If you’ve ever tried to tie something down in the back of the JK, you quickly find out that jeep didn’t really put any tie downs in at all. When Jeep designed the JK, they obviously forgot that we throw stuff in the back and drive place other than flat concrete roads. You have a couple tie down locations in the front, but nothing near the back tailgate. So what are you to do. I was at the hardware store and noticed a few D-rings for mounting pictures on the wall. Aha.. Now to find them in a bigger size. I found exactly what I wanted at www.strapworks.com. They actually have quite a bit of stuff for different things. I wish I would have found them in the past when I worked on a few strap projects. The cool thing is you can get them in all sorts of colors, so you might be able to match your Jeeps color. I tried Candy Apple Red to match the Red Rock. This install only takes about 20 minutes so having these sit on my workbench for a couple of months shouldn't have happened.
From Strapworks website
Today's motto, "Any Strap, Any Length, Any Color"® is unmatched. We went from cam straps to offering many different styles, and always in the widest variety of colors we could find. We not only have more colors than any other U.S. strap manufacturer, we have unique colors, as well. We offer customizing on all of our products and design services just not available elsewhere. And, we offer unique customer service. For instance, only Strapworks offers two piece straps (like ratchet straps and loop straps) in mixed colors. Today, our commitment to variety, quality, and customer service is singular in the industry. We currently have 26 colors in lightweight polypropylene, 24 colors in heavyweight polypropylene, and about 20 colors in nylon. We are (to our best knowledge) the only hardware supplier in the US to offer colored hardware with d-rings, slides, buckles, in fact, most of our metal hardware, available in 15 stock colors. We have no minimums and are pleased to fill those 1 buckle orders as well as those 10,000 strap orders. Our growth has been phenomenal and we continue to introduce new products and services on a regular basis. We have been STRAPWORKS.COM® since 1995. |
| Driver Side Installation: |
When I ordered from Strapworks.com there were several options on color. I had the red rock crystal paint job, so I figured that Candy apple red would be a pretty close match. What do you think? This does cost a little more, but why not get close to the color of your jeep. |
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There is a recess on the rear driver’s side of the JK and the subwoofer rear foot makes another perfect location to mount a D-ring. Just release the little retainer, lift and pull straight back to remove it. |
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| 1. Remove the rear cargo cover. This will allow you to pull the carpet back to get under it when you drill out the hole. |
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| 2. Position the D-ring in the little divot in the floor near the rear door. |
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| 3. Drill down through the carpet and mark the floor below it. This will allow you to line up the carpet hole with the floor hole and allow you to insert the bolt through the carpet. Once you get a mark started, remove the D-Ring and continue drilling. Drill out the carpet to about 1/4". |
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| 4. Drill a hole in the sheet metal with a 5/16” drill bit. |
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Now since this is a sealed area, you will need to install a nutsert. These are pretty cheap and can be picked up at most stores like harbor freight, true value, or ace hardware stores. Home depot and Lowes don’t have these items. Installation will depend upon which tool you have. Some are like a rivet gun, others just a nut and bolt that you use a wrench and socket on it. The nutsert will mushroom down and grip the sheet metal. This gives a nice factory look.
Note: Do not use a rubber well nut it will tear and pull out with any load upon it. |
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| 5. Using a nutsert tool, if available. Insert a 1/4x20 nutsert into the hole and clamp it in place. |
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| 6. Insert the button head bolt through the D-ring and the carpet. Use a 5/32" allen wrench to tighten |
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| 7. Screw the D-ring in place. |
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| Passenger Side Installation: |
| 1. If you do not have the subwoofer installed, skip to step 4. Use a 15mm deep well socket or 15mm combo wrench to remove the nut from the rear foot of the subwoofer. |
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| 2. Place the D-ring over the exposed stud. I did debate whether to place the D-ring over or under the foot, and decided that it was easier to angle with it above. |
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| 3. Reinstall the nut with a 15mm deep well socket or 15mm combo wrench. |
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| 4. If you do not have the subwoofer installed, check under the carpet to see if there is a nutsert already installed. I do not know what size threading is used on Jeeps nutserts, so if anyone does this please let me know. All you have to do then is poke a hole through the carpet to install the bolt. |
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| If you do not have a Nutsert, just repeat the same steps on this side as on the driver side. |
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| Now you can use the hook points in the front and your newly installed tie downs in the back to provide a nice way to hold down light items. I haven't tested this with an ice cooler full of stuff, or tool bags during a roll over and I hope I never have to. |
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