[mrlocksmith]

Hi Folks:

For those of you who did not get to see my rig at Surf-N-Turf, I thought I would post a few photos to share of my rig with a tuffy center console with a Dual Band Ham Radio and CB and the cabinets in the back I built out of birch plywood. The back has my camping supplies and stove plus my tool kit, spares and a fold-up toilet.

[mrlocksmith]

Here is the rear cargo area with my cooler strapped to the top so it won't visit me in front seat, and the behind the seat storage area for larger items with a latching hinged lid.

Enjoy, and if you have any questions about the build please let me know.

Cheers

Mark

[SOCALFJ]

Great lookin' rig! Thanks for sharing.

[CaliCruiser]

From a fellow 60 owner that thing is bad ass. I wished I would have taken a better look at SnT!

[Cruiserdrew]

I saw it at SnT. Nice FJ60. I did not see the cabinet work inside-That's very nice. How did you anchor it to the floor/sides? Is there enough room to put a fridge on top of the false floor? Nice job all around.

[mrlocksmith]

Originally Posted by Cruiserdrew

I saw it at SnT. Nice FJ60. I did not see the cabinet work inside-That's very nice. How did you anchor it to the floor/sides? Is there enough room to put a fridge on top of the false floor? Nice job all around.

The cabinet floor is bolted to the FJ body/floor with 3/8" Carriage bolts and large fender washers. The rest of the build is secured to the cabinet floor. A fridge might fit but I do not see myself owning one so I made it to fit the average 5-10 day Coleman cooler. Otherwise you can make it any height you want.

Mark

[D'Animal]

Mr Locksmith

Two things.

#1 how do you like the Tuffy Console? Is it worth the price they charge?


#2 Take some better pictures. I saw this first hand at Surf n Truf and your pictures are not doing it justice.

[mrlocksmith]

Dan:

Here ya go. I hope this is better. Here is a shot with the back lid off and all the stuff stowed away. No fancy drawers to worry about just shelves about 22" deep so you can reach in and get what you need.

In my mind the Tuffy Console is worth it. My time would cost me more if I went though the trouble to make it. It was not easy getting a power dist box installed in there along with the remote mounted radio and two aux. power outlets. There just is not that much space to work in.

Mark

[D'Animal]

You made a very good point regarding drawer sliders during our conversation at Surf n Turf.

Do you want to post up here? Since our converstion I have changed my mind and will be build something similar to what you have with no drawer sliders.

[CaliCruiser]

Any pics of the 4+ rear bumper?

[dmede808]

Very nice. But how do you reach back and get a cold one with the cooler way back there?

[mrlocksmith]

I think I can put a keg on 4+ Rear Bumper, and run the tap though the cooler

Does that qualify as an "open container in the vehicle" HHMMM..........


My point about sliding drawers, especially those on ball bearings sliders should be repeated here for those who were not at SNT. Let me preface this by saying that my locksmith truck (Ford E350 Diesel) is built with 5 large rear sliding drawers on super heavy (300 lb capacity) duty ball bearing drawer slides. When parked with the nose of the truck going uphill the drawers really want to slide out quickly when you open them and they are hard to push back in. On level ground they are great. Granted I am not gong to load up my FJ with 200+ LBS of lock hardware, I still I did not want to deal with expense and hassle of drawer slides.


I have seen some builds with wood on wood or wood on nylon slides which would not be so bad, but then again, It is an added expense too.

Mark

[mrlocksmith]

Here is the bumper. The photos are taken before the cabinet build and beforeI mounted the Hy-Lift jack to it.

Mark

[TheGr8Doughboy]

What did you put on the floor? The carpet is gone in mine and that looks like an awfully nice alternative to the floorpan.

Chris

[mrlocksmith]

On the floor is

SOR Tuff Tread Floor Liner

Specter Off-Road-Land Cruiser Parts - Page 345-Floor & Cargo Liner

Under the cabinets is plywood for the base.


Cheers

Mark

[fortysixandtwo]

Nice cruiser man. I really like your rear set up, I have been wanting to make something like that for my 4runner. thanks for the info about the sliding compartments, I never thought of that so I will be making one much similar to yours. thanks for sharing and for the ideas. take care

[mrlocksmith]

I see you are in N. Cal, if you are near the bay area let me know you are welcome to stop in an see how I built it.

Mark

[sandals]

You said ask any questions, so...

What are the measurements front to back? Or, what is the length of the forward cubby under the flip top?

Cheers

[Nemesis Gnat]

whoaa... youre in redwood city? im in atherton, mind if i stop by and take a look? im jsut getting into this whole expedition thing and trying to look at well built rigs for ideas...

[mrlocksmith]

"Leaky" is in the shop getting 4.11's, You can PM me and we'll be able to meet.

The front to back base is about 44" if I recall. The flip up cabiniet is 12.5" wide.

