November 17, 2021
Space is always valuable when packing for a trip. Not only do you have to make sure everything fits, but it’s also crucial to keep certain items accessible.
Meet our new Liftgate G.R.I.D.S system, a rear cargo area door MOLLE Panel system for the 5th Gen 4Runner. The G.R.I.D.S system attaches into the existing holes on the rear liftgate providing a large area to attach a wide variety of items.
It could be used to hold some recovery gear, a first aid kit, small tools, and more. The panel itself fits right between the existing lights and speakers and doesn’t inhibit the storage space in the rear.
Our new Liftgate MOLLE panel for the 5th Gen 4Runnner allows you to keep some valuable gear easily within reach at all times, regardless of how full your vehicle is packed!
Find it in our store: 4Runner Liftgate MOLLE Panel
Tools & Materials
The first thing you need to do is remove the pull strap on the rear hatch. Using a trim removal tool, remove the piece of trim around the strap to reveal the 10mm bolt. Remove the bolt and strap and set it aside, you will not need it anymore.
Find the arrow on the passenger side of the hatch near the bottom. You will notice that there is an indentation on the panel. Using the trim removal tool, pry the hatch panel off of the door. Once the first clip or two have been released you can use your hands to pull it down. One important thing to note is that the lights are still connected, so do not pull too far to avoid damaging the wires or connections.
Once all of the clips have been released, the panel will still be hanging on by the window and the wiring. Reach in behind the panel to unclip the wiring harnesses, then push the panel towards the rear window to slide it out of place. Make sure all the clips are installed on the panel. You may need to pull some of them off of the vehicle if they get stuck. I’d highly recommend using a fastener remover to ensure any stuck clips don’t break.
You will notice there is one clip in the middle of the panel, you need to remove it and set it aside. Using a ¼” drill bit, drill from the back to the front in that existing hole. This will be where the first spacer gets installed. Once you have drilled through, flip over the panel and drill again from the front, this time using a ½” bit.
The second spacer will go through the hole where the pull strap was located. There is a silver ring in the panel that just needs to be pushed out to make room for the spacer.
The first spacer will be installed into the hole where the interior clip went. It is not threaded so the spacer needs to have a nut installed on the inside of the door. There are two options for doing this. The first option is to remove the speaker to the left of the hole. It is only held on by three screws and when removed it provides plenty of space to reach into the door and hold the nut and wrench steady.
The second would be to pull out the small rubber grommet plug that is right next to the hole (shown in the first picture). This will give you room to slide the 10mm wrench in place in order to tighten down the nut. This is the simplest option. However, we used the first option in this installation guide because it gave us more room to operate. Using a 10mm wrench for the nut, and a 12mm wrench or deep socket for the spacer, tighten it down into the hole. The second spacer will then be installed into the hole for the pull strap screw( (shown below). It is already threaded and you will only need the 12mm wrench or socket to tighten it. Make sure the grommet or the speaker is reinstalled.
Now that the holes are drilled and the first two spacers are in place, reinstall the rear hatch panel. It will first slide down into place from the window area, as there is a lip that goes into that crevice. Line up the panel to make sure the spacers come through the proper holes, then push all of the clips fully into place. If the spacer does not fit through the hole you drilled, now is when you will need to make adjustments so it fits. You do not need to reinstall the wiring for the lights at this time.
Using the provided screws, install the Agency6 MOLLE Panel onto the two spacers. You now want to mark where the holes will be drilled for the top two spacers. The marks should be made perpendicular to the tabs that will be connected to the spacers, not perpendicular to the rear panel. This is because the top spacers will be angled down from where they are installed instead of straight out. Using a pencil or a silver Sharpie, mark the two holes for the top spacers. If you’re a visual person, place one of the screws provided into the connecting tabs to make sure it makes contact where you marked for the hole. Once your hole locations have been marked, remove the Agency6 panel and the rear hatch panel again.
Since the marks are on the front, all drilling will go from the front of the panel. Using a ¼” drill bit, drill at the marks on the panel. Then, using the ½” drill bit, drill out the hole again.
The top two spacers will be installed in locations where bolts are already installed. In the picture above, you can see the location of those two bolts. Using the 12 mm wrench or socket, remove the existing bolts and replace them with the final two spacers.
Reinstall the rear hatch panel just like in step 7. However, this time you will want to reconnect the wiring for the lights before clipping it all into place. You will also want to make sure the top two spacers fit into the holes correctly and easily. This ensures that nothing is straining or being forced too much. Now is the time to adjust the holes before everything is clipped again.
Once the rear hatch is in place and all of the spacers fit correctly, install the Agency6 Liftgate panel using the provided bolts and washers and a 4mm or 5/32” Allen wrench.
Time to load up your new MOLLE panel. There are multiple ways to attach all kinds of gear. You can utilize the holes for rivet nuts or strap things onto the panel with Quickfists, bungees, or other gear ties. It all depends on what you want to store on your Agency6 Liftgate panel.
The Agency6 G.R.I.D.S. MOLLE Panel provides a large space that will always be accessible in times of need. It is a great tool for anyone looking to help keep their gear more organized and easy to access.
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August 28, 2023