My 75 series gets a new tray:D

[roscoFJ73]

I got sick of carting the old HD steel tray around on the back of my 75. They re ok if want to cart excavator buckets around ,but for everyday they are just too heavy and they sucj=k fuel and slow the vehicle down.
The economy here is in a real boom and good used cruiser trays are non existant so I began to make enquiries about a new one.
So the 1st place I ring,I start telling him how its for camping and round the house duties and he says I may have a used one that would suit you.
I go down and have a look and my heart jumps a beat. Its a Unicorn tray ,medium duty and the same as the Toyota approved accessory tray.
It was on another non toyota but they are all the same for Patrol ,Landcruiser,Hilux,they just shift the mountings too suit and the protective barrier behind the cab to suit the cab height.
The protective barrier will dropped to just above cab height
It also had the canvass and the black steel frame.
The canvass is a bit faded and has a few rips but the rest is straight ,like new.
The gates are in the shed but also like new
The dealer charges $4000 for these colour coded to the new cruiser and I got it for less than a 1/3 of that
Im stuck with my old one it weighs a ton ,well about 400kgs. If I cant sell it(it is rusty and has some cracked welds) its off to the scrap metal yard next weekend.

The new tray has shaved about 200kgs off the gross vehicle mass and the engine feels like it new. I can make it up hills in 4th that required 3rd previously

The plan for the new tray is it will be getting a fully enclosed welded alloy canopy and an alloy roof rack that is all removable as an entire unit
I plan to install 2 deep cycle batteries and recharged them from the engine and solar panels mounted over the cab.
The canopy will be wired for internal lighting at each corner and outside lighting. It will also be getting a large invertor for the portable stereo/tv/dvd.
There will be a bed or false floor with storage compartments for tyres ,tools and recovery gear(heavy things down low)
There will also be storage for camping and cooking gear.
Im also planning a swing out kitchen
Im also looking at putting a large water tank under the tray and may eventually replace the main fuel tank with a long ranger

[roscoFJ73]

Some underneath pics. I got a small alloy and welding business to measure up and make new brackets.
They got it in place and I mounted the tail lights and mud guards.
I had planned on doing it myself but you really need an overhead crane or fork for lifting these trays.
The shop made the brackets out of stainless steel and they look good.
The main bearers look a little flimsy but Im assured that if you spread the load it will take the 1500kg load as promised by the manufacturer,not that I need to carry that .

[roscoFJ73]

My old tray up on scaffolding that is costing $25 a week to hire The black steel frame is what came with the alloy tray but will probably go tom the scrappers too

[roscoFJ73]

This the same type of canopy Im planning on although I may choose a shorter roof rack
its is the same size as the tray ,2.4m x 1.8 or 8'x6' old speak.

[brownbear]

Ah good score they say...

I like the old one for look better myself, but as you say the weight wasn't worth it. Alloy is the way to go for light stuff IMOP. But the headache rack is far too big. That's what we call the cab protector, a headache rack.....cause with out it....

I like the canvas look myself, but that red truck sure is fancy looking. The canvas is lighter though. Once you load on all that fiberglass you negate the benefit of the lighter tray. But having the lighter tray empowers you to do so....

OK I'm tired... Looks good Rosco!

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by brownbear

Ah good score they say...

I like the old one for look better myself, but as you say the weight wasn't worth it. Alloy is the way to go for light stuff IMOP. But the headache rack is far too big. That's what we call the cab protector, a headache rack.....cause with out it....

I like the canvas look myself, but that red truck sure is fancy looking. The canvas is lighter though. Once you load on all that fiberglass you negate the benefit of the lighter tray. But having the lighter tray empowers you to do so....

OK I'm tired... Looks good Rosco!

The canvass was ok but the tight tracks with dead trees tore it pieces compounded by the sun rotting it.
There was nothing left to patch in the end.

Fibreglass!! Who said fibreglass,that 2.5mm aluminium alloy

Headache rack is getting the chop. I was going to do it today but I need to get the canopy height.
I want to keep it an inch higher to protect from low carparks trees etc. I also want to be able to shift my CB,HF and radio ariels up there when Im in remote spots. Might even put a work lamp up there

[Arjun75]

if you can manage to build it like that red truck yours will be a sweet looking ride.Good luck with the build

[brownbear]

Originally Posted by roscoFJ73

The canvass was ok but the tight tracks with dead trees tore it pieces compounded by the sun rotting it.
There was nothing left to patch in the end.

