Attic Tray prototype back from fabrication

[BlueBoy]

Thanks

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[acarzt]

I just bought your traction board brackets for my soft top. I've already got them installed and I can confirm that the X-bull traction boards off of Amazon do in fact fit when bottom mounted (didn't try top mounting).

I also toss a bag of gear up on top and strapped it down with bungee straps. I have the IAG assist struts for the rear and it opens and closes with no clearance issues. With too much stuff on TOP of the traction boards though, the rear plastic window makes contact with the junk on top. I fixed this by just moving the bag of stuff towards the front.

I also confirmed that there are no clearance issues retracting the soft top. I did not do the second stage of retracting the top though (removing the rear windows, etc.) but I will try it out later and see what happens. (I don't ever actually have the top back like this, but figured I could try it for others)

*edit* The extra traction board mounting hardware did NOT work for these boards. The bolts were not long enough. I went and got some hardware from Lowes that works pretty good though.

 

[BlueBoy]

I just bought your traction board brackets for my soft top. I've already got them installed and I can confirm that the X-bull traction boards off of Amazon do in fact fit when bottom mounted (didn't try top mounting).

I also toss a bag of gear up on top and strapped it down with bungee straps. I have the IAG assist struts for the rear and it opens and closes with no clearance issues. With too much stuff on TOP of the traction boards though, the rear plastic window makes contact with the junk on top. I fixed this by just moving the bag of stuff towards the front.

I also confirmed that there are no clearance issues retracting the soft top. I did not do the second stage of retracting the top though (removing the rear windows, etc.) but I will try it out later and see what happens. (I don't ever actually have the top back like this, but figured I could try it for others)

*edit* The extra traction board mounting hardware did NOT work for these boards. The bolts were not long enough. I went and got some hardware from Lowes that works pretty good though.

Have any pictures you'd care to share?

 

[acarzt]

Have any pictures you'd care to share?

Notice the bulge on the rear window, just had to move the bag forward a bit and now it clears. You can't access the top storage from the back, you have to access it from the front (inside the Bronco). Not a big deal for me since it's all recovery gear that won't be accessed frequently.

For mounting the boards, I used 6" threaded bars (3/8"), some nuts, metal and rubber washers, and plastic knobs that screw on. All found at Lowe's. Used 2 sets of nuts and washers (one set on each side) on the threaded bars to fix them in place on the brackets. Trying to mount the boards from the bottom with the bolts sitting there loosely was very frustrating so having them fixed in place is nice.

Y'all let me know if you want more pictures and what angles

 

[UtahBrandon]

Notice the bulge on the rear window, just had to move the bag forward a bit and now it clears. You can't access the top storage from the back, you have to access it from the front (inside the Bronco). Not a big deal for me since it's all recovery gear that won't be accessed frequently.

For mounting the boards, I used 6" threaded bars (3/8"), some nuts, metal and rubber washers, and plastic knobs that screw on. All found at Lowe's. Used 2 sets of nuts and washers (one set on each side) on the threaded bars to fix them in place on the brackets. Trying to mount the boards from the bottom with the bolts sitting there loosely was very frustrating so having them fixed in place is nice.

Y'all let me know if you want more pictures and what angles

Fantastic feedback. Great to know it's working out very well for you!
Brandon

 

[nottinbe]

I did not do the second stage of retracting the top though (removing the rear windows, etc.) but I will try it out later and see what happens.

I'd love to hear how this goes - if it clears, I'll be purchasing. This is what I've been waiting to find out. Thanks!

 

[acarzt]

I'd love to hear how this goes - if it clears, I'll be purchasing. This is what I've been waiting to find out. Thanks!

I haven't tested it yet... but just looking at some videos of the soft top operation... there's no way it's going to go all the way back. The top stays super close to the "roll cage" right where these brackets mount.

Still though... I want to see just how tight it is, I'm curious if there is a work around...

 

[Lak34ers]

Took a bit to get this version back from fab, however, I'm pretty happy with it so far. Obviously not powder-coated yet. I'll put the hard top on tonight and make sure there's plenty of room for recovery gear to be lashed up top.

Similar to the Traction Board Brackets, the intent of this is to keep your weekend warrior gear up and out of the way until you really need it. Additional bonus, if you have recovery boards that are short enough, they can be mounted under the attic tray like in my pictures. I'm a big fan of the ARB Tred GT as they're $100 cheaper than MaxTrax, they have a lifetime warranty and they fit perfectly between the roll bar.

I also modified the Traction Board Bracket by moving the platform forward one inch, which should keep it from rubbing on the rear soft-top window. You still won't be able to retract the soft top all the way, but I don't believe that's going to be a workable solution. 2 door Broncos are sadly not an option.

A requirement for the attic tray is to have the Traction Board Brackets in place as well. They're 15% off through this Sunday using code bronco6g. That's about a $30 savings. Keep in mind my inventory of brackets is tailored more toward the MIC hard top. I haven't produced any of this V2 that's more compatible with soft tops, so I'd hold off if you have a soft top. https://puravidaoffroad.com/shop/ols/products/traction-board-mount

Cost will be higher than the Traction Board Brackets, but I don't yet know what that's going to be. I worry a bit about the unknown of packaging and shipping costs as this is new to me and I do have a day job that's completely unrelated to this side project.

Let me know your thoughts and if you think you're in as I'm not sure how many I should produce.

Brandon

Can you make something similar that acts as cargo security as well so it sits lower and doesn't allow anyone to reach in and grab your cargo when the top is off? Even a piece that attached on the front side so protects if seats are folded forward. Light and very easy to remove or fold if dogs go in the back. Maybe is swings up to where you show it in the picture so the dogs can fit. Waiting for someone to make this.

 

[Herbie]

Can you make something similar that acts as cargo security as well so it sits lower and doesn't allow anyone to reach in and grab your cargo when the top is off? Even a piece that attached on the front side so protects if seats are folded forward. Light and very easy to remove or fold if dogs go in the back. Maybe is swings up to where you show it in the picture so the dogs can fit. Waiting for someone to make this.

This is Brandon's hobby, not his day job. Let the poor guy get the basket out first.

 

[Lak34ers]

This is Brandon's hobby, not his day job. Let the poor guy get the basket out first.

Sorry I should know Brandon and his life story before asking. Not forcing him to do anything just asking for future no big deal. Relax!

 

[Herbie]

Sorry I should know Brandon and his life story before asking. Not forcing him to do anything just asking for future no big deal. Relax!

 

[UtahBrandon]

Sorry I should know Brandon and his life story before asking. Not forcing him to do anything just asking for future no big deal. Relax!

To be fair, I've been thinking of how to build some form of secure storage in mine as well for when the top is off. While it won't be based on the Traction board bracket or the attic tray, I have something in mind that would work pretty well for me. I started researching, but got buried and overwhelmed with locking hardware. I do need to get back on that thought process though. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Lak34ers]

To be fair, I've been thinking of how to build some form of secure storage in mine as well for when the top is off. While it won't be based on the Traction board bracket or the attic tray, I have something in mind that would work pretty well for me. I started researching, but got buried and overwhelmed with locking hardware. I do need to get back on that thought process though. Thanks for the reminder.

Thank you. I think it would be a big hit. The Ford cargo enclosure that I have is heavy, rattles and is a pain to get the top off and on.

 

[BostonSasquatch]

Does the Attic Tray (at $418) come complete with the Traction Board Bracket (at $198), or do I have to buy them both (at $616)?
$616 is a bit rich for me.

 

[NewBroncoOwner]

Double check that you have those mounting holes from the factory. Some 2021s don't have them, like my '21 base.

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