My expedition trailer build

lx450landcruiser · 09-29-07, 07:23 PM

I picked up this trailer in abbortsford canada last january for $600 since im in college i didnt have much for tools or space to work on it so it sat for awhile. I was able to leaf of over axle and clean up the suspention while i was at it. this year im in a house with a garage and was able to bring my welder up from home to do what i want to do. Today i cut and started the tail gate for it. i plan for it to be as waterproof-dust proof as possible. My plans for this trailer will be to take all the camping gear off my truck and incorperate it into the trailer, when i want to go camping i can hook up the trailer and go and have everything with me.

Plans for this trailer include

locking tail gate
lift up metal top (with gas struts)
ezzi awn RTT on top of trailer
Matching wheels to the cruiser (eventually)
Full kitchen set up (this will include stove,sink, pantry, cabinet)
and more

I also plan to address the issues of locking the trailer and keeping it from being stolen when left at the camp sites.

This will be a slow build but im looking forward to it.

lx450landcruiser · 09-29-07, 07:28 PM

lx450landcruiser · 09-29-07, 07:29 PM

more again

lx450landcruiser · 09-29-07, 07:33 PM

i cut the end pipes off for the tailgate work those things are solid steel!! Also for those that have cut the rear for the tailgate did you encounter oil? Strang i know but after cutting through the top tube (the rim around the trailer) quite a bit of oil came pouring out? i guess its to keep it from rusting from the inside out? ive never heard of such a thing.

lx450landcruiser · 09-29-07, 07:34 PM

tail gate cut through i cut the rend piece through as well to weld in the angle iron which will help me achieve the dust proof seal when done.

lx450landcruiser · 09-29-07, 07:42 PM

angle iron welded in and tail gate started

brownbear · 09-29-07, 11:44 PM

looking very good. I also cut in a tail gate. But have not finished it. Although it is on there, I have to use a strap to keep it closed.

If you look at semlin's tailgate it made up for the loss of strength.

gavman · 09-30-07, 07:30 AM

Good work, Would you mind showing a close-up of how the angle iron is fitted.
I'm about to start working on mine again and was thinking of doing the tailgate mod.

TXFJ40 · 09-30-07, 12:41 PM

Another vote for a close up of your angle iron around the tail gate. Been considering something similar on my M416. Curious how you did yours.
Thanks,
RickyB

lx450landcruiser · 09-30-07, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXFJ40

Another vote for a close up of your angle iron around the tail gate. Been considering something similar on my M416. Curious how you did yours.
Thanks,
RickyB

Ill go take some more pics when i get a chance,

on a side note what are people using for hinges on there tail gates? also latches? i was thinking flush mount latches but i would liek to keep the inside of the tail gate flat and clean so i can use it as a table

any thoughts?

lx450landcruiser · 10-09-07, 11:02 PM

hope to work on this on friday any ideas on hinges? and or latches?

REZARF · 10-10-07, 10:34 AM

Here is my new favorite "hinge and Latch" link...

http://www.austinhardware.com/store.asp?

Very cool stuff. I love the De-sta-co latches, they are amazing. And I am looking at a piano hinge that is beefy enough for the task. T-hinges might be worth checking out as well.

HTH

Drew

lx450landcruiser · 10-10-07, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REZARF

Here is my new favorite "hinge and Latch" link...

http://www.austinhardware.com/store.asp?

Very cool stuff. I love the De-sta-co latches, they are amazing. And I am looking at a piano hinge that is beefy enough for the task. T-hinges might be worth checking out as well.

HTH

Drew

thats a good site i just put in for a catalog.

thanks
mike

Arya Ebrahimi · 10-10-07, 05:51 PM

google the "southco mini r4 rotary latch". I'm in love with it. It is essentially the same as all latching mechanisms found on cars(in the doors). It has two stages just like a door latch(first step catches, second step is fully closed), and is available in several configurations for attaching release mechanisms to(it is just the raw latch, still needs an activation mechanism, i.e. a door handle, pull string, lever, etc). Also available in L & R.

I have 4 of them sitting on the shelf waiting for me to get time to build a tire carrier. If I remember I will grab them and post some pictures this weekend.

