1985 HJ75 Pickup (2 Viewers)

[Gun Runner 5]

Rear Canopy

Does anyone have photos of how they mounted dome lights / work lights inside their rear canopies? I am looking for ideas.

 

[Clint79]

What sort of canopy ideas do you have for the tub

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Thanks Clint......Where is your on - off switch located? Is it in the cab or rear canopy area?

 

[Clint79]

I have a tool box permeant in the back and mounted the switch and a 12v outlet for the fridge on the lower of the toolbox.
A switch only in the ute cab would be annoying to reach for when sleeping in the back unless you get a two-way switch one in the tub and cab would be alright.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Thanks....I was thinking about wiring a small toggle / rocker switch at the base of the headache bar on the drivers side. I believe it would be a pain to have to access the cab every time you wanted to activate the light.

 

[Clint79]

You could run a new main fused 12v feed to the back maybe a little waterproof junction box under your tray and two 12v outlets in they tray and a switch with a couple of LED lights.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

I plan on installing a LED light (similar to one in the cab.) I will either have one large light centrally located or two smaller lights on each end. When my wife has me haul the garbage off I want the container to be properly illuminated.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

You could run a new main fused 12v feed to the back maybe a little waterproof junction box under your tray and two 12v outlets in they tray and a switch with a couple of LED lights.

Although having the switch located in the rear would be convenient
due to the fact that my canopy will only feature a roof ( open sides ) the switch would be subjected to constant moisture and I am afraid prone to failure. For that reason we decided to place the switch back in the cab. Although the project has been delayed for various reasons, it should be completed next week and I will post photos.
Thanks for the photos and information...

 

[Clint79]

You could get a weather proof switch.
Being a trusty 75series on cold mornings there might be just as much moisture in the cab as out side anyways.
Depends on your use for the lights as to were the switch needs to be. I mainly use my lights when camping getting beers out the engel when the camp fire doesnt produce enough light or for sleeping in the back,so the need for the switch in the tray., unless I grew some gogo gadget arms to reach out of the tray into the cab.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

You could get a weather proof switch.
Being a trusty 75series on cold mornings there might be just as much moisture in the cab as out side anyways.
Depends on your use for the lights as to were the switch needs to be. I mainly use my lights when camping getting beers out the engel when the camp fire doesnt produce enough light or for sleeping in the back,so the need for the switch in the tray., unless I grew some gogo gadget arms to reach out of the tray into the cab.

Well I did have water running down the gas and brake pedal during the last rain shower but that issue has been corrected with a tube of silicone.
As long as I can keep my wife happy I will not be sleeping in the rear bed. That space is reserved for hunting equipment.

 

[roscoFJ73]

Well I did have water running down the gas and brake pedal during the last rain shower but that issue has been corrected with a tube of silicone.

Was it coming through the rubber seal under the w/screen frame?
Thats where mine leaked and I fixed it with rubber sealant.

As long as I can keep my wife happy I will not be sleeping in the rear bed. That space is reserved for hunting equipment.

You should make your wife happy and let her sleep in the back. My girlfriend loves the new rooftop tent I fitted to the top of my camper box on the back of the 75.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

The rubber seal was indeed bad however a tube of good quality silicone corrected the issue.
My wife only gets close to my Cruiser when she wants to throw trash in the back.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Simple but functional

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Wired in a couple of LED dome lights ( one forward, one aft )

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Let there be light.......

 

[roscoFJ73]

LOOKS neat enough ,but why didnt you want sides?

Im thinking about doing the top bit in alloy or steel and hangung canvas curtains off the side,The last 2 canvas rooves I had got ripped up on low hanging branches and rolladoors

 

[Clint79]

Very nice work there and the lights look mint.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

LOOKS neat enough ,but why didnt you want sides?

Im thinking about doing the top bit in alloy or steel and hangung canvas curtains off the side,The last 2 canvas rooves I had got ripped up on low hanging branches and rolladoors

"but why didn't you want sides" ..... .(several reasons ) #1 I have owned several vehicles with canvas canopies that featured "sides" ( some with plastic windows, some without ) and I found the visibility to be very restrictive. This problem is compounded with a RHD vehicle in a LHD country.
#2 I was not concerned with security or rain-proofing. ( I will just be happy to keep the leaves out of the back )
#3 The Cruiser is used primarily for hunting and I wanted easy access to to items in the rear bed. ( and yes I realize you could just roll up the sides ) The firearms ( the only things of value ) are stored in an overhead rack in the cab.
If future needs change I can simply weld a center brace and install of full canvas cover.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

RoscoFJ73.......Im thinking about doing the top bit in alloy or steel and hangung canvas curtains off the side,The last 2 canvas rooves I had got ripped up on low hanging branches and rolladoors

My framework is "massive overkill" and very heavy so I would not recommend going that way. Clint79's set-up seems more than adequate and probably weighs a fraction of what mine does.
You could however fabricate a roof rack to attach to the top of my canopy and not have to worry about weight.

 

[crushers]

that is my idea as well, aluminum top with open sides. light, stronger than canvas, no canvas flap flap as you drive down the road...

you need to change your avatar to the new truck ... no?