1407driver's build thread (1 Viewer)

[TrekboxX]

Hey folks. Happy 2013! Haven't seen a build thread in a while, so I guess it's my turn. I'll update as I can. I bought the cruiser in May, 2012. Sold a nicely built pickup, so it was a big change to not have a bed to haul junk around. But, with the family starting and my addiction to being "prepared", the cruiser seemed like a good fit. Here she was stock with 93k miles:

 

[TrekboxX]

First thing I did was begin to baseline the mx items. Did the 90k service, etc. Ordered a medium 2.5 lift from Slee and a set of trail grapplers in a 33x11.5. Also grabbed a Blueberry bumper to house the Superwinch I pulled off the last truck.
It was sad to me that I had to rent a trailer to pick up a bumper....

Removed tupperware and cut frame. Ground and applied POR15

Modified a cheap Harbor freight transmission jack to install bumper. Made it super easy to put on and take off. Here it is as first installed:

 

[Grego]

Looks great so far. Keep the mods and pics coming.

 

[TrekboxX]

That pic brings me to the roof rack. I ordered a rack from Mike at Bump It Offroad. Awesome guy to work with. I ordered it to be customized a bit. Somehow I didn't convey properly what I wanted, and when the rack showed up it was way taller than I wanted and a few other little things were off. Mike is a guy you can call directly. He will shoot straight and take care of you. He worked with me to make the rack what I wanted. I can't recommend him enough, especially if you want something a bit custom.
Here is a pic of the rack lowered and a windscreen added:

I know, I need to remove the running boards. I hate running boards. But they will stay until sliders can arrive. The wife let's me do pretty much what I want, but I gave her that one. But if they get damaged....

 

[gootaman1]

Looking good!

 

[TrekboxX]

Since the rack had to be recoated and the Slee bumper had gotten scratched up in transit (not Slee's fault, it was packaged well), I decided to color match the powder coat on the bumper. I used one of their stock colors, instead of an exact match. It looks good, but if I had to do it again I would have gone with a darker gray.

Also had to wire up the winch and customize the solenoid to fit.

I used 0 gauge welding cable and ran it through a Blue Sea selector switch, so I could keep the circuit dead until I needed it. It will also come in handy for the future dual battery...

Custom bracket

 

[TrekboxX]

Oh- I obviously added the ipf lights onto the bumper using the fog light circuit. Painted them to match the bumper, and added a vinyl cover to keep the sun and grime off the winch line.

Also added a switch to shut off the running lights. When they are turned off the LED lights up to let you know your lights are off...

 

[TrekboxX]

Got some aluminum shaft collars. Drilled and tapped them to accept a 1/4-20 stainless bolt to attach accessories to the roof rack.

Also got some cans and mounts from Shane. For non potable water only, of course. Mounts are second to none.

And made a Kydex ask mask for the Fiskars axe.

Ski rack is for fly rods.

 

[TrekboxX]

Had a trip to Montana in October coming up, so I decided to build a cargo/ sleeping platform. It is really handy day to day. You can just open the hatch and toss your stuff in. It is 3/4 birch ply covered in cheap Home Depot carpet. Frame is 3/4 steel, welded and painted. Front is hinged up to keep cargo from sliding forward. When 2nd row is down the whole top layer slides forward and bolts into the front of the bottom layer. There are 2 steel legs and a landing pad that sits on the middle row floor and support the front. In that configuration you can haul a **** ton of cargo. When you stop for the night you can slide the front seats all the way forward and lock down the vertical section. I'm 6'1" and there's plenty of legroom.
Also mounted fire extinguisher on the platform. It is in a custom quick release bracket I made a few years ago.

Also cut a universal truck bed mat to make a tailgate protector and a cargo mat.

Legs stored under platform

"Landing pad stores under as well

 

[TrekboxX]

Threw in a quick fist mounted to a large knife clip, bent and padded. And weathertechs for the front row.

 

[TrekboxX]

While I was doing all these mods, I was still baselining the maintenance. Lubed prop shaft, synthetic fluids, leatheriqued the seats(oil only), etc. Had a loose passenger side wheel bearing, so I just replaced races and all. Old ones were still in perfect shape, it was loose due to the last mechanic not bending the lock tabs properly. Also lubed spindle bearings.