Ary

gavman · 10-10-07, 09:28 PM

Awesome link there Rezarf, I need or want a bunch of items from that company

lx450landcruiser · 10-11-07, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arya Ebrahimi

google the "southco mini r4 rotary latch". I'm in love with it. It is essentially the same as all latching mechanisms found on cars(in the doors). It has two stages just like a door latch(first step catches, second step is fully closed), and is available in several configurations for attaching release mechanisms to(it is just the raw latch, still needs an activation mechanism, i.e. a door handle, pull string, lever, etc). Also available in L & R.

I have 4 of them sitting on the shelf waiting for me to get time to build a tire carrier. If I remember I will grab them and post some pictures this weekend.

Ary

good pics would help alot most sites have drawing but what i really need are pics

thanks again
mike

Arya Ebrahimi · 10-11-07, 11:46 AM

Mike, my plans changed, and I don't think I'll be going to the shop. However I found very good info when searching on the southco website. I don't have time to look them up right now, but IIRC there were decent pics and excellent drawings.

Xanatost · 10-11-07, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXFJ40

Another vote for a close up of your angle iron around the tail gate.

I to would like the see some close up pics

FeilEOD · 10-11-07, 05:44 PM

The liquid is Ziebart coating compound. The manufacturer "Zeibarted" all of them as they came off the assembly line. If you look at the top rails around the tub you should find the plastic plugs with the Zeibart logo, these were used to seal the access holes once the coating was sprayed in.

lx450landcruiser · 10-11-07, 07:32 PM

heres a few close ups from the pics i have now ill take more when i work onit tomarrow. its far from done but yoy get the idea basically just angle iron around the inside for the trailer and some square pipe ont he inside of the tail gate to help make the gate rigid and allow for a flush fit when closed, then ill run a strip of rubber on the angle iron so when closed it creates a water tight-dust proof seal.

more to come

J-man · 10-11-07, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lx450landcruiser

heres a few close ups from the pics i have now ill take more when i work onit tomarrow. its far from done but yoy get the idea basically just angle iron around the inside for the trailer and some square pipe ont he inside of the tail gate to help make the gate rigid and allow for a flush fit when closed, then ill run a strip of rubber on the angle iron so when closed it creates a water tight-dust proof seal.

more to come

what are you going to do for a latch for the tailgate?? Im trying to figure that out for mine.

Arya Ebrahimi · 10-11-07, 11:54 PM

Mike, make your pictures BIGGER!

Your closeups are so small it's hard to see any real detail.

lx450landcruiser · 10-12-07, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arya Ebrahimi

Mike, make your pictures BIGGER!

Your closeups are so small it's hard to see any real detail.

Id love to but Ive never been able to post any larger then what you see? any suggestions? i dont want to set up an accout with some photo bucket thing but this is as large as they would let me go? if you want ill email ya pics just pm your address

mike

lx450landcruiser · 10-12-07, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-man

what are you going to do for a latch for the tailgate?? Im trying to figure that out for mine.

No word on what to do for a latch it has to be lockable but making it flush might not work if I still want to use the tailgate as a table

Arya Ebrahimi · 10-12-07, 08:37 AM

Mike, what format are your pictures in? I *think* that sometimes if they are not jpeg's they end up being smaller than usual.

09-29-07, 07:23 PM	#1
lx450landcruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: bellingham wa/prescott az Posts: 2,293	My expedition trailer build I picked up this trailer in abbortsford canada last january for $600 since im in college i didnt have much for tools or space to work on it so it sat for awhile. I was able to leaf of over axle and clean up the suspention while i was at it. this year im in a house with a garage and was able to bring my welder up from home to do what i want to do. Today i cut and started the tail gate for it. i plan for it to be as waterproof-dust proof as possible. My plans for this trailer will be to take all the camping gear off my truck and incorperate it into the trailer, when i want to go camping i can hook up the trailer and go and have everything with me. Plans for this trailer include locking tail gate lift up metal top (with gas struts) ezzi awn RTT on top of trailer Matching wheels to the cruiser (eventually) Full kitchen set up (this will include stove,sink, pantry, cabinet) and more I also plan to address the issues of locking the trailer and keeping it from being stolen when left at the camp sites. This will be a slow build but im looking forward to it. Attached Images __________________ 1996 LX450 ARB, dual batteries, remote starter, 760 watt sub woofer, in dash CB, Custom switch pannel, cut and turn mod, magnaflow, custom rear bumper, rock lights, 2.5 lift, snorkle. clear side lights, CSC alum spacers, 33s, and more to come.

