ARB Fridge would be cooler if it opened like this.

kevinmrowland · 06-22-06, 05:19 PM

Any body done this?

Seems like you could just screw hinges on one side and a latch on the other an be all set.
It is essentially a traditional metal sided cooler.
I am usually all for drilling holes and modifying stuff........but.................... this is an awfully expensive thing to drill holes in

P.S. Thanks Kurt, fridge arrived just in the nick of time!

Trunk Monkey · 06-22-06, 05:33 PM

The 60qt. opens like that, but has a much bigger footprint that the 40.

reffug · 06-23-06, 05:48 AM

Glad I have the 60.

I thought they all opened like dat......

kevinmrowland · 06-25-06, 08:38 AM

Hey,
Could any of you guys with the 60 post a detail shot of the hinge/latch?

I am thinking that I could order the hinges and latch for the 60 and then be a little more secure in thinking that the holes would not interfere with anything.

The more I think about it the more I want to do this, it would facilitate opening the fridge from the tailgate or the back seat, I could mount it closer to the side and not have to worry about having a slide out for it, therefore loosing less sleeping area..................

cruiseroutfit · 07-03-06, 03:40 PM

Hey Kevin, sorry for the delay, been out of town...

I'm honestly not sure if there are any reasons you couldn't add some side hinges... I too have had time I wish mine opened that way (when I have it in the back seat of my ExCab Tacoma.

Do it and let us know

PS, glad it made it in time

, thanks again!

alia176 · 07-04-06, 10:38 AM

I agree, it's a good idea. I would like to add hinges to mine also.I have another bitch point; why don't the transit covers make room for the latching mechanism in these things? :-)

spressomon · 07-04-06, 02:16 PM

That's one of the reasons I went with the Waeco...

kevinmrowland · 07-04-06, 08:06 PM

Cool, I'm doin it.

Found an exploded view on the internet that pretty much eased my fears.
I have the hinges and the latch sitting on my bench so sometime this week I will post up how it goes.
From the looks of things this will be a pretty easy mod, let you know how it goes.

Alia, you must be referring to a different transit bag, mine does not seem to interfere with the latch at all.

cruiseroutfit · 07-05-06, 12:16 PM

The ARB Transit bag should clear the latch just fine?

cruiseroutfit · 07-05-06, 12:17 PM

PS, sorry for the huge pic...

alia176 · 07-05-06, 01:33 PM

The Engel transit bag falls on its face in the latch area!

Just about all of the Engel transit bag has this area totally stretched out or just plain messed up!

kevinmrowland · 07-05-06, 01:37 PM

You can zipper yours shut though.
Of course that might be a pain as well.
Time to call Kurt.
Or get out the scissors.

kevinmrowland · 07-07-06, 05:25 PM

Ok, my ARB fridge is now even cooler.

The hinges have a tension adjusting screw so the lid will stay in whatever position you put it and they have just enough room to fit over the welting.
The latch is a spring compression one that holds the lid nice and snug.
And I cut the transit bag around the new latch for clearance.
I like it.
Pics:

kevinmrowland · 07-07-06, 05:26 PM

More:

firetruck41 · 07-07-06, 05:37 PM

Very cool, how about a source for the parts?

cruiseroutfit · 07-07-06, 06:24 PM

Very cool

I assume you ran the bolts all the way through the side of the freezer and used a nut on the inside?

Did you re-sew the cover? Looks OE

yooper · 07-07-06, 06:35 PM

I would have thought you would make it open the other way and put the compressor forward, so you don't have to reach around it.....or do you need access to that end?

kevinmrowland · 07-07-06, 09:00 PM

Thanks, glad you guys like it.

Mc-Master-Carr Parts
Friction Hinge 1791A48
Draw Latch 1794A43
6-32 X 1/4” self tapping screws 98273A155
12-24 x 1/2” self tapping screws 93380A400

Kurt, I decided to just use self tapping metal screws (not self drilling). If they don’t work I will dismantle the fridge and put nuts back there. They seem to hold very tight and I think they will work quite well.
I cut the bag and sewed binding on like the other latch opening has. I am not thrilled with the way that turned out, it’s a real bitch to stuff that bag through the sewing machine. But, it looks good from a distance.

