Brackets to support stuff under rear fenders on Troopy

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RufusTheDufus

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I'm thinking about designing some brackets in Solidworks to support a battery under the fender wells in my HJ45 Troopy. It's a perfect spot to stick a battery, on board air tank, etc. Before I head down this path does this kind of thing already exist?

I'm also thinking of designing a few supports to easily add sliders to a Troopy (or any 40 series). The idea is to come up with a bracket that's very similar to the stock front body mount supporting the front of the running board. The outside end of the support can be welded to a square tube of some sort as a slider, most likely 1" x 2" or 1" x 2.5". Is something like this already available?
 
Hi Rufus,

I don't know if anything like that is commercially available, but I do know that the Norforce Troopys had some sort of brackets built into those areas with little doors on them to hold radio equipment & extra batteries & such. So that has been done. I've have the same ideas for mine, but lack the ability to make that sort of thing. So if you wanted to consider making that type of thing I'd be willing to throw in my input & help cover development costs or whatever it takes if you would consider making an extra set when you finally build them...
If not, I totally understand why you wouldn't want to go that route.
Best,
Abe
 
I can certainly use an extra set of eyes. I'm going to mock up some brackets with cardboard and lay them out in Solidworks. A local friend has a CNC plasma cutter I can use and massive sheet metal bending brakes. The cost for me would be the steel. He'll let me use the equipment.

I've been thinking a little about how to deal with rigid frame mounts and flexing body panels. Ideally the 'box' supported by the frame brackets would be accessible from inside the truck. (That's my preference anyway.) I'm not sure if I need to account for body movement.

It could be a fun project.
 
Relocating primary battery or adding a secondary one?

If it's a relocation, make sure there's some convenient jump starting posts.
 
In my case it's for secondary batteries.

Some people might want to install water tanks in the same locations. So the brackets will be more of a generic support. I think I'll do a bolt-on version that can be welded on if someone wants to.
 
I may also be interested in a final product for this....

I have been down on my hands and knees looking up into those spaces either side, pondering about how best to utilise them. Like you, I think they would make a great location for a spare battery.
My second battery is in a ridiculous position off the side of the RH chassis rail and is terribly exposed. Tucking it up under the rear fenders would be ideal, especially if the battery is a deepcycle type - used for powering fridges, etc, which will no doubt be stored in the back anyway.

Were you thinking of adding an access hatch to the top of the storage area (i.e through the existing floor)?
As I recall, one side contains the storage box for the jack and factory tools, and therefore space is somewhat reduced behind the fender. You could maybe replicate the door to that factory storage location for your own storage on the othetr side to make it look more factory... Just an idea.

Anyhow mate, good luck with your project, I'll be watching with keen interest. :cheers:
 
Keep in mind that you could mount an optima battery on its side, so that opens up a couple of options. I wouldn't mind moving the batteries from the engine bay in my HJ 47, putting them in a similar place to where trayback vehicles keep them under the tray on each side.
 
I'm thinking of the area in front of the rear wheels, under the wheel well. The area behind the wheel could be used too. That's where I'm going to put the on-board air tank.

I haven't thought about the design of an access panel yet. I think there should be a product available in boating catalogs that should do the trick. Some people might want an exterior access panel, some interior. Interior can be top or side mount too. Too many options for me to wrap my head around at the moment.
 
ive got a 20l air tank mounted in the drivers side infront of the wheel did think about mounting batterys under the rear arches but would need to be well sealed cause heaps of mud gets thrown up under there

i figured it would be better to chop out the wheel arch except for where its actually needed and utilise the space internally

but its a troopy how much space do you really need
 
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