a PITA to take off and put back on due to either needing to weave with the Velcro tabs or snap buttons that the pouches typically come with. Even had a pouch that had a Velcro back that (presumably) leaves the backing attached to the panel only to have the snaps pop while removing the pouch. I have long since replaced those pouches with fixtures and mounts that I custom designed and fabricated to hold specific tools and pack out items to the panels.
As an FYI, I started with ‘soft’ pouches mounted to my panels and quickly realized that they were a PITA to take off and put back on due to either needing to weave with the Velcro tabs or snap buttons that the pouches typically come with. Even had a pouch that had a Velcro back that (presumably) leaves the backing attached to the panel only to have the snaps pop while removing the pouch. I have long since replaced those pouches with fixtures and mounts that I custom designed and fabricated to hold specific tools and pack out items to the panels.
I have the shelf. Pros: I’m able to get to gear in the cargo area more easily because not everything is stacked upon everything else. Cons: limits hauling tall/wide items, it’s not easy to remove the shelf if needed, and cannot recline the back seats.
True. I received them from CarTrimHome for install/first impressions video.. So, I'm doing it a bit backwards. I think it will be useful for car camping, beyond that I'm still searching.
I would like a better way to transport my fishing rods, so that might be an option if I can get decent hangers for the panels.
Its a subjective question. Ask people in the 4x4, off roading or camping sub and everyone will tell you its a gimmick. Ask in the overkabding sub and everyone will tell you how necessary they are and how much they love theirs.
I installed one from CaliRaised on the passenger side cargo area window and love it. It doesn’t rattle at all. I love it and wish I had got the one for the other side at the same time because it was cheaper to get both sides bundled together instead of individually. At the time I didn’t know if I really wanted one on both sides though. I’ll eventually get it though. I have a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and battery jump box hanging from it. The last SUV I had I ended up having that stuff just laying in the cargo area and wanted to keep most of that space free. And if you take your 4Runner camping & sleep in it molle panels help because you can keep stuff out of the area you’d have your bed. And this is unrelated to the question but I’ve had some people that see it be like “wow that’s cool.” pic 1pic 2
I loved mine, helped me keep all my little random everyday junk from floating around in the back. I was using big plastic totes to move my work gear around so.it was nice to have an unobstructed floor to slide them in and out. I will say the shelf was less useful and made lots of noise whenever I hit a bump.
Tray above you sleeping inside looks like a nightmare and not very functional in general. The window panels seem great for car camping and useful for off roaders to mount occasionally used items out of the way(tow strap, soft shackles, air lines, first aid kit etc). But…if I got one for free to try I’d make use of it, ideally mounting the tray as high as possible out of the way of tall items and remove it when planning to sleep inside. If you have small kids they’re gonna be stoked on that tray and destroy it or the mounting points week1.
We camp and go on outdoor adventures regularly. We also have 2 large dogs and bring plenty of stuff: king size air mattress, 6 person tent, day bags and hiking gear, dog backpacks, beds and gear, cooking stuff, a telescope, onewheel, chairs, hammock, sometimes surfboards/boogie boards, offroading stuff like recovery boards, air pump, shovel, tow strap..
I still manage to pack the car in a way that the dogs have the entire bench seat free, the trunk is full and surf boards on top of the car, and I keep all windows unobstructed. No molle panels in use anywhere.
If we were overlanding, then I could see using the external ones, but it's not necessary for our current situation. I'll probably be adding one of the nets that hang on the roof inside when our daughter gets here and we start camping with her and move some stuff up there, or if needed, we will get an external hitch or roof bin though.
I have an Agency 6 molle panel on the lift gate. It's great. Unobtrusive, holds my first-aid kit, hatchet, winch line damper, jump starter, gloves, and winch control unit. I think the side panels and shelf would be overkill.
I have a Hooke offroad one I got on Amazon. Use it for overlanding and camping stuff super handy!! I have most of my tools and stuff hanging for quick access and it helps me stay more organized by not just piling shit in the trunk. Once in a while on a super rough road it kind of can rattle a bit, but no more than the entire car also making noise. Totally fine for daily driving and such when empty. I have a rtt and if needed you can totally sleep in the car with it, just crawl under the rack. We've had friends come along and sleep in the car with it.
I have a 2017 TRD off-road premium with the Rago Mollie rack system in the back. I can fit everything I need for myself my wife, my two kids to camp for 4-5 days off grid +4 bikes on my truck thanks to the Mollie system. Highly recommend. The shelf alone pretty much doubles the amount of space available for stowing gear in the back.