 

[GaFJC]

Had a trip to Montana in October coming up, so I decided to build a cargo/ sleeping platform. It is really handy day to day. You can just open the hatch and toss your stuff in. It is 3/4 birch ply covered in cheap Home Depot carpet. Frame is 3/4 steel, welded and painted. Front is hinged up to keep cargo from sliding forward. When 2nd row is down the whole top layer slides forward and bolts into the front of the bottom layer. There are 2 steel legs and a landing pad that sits on the middle row floor and support the front. In that configuration you can haul a **** ton of cargo. When you stop for the night you can slide the front seats all the way forward and lock down the vertical section. I'm 6'1" and there's plenty of legroom.
Also mounted fire extinguisher on the platform. It is in a custom quick release bracket I made a few years ago.

Also cut a universal truck bed mat to make a tailgate protector and a cargo mat.

Legs stored under platform

"Landing pad stores under as well

Love the cargo platform. Great idea for those of us who want to org cargo but can't justify or need a drawer set up. Do you have any specs or dimensions in the metal frame? This exactly what I want and need.

Sent from my iPad using IH8MUD

 

[TrekboxX]

I'll get you more specs tomorrow, but I know offhand the metal uprights are 14 inches. I had a couple of containers that I built it for. Unfortunately, when you tighten the turnbuckles it squishes into the carpet a bit, making it a tight fit. I also remember having to shorten the lower platform because there was a finger hazard when slamming the tailgate. I left about an inch of space. I'll try to get more specs in am.

I really like this platform and I hate to give it up. But, I got a fridge from Santa this year so I may be taking it out. I also sometimes have a need for a locking compartment (drawer). We'll see.

 

[r3run33]

glad I came across this post; what vinyl wrap did you use for your winch cover?? did you purchase this or have it made? thanks

 

[TrekboxX]

GaFJC- sorry, the day got away from me. I'll try to get some measurements and more pics of the platform tomorrow.

The winch cover is just gray vinyl. I sewed it up with 1 inch webbing and quick release buckles. The webbing just wraps around and thru the bumper. The section that covers the line is just sewn and velcroed.

 

[TrekboxX]

Sorry it took so long for this. Here are some crappy pics of the platform. The tubing is 1" and there is some angle iron along the sides to hold the upright in position. There is also a couple of short pieces of flat bar also for the upright section. I used 1/4 inch t-nuts throughout and a couple of welded nuts on the angle. The basic dimensions are as follows:

Bottom platform layer is 51"w x 38"l
Top platform is 53"w x 31"l
Upright is 53"w x 8"l
All 3/4 birch ply

The metal frame essentially makes a box, and the upper pieces overhang. The "box" section is 33" front to back (outside dimensions) and 36" wide. It is 15" tall (14" clearance underneath).

Since the upper platform is 2" wider than the lower, there is clearance for the 1" angle iron that is mounted to the underside of the upper platform. This has welded nuts and is the support for the moveable upright. The metal frame has two pieces of square tubing welded together along the forward upper portion. The rearmost tube is bolted to the forward edge of the bottom platform, and the forward tube is available to bolt to the rear edge of the upper platform when it is slid forward into place. Clear as mud?

Also, I'm 6'1", all leg, and with the platform extended (with the upright still up) I have plenty of legroom driving. When you stop for the night you can slide the forward seats forward and lower the upright, giving you a platform length of 77". Add in the little extra space on both ends and there's plenty of room.

 

[drmwvr]

Awesome build, great job!

 

[DFXR]

Very cool platform/cargo setup. I am throwing the words "rear storage" and "cargo storage" into the mix here b/c those are the terms I searched with when I was building mine and looking for ideas. If I had found something like this I might've re-thunk my setup!

 

[maxdog1969]

Love the sleeping platform too, pm me if I can take the platform off your hands since u plan on using your Santa gifted fridge

Very creative and functional mods for the rig.

 

[TrekboxX]

Thanks for the positive comments! I am torn on the cargo platform. I just can't see buying a $600 drop down fridge slide (or building one) in order to keep it. I really want to mount the fridge in there because I actually take a cooler to work every day. Would be pretty trick. But, I really enjoy the platform...