How thick is the ceiling on a 2nd gen X?

[trevell407]

Im looking to install a fishing rod holder on the ceiling in my explorer,
it would only have to support 2 or 3 pounds at a time.
Can anyone tell me how thick the ceiling in a 2nd gen X is?
I've got all kinds of self tapping screws, I was thinking a half inch would work fine.
Also if anybody has a picture of the ceiling without the headliner that would be awesome.
I just dont want to have the screw go through the roof .
Thanks much.

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

It's too thin. You wouldn't want to use the sheet metal to hold your rods. You would be best mounting them to the roof rack.

I would be okay if you mounted them through the sheet metal into the actual frame of the roof, but that's getting complicated, you would have to take out your head liner to get to the other side. A hole bunch of interior side panel parts would have to come out with the headliner too. Further more the headliner is just way to awkward to get it out of the explorer without bending it and accidentally creating crevices.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I'd epoxy tabs to the roof to use for mounting. Cut out a nice circle and get some trim grommets.

 

[trevell407]

Im trying to figure out a way to mount them on the inside on the ceiling,
I had a rod rack on the roof until one of my $150 rods got broken by a rock of bug or something.
It would only have to support the weight of one or two rods at a time.
I just like to have one with me at all time, I have holders in my boat and I use them if I take it places.
Any suggestions?
How much is a new headliner? by the way.
I could tear mine out, make some brackets, and get it replaced.
Its in pretty bad shape anyways.

 

[redneck21]

I'd go with what Mbrooks420 said and cut a hole in the head liner for the bracket epoxy it to the metal roof the bolt the holder to the bracket. And if you wanted to put thepice you cut back in. I know how it feel to have rods brake on you. I like to keep on with me at all times till my $100 one broke. Now i just keep a cheap $30 zepco 33 rod and real i got at walmart and a small tackle box. What gets me is my $100 one broke in like month the $30 one had road with me for almost 3 years.

 

[trevell407]

Thats a pretty good idea , and I've got some heavy duty marine epoxy around somewhere.
I've got some cheap rods that I wouldnt care about breaking as much but I'd like to have something good all around with me at all times.
I dont think a $30 zebco would be able to handle a 40 inch redfish or other big salt water fish that live near places I work and am tempted to fish on my lunch break.

 

[redneck21]

LOL ya not for now saltwater fishing all i got hear is a few ponds and swamps so the best i will get is a 10lbs bass at best. what kind of rig you fish with?

 

[Mbrooks420]

Did you consider mounting it on the passenger side headliner trim? I bet you could put the tip side of the rod towards the front and make the brackets so it would go up against the headliner, and not be in the passengers way.

 

[btimm86]

ugly stick

 

[Mbrooks420]

Thanks.

 

[trevell407]

What do you mean by the headliner trim?
The plastic panel that the headliner goes under?
I thought of that, but I bought a holder that holds 5 rods and is about 10 inches wide.
I think im going to try to cut a hole in the headliner and attach some brackets to it somehow.
Im also trying to figure out a way to rig some bungee straps to them to support the rods.

 

[redneck21]

What kinda of rack is it. If i can get a pic of it i maybe able to help come up with an idea.