Yooper, I thought it would be better hinged the other way as well. However, if you look at the way the D pillar angles in you can see that there is not enough room for the lid to open unless it is where it is. As it sits, the lid opens right into the window and clears everything perfectly. It’s a bit further of a reach, but it fits best that way and makes it a bit easier to get at from the back seat. Also, it keeps things from getting stuffed against the cooling fins like would happen if they faced the other way. Everything is a compromise I guess. Amy likes it, so that's all that matters.

A close up from the same pic:

yooper · 07-07-06, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinmrowland

...Amy likes it, so that's all that matters.

I always thought that you were smart. Now I know that you are also wise...

reffug · 07-08-06, 04:41 AM

Nicely done very cool.

LEXUSBEN · 07-11-06, 02:46 PM

Very nice, I just ordered all the junk for mine. Thanks for the parts list. very clean looking.

ben

kevinmrowland · 07-11-06, 07:06 PM

That's cool !

Post a pic when you get it all done.
Hope it goes well, I might feel a teeny tiny little bit responsible if it doesn't.

Owyhee Jackass · 07-12-06, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yooper

I would have thought you would make it open the other way and put the compressor forward, so you don't have to reach around it.....or do you need access to that end?

he said "reach around"

tabraha · 07-12-06, 05:36 PM

Nice work!

alia176 · 07-12-06, 08:34 PM

I just had a thought...would those hinges have enough power to keep the lid open as the cooler comes from OEM? Just curious!

06-22-06, 05:19 PM	#1
kevinmrowland IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Scottsville, NY TLCA# 14896 Posts: 1,174	ARB Fridge would be cooler if it opened like this. Any body done this? Seems like you could just screw hinges on one side and a latch on the other an be all set. It is essentially a traditional metal sided cooler. I am usually all for drilling holes and modifying stuff........but.................... this is an awfully expensive thing to drill holes in P.S. Thanks Kurt, fridge arrived just in the nick of time! Attached Images __________________ 1985HZJ60 ROTW wagongear

06-22-06, 05:33 PM	#2
Trunk Monkey IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Salt Lake City TLCA# 11251 Posts: 2,485	The 60qt. opens like that, but has a much bigger footprint that the 40. __________________ Cory Fillmore TLCA Western Individual Representative 99 UZJ

06-23-06, 05:48 AM	#3
reffug grown up MOD Join Date: May 2004 Location: 'in dat der briar patch' TLCA# 14549 Posts: 4,122	Glad I have the 60. I thought they all opened like dat...... __________________ "If it wasn't a Landcruiser and hadn't been built the way it was you do realize you would be DEAD." VA State Police Officer

06-25-06, 08:38 AM	#4
kevinmrowland IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Scottsville, NY TLCA# 14896 Posts: 1,174	Hey, Could any of you guys with the 60 post a detail shot of the hinge/latch? I am thinking that I could order the hinges and latch for the 60 and then be a little more secure in thinking that the holes would not interfere with anything. The more I think about it the more I want to do this, it would facilitate opening the fridge from the tailgate or the back seat, I could mount it closer to the side and not have to worry about having a slide out for it, therefore loosing less sleeping area.................. __________________ 1985HZJ60 ROTW wagongear

07-03-06, 03:40 PM	#5
cruiseroutfit IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Utah TLCA# 10662 Posts: 2,567	Hey Kevin, sorry for the delay, been out of town... I'm honestly not sure if there are any reasons you couldn't add some side hinges... I too have had time I wish mine opened that way (when I have it in the back seat of my ExCab Tacoma. Do it and let us know PS, glad it made it in time , thanks again! __________________ Kurt Williams *Cruiser Outfitters* - YOUR LC PARTS SOURCE!!! Old Man Emu - ARB - Advance Adapters - Safari Snorkels U4WDA - Historian TLCA Wasatch Cruisers Mountain Yoats Red Rock 4 Wheelers Tacoma Territory kurt@cruiseroutfitters.com

07-04-06, 10:38 AM	#6
alia176 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Tijeras, NM TLCA# 15941 Posts: 3,167 Blog Entries: 1	I agree, it's a good idea. I would like to add hinges to mine also.I have another bitch point; why don't the transit covers make room for the latching mechanism in these things? :-) __________________ TLCA # 15941 KE5LED Currently working in Danville, PA until Aug.

