~~Orange Boxx Fab... A Not-So-Terrible Experience! (PSD Install)
 

ORANGE BOXX FAB. Did everyone run away yet? Before you do, do everyone a favor and read this post in its entirety. Or just look at the pictures if you are that kind of guy.

A BRIEF PREFACE:

Nearly three years ago some serious :toilet: went down about a customer being sent the wrong hanger bracket for his PSD. A volcano erupted here on the forums as seemingly OBF didn't treat him with any respect or could get it right after sending the customer some replacement test-fit brackets.... Well - after talking with the owner Darrell, it turns out he was in the hospital getting part of his foot amputated, and his wife Anne was handling the issue during the whole fiasco.

I’m not saying mistakes weren’t made on both parties, but OBF was quick to follow up once he was out of the hospital, had changed bracket manufacturers, and got things sorted out overall. These kind of things happen in industries where custom is norm and metalwork is expensive and foreign to those who don’t understand how to set up a Bridgeport or turn some dials on the ol’ Miller Electric.

Now that that's outta the way, let's get to business... This guy is the OE to rear quarter panel storage systems, prefacing all the other ones on the market. For the last 20 years, he’s been doing panels for a whole mess of vehicle enthusiasts – we T4R guys aren’t his only crowd. I’m not going to mention the other manufacturers who stepped in to this picture because of the one mistake he made while laid up in a hospital bed. Besides, he is the least expensive, and will do custom lasered dual-powder panels, where the other guys are bare or black powder steel or Al? Idk, man. TO each their own, but… :noidea:

:bump2::bump2::bump2::bump2::bump2::bump2:

I ordered a set of PSD's from OrangeBoxx Fabrication back in November during their black Friday sale. 11 weeks ago, to be exact. Before anyone goes out and complains about how long it took; yes, it was past their lead time by a few weeks, but not only was it over the holidays, but they kept me up to date with when it was cut, when it went to powder, and when it shipped out, so I wasn’t worried. And I did have a crazy scheme laid out for them…

Check it! :laser:


<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/185141496@N07/49532368678/in/album-72157711510133311/" title="Psd"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49532368678_354bd03158_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="Psd"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Time to get into the meat and potatoes; the install. Well, first, the unboxing. Opened the cardboard sleeve to find a nice handwritten note, a bag of hardware, and well protected PSD’s (note, I had peeked at the racks before taking the picture – it was fully encased in paper at the time of first opening).


<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/185141496@N07/49536638072/in/album-72157711510133311/" title="PSD 1"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49536638072_6deabd675b_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="PSD 1"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The hardware that came with:


<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/185141496@N07/49532868211/in/album-72157711510133311/" title="Psd"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49532868211_beb8e34d5b_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="Psd"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

So as an engineer by trade, this thing is pretty simple. Dual standoffs and one hanger bracket, with adjustability at each mountain location. I appreciate instructions, but pride myself with the ability to “figg’r it out”. I’ll admit, I referenced the instructions on their site and didn’t find them much help –pictures speak a thousand words. That’s where I come in, for all you future peeps :reddance:
So start by removing three bolts on the side of choice (4th gen 4runner shown, install might vary a wee bit on 3rd and 5ths, duh).

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/185141496@N07/49538728257/in/dateposted-public/" title="boltrem"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49538728257_39107605ac_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="boltrem"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

See the countersunk circular cavity at location #3? Out of the two widths of delrin standoffs, only one will fit inside. That’s the one that goes here…. and likewise for #2.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/185141496@N07/49532864131/in/album-72157711510133311/" title="Psd"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49532864131_a9c19c5777_b.jpg" width="450" height="800" alt="Psd"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/185141496@N07/49532865041/in/album-72157711510133311/" title="Psd"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49532865041_c2220ed1a7_c.jpg" width="450" height="800" alt="Psd"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Next up, lay your panel flat and bolt the bracket on loose. Don’t tighten yet, dingus. (I did, then had to re-loosen 30 seconds after). I actually don't know if the bracket was best hung on the inside or outside of the panel, so I did it on the inside for now - I might switch it later as it won't affect operation until I get the panels loaded up more down the road.


<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/185141496@N07/49538058293/in/dateposted-public/" title="49532368678_a65a963b97_o"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49538058293_efaecd7ff1_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="49532368678_a65a963b97_o"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Next up, hang the top bracket. Note that the picture shows the bolt cover snapped back on to the luggage handle – just loosely get a few threads engaged for now and keep ‘er popped open. At this point, you should be able to line up the rearward (skinnier, shorter) standoff and get a few threads going here. Make sure you bolt it through the right slot!

