05-09-2021, 02:39 PM
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#1
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Pelican Cargo Case Review BX400R
I have been using the Pelican Cargo Case BX140R with roof rack mounting system for a few months and want to share my thoughts to those considering this case. (yes I mistyped the model number in the title, but now can't edit it). I've been on a 1400 mile road trip with it, taken it camping, and moved it on, off, in and out of the rig several times. Here are my thoughts:
Overall:
Pro's: Durable, water/wind proof, quick to get on/off the vehicle, great extra space. You CAN get it on/off with just one person.
Con's: Cumbersome to handle without two people, latches that attach the case to the roof mount have very small holes for locks. The locks that fit these holes will only delay theft, not prevent a serious attempt. Price. It did not fit in my garage while mounted to my rack. Admittedly, I have an older house and new houses have taller garage doors. Finally, it does not fit flat on the floor of the 4Runner cargo area (I know not typically how you'd haul it).
Durability:
I've taken this on a 1400 mile road trip through rain and on the beach. No issues with rain or dust penetration. This case appears to be built to the level that one would expect from Pelican, and for the price.
Size:
The box is about four cubic feet. You can lift it yourself, but the reach is awkward, especially when fully loaded. It's nearly twice as big as the next largest roof mount Pelican cargo case - the BX90R. On the other hand it's not as big as a Yakima or Thule roof top case, although much easier to get on/off. The size is great for the bulky light weight camping equipment - sleeping bags, pillows, etc. Generally I also have my recovery gear in here as well.
Mounting/dismounting
I purchased the Front Runner mount to attached to my Rago cross bar system. I had to do some slight filing of two holes to make them work, but overall not a big issue. Once I had the Front Runner mount attached getting the case latched in is a breeze. This is truly a great system. The ads say you get get it from latched to off the vehicle in 14 seconds and they are just about right. I didn't do any time trials, but it's close. On the down side, as mentioned above getting the case up above your head, while fully loaded and not hitting your car takes some work but is possible. With two people, it's not a problem. The other note is that while the case itself can fit reasonably strong/thick padlocks, the latches that connect the case to the mount have tiny little holes that basically only fit a tiny TSA cable lock. This is an area for improvement, but I still generally felt safe leaving it up there unattended.
In total, I like the case and the mount. I bought it primarily for camping and it does the job well. I would also strongly consider the BX90R, but then again 2.5 cubic feet isn't the same as 4.
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Last edited by DreamsOfDirt; 05-09-2021 at 02:55 PM.
Reason: Model Number
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05-09-2021, 02:49 PM
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#2
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Interior Storage Of the Pelican BX140R
As I mentioned in my original post, this cargo case does not fit flat on the floor of the cargo area of the 4Runner. I wanted to have an option where I could keep it in the vehicle most of the time and put it up on the roof mount when needed. In retrospect, it's a bit cumbersome to do that often. I keep it in the vehicle most of the time with my recovery gear inside and only throw it up on top if I need the cargo space for camping, etc.
The shelving / support system I designed to hold it was made with 80/20 extruded aluminum. As mentioned in other threads this stuff is awesome, but expensive. Particularly all the hardware. I believe T-Nuts has it cheaper and would investigate that if I had it to do over again. Speaking of things I'd do differently, I'd design it to have the long cross bars sit over shorter vertical supports instead of having them use hardware to attach into the side. Otherwise, I'm happy with this design.
A couple of notes: I designed it to be able to fit my Plano cases or suitcase underneath. The support system is not as deep as the case and this does cause it to slide off if I hit the gas hard without anything else in the back. However, this was a design choice because I wanted to fit my RTIC 20QT cooler behind the rack and still be able to close the tailgate - which it BARELY does.
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08-02-2023, 03:27 PM
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#3
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Thanks for this post! I havent seen a whole lot of information on the bx140 (no matter how I spell it ).
My question is: do you think you could fit two cases on the roof? I wife wants a ton of storage!
Thanks again and Cheers,
Mike
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08-02-2023, 04:25 PM
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#4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by no-va
Thanks for this post! I havent seen a whole lot of information on the bx140 (no matter how I spell it ).
My question is: do you think you could fit two cases on the roof? I wife wants a ton of storage!
Thanks again and Cheers,
Mike
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you would not be able to fit two bx140r on the roof using stock rails. I have two 1720s up there because I have a lot of crap I don't want in the trunk area. they fit nicely on my stock rails with some space in between and neither are hanging over the side rails. the 1720s are 16" wide, but the bx140r is 24", so 16 inches of total additional width for two cases vs. what I have now. there's maybe half of that between the cases now so I don't see how two bx140r will fit
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Last edited by Humble Leader; 08-02-2023 at 04:36 PM.