07-04-06, 02:16 PM	#7
spressomon IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Reno Posts: 4,607	That's one of the reasons I went with the Waeco... __________________ Modded '99 for on-trail exploring: 315's, 4.88's, AO drawers, Slee rr, TJM fr, ARB fr locker, good music for ears, Waeco CF-50, PowerGate with 2nd battery, home brew tube type sliders & t-case skid plate, 9.5XP/X-line, LF 170's, OEM 864's, Fox 2"remotes at each corner, 12mm body lift... KE7NCM

07-04-06, 08:06 PM	#8
kevinmrowland IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Scottsville, NY TLCA# 14896 Posts: 1,174	Cool, I'm doin it. Found an exploded view on the internet that pretty much eased my fears. I have the hinges and the latch sitting on my bench so sometime this week I will post up how it goes. From the looks of things this will be a pretty easy mod, let you know how it goes. Alia, you must be referring to a different transit bag, mine does not seem to interfere with the latch at all. __________________ 1985HZJ60 ROTW wagongear

07-05-06, 12:16 PM	#9
cruiseroutfit IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Utah TLCA# 10662 Posts: 2,567	The ARB Transit bag should clear the latch just fine? __________________ Kurt Williams *Cruiser Outfitters* - YOUR LC PARTS SOURCE!!! Old Man Emu - ARB - Advance Adapters - Safari Snorkels U4WDA - Historian TLCA Wasatch Cruisers Mountain Yoats Red Rock 4 Wheelers Tacoma Territory kurt@cruiseroutfitters.com

07-05-06, 12:17 PM	#10
cruiseroutfit IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Utah TLCA# 10662 Posts: 2,567	PS, sorry for the huge pic... __________________ Kurt Williams *Cruiser Outfitters* - YOUR LC PARTS SOURCE!!! Old Man Emu - ARB - Advance Adapters - Safari Snorkels U4WDA - Historian TLCA Wasatch Cruisers Mountain Yoats Red Rock 4 Wheelers Tacoma Territory kurt@cruiseroutfitters.com

07-05-06, 01:33 PM	#11
alia176 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Tijeras, NM TLCA# 15941 Posts: 3,167 Blog Entries: 1	The Engel transit bag falls on its face in the latch area! Just about all of the Engel transit bag has this area totally stretched out or just plain messed up! Attached Images __________________ TLCA # 15941 KE5LED Currently working in Danville, PA until Aug.

07-05-06, 01:37 PM	#12
kevinmrowland IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Scottsville, NY TLCA# 14896 Posts: 1,174	You can zipper yours shut though. Of course that might be a pain as well. Time to call Kurt. Or get out the scissors. __________________ 1985HZJ60 ROTW wagongear

07-07-06, 05:25 PM	#13
kevinmrowland IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Scottsville, NY TLCA# 14896 Posts: 1,174	Ok, my ARB fridge is now even cooler. The hinges have a tension adjusting screw so the lid will stay in whatever position you put it and they have just enough room to fit over the welting. The latch is a spring compression one that holds the lid nice and snug. And I cut the transit bag around the new latch for clearance. I like it. Pics: Attached Images __________________ 1985HZJ60 ROTW wagongear

07-07-06, 05:26 PM	#14
kevinmrowland IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Scottsville, NY TLCA# 14896 Posts: 1,174	More: Attached Images __________________ 1985HZJ60 ROTW wagongear

