Tie-down anchors in the cargo area

[b514]

Hey guys.

I've got a bunch of tie-downs and bungee cords to keep my cargo in one place when I fold down the 3rd row, but there's no good place to anchor those to.

I've been anchoring bungee cords to the seatbelt slots in the trim panels, but that plastic doesn't look very sturdy, i'm afraid it may snap one day. And I've been anchoring tie-downs around the backrest of the 2nd row seats, but that's inconvenient as hell.

Have any of you guys installed anchors in your Expy to hook your bungee cords to? All the ones that i've found at the hardware store and auto parts store (example) require drilling holes. Did any of you do that? Any tips & tricks (besides the obvious "don't drill holes into the roof" lol? ) Any smarter ideas?
Ideally, what i'd want is to have 4 anchors right behind the 2nd row (one in each corner), and then two anchors at the bottom left and right all the way at the back of the truck.
See the red marks in this pic (not my truck).

Any ideas welcome!
Thanks!

 

[darmahsd]

Came across your old thread while searching for how to remove the rear side panels over what would be the subwoofer, driver's side and rear air conditioner, passenger side. All this because I want to drill holes in them, two per side, for some recessed tie down rings that should have come from the factory. A set of 4 should do. Like the D rings with countersunk, black plastic mounts. The kind they sell at Tractor supply, for pick up trucks. The reason the panels they mount to need to be un snapped is so necessary brackets can be installed to solidly connect them to the metal that is behind them, around the rear fenders. This is where said sub woofer or A/C is also bolted up. So, if I could only pull these panels off without worrying about breaking any of the hidden fasteners. I have a metal panel removing pry tool and will get some of the plastic ones at Harbor Freight.

I also thought about using the floor. There are enough points in the hinging mechanisms under the middle and rear folding seats to pull the bolts and install mounting tabs, then re installing the bolts. But I didn't want anything to potentially get hung up in the folding mechanism so opt for the rear side panel D rings.

Hope to see more input on this thread. I bought a potted plant to bring home for the wife. I had to figure securing it with bungies using seatbelt anchors and the lips of the cupholders, unacceptable in a 50 thousand dollar vehicle.
Thanks