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08-02-2023, 05:19 PM
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#5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Humble Leader
you would not be able to fit two bx140r on the roof using stock rails. I have two 1720s up there because I have a lot of crap I don't want in the trunk area. they fit nicely on my stock rails with some space in between and neither are hanging over the side rails. the 1720s are 16" wide, but the bx140r is 24", so 16 inches of total additional width for two cases vs. what I have now. there's maybe half of that between the cases now so I don't see how two bx140r will fit
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Hrm, I wonder if two of these can fit next to each other on a Front Runner slimline rack though. They list it at 1255 mm (49.4 inches) so would likely be a super tight fit if it could be pulled off.
I use a Yakima Skybox for longer trips, but don't have a whole lot of love for it (getting it on the Frontrunner is a pain in the ass).
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2020 Army Green TRD Pro: 265/70R17 Goodyear Duratrac RT, Eibach TRD Pro Lift-Kit Springs, Victory 4x4 Blitz Al Sliders, RCI TRD Pro Integration Al Skid Plate Set, RCI Gas Tank Al Skid Plate, Front Runner 3/4 Slimline Roof Rack (w/1.4m Easy-Out Awning and Quick Release Kit), Morimoto XB Taillights, Canvasback Cargo Liner, more to come...
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08-03-2023, 12:27 PM
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#6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AZ Craig
Hrm, I wonder if two of these can fit next to each other on a Front Runner slimline rack though. They list it at 1255 mm (49.4 inches) so would likely be a super tight fit if it could be pulled off.
I use a Yakima Skybox for longer trips, but don't have a whole lot of love for it (getting it on the Frontrunner is a pain in the ass).
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I think if you had a rack that spanned the width of the roof like a front runner it fits mathematically with 1 inch to spare, but you might not be able to fully use all 49.4", I don't know how the t slots work or if you can really mount anything right up to the edge. you also have to account for opening the cases and I believe with pelicans you need some room behind the case to open it (I think, at least my 1720s need some room)
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08-03-2023, 01:34 PM
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#7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Humble Leader
I think if you had a rack that spanned the width of the roof like a front runner it fits mathematically with 1 inch to spare, but you might not be able to fully use all 49.4", I don't know how the t slots work or if you can really mount anything right up to the edge. you also have to account for opening the cases and I believe with pelicans you need some room behind the case to open it (I think, at least my 1720s need some room)
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Yeah, this is kind of my thinking also that even if you could somehow jam both of them up there (and this would probably come down to how the mounting plates lined up and if you were able to utilize all of the space), it'd probably be a crazy tight fit and kind of dysfunctional for actual use.
I assume the Pelican cases are only hinged on one side also? This would not work out well .
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2016 Black Trail Premium KDSS - Traded
2020 Army Green TRD Pro: 265/70R17 Goodyear Duratrac RT, Eibach TRD Pro Lift-Kit Springs, Victory 4x4 Blitz Al Sliders, RCI TRD Pro Integration Al Skid Plate Set, RCI Gas Tank Al Skid Plate, Front Runner 3/4 Slimline Roof Rack (w/1.4m Easy-Out Awning and Quick Release Kit), Morimoto XB Taillights, Canvasback Cargo Liner, more to come...
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08-03-2023, 02:05 PM
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#8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AZ Craig
Yeah, this is kind of my thinking also that even if you could somehow jam both of them up there (and this would probably come down to how the mounting plates lined up and if you were able to utilize all of the space), it'd probably be a crazy tight fit and kind of dysfunctional for actual use.
I assume the Pelican cases are only hinged on one side also? This would not work out well .
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ya one side hinge. they are great cases though. I didn't like the idea of a cargo box either. I wanted something I could leave up there because I didn't want to deal with storing the damn thing or getting it ripped off at the parking garage at the train station. if you pickup the bx90 case, two should fit no problem on the front runner rack. they are 20 inches wide
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08-03-2023, 02:27 PM
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#9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Humble Leader
ya one side hinge. they are great cases though. I didn't like the idea of a cargo box either. I wanted something I could leave up there because I didn't want to deal with storing the damn thing or getting it ripped off at the parking garage at the train station. if you pickup the bx90 case, two should fit no problem on the front runner rack. they are 20 inches wide
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Yeah, one of the reasons I may just have to stick with my Yakima is that we use it a lot for ski trips and are able to just barely get my 185cm skis in it. Unfortunately I don't think Pelican has a case that could be used for that purpose.
