Jeep Backbone Security Cover Mods and Tips

[Jebiruph]

Over the winter I fabricated a quick release latch system for my Jeep Backbone to facilitate quick installation and removal. I'm creating this thread to share that mod along with other mods I have planned and any mod anyone else wants to share.

For those not familiar with the Jeep Backbone (https://www.jeepbackbone.com/), it is an aluminum three piece security cover that doesn't require any special brackets to install. It was already fairly easy to install, but my modification makes installation easier and tool-less. I need the security for various equipment, but I also need easy access to the full cargo capacity.

Here I have it set up inside so it's easy to see just how simple the three piece construction is.

Here's the underside with the attachment points circled. The front corners attach to the rear seat bolts and the back corners are secured to the top rail with built in clamps.

Here's the hardware for the latches. Normally the two top pieces are bolted together with five bolts. I use two hitch pins to align the pieces and for structural support and clamp the pieces together with three latches.

Here's what it looks like assembled.

Here it is installed.

I also replaced front nuts with wingnuts, the flat thumbscrews with round thumbscrews and added round knobs to the clamp screws to complete the tool-lessness.

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[norm807]

That looks good.. does it rattle at all? Thinking about picking one of these up but also want quick removal.

 

[Jebiruph]

That looks good.. does it rattle at all? Thinking about picking one of these up but also want quick removal.

No rattle at all. There is a foam strip between the two top pieces and with the latches I have to be careful to not clamp too tight or the pieces will shift.

 

[Jebiruph]

Tip #1
If I knew then what I know now, I would not have installed the Mopar cargo mats because I don't think they work with any security enclosures, definitely not this one. As it is, I modified my gap cover with different clips so it is easier to take in and out, and I can still use the cargo mats when the Backbone is removed. Not related to the Backbone, but the Mopar cargo mats are also not compatible with currently available rear seat covers either.

Tip #2
Consider test fitting the pieces before installation. Some of the edges weren't perfectly straight and this will be easier to adjust before it is installed.

Tip #3
Installation videos (one is of the JK version that is a little different than the JL version)

 

[Mid-life Wrangler]

Over the winter I fabricated a quick release latch system for my Jeep Backbone to facilitate quick installation and removal. I'm creating this thread to share that mod along with other mods I have planned and any mod anyone else wants to share.

For those not familiar with the Jeep Backbone (https://www.jeepbackbone.com/), it is an aluminum three piece security cover that doesn't require any special brackets to install. It was already fairly easy to install, but my modification makes installation easier and tool-less. I need the security for various equipment, but I also need easy access to the full cargo capacity.

Here I have it set up inside so it's easy to see just how simple the three piece construction is.

Here's the underside with the attachment points circled. The front corners attach to the rear seat bolts and the back corners are secured to the top rail with built in clamps.

Here's the hardware for the latches. Normally the two top pieces are bolted together with five bolts. I use two hitch pins to align the pieces and for structural support and clamp the pieces together with three latches.

Here's what it looks like assembled.

Here it is installed.

I also replaced front nuts with wingnuts, the flat thumbscrews with round thumbscrews and added round knobs to the clamp screws to complete the tool-lessness.

Great write up. I plan to try this. Unfortunately the Toplift Pro won’t work with the Jeep Backbone, so a quick removal of the rear part of the deck is necessary. Do you care to make a parts list including where you found the hardware? I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[Roadglide]

Great write up. I plan to try this. Unfortunately the Toplift Pro won’t work with the Jeep Backbone, so a quick removal of the rear part of the deck is necessary. Do you care to make a parts list including where you found the hardware? I would greatly appreciate it.

Is it waterproof? Would love a hard or even a soft tonneau cover that keeps out the rain (or at least keeps it 95% dry) Any suggestions??

 

[Sgt Beavis]

There is only one reason I wouldn’t buy this. There is one specific to the hardtop and another for the soft top. I have both hard and soft tops and will be changing between them. I want a security top that can work with either one.

 

[Mid-life Wrangler]

There is only one reason I wouldn’t buy this. There is one specific to the hardtop and another for the soft top. I have both hard and soft tops and will be changing between them. I want a security top that can work with either one.

I have dual tops as well. I purchased the hard top version, but think I’m going to buy the rear portion for the soft top soon. If you contact them, they will sell it separately, but it’s another $200. I wouldn’t consider it if I hadn’t gotten the deal they had last September when they went for $400, but having to buy both negates a lot of the savings over a Slipstream.