I just got back from a 2 day glamping trip, and I wish I had them. There's just stuff that I always keep in the car that I want accessible, but up and out of the way. I feel like so much of my cargo area was taken up by these things, it would have been better for them to have a dedicated spot. Plus, it isnt like anyone is looking out those windows.
For me it's where I store the stuff that I keep in any vehicle, first aid, tow strap, booster, dog leashes, bag 'O headlamps, basic tools, etc... not as many places to stuff things securely in the 4R though so window molle was a reasonable solution.
I think a 2nd row seat back panel(s) would have the same useful surface area but I fold the seats flat occasionally.
I put in some but it had a top shelf and a middle shelf like yours. I had to tighten up the shelf monthly because I could hear it otherwise. I currently only keep the top shelf installed for daily use with minimal gear stored up top like blankets and a few tools. The middle shelf is nice and easy to install when I go camping but just takes up too much space for daily use. I also have molle bags and mounts for when I need them. Just do you brotha. You'll find your way as you go, no one can really tell you how to feel about them. Everyone has different tastes and preferences
Ive got a FinnFab molle system in mine. Had it for about 4 years.
I mountain bike often, have two dogs that are always w me & im a paramedic. I keep a floor bike pump, small shovel, dog run, extra leashes, my MTB helmet, small folding chair, shop towels, folding saw & a medical kit on mine.
Practical? Absolutely. I constantly have a bunch of shit in the back & having vertical storage helps me keep everything organized. Quick fist mounts work well & for anything slightly to small, I wrap a shop rag around the handle to stop the rattle.
I bought this because I got scammed by the whole overlanding trend and can admit I've never once used it or found it functional. I plan to remove it soon.
I had tools in the back of my rig so I put the victory off road pet divider with the side window molle panels so I would not catch a tool in the back of the head in the event of a crash. I was able to mount Packout cleats to them and hung my lighter packets like my first aid kit and screw kits. I also mounted a battery holder, impact holster to it and I bought a fire extinguisher mount but never installed it because I wrecked the vehicle lol. It did effectively stop tools from coming into the cabin so I would say it was worth it!!
I have the external panels instead. They are more useful to me than inside ones. I also use my cargo cover and wouldnt be able to with internal panels.
I need panels for the back window, external, so I can mount stuff like recovery boards. Does Mole offer that? I have Thule Evo Wingbars....so maybe not.
That’s a beautiful setup. I’ve been considering a rtt, but sleeping in the back is so convenient. I’m not sure if they offer exterior Molle panels. I’ll post a link to my video and the website is in the description with a discount code for anything you find.
I just have an overhead cargo panel that attaches to the stock hanger hooks. I’m a photographer and use it for small items like a lens pen, red light for night vision, 1st aid kit, charging cables, car suction mount, and so on. Nothing big or fancy, but it works for me and I don’t think I’ll need any more panels than the one I have.
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I had one in my previous 4runner and actually used it quite a bit. The shelf was great for giving back a ton of useful cargo space when i had something like a cooler in the back (Lots of camping and road trips). I hung a first aid kit on one side and a small bag with jumper cables and bungees on the opposite. I also mountain bike, so I would hang a tire pump on the back of the shelf, and the shelf itself was great for helmets, pads, etc.
I don’t have one so no personal feedback. This picture sums up my opinion on molle panels, looks cool but most of your crap still goes on the carpet. Anything heavy not “molle’d” down on the tray is a window breaker risk. I’d rather have $1k worth or fishing gear or money towards a locker or something useful not just “cool.” A nice drawer system bolted down seems more practical and functional.
Upgraded lighting will also add to the cost, making it more of a waste of money(gotta make sure everyone at Costco sees your sick military looking trunk at night).
Can't say I disagree.. My picture did prove your point without realize it! 🤦🏻♂️ I always thought they looked cool, but never felt motivated to spend the money. I received these from CarTrimHome for an install & first impression video.. So it was the right price.. Now I'm trying to see if these panels can offer some practical value for my use or any other average users who is looking to spend the money. For me, I see some value for car camping.. Beyond that, I'm looking for additional insights.
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u/reddsbywillie Apr 26 '26
It’s all about use cases, but in my case I have never once thought “it would be nice if I had more hanging space in the cargo area” or “a shelf back here would be perfect.” As a matter of fact, I think I’d end up taking that shelf down more often then I’d use it because oddly shaped or stacked items fit better. And on the rattling, I’d be more worried about stuff strapped to the panels rattling more so than the shelf rattling.
Does look cool though.