Frunk Emergency Access Tool Holder Idea

[xinaes]

The Problem
Having read several others' posts about some R1 owners encountering dead 12V battery problems at inconvenient places, I became obsessed looking for a solution that could allow me to resuscitate my R1T in a pinch, by myself, even without any other vehicles nearby to jump my 12V battery.

Part of my custom solution was storing 12V jumper cables and a 12V 30 Amp-Hour LiFePO4 battery (affiliate link. Non-affiliate link here) in the frunk. This way, I can use the LiFePO4 battery to power up the Rivian (which requires an external 12V source that can supply up to 30 amps constant for several minutes), just enough to engage the high voltage system.

However, you need a T25 and T20 wrench or screwdriver (and ideally a 10mm socket wrench as well) to manually access and pull the frunk's emergency hood release cable (see Rivian's R1 Tow Operator Guide, page 36). The problem was figuring out where to stow a small set of these tools such that it can be accessed by hand without needing any additional tools.

@MtnRiv (and others, independently) came up with the idea of a storage box that can be inserted into the hitch receiver. However, I needed the hitch for my bike carrier or my trailer if the trip involves towing a camper.

@Proxy (and others) opted to wrap the tools and stow it in the space where the 12V jump-start wire harness and connectors are stored to the right of the hitch, behind a plastic cap. The problem was that it'd be hard to pry open the plastic cap (which is firmly seated and flush) without a sharp knife or a flathead screwdriver in hand. I also didn't like the idea that the tools might get loose and lost inside that volume.

The (Experimental) Solution
I've designed and 3D-printed a set of tool holders that can be mounted to the left and right side of the license plate. The holder set can hold just the bare-minimum tools from this tool set (affiliate link. Non-affiliate link here) to gain access to the frunk's emergency hood release cable, including:

• mini ratcheting wrench
• bit extension
• driver-to-socket adapter
• 10mm socket
• T20, T25, philips, and flathead bits

The tools are placed inside the holders, and a removable, sliding cap closes it up. Although very tight-fitting (to ensure they don't slip off from highway speed winds, car washes, etc.), the caps can still be removed by hand. It's not waterproof, so I've stored the tools in small sandwich ziplock bags. I've also designed in a mini-sump in the bottom of the interior space of the holder to collect and route out any water ingressing into the storage volume, which connects to a small drainage port at the rear of the holders.

I also designed it so that there's enough space to fit around license plate frames, including the simple black frame (affiliate link. Non-affiliate link here) I used shown in the photos below, to help further blend (and reinforce the rigidity) of the tool holders with the rest of the vehicle.

Currently, I've got over 750 mostly-highway miles on the prototype, including in heavy rain conditions and below-freezing temperatures, and it seems to be holding up really well. I'm especially pleased by how well it blends in with the plastic trim of my R1T.

Sponsored

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Looks like a clean install.

 

[SSteveEV]

Kudos to you, that's a much cooler options than I expected. Pop a teaser photo up to the top of your post!

 

[PhatDaddy]

The Problem
Having read several others' posts about some R1 owners encountering dead 12V battery problems at inconvenient places, I became obsessed looking for a solution that could allow me to resuscitate my R1T in a pinch, by myself, even without any other vehicles nearby to jump my 12V battery.

Part of my custom solution was storing 12V jumper cables and a 12V 30 Amp-Hour LiFePO4 battery (affiliate link. Non-affiliate link here) in the frunk. This way, I can use the LiFePO4 battery to power up the Rivian (which requires an external 12V source that can supply up to 30 amps constant for several minutes), just enough to engage the high voltage system.

However, you need a T25 and T20 wrench or screwdriver (and ideally a 10mm socket wrench as well) to manually access and pull the frunk's emergency hood release cable (see Rivian's R1 Tow Operator Guide, page 36). The problem was figuring out where to stow a small set of these tools such that it can be accessed by hand without needing any additional tools.

@MtnRiv (and others, independently) came up with the idea of a storage box that can be inserted into the hitch receiver. However, I needed the hitch for my bike carrier or my trailer if the trip involves towing a camper.

@Proxy (and others) opted to wrap the tools and stow it in the space where the 12V jump-start wire harness and connectors are stored to the right of the hitch, behind a plastic cap. The problem was that it'd be hard to pry open the plastic cap (which is firmly seated and flush) without a sharp knife or a flathead screwdriver in hand. I also didn't like the idea that the tools might get loose and lost inside that volume.

The (Experimental) Solution
I've designed and 3D-printed a set of tool holders that can be mounted to the left and right side of the license plate. The holder set can hold just the bare-minimum tools from this tool set (affiliate link. Non-affiliate link here) to gain access to the frunk's emergency hood release cable, including:

• mini ratcheting wrench
• bit extension
• driver-to-socket adapter
• 10mm socket
• T20, T25, philips, and flathead bits

The tools are placed inside the holders, and a removable, sliding cap closes it up. Although very tight-fitting (to ensure they don't slip off from highway speed winds, car washes, etc.), the caps can still be removed by hand. It's not waterproof, so I've stored the tools in small sandwich ziplock bags. I've also designed in a mini-sump in the bottom of the interior space of the holder to collect and route out any water ingressing into the storage volume, which connects to a small drainage port at the rear of the holders.

I also designed it so that there's enough space to fit around license plate frames, including the simple black frame (affiliate link. Non-affiliate link here) I used shown in the photos below, to help further blend (and reinforce the rigidity) of the tool holders with the rest of the vehicle.

Currently, I've got over 750 mostly-highway miles on the prototype, including in heavy rain conditions and below-freezing temperatures, and it seems to be holding up really well. I'm especially pleased by how well it blends in with the plastic trim of my R1T.

Now THAT is thinking outside the box! I like your design a lot! If you market, count me in (no 3D printer here… and no interest in getting one).

 

[xinaes]

Kudos to you, that's a much cooler options than I expected. Pop a teaser photo up to the top of your post!

Thanks for the suggestion! I think I did it correctly now.

 

[Riviot]

Great looking idea!

Your tag is hella expired.

So once you get access, what do you pull? I was up in there recently for an unrelated reason, and I never saw it. I would be sketched out to reach around and pull on random cords.

Edit: I'm pretty sure I found it! Pic updated.

It got me thinking, would the cord reach to the wheel well vents? Could you secure it there instead? Or any other place much easier to access? (Ignore the arrow)

 

[xinaes]

Great looking idea!

Your tag is hella expired.

....

It got me thinking, would the cord reach to the wheel well vents? Could you secure it there instead? Or any other place much easier to access? (Ignore the arrow)

Yeah, I used an expired out-of-service plate I had handy for the photos instead of my real plate. It's kinda of an Easter egg showing a 2019 plate on a vehicle that wasn't released until 2021; I'm sure future historians/archivists are gonna get a kick out of that ?.

As for easier access to the loop, I'm sure you could finagle something like tying a rope to that loop and routing it to the wheel well. However, I think part of the intent of making it hard to access was to deter thieves of opportunity from breaking into the frunk too easily.

 

[elatrickWheels]

That’s such a neat design I didn’t even notice the tool boxes until I read the body of your post. Nicely done!

 

[MacO512]

Can I please pay someone to print one of these and ship to me? This solution looks perfect!

 

[MacO512]

Ohh I see now its in the link in OP signature - buying this - THANKS

 

[Dr Scuba]

BTW, I found the link. It's here: https://www.xcdshop.com/product/lpths/

 

[Tim-in-CA]

Nice idea, buying one of these will insure that my 12V battery will never die outside of my home.

Sponsored