Fibreglass!! Who said fibreglass,that 2.5mm aluminium alloy

Headache rack is getting the chop. I was going to do it today but I need to get the canopy height.
I want to keep it an inch higher to protect from low carparks trees etc. I also want to be able to shift my CB,HF and radio ariels up there when Im in remote spots. Might even put a work lamp up there

Interesting they made that with aluminum. I could have swore it appears to be fibergalss. Alum is cool.

Your idea with the headache rack is good. I like the idea of being high enough to hold those antennas when way out in the bundo.

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by brownbear

Interesting they made that with aluminum. I could have swore it appears to be fibergalss. Alum is cool.

Your idea with the headache rack is good. I like the idea of being high enough to hold those antennas when way out in the bundo.

The aluminium bodies are popular with tradesman as they offer some security for their tools.
You typically see these being used by electricians and plumbers and even as mobile food vans.
::: BULL Motor Bodies :::

I think the interior is finished off with a thick coat of fibregalss resin with some glass to cover the welds.

My only problem is there is a chronic shortage of welders and there is a 8=9 week wait list which really sunk me.
I may have a look at the opposition and see how long there wait list is

[Phil in BC]

That will make a sweet campin truck. Good score Rosco

[brownbear]

Originally Posted by roscoFJ73

My only problem is there is a chronic shortage of welders and there is a 8=9 week wait list which really sunk me.
I may have a look at the opposition and see how long there wait list is

That't part of the reason I am considering a move to WA. Just such demand for trades. Good salaries and awesome beaches. And enough coast line to give everyone a nice view with out high density. Canada's coast is far from Tropical and warm. Nice for 2 months of year. Living in the Indian Ocean for close to 4 yrs has spoiled me.

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by brownbear

That't part of the reason I am considering a move to WA. Just such demand for trades. Good salaries and awesome beaches. And enough coast line to give everyone a nice view with out high density. Canada's coast is far from Tropical and warm. Nice for 2 months of year. Living in the Indian Ocean for close to 4 yrs has spoiled me.

Im not sure how long the party is going to last. Accomadation is very scarce,rents in Perth have doubled and up north where the action is they are paying a $1000 aweek for a 3 bedroom house.
Although good jobs inc accomadation.The local chicken franchise in Karratha are paying their manager $2000 a week plus a $1000 week house which is what my friend who is an electrician at the local power station gets
My brother rented his house in Broome for $800 and it went within hours to some company that needed it for its executives.
Still ,every business has job vacancy signs out the front. Our local Mcdougals was shut last friday night through lack of staff LOL

[Arjun75]

Been to Perth a couple of times.Beautiful city,

[crushers]

i actually like the practicality of these tops

but

i like the look of the canvas

but canvas stretches, wears, rips...

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by crushers

i actually like the practicality of these tops

but

i like the look of the canvas

but canvas stretches, wears, rips...

Ive since cut the cab protection bar down to cab height. As I mentioned on Louis' thread,the new tray has given me a huge space behind the cab and between the frame rails for a tank. No sure whether to use it for fuel or water.
I think I will go with a water tank and maybe swap one of the dual fuel tanks for a larger Longranger type.

Someone here is making a tray called an Explorer. It comes with built in tool box,water tank and jacking points for a hilft jack. One came up 2nd hand but I had already bought this one

Versatlity is the key with the cab chassis tray. You can use them all week for work and then on the weekend you can add something like this.
TurtleBack Campers
I saw one the other and it has a nice finish.you also get wind up legs so you can leave the unit at the camping area and go wheeling while the little lady makes lunch

[crushers]

now THAT i like...

BTW, your not married are you?

Originally Posted by roscoFJ73

Versatlity is the key with the cab chassis tray. You can use them all week for work and then on the weekend you can add something like this.
TurtleBack Campers

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by crushers

now THAT i like...

There is another company making something the same locally (no web site) but you have to pay extra for the jacking legs

BTW, your not married are you?

Nope but there are plenty of divorcees who like a weekend away from kids

[crushers]

someday i am going to have to meet you, i like your view on life...

Originally Posted by roscoFJ73

Nope but there are plenty of divorcees who like a weekend away from kids