Later

Mark

[Mickldo]

Originally Posted by mrlocksmith

I think I can put a keg on 4+ Rear Bumper, and run the tap though the cooler

Does that qualify as an "open container in the vehicle" HHMMM..........


My point about sliding drawers, especially those on ball bearings sliders should be repeated here for those who were not at SNT. Let me preface this by saying that my locksmith truck (Ford E350 Diesel) is built with 5 large rear sliding drawers on super heavy (300 lb capacity) duty ball bearing drawer slides. When parked with the nose of the truck going uphill the drawers really want to slide out quickly when you open them and they are hard to push back in. On level ground they are great. Granted I am not gong to load up my FJ with 200+ LBS of lock hardware, I still I did not want to deal with expense and hassle of drawer slides.


I have seen some builds with wood on wood or wood on nylon slides which would not be so bad, but then again, It is an added expense too.

Mark

If two drawers had identical weights in them and the angle of the vehicle was the same wouldn't the one with the higher friction slides (ie; the one without ball bearings) be harder to push back in?

Yes, the BB slides do roll out quickly when on a uphill slope but mine has a lockout feature so if on a downhill slope they can lock in the out position so they don't keep wanting to slide shut when you don't want them to.

I think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages after having used both styles.

[Mickldo]

Originally Posted by Mickldo

If two drawers had identical weights in them and the angle of the vehicle was the same wouldn't the one with the higher friction slides (ie; the one without ball bearings) be harder to push back in?

Yes, the BB slides do roll out quickly when on a uphill slope but mine has a lockout feature so if on a downhill slope they can lock in the out position so they don't keep wanting to slide shut when you don't want them to.

I think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages after having used both styles.

Awesome truck BTW

[mrlocksmith]

Thanks on the truck comment. I might have gone with BB slides if I did not need a long locking compartment behind the back seat for my electronic prospecting gear. If I was just out wheeling and camping one long drawer would be fine.

Mark

4.11's are almost in

[cc93cruiser]

Mark? Mark that lives a couple blocks from me? The cruiser family with all the cruisers parked in street...If so, damn dude! When the hell did you get this clean ass 60? When can I come check out?....60 series cruisers, my first love....Are you getting lockers with the new ring and pinions you getting installed?

[mrlocksmith]

Nope, I'm not the Mark you are thinking of. But you can PM me if you want to take a look at my rig. No lockers as of yet. 4'11's are DA BOMB !!! Are you the one that lives on Connecticut St with the Adventure Trailer ?

I just got done re-installing my ham radios before the rain started up again today.

Later

Mark

[cc93cruiser]

Originally Posted by mrlocksmith

Nope, I'm not the Mark you are thinking of. But you can PM me if you want to take a look at my rig. No lockers as of yet. 4'11's are DA BOMB !!! Are you the one that lives on Connecticut St with the Adventure Trailer ?

I just got done re-installing my ham radios before the rain started up again today.

Later

Mark

Wow...sorry about that... I seriously thought I was speaking to the right person, his name is also Mark, lives on the 900 block Hudson(has a white 40)...I dont live in Connecticut, although I know who you are talking about, he has the 97 ann. 80..I thought I knew everyone in our small little town with a built cruiser..Never seen yours.. You might have seen my father's or mine driving around town..I have a built white 80 with rhino lining on sides, and my dad has a built black 80 with 6" slee lift...Anyways, I would love to meet other cruiser heads....And check out the 60 too ...My first cruiser was 60, that I rolled at damn hollister...Man I miss that thing..I live right off of Jefferson and El Camino..I will see you around town...

[BiG BoB]

My work vehicle (I really needa get some pics of this beast) has a set of draws that run all the way from the rear (hard up against the door) to the front (hard against the glove box and no front passenger seat)

The draws are on ball bearing sliders, and are great, but I echo your comments about parking on hills. I keep meaning to put latches on them to stop them slideing out.

I helped my neighbour build a storage unit for the back of his vehicle (Mitsubishi Pajero). He's an ex carpenter, and I was just holding things for him and drinking his beers. He built his out of ply covered in marine carpet, with cheap steel toolboxes in each section (the carpeted ply is flush against them). They slide out easily enough, and not a rattle to be heard.

Sean

[mrlocksmith]

Sean:

The other day I forgot to latch all the drawers in my lock truck and guess what came flying out the back when I parked on a hill at 2AM to help a customer. I think I woke up the neighbors

Mark

[joshoisasleep]

that is really sweet. Although, it looks like your springs in the back could use some new friends to handle the extra weight...
I need that centre console!

[mrlocksmith]

I'm thinking airbags ?

Originally Posted by joshoisasleep

that is really sweet. Although, it looks like your springs in the back could use some new friends to handle the extra weight...
I need that centre console!