Our '08 FEH replaced a '91 Cherokee, and there are a few things from that car that I'd like to stash in the FEH, but I haven't figured out where yet. Examples are jumper cables, a 12V spot/hazard light, and possibly a small Craftsman truck tool box. I had the jumper cables in a milk crate in the Jeep, but the other stuff was under the back seat with the jack.

It doesn't look like Ford left any room under the seat cushions, and the only other hidden storage is full of batteries. So where would you put this stuff? My hesitation at leaving it in sight is that the Jeep (though it was all manual w/o potential for an alarm) was broken into 2X this past summer in front of our house, mostly for the radio. I'd hate for the new car to get broken into for $100 worth of tools that were visible from the outside.

My other question is that I don't see the life of this car not including hauling a miter saw or something else eventually. I guess the batteries conflicted with the tie-down points in the back, too. Has anyone worked out a way to add tie-downs in the back somewhere?

Love the car so far (~5 weeks), just wish it was a bit less citified. Shoot, it took someone else to point out that it doesn't even have oh-crap handles up high.

 

Yep, I switched from a '99 Cherokee. And yep, I use to store stuff under the 2nd seat with the jack.

Not so with the FEH/MMH. There is no place to store such emergency items. They now all just have to ride "loose" in the back under the cargo cover.

 

lol! are all FEH/MMH owners ex Cherokee owners? i changed from a '91. Yes i miss the storage. Use a Nissan mechanics bag to put in all in and have a rear cover to hide it. it rattles. thinking of a way to make the right rear trim panel easy access to hid all of the stuff.

 

It's funny to hear about what people want to carry around and I look back at those things I would not leave home without. Good Jumper cables, air gauge, 12V air compressor, and a light for emergencies. Then I got concerned about my own 12V battery system and concerns about jump starting someone else.

While I was shopping at Sams Club for another 12V air compressor (mine burned up), I saw this Jump-Start system called Power On Board for ~$49.
I bought it and found it to be very useful. It has a strong built in air compressor with a nice gauge. I don't have to run a 12V power supply to my vehicle lighter plug any more. Heavy duty short battery cables so you can jump start with 450 amps most 12V systems without parking like most cars having to use those long cables. It powers and recharges DC electronics and has a USB charging port.

It's so much easier and quicker to fill the tires on all my cars and lawn equipment and doesn't take up much more room than the old air compressor with that long cord. In addition, I can take it with me in my boat for needed power supplies like cell phones and jump starts.

Here is a list of what its got:
Item: 413503
Model #VEC012P0B
12 volt DC output socket with automatic short circuit protection

Features

12 volt DC portable power supply
260 PSI air compressor inflator
450 amp instant starting power
Built-in emergency area light
Charging and battery status indicators
12 volt DC output socket with automatic short circuit protection
26 inch heavy-duty welders type cables
Rugged, weather-proof, unbreakable housing
Automatic charger prevents over-charging during AC recharge
15 inch air compressor hose
Includes: 12 volt ac/dc power cord, 120 volt ac/dc adapter/power cord & air inflator nozzle adapter set
Dimensions in inches: 12.5H x 11W x 7.5D

GaryG

 

Sorry, gotta break the run, I've only ever owned Ford's. But I did trade my sucking Freestar Mini Van for the FEH, doubled my mileage!

I miss storage too. But since I only go 5 mi away from home, if I need anything either I figure I'll make the wife come get me, or vice versa.

It's been awhile since I opened the book, can we get/give a 12V jump to std cars anyway?

PS, with a battery jump-start, how do you know when the battery is dead?

 

I use a number of case logic products

http://www.caselogic.com/search/index.cfm?N=4011+20026010

to help store various smaller sized items.

I also have the Home Depot $1.99 orange tote bag wrapped around the back of one headrest to hold grocery or other shopping purchase items.

 

I've if you include the parent's Cherokees growing up, I've had a total of five. I sure miss the rear under seat storage. In my '99 cherokee that I still have, used mostly for camping/off roading, I have a ton of stuff under there, including cables, a half dozen spare u-joints, jack, tow strap, come-a-long, d-rings, tree strap, etc etc.

For the FEH I picked up a cheapo heavy duty tool bag from Princess Auto (similar store to your farm stores in the US) for about $10. It fits all emergency stuff, cables, straps, etc. It narrows at an angle at the top of the bag and fits perfectly out of the way behind the rear seat back....leaving room for the dog barrier.

 

If ther is charge in the HV battery, and your 12V bat = dead, you can jump the vehicle with small guage (awg18) clipleads. These, and the spotlight can be stored in the center console, under the tray. The 08's have a lot of room under there for the manuals and other items.

 

Do you remember the Dodge Nitro TV commercial from a few months back, where it tries to jump start a car, and the car blows about 500' into the air?

That is what I envision would happen, if we jumped another car.

 

Thanks for the input. I'm embarrased to say that, despite my 30-something age, this is only my 3rd car. First was a '77 Cherokee, then the '91, now the FEH. Each time a step up in fuel efficiency (and cush level, I have to admit), but a step down in ruggedness.

I've seen the pictures of the tote-over-the-headrest. May have to do that or a tool tote bag in the back.

Any ideas on strapping something down in the back? It just kills me that they didn't figure out a way to put a tie-down at either side of the cargo area. Granted that, between the FWD and my kinder-gentler-hybrid-driving-style, there's less need.