09-29-07, 07:28 PM	#2
lx450landcruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: bellingham wa/prescott az Posts: 2,293	more Attached Images __________________ 1996 LX450 ARB, dual batteries, remote starter, 760 watt sub woofer, in dash CB, Custom switch pannel, cut and turn mod, magnaflow, custom rear bumper, rock lights, 2.5 lift, snorkle. clear side lights, CSC alum spacers, 33s, and more to come.

09-29-07, 07:29 PM	#3
lx450landcruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: bellingham wa/prescott az Posts: 2,293	more again Attached Images __________________ 1996 LX450 ARB, dual batteries, remote starter, 760 watt sub woofer, in dash CB, Custom switch pannel, cut and turn mod, magnaflow, custom rear bumper, rock lights, 2.5 lift, snorkle. clear side lights, CSC alum spacers, 33s, and more to come.

09-29-07, 07:33 PM	#4
lx450landcruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: bellingham wa/prescott az Posts: 2,293	i cut the end pipes off for the tailgate work those things are solid steel!! Also for those that have cut the rear for the tailgate did you encounter oil? Strang i know but after cutting through the top tube (the rim around the trailer) quite a bit of oil came pouring out? i guess its to keep it from rusting from the inside out? ive never heard of such a thing. Attached Images __________________ 1996 LX450 ARB, dual batteries, remote starter, 760 watt sub woofer, in dash CB, Custom switch pannel, cut and turn mod, magnaflow, custom rear bumper, rock lights, 2.5 lift, snorkle. clear side lights, CSC alum spacers, 33s, and more to come.

09-29-07, 07:34 PM	#5
lx450landcruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: bellingham wa/prescott az Posts: 2,293	tail gate cut through i cut the rend piece through as well to weld in the angle iron which will help me achieve the dust proof seal when done. Attached Images __________________ 1996 LX450 ARB, dual batteries, remote starter, 760 watt sub woofer, in dash CB, Custom switch pannel, cut and turn mod, magnaflow, custom rear bumper, rock lights, 2.5 lift, snorkle. clear side lights, CSC alum spacers, 33s, and more to come.

09-29-07, 07:42 PM	#6
lx450landcruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: bellingham wa/prescott az Posts: 2,293	angle iron welded in and tail gate started Attached Images __________________ 1996 LX450 ARB, dual batteries, remote starter, 760 watt sub woofer, in dash CB, Custom switch pannel, cut and turn mod, magnaflow, custom rear bumper, rock lights, 2.5 lift, snorkle. clear side lights, CSC alum spacers, 33s, and more to come.

09-29-07, 11:44 PM	#7
brownbear Mod in Hibernation Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Where diesels purr and turbos whine TLCA# 15584 Posts: 6,200	looking very good. I also cut in a tail gate. But have not finished it. Although it is on there, I have to use a strap to keep it closed. If you look at semlin's tailgate it made up for the loss of strength. __________________ -84 BJ60, Finally on the FN road! -91 FJ80, wife's ride Iron Butt award winner of the Cruise Moab 08 !

09-30-07, 07:30 AM	#8
gavman IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Vancouver Canada Posts: 124	Good work, Would you mind showing a close-up of how the angle iron is fitted. I'm about to start working on mine again and was thinking of doing the tailgate mod.

09-30-07, 12:41 PM	#9
TXFJ40 IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 14	Another vote for a close up of your angle iron around the tail gate. Been considering something similar on my M416. Curious how you did yours. Thanks, RickyB __________________ 79 FJ40 in lots o pieces TLCA# 14253

10-09-07, 11:02 PM	#11
lx450landcruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: bellingham wa/prescott az Posts: 2,293	hope to work on this on friday any ideas on hinges? and or latches? __________________ 1996 LX450 ARB, dual batteries, remote starter, 760 watt sub woofer, in dash CB, Custom switch pannel, cut and turn mod, magnaflow, custom rear bumper, rock lights, 2.5 lift, snorkle. clear side lights, CSC alum spacers, 33s, and more to come.