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/185141496@N07/49532367558/in/album-72157711510133311/" title="Psd"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49532367558_d2e29c5197_c.jpg" width="450" height="800" alt="Psd"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/185141496@N07/49533090527/in/album-72157711510133311/" title="Psd"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49533090527_4711704f66_c.jpg" width="450" height="800" alt="Psd"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Same goes for the frontward standoff. You may have to lift up on the rack a bit to counter sag since you don’t have the top bracket tightened down yet.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/185141496@N07/49532366653/in/album-72157711510133311/" title="Psd"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49532366653_f168989ae4_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="Psd"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Then tighten them all to a torque setting of gut’n’tight! Starting with the top #1, then #2 and #3 respectively.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/185141496@N07/49532368588/in/album-72157711510133311/" title="Psd"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49532368588_04de813039_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="Psd"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Here comes the exciting part. At this point, YMMV. I had a lot of “junk in the trunk” persay, from straps and tools to bungees and rope. Beforehand, I bought a few ebay accessories that would help me get all this onto my fancy new racks. A few molle pouches, and the well-regarded paper towel holder everyone seems to like (which I’ll get into more details about later :yellowbrick:

[SAVIOR] Laser-Cut MOLLE Admin Utility EDC Pouch Tactical Outdoor Survival Bag | eBay

[2-PACK] Tactical MOLLE Pouch Multi-Purpose EDC Utility Outdoor Hiking Small Bag | eBay

NcStar CVFDP2935G OD GREEN Tactical PVC Small Utility Folding Dump Pouch 814108017347 | eBay

Kamenstein Perfect Tear Wall Mount Paper Towel Holder Black 37531037274 | eBay

So I took this:

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/185141496@N07/49532364643/in/album-72157711510133311/" title="Psd"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49532364643_df1ce03507_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="Psd"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

And upon slapping it all up (short of quickfists for my hatchet and my IFAK which is in the mail), I got this!

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/185141496@N07/49533085307/in/album-72157711510133311/" title="Psd"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49533085307_f800a329a5_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="Psd"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Quite pleased with the Savior bags from the ‘Bay. Zippers are all solid and the drop down bench feature on the admin bag is noice. On the passenger side panel I have my NOCO GB40 in the rearward Molle bag, fits perfectly.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/185141496@N07/49532862461/in/album-72157711510133311/" title="Psd"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49532862461_3c0f9b44b2_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="Psd"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/185141496@N07/49533084142/in/album-72157711510133311/" title="Psd"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49533084142_5ca5fa2d27_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="Psd"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Did I mention that the powdercoating on these is flawless? No sharp corners anywhere, coated black bracket fit beautifully, 11 ga. steel is beefy, yet not too heavy. Dual powder looks sweet and is def. the look I was going for. Blah, blah, blah, I talk too much.

I’m impressed for the money. Will be a great way to organize like I never could before and really help make my DD a great weekend camping rig like it oughta be (if the WI weather gets above freezing at all in the next few days. Or weeks. Or months. :cry: :cry:
And no, I wasn’t sponsored by OBDF to make this. I bought what I thought would be the best racks for the price and I’m proud to rock them in the AventuRunner.
@OrangeBoxxfab , maybe you can use this thread or some of these pictures for future instructions? :cheers:

Nice job!
 

That looks awesome. Very professionally made. Thanks for giving the company such good feed back. I will definitely look into a set for my 4Runner.

Right on! I'm impressed so far. Thanks for the comment :cheers:

Replaced the bungees with Quickfists holding the Prandi german-style hatchet for a more secure grip... pics inbound

Bought one
 

I purchased one for my left side. Very pleased with this purchase and the quality of their product.

Awesome! Thanks for posting your findings. Been getting a fair bit of use out of mine so far, but the virus has been limiting my travels lately...

Been digging these lately...
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/185141496@N07/49858318853/in/album-72157711510133311/" title="Ldpe rack adapter"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49858318853_88e4e034a2_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="Ldpe rack adapter"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

LOL now that's hilarious. Both parties didn't make a mistake. One party (OBF) made a mistake, then followed it up with a bunch of other mistakes, then topped all of those off with a very public mistake.

The customer went out of his way to try and help remedy the situation. He was patient. He sent plenty of pictures. Offered to take precise measurements in order to help OBF redesign the bracket. He was super patient with OBF up until the point where the owner started personally attacking him for no reason.

How do I know this? Because I was the customer. I'm sure OBF has their shit together now, but I replaced mine with one from Rago and it was much higher quality and the customer service was infinitely better.

Hey man. Glad to see you chime in. People make mistakes and I'm a firm believer that nobody is perfect. No company ever deserves a bad reputation...unless it's a unanimous opinion or a collective smattering of mistreatments. OBF isn't that place of business.

When someone reads your thread, it's sided to see how your case was one that might of been handled differently by other larger companies, sure. But after putting yourself in the man's shoes and getting the full story... He did what he could, in his hospitalized condition.

You have to see where I'm coming from, and why I support the man who brought the PSD idea to the table for all of us.

Yeah I get all of that, but I take offense to you saying I made a mistake. I went out of my way to be helpful and support a small fabricator in fixing an issue. My only mistake was doing business with OBF to begin with.

If you want to come on here and do some PR work for them that's fine, but don't put any of his failings on me while you do it.