Cleaning out the garage...

[Goode]

I haven't got to ride much lately so I spend my idle time in the garage trying to scheme up some grand idea. I've had this rubber mat for probably 6yrs and finally got tired of tripping over it and decided to use it.

I took the old side panels and traced them on .25" plywood and cut to fit.
Drilled 12 of the 13 holes where old panels attached with the plastic clips.
Used liquid nail to attach rubber mat to new panels.
Inserted threaded nuts (nutserts) in the existing holes in the sheetmetal.
Used I-bolts and 1" washers to attach the new panels.

The piece I used for the floor tucked nicely under the rear trim piece and is firmly attached. The mat was placed over the carpet. I contemplated removing the carpet, but decided to leave it for now. The mat had been rolled up over the years as you can see the humps in the floor piece. I still need to trim some of the edges but I'll wait until it flattens out some.

Now I have a few, 24 to be exact, tie down points for all the junk we carry.
(I'm still shy 4 I-bolts as I've bought everone out. But that's all I lack.)

 

[Goode]

I also had a pile of speakers and an amp taking up space.

I put (4) 4" Fosgates in the doors. (2) 6.5" Polk Audios in the rear side panels. And mounted a Jensen 300W amp under the rear seat on the passenger side.

The speakers have been installed for a while now, but you couldn't really hear unless sitting still. The amp made a huge difference.

 

[landcruiserjunky]

Looks Good! I am going to do the same thing soon. I was going to buy the 1/4 panels from that one dude (kevin-something) but I realized I could do it a WHOLE lot cheaper. Lets see if I ever get around to do though

 

[LDowney]

Very creative solution and it looks good. A friend did virtually the same with Al sheet on his Disco, but your hold-downs look to be a very handy improvement and the rubber is a lot easier to match contouring in the panels. Congrats on the work.

 

[Goode]

Thanks LJ and LD!

My initial thought was to use the factory vinyl to skin the new panels to keep the original look. But I was afraid all the I-bolts showing would look out of place. And besides, they were just plain old and dirty. And the rubber will be much more durable in the long run. I'm pleased with how it turned out.

I was really hoping I had enough rubber to cover the back of the rear seat and the panel on the tailgate. But no so such luck. I'll just have to keep my eyes open for anything that would match the tread pattern of the rubber and cover them at a later date.

Now I'm thinking how nice a set of drawers would look back there now. Ya know.....to help flatten the rubber floor piece.

 

[Goode]

Oh....the tie downs are proving to be pretty strong considering their attachment to small sheetmetal tabs and .25" plywood with 1" flat washers.

BTW, the rivet gun I bought for the threaded nuts was purchased at Northern Tool for $22. And the 1/4x20 threaded nuts were $4.99 for 12. This tool is neat and provides a good workout. My hands are still sore from popping 24 of the inserts.

 

[Hugh Heifer]

Kewl. Glad that nut riviter worked for yah