Cruiser for field biology

[Godwin]

As a field biologist I have had the opportunity to work with a variety of animals over the years which means that I've worked in a wide range of habitats. Using the FJ60 as my field vehicle of choice I've tried to set it up to deal with most conditions of terrain and equipment needs that I may encounter. While sampling equipment varies due to the particular organism(s) in question basic equipment needs do not, and how I store equipment in the cargo area is the point of this post.

I added nutserts above the rear windows to hang a net bag on the left side for towels and dry bags. The right side has a couple of metal straps to which two pair of quick fists have been mounted to hold an axe and shovel.

 

[Godwin]

A set of cargo drawers were built and installed. The left hand drawer holds tools and recovery gear, the right hand drawer contains cooking stuff and food. Using left-over wood I built a set of small boxes to fit between the drawers and 1/2 panels. The left-hand boxes hold spare parts - alternator, starter, smog pump, and fuel pump. The right-hand side box holds a propane stove, fuel bottles, and tire plug kit.

 

[Cruisified]

Cool mod, sounds like a fun job.

 

[Godwin]

When I constructed the drawers I made the left-hand drawer about 3/4" shallower than the right. This was to accommodate a shelf beneath the drawer. Pulling out the shelf adds to the work area at the tailgate.

A More Power Puller is secured across the front of the boxes by being attached to a couple of eyebolts placed in holes of the 1/4 panels.

A photo of the cargo area with a load of the junk I normally carry around.

 

[Godwin]

And the setup in action when I was doing a little work a couple of weeks ago and had to deal with rain.

This arrangement has worked well enough for what I need so far.

 

[cruiserhunter]

Great mods and beautiful work. I love my job, but i'm pretty damn jealous of yours.

Got a question: I've seen that hand winch before. What's it called? Cost? And How has it worked for you? I'm looking for a low cost recovery equipment.

Great truck and thanks for psoting her up,
Patrick

 

[ElliottB]

Looks like a come-along to me. You can get them at Harbor Freight or ACE Hardware. The truck looks great, as soon as I get mine rebuilt, I am going to steal some of your ideas to turn mine into a camping rig!

 

[Godwin]

Great mods and beautiful work. I love my job, but i'm pretty damn jealous of yours.

Got a question: I've seen that hand winch before. What's it called? Cost? And How has it worked for you? I'm looking for a low cost recovery equipment.

Great truck and thanks for psoting her up,
Patrick

More Power Puller (https://www.wyeth-scott.com/), it's not the typical come-along.

I purchased from here. More Power Puller-FREE SHIPPING!!

 

[BG_TX]

Nice set-up... envious of the job as well!

We've used smaller version come-alongs to pull breech birth calves from the womb... Very handy tool!

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Excellent truck!! Are your drawers "hung" on rollers so the work table slides right out?

 

[crackdpot]

Nice set-up... envious of the job as well!

We've used smaller version come-alongs to pull breech birth calves from the womb... Very handy tool!

yikes, won't be telling the missus about THIS post!

 

[Godwin]

Excellent truck!! Are your drawers "hung" on rollers so the work table slides right out?

Drawer sliders are 2" angle iron and skateboard roller bearings. Cheap and they slide smooth enough. I saw this slider approach in the 80 series forum.

 

[Tofudebeest]

Very nice. My background is in field biology as well, wildlife ecology specifically. Had I not been born of a Jewish mother, I'd be doing field work as a living as well. I'd prefer it over my desk job, though I do get out in the field often. Sweet set up on the 60.

 

[sirenmoses]

An oddly compelling combination of rustic storage in the back and high tech gauges up front.

Where does the sleeping happen, or is that the tent mesh inside drying out while you gather samples?

Is the Power Puller preferred over generic come-along due to increased wire size & cast iron housing?

 

[Drofen]

Have you thought about a metal wire screen to keep things in the back in case (god forbid) of a roll over? I'd sure hate to meet up with that axe at about the 3rd time over...

 

[83FJ604ME]

Cool buddddy! Nice use of your Cruizer! Looks like your job is better than my desk job...LUCKY!

 

[sirenmoses]

Have you thought about a metal wire screen to keep things in the back in case (god forbid) of a roll over? I'd sure hate to meet up with that axe at about the 3rd time over...

Those quickfist clamps actually hold up quite well to rotation, but I wouldn't wanna be bouncin around with the spare pumps & propane...

 

[zuluzeugma]

And the setup in action when I was doing a little work a couple of weeks ago and had to deal with rain.

This arrangement has worked well enough for what I need so far.

My favorite is how you camp in the middle of the road... tool...

 

[eraldovallejo]

Those gauges look pretty nice!! How about a close up pic of that dash, nice truck and storage set up by the way!!

 

[Godwin]

An oddly compelling combination of rustic storage in the back and high tech gauges up front.

Where does the sleeping happen, or is that the tent mesh inside drying out while you gather samples?

Is the Power Puller preferred over generic come-along due to increased wire size & cast iron housing?

Not enough room in the Cruiser for sleeping so it's either in a tent in the woods or a cheap motel if there are no good camping options.

And yes to the Power Puller question.