G503.com Message Forums

by **raymakr** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 8:26 pm

Hi, I am wanting to install a second 5 gal water can holder on my passenger side step. If anyone has already done this could you please advise. Will the step accomodate the weight of the 5 gal. water can? I have had to replace the section of hat channel that run's directly under the passenger side step. So Im hoping this will provide the support needed. I was curious what you fasten the upper strap to. Add a footman loop and use a narrow strap or wrap it around the eye bolt or windshield frame. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

by **Minnhawk** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 9:15 pm

Raymakr: Are you planning on this water can being full or empty? Big difference in weight, big difference in how you would mount it. This is a "field mod" obviously and those usually require poking bubba holes through your jeep. If I were doing this, I would study such "field expedient" photos from WWII to see what the doggies did. Probably the minimum to keep the can from falling off would be my guess. I would probably get a jerry can holder(bracket) and mount it on the step through the bottom and into the jeep tub through the back. A hunk of flat steel bar as a backer for the bracket bolts would help in keeping them from pulling through the 18 gauge sheet metal. Running the strap up through the eye bolt, as you suggested, would probably work.

by **raymakr** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 1:16 pm

Hi Minnhawk, thanks for the fine suggestions. I would not have thought to use the steel bar plates behind the tub. Thanks again.

by **rondo** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 2:23 pm

Hmm, this is a good idea. Mount the can empty to get the look. On mine however it would hide the ugly body work my junker needs haha

by **Ben Dover** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 3:46 pm

Remember, field expedients and mods did not require drawings, usually a welder or a drill was the only special tool needed.

by **Chuck Lutz** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 5:46 pm

You will probably need some kind of stand-off or the windshield arm will be in the way of the can....also, you are putting 40+ lbs of weight on the step or on a vertical bracket attached to the side of the cowl similarly to the way the FE is attached on the other side. Perhaps the VERTICAL attachement is better as it can have several pairs of screws attaching another plate inside the tub to spread the weight and take it off the step...which might suffer from a full can and a bumpy road surface!

by **Doc Dean** » Sat Jul 02, 2011 9:34 am

I added a water can to my passenger step. I rested the water can on the step, marked the holes for drilling and went to town. As Chuck notes you do need to cant out the top mounts to clear the windsheild bracket. I used a set of stacked washers JB Welded to a bolt and then painted to match the body color. I added a footman loop to the body to help hold the strap. I did cut some thick metal strips to use as "backers" to spead the weight out. I also cut out some intertube tire rubber and glued it to the bottom of the can holder to eliminate chaffing between the step and can carrier and as a anti-squeek measure. Mine has worked great. I have used it both full of water and empty, usually just empty. When I dont want the carrier on the vehicle I simply unbolt it, slip the strap from the footman loop and take it off. The bolts are re-inserted in the 'bubba holes" and nobody is the wiser as to what is going on. Here is a pic without the straps or can in place. I sewed the straps to the can carrier just for a more secure fit. Good Luck!