 

[Jebiruph]

Great write up. I plan to try this. Unfortunately the Toplift Pro won’t work with the Jeep Backbone, so a quick removal of the rear part of the deck is necessary. Do you care to make a parts list including where you found the hardware? I would greatly appreciate it.

I'll work on a parts list, but I fabricated the aluminum angle brackets. I think there is a simpler way of doing the brackets, but they will still have to be cut and drilled.

 

[Jebiruph]

Is it waterproof? Would love a hard or even a soft tonneau cover that keeps out the rain (or at least keeps it 95% dry) Any suggestions??

I think it could be made very water resistant, but there are some edges that would need additional sealing. There are seals provided for the roll bar holes that I haven't installed yet and the back edge would need some kind of weather stripping. The seam between the two top pieces should not leak when clamped tight.

 

[COBoarder]

There is only one reason I wouldn’t buy this. There is one specific to the hardtop and another for the soft top. I have both hard and soft tops and will be changing between them. I want a security top that can work with either one.

I have the backbone installed and I kept it on all Winter with the hardtop. I just installed the Trektop NX softop and kept the backbone installed. I had to drill 2 holes in the backbone for the tailgate bar holders and I had to sand down a lip on each tailgate bar holder as well. Super happy with the backbone.

 

[Mid-life Wrangler]

I have the backbone installed and I kept it on all Winter with the hardtop. I just installed the Trektop NX softop and kept the backbone installed. I had to drill 2 holes in the backbone for the tailgate bar holders and I had to sand down a lip on each tailgate bar holder as well. Super happy with the backbone.

Can you post pictures. Trying to decide if I want to modify mine or order the rear part for the soft top version.

 

[Jebiruph]

Can you post pictures. Trying to decide if I want to modify mine or order the rear part for the soft top version.

The Trektop NX does not attach the same as the factory softop. Here's a picture that shows the modifications made for the factory soft top. The rear corners are cut back to clear the rear clips. With no upper rail corner support, the square tubing (arrows) rests on ledges in the rear trim. Extra tubing is attached to the drivers side to accommodate the lower ledge on that side.

 

[COBoarder]

Is it waterproof? Would love a hard or even a soft tonneau cover that keeps out the rain (or at least keeps it 95% dry) Any suggestions??

The Trektop NX does not attach the same as the factory softop. Here's a picture that shows the modifications made for the factory soft top. The rear corners are cut back to clear the rear clips. With no upper rail corner support, the square tubing (arrows) rests on ledges in the rear trim. Extra tubing is attached to the drivers side to accommodate the lower ledge on that side.

Thanks for the clarification on the factory soft top, I only have the Trektop and it attaches just fine with a couple new holes. I'm loving the backbone and how it allows me to run with half doors and the sides and the back of my Trektop off and stays pretty waterproof unless it's a downpour. I'm working on modifying a JL tonneau cover to cover the void. I'm trimming the JL cover then I'll take it to a tailor to stitch it and add snaps. Hoepfully it will come out nice, in the mean time, I'm loving the backbone.

Thanks for the help on making it quicker to remove.

 

[Jebiruph]

Here's a part's list for the latch mounts. I'm redesigning them (no pic yet) to use the catch and the triangle end bolt that came with the latches. This requires #10-32 coupling nuts and a short section of #10-32 rod to lengthen the bolts. If you want to use the old design, the catch brackets are (a pain to cut) 1.25 x 3/8 x 1" wide cut out of 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 18" stock.

The latch mounting bracket is 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 1" wide, cut from 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 1/8 stock. The catch bracket will be 3/4 x 3/4 x 1 1/4" wide, cut from 3/4 x 3/4 x 1/8 stock. I drilled the hole to mount the brackets 1/4 from the bottom edge, which puts them flush with the square tubing they mount to.

4-Pack Houkiper Pull Latch
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0747NKJGY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Coupling Nut, #10-32, Gr 2, PK10
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M1FTJ33/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

1/4-20 x 1/2" (6) to mount brackets to square tubing
8-32 x 1/2" (12) to mount latches to brackets
10-32 x 3-1/2" (3) for catch bolt, 2" should be long enough to cut for the traingle end bolt extension.

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