8 Exterior Window MOLLE Panel Setups For 5th Gen 4Runner

We Asked 8 Owners Why They Added Exterior MOLLE Panels To The Rear Window Of Their 5th Gen 4Runner – Here’s What They Said!

This Week’s Topic: 4Runner Rear Window Exterior MOLLE Panels

Hey guys, welcome back to another Feature Friday! If you missed last week’s FF, we looked at some rad interior mod setups for the 4Runner.

This week, we are looking at an increasingly popular mod in the form of rear window external MOLLE panels.

Enjoy guys!

Top Brands Featured

4Runner Exterior Window MOLLE Panels

Why Add a Rear Window Panel?

The rear window of the 4Runner (or any vehicle) is pretty useless in terms of utility. In the 4Runner specifically, the large C-pillar and small window make it pretty difficult to see out of.

Many 4Runner owners also have issues with a lack of storage in their rigs when they start kitting them out for the trails or for overland adventures. Owners will find themselves adding items onto the roof of their 4R since there is a good amount of space up there – until there isn’t or until you need to get something down and realize how much of a pain it is to retrieve items from the roof of a lifted SUV.

Rear window exterior MOLLE panels are a relatively new way to mount your gear for easy access and more storage. They are absolutely perfect to mount your recovery gear, RotopaX, Waterport, or anything that can be bolted or strapped down. These panels are used as extra storage and are insanely convenient for mounting your high-use items for easy access.

1. Jasper Liwag (@darkknight_4runner) – Joe’s Original Equipment

MOLLE Panel Details

Model: 4Runner Side Load Access Panel For GOBI Rack
Price: $875/pair

Why Did You Add These To Your 4Runner?

I wanted to maximize and organize the exterior for mounting camping necessities like RotopaX, shovels, a WaterPORT, and an air hose system. With these panels, I save tons of space inside the rig for other use. I still have tons of upgrades to do but so far, I’m loving the current setup because I can go for an adventure and still use the rig as a daily driver.

2. Isaac Cheng (@mrblah79) – Rago Fabrication

MOLLE Panel Details

Model: Exterior Modular Storage Panel (Prinsu Variant)
Price: $300/ea

Why Did You Add These To Your 4Runner?

I choose to go with Rago mainly because it offered full coverage of the rear quarter panel window, whereas the competitors did not. Rago’s panels also have a higher load rating because they use dual RAM Mount suction cups. There are also more attachment points for the E-MSP to your roof rack for additional support.

The Rago E-MSP was in stock at the time of order, whereas the other manufacturers were made to order. Their full coverage of the rear quarter panel also offers additional protection against vehicle break-ins. The panels have built-in RotopaX mounts, which I found useful. The ease of installation, decent powder coating, and the use of brand name (RAM Mount) suction cups made me choose Rago over the competition.

3. Britnie Pollard (@heradventurelife) – Tactical Roof Rack Solutions

MOLLE Panel Details

Model: Waterjet Cut Aluminum Black Textured
Price: $600/pair

Why Did You Add These To Your 4Runner?

I added these to my 4Runner so I could mount more tools/gas cans. It also frees up space from the interior as I can now store items such as those on the outside regardless of the weather. I love this setup for its super clean look and the ability to store whatever you desire without using up valuable roof rack or cargo space. It also makes the 4Runner look that much better!

4. James Lauterbach (@70n4l0) – Sherpa Equipment Co.

MOLLE Panel Details

Model: Sherpa Window Panel
Price: $300/ea

Why Did You Add These To Your 4Runner?

I purchased the Sherpa 5th Gen 4Runner window panels primarily for additional fuel storage. I also recently mounted universal brackets for skis in the winter and tools for off-roading. The Sherpa window panels are the definition of simple bolt-on installation and versatility. They bolt directly to your Sherpa Crestone or Needle rack with ease, and the mounting variations for recovery gear, fuel containers, and tools are endless.

As with all of Sherpa’s products, the quality is second to none. Having additional storage on the side of your vehicle is key, especially for those of you with a lift, as it makes access to your essentials a breeze. These panels look amazing, produce no noise at all on the road, and stay put, even on the toughest terrain. These panels are a must-have for anyone with a Sherpa roof rack.

5. Ejay Lagahit (@jayt4white) – Rago Fabrication

MOLLE Panel Details

Model: Exterior Modular Storage Panel (Prinsu Variant)
Price: $300/ea

Why Did You Add These To Your 4Runner?

These panels give me more options to mount gear and accessories. They also make the 4Runner look more rugged in my opinion. For the inside of my 4Runner, I went with the overhead tray from Cali Raised LED for even more storage options. I’m all about mounting options to save room on the 4Runner since I’m pretty limited compared to a truck.

6. David Georgiu (@georgiusadventure) – Victory 4×4

MOLLE Panel Details

Model: Roof Rack Side Accessory Panel
Price: $239/ea

Why Did You Add These To Your 4Runner?

The reason why I added the exterior rear window MOLLE panels was for extra storage space. I wanted to use exterior storage for items that I keep outside of the 4Runner such as a gas/water tank, and potentially other items down the road.

The configuration on the 4Runner is intended for overlanding/camping and being able to go places where a smaller car cannot go. This is why I love my 4Runner, it allows me to go anywhere whenever I want with all my necessary gear ready to go.

7. Zachary Mora (@desert_rnr) – Rago Fabrication

MOLLE Panel Details

Model: Exterior Modular Storage Panel (Prinsu Variant)
Price: $600/pair

Why Did You Add These To Your 4Runner?

I added these E-MSPs for more storage on the exterior and for the overall look. I have two RotopaX storage containers where I store recovery equipment and anything else that I may need on the trail. They save a lot of time when I need to access what is in the containers as all I have to do is unlock and open them up rather than having to open the hatch and dig through a bag of equipment.

The E-MSPs also look super good in my opinion. They cover the whole window, which is a plus, considering other brands don’t seem to or look as clean. The fitment of these panels couldn’t be better. They bolt directly onto the roof rack and are suctioned to the windows with RAM Mounts. They truly don’t make a peep while driving down the road, I love them!

8. Alex Hong (@nautical_4runner) – Rago Fabrication

MOLLE Panel Details

Model: Exterior Modular Storage Panel (Prinsu Variant)
Price: $600/Pair

Why Did You Add These To Your 4Runner?

I added these because of the limited space on top and the sides of my roof rack due to gear (awning, WaterPORT, Hi-Lift jack, storage case, traction board, etc.).

I installed these exterior MOLLE panels to be able to attach my RotopaX and other various accessories to my truck. They also give me the flexibility to have both a rooftop tent and other gear mounted externally that I normally wouldn’t be able to.

The difficulties that I experienced with my particular setup was that there were few, if any, MOLLE panels that were made specifically for the GOBI roof racks. After some research, I found others who bought the Rago Fabrication panels designed for the Prinsu roof racks and retrofitted them to the tubular bars of the GOBI racks using U-bolts. I was able to find the correct size after some trial and error and they’re now mounted securely.

Final Thoughts

What a great group of rigs for this week’s Feature Friday! Not to mention, the last FF group of 2022! I hope you all gained some inspiration from these 8 rigs above. I think that these MOLLE panel systems are super cool to allow for really easy access to all of your ready to use items out on the trail!

We want readers to get inspired by a variety of rigs/products. Submit your build for Feature Friday here to get featured. Next week, we will showcase Gullwing Cargo Setups if you would like to submit your build for next week, include your setup details and an awesome photo that shows it off.

Have a great weekend everyone!