07-07-06, 05:37 PM	#15
firetruck41 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Camas, WA USA TLCA# 14300 Posts: 3,517	Very cool, how about a source for the parts? __________________ Ben Silva IH8MUD Site Supporter since July 2004 1996 Lexus LX 450, 130k, locked, Cooper STT 285s, OME 850/863, CDL/Pin 7, 30qt freezer, 2@aux fuse blocks, aux powerpoint, 850w inverter 1998 Lexus LX 470, 139k Sold 1993 FZJ80 198k miles Sold

07-12-06, 05:36 PM	#24
tabraha IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: South Carolina TLCA# 15700 Posts: 1,480	Nice work! __________________ Tad A. 99 LX470 - Slee Sliders & 34" Swampers \| 04 Taco DubCab 4x4 TRD \| 82 Porsche 911 Upstate Cruisers T-Shirts and Gear Here

07-07-06, 06:24 PM	#16
cruiseroutfit IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Utah TLCA# 10662 Posts: 2,567	Very cool I assume you ran the bolts all the way through the side of the freezer and used a nut on the inside? Did you re-sew the cover? Looks OE __________________ Kurt Williams *Cruiser Outfitters* - YOUR LC PARTS SOURCE!!! Old Man Emu - ARB - Advance Adapters - Safari Snorkels U4WDA - Historian TLCA Wasatch Cruisers Mountain Yoats Red Rock 4 Wheelers Tacoma Territory kurt@cruiseroutfitters.com

07-07-06, 09:00 PM	#18
kevinmrowland IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Scottsville, NY TLCA# 14896 Posts: 1,174	Thanks, glad you guys like it. Mc-Master-Carr Parts Friction Hinge 1791A48 Draw Latch 1794A43 6-32 X 1/4” self tapping screws 98273A155 12-24 x 1/2” self tapping screws 93380A400 Kurt, I decided to just use self tapping metal screws (not self drilling). If they don’t work I will dismantle the fridge and put nuts back there. They seem to hold very tight and I think they will work quite well. I cut the bag and sewed binding on like the other latch opening has. I am not thrilled with the way that turned out, it’s a real bitch to stuff that bag through the sewing machine. But, it looks good from a distance. Yooper, I thought it would be better hinged the other way as well. However, if you look at the way the D pillar angles in you can see that there is not enough room for the lid to open unless it is where it is. As it sits, the lid opens right into the window and clears everything perfectly. It’s a bit further of a reach, but it fits best that way and makes it a bit easier to get at from the back seat. Also, it keeps things from getting stuffed against the cooling fins like would happen if they faced the other way. Everything is a compromise I guess. Amy likes it, so that's all that matters. A close up from the same pic: Attached Images __________________ 1985HZJ60 ROTW wagongear

07-08-06, 04:41 AM	#20
reffug grown up MOD Join Date: May 2004 Location: 'in dat der briar patch' TLCA# 14549 Posts: 4,122	Nicely done very cool. __________________ "If it wasn't a Landcruiser and hadn't been built the way it was you do realize you would be DEAD." VA State Police Officer

07-11-06, 02:46 PM	#21
LEXUSBEN IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: South Denver TLCA# 2211 Posts: 207	Very nice, I just ordered all the junk for mine. Thanks for the parts list. very clean looking. ben __________________ 98 UZJ 100, 175K, "Mall Rated" 66 FJ40 "Basket Case"

07-11-06, 07:06 PM	#22
kevinmrowland IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Scottsville, NY TLCA# 14896 Posts: 1,174	That's cool ! Post a pic when you get it all done. Hope it goes well, I might feel a teeny tiny little bit responsible if it doesn't. __________________ 1985HZJ60 ROTW wagongear

07-12-06, 08:34 PM	#25
alia176 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Tijeras, NM TLCA# 15941 Posts: 3,167 Blog Entries: 1	I just had a thought...would those hinges have enough power to keep the lid open as the cooler comes from OEM? Just curious! __________________ TLCA # 15941 KE5LED Currently working in Danville, PA until Aug.