I had the Front Runner ski rack but ended up throwing it in the trash after stripping screws out trying to put it on and take it off each season. Horribly user unfriendly design, plus it can only really hold 2 pairs of wide skis since it is too low to the rack to clear bindings on the bottom side. Not a good use of $300 or whatever the hell I paid for it.
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2016 Black Trail Premium KDSS - Traded
2020 Army Green TRD Pro: 265/70R17 Goodyear Duratrac RT, Eibach TRD Pro Lift-Kit Springs, Victory 4x4 Blitz Al Sliders, RCI TRD Pro Integration Al Skid Plate Set, RCI Gas Tank Al Skid Plate, Front Runner 3/4 Slimline Roof Rack (w/1.4m Easy-Out Awning and Quick Release Kit), Morimoto XB Taillights, Canvasback Cargo Liner, more to come...
2023 Yacht Blue Kia EV6 GT
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08-03-2023, 02:37 PM
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#10
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IVe got about 20 pelican cases all sizes. Mostly for gear and guns. Never used one like yours with metal latches. Very nice case you got there.
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08-04-2023, 11:48 AM
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#11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grug556
IVe got about 20 pelican cases all sizes. Mostly for gear and guns. Never used one like yours with metal latches. Very nice case you got there.
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where did you buy your spod from? amazon? or shipped from US? I was thinking about getting one to clean up my ditch light wiring and also to wire my compressor switch (just the switch). I don't think I'd ever have more than 3-4 things connected to it. are you happy with it? what do you have connected to it? did you get the HD panel or LCD?
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08-04-2023, 12:01 PM
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#12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Humble Leader
where did you buy your spod from? amazon? or shipped from US? I was thinking about getting one to clean up my ditch light wiring and also to wire my compressor switch (just the switch). I don't think I'd ever have more than 3-4 things connected to it. are you happy with it? what do you have connected to it? did you get the HD panel or LCD?
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Got it direct from BAJA designs, as they bought out SPOD. Got HD panel. If you need any pics of anything hit me up with a PM and ill email whatever you need. Got a powertray for the rack to install it. Only issue I had with the light bar (+Baja S8 40") was that I used a KC channel wire hider but when I used my marine grade heat shrink some minor bulges caused not a perfect fit. I loomed the rest using wire loom kit. Looks pretty good. I have an extra crestone bar and feet so I can quickly disconnect speed coupler on roof for the bar to remove the Rack bar with light bar attached and put a bar back in its place with no light.. I have security hardware on everything.. but with sawzalls..you get how it goes.
Currently have connected
S8 bar
S8 bar back light
XL80s pods x2
Have a rear S1 on order for back up
Have two rocklights on order
May add an under the hood white LED later on
I have the 8 switch one. Lots of room.
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08-04-2023, 12:07 PM
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#13
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Did a fine job on the shelving/support system. Great setup.
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08-04-2023, 01:35 PM
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#14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grug556
Got it direct from BAJA designs, as they bought out SPOD. Got HD panel. If you need any pics of anything hit me up with a PM and ill email whatever you need. Got a powertray for the rack to install it. Only issue I had with the light bar (+Baja S8 40") was that I used a KC channel wire hider but when I used my marine grade heat shrink some minor bulges caused not a perfect fit. I loomed the rest using wire loom kit. Looks pretty good. I have an extra crestone bar and feet so I can quickly disconnect speed coupler on roof for the bar to remove the Rack bar with light bar attached and put a bar back in its place with no light.. I have security hardware on everything.. but with sawzalls..you get how it goes.
Currently have connected
S8 bar
S8 bar back light
XL80s pods x2
Have a rear S1 on order for back up
Have two rocklights on order
May add an under the hood white LED later on
I have the 8 switch one. Lots of room.
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oh nice. glad you got the HD panel, the LCD panel will freeze in very low temps. the XL80s are beasts you probably don't even need headlights with those. the simplicity of the spod and the clean wiring is so nice. even being meticulously neat with my wiring there is still alot of wiring just from an arb and ditch lights and my ham radio... did you have a difficult time fitting that ethernet through the firewall?
where did you mount the air compressor with the power tray? passenger side or arb single and made it fit? I have an arb single with the rago tray. I like the idea of the power tray, but that would mean relocating my compressor. and naturally I'd upgrade to an arb dual and mount on passenger side for a better fit. completely unnecessary by all means since I dont intend to have larger tires or use air tools/lockers... or I'd keep my single and mount spod to fuse box lid which is likely what I'd do. fuse box lids are cheap to replace if I ever relocate the spod
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