10-10-07, 10:34 AM	#12
REZARF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, CO TLCA# 13041 Posts: 2,761	Here is my new favorite "hinge and Latch" link... http://www.austinhardware.com/store.asp? Very cool stuff. I love the De-sta-co latches, they are amazing. And I am looking at a piano hinge that is beefy enough for the task. T-hinges might be worth checking out as well. HTH Drew __________________ Drew F. Rising Sun 4x4 Club 76 FJ40, 85 fj60 Engine and Ignition, 35" MTR's, Warn 8074, 4" of lift TPI, snorkeled, racked, Mini-truck P/S... and sometimes running. Friends don't let friends drive Thornbirds... My camping trailer build up thread.

10-10-07, 05:51 PM	#14
Arya Ebrahimi Something clever Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 2,412	google the "southco mini r4 rotary latch". I'm in love with it. It is essentially the same as all latching mechanisms found on cars(in the doors). It has two stages just like a door latch(first step catches, second step is fully closed), and is available in several configurations for attaching release mechanisms to(it is just the raw latch, still needs an activation mechanism, i.e. a door handle, pull string, lever, etc). Also available in L & R. I have 4 of them sitting on the shelf waiting for me to get time to build a tire carrier. If I remember I will grab them and post some pictures this weekend. Ary __________________ HOKIES UNITED Arya Ebrahimi '94 FZJ80 200k miles, locked, 285 Revo's, ARB Bullbar, Hella 4000's, homemade drawers My mini-truck buildup thread...updated 9/10 Mini-truck's first trip!! With PICS! 11/10

10-10-07, 09:28 PM	#15
gavman IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Vancouver Canada Posts: 124	Awesome link there Rezarf, I need or want a bunch of items from that company

10-11-07, 11:46 AM	#17
Arya Ebrahimi Something clever Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 2,412	Mike, my plans changed, and I don't think I'll be going to the shop. However I found very good info when searching on the southco website. I don't have time to look them up right now, but IIRC there were decent pics and excellent drawings. __________________ HOKIES UNITED Arya Ebrahimi '94 FZJ80 200k miles, locked, 285 Revo's, ARB Bullbar, Hella 4000's, homemade drawers My mini-truck buildup thread...updated 9/10 Mini-truck's first trip!! With PICS! 11/10

10-11-07, 05:44 PM	#19
FeilEOD IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 18	The liquid is Ziebart coating compound. The manufacturer "Zeibarted" all of them as they came off the assembly line. If you look at the top rails around the tub you should find the plastic plugs with the Zeibart logo, these were used to seal the access holes once the coating was sprayed in.

10-11-07, 07:32 PM	#20
lx450landcruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: bellingham wa/prescott az Posts: 2,293	heres a few close ups from the pics i have now ill take more when i work onit tomarrow. its far from done but yoy get the idea basically just angle iron around the inside for the trailer and some square pipe ont he inside of the tail gate to help make the gate rigid and allow for a flush fit when closed, then ill run a strip of rubber on the angle iron so when closed it creates a water tight-dust proof seal. more to come Attached Images __________________ 1996 LX450 ARB, dual batteries, remote starter, 760 watt sub woofer, in dash CB, Custom switch pannel, cut and turn mod, magnaflow, custom rear bumper, rock lights, 2.5 lift, snorkle. clear side lights, CSC alum spacers, 33s, and more to come.

10-11-07, 11:54 PM	#22
Arya Ebrahimi Something clever Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 2,412	Mike, make your pictures BIGGER! Your closeups are so small it's hard to see any real detail. __________________ HOKIES UNITED Arya Ebrahimi '94 FZJ80 200k miles, locked, 285 Revo's, ARB Bullbar, Hella 4000's, homemade drawers My mini-truck buildup thread...updated 9/10 Mini-truck's first trip!! With PICS! 11/10

10-12-07, 08:37 AM	#25
Arya Ebrahimi Something clever Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 2,412	Mike, what format are your pictures in? I think that sometimes if they are not jpeg's they end up being smaller than usual. __________________ HOKIES UNITED Arya Ebrahimi '94 FZJ80 200k miles, locked, 285 Revo's, ARB Bullbar, Hella 4000's, homemade drawers My mini-truck buildup thread...updated 9/10 Mini-truck's first trip!! With PICS! 11/10