Expedition trailer made from FJ40 tub (1 Viewer)

[Volcanic Iceberg]

Started work on joining the two roof tops. Still have some more finessing to do before fiberglass can go down. But Its pretty cool to see the top on in one piece. I put a quick & easy rack on to see what it would look like in relation to the dual spares. I think with the roof rack, porpotions are just right.

 

[Super Slow Rodeo]

Don't tell me!
Is that Home Depot paint stir sticks???????????

Love it! Nothing like free.

Looks good on the trailer.
Of cousre some longer oak ribs will add a lot of strength if you can get them. I'm sure you've figured out the pine stir sticks are a temporary measure for fitment. But, I thought I'd throw that out just in case somebody else didn't figure that out.
And since you're like me, I'll let this cat out of the bag.
Most wood pallets are made from kiln dried Oak Wood.
I have cut down many a pallet for the wood.
Some long Oak ribs glassed in will give the top a lot af strength in case you slip loading your roof rack.

Nice!!!

 

[Volcanic Iceberg]

Got some more sheet metal installed on the front of the top. Nice to see it coming together.

 

[misterpepper]

Have you figured out how much you need to widen the top by? It looks like you might already have one of the filler pieces cut in the last picture.

 

[Volcanic Iceberg]

Have you figured out how much you need to widen the top by? It looks like you might already have one of the filler pieces cut in the last picture.

I have'nt done an exact measurement, but visually it looks like I will need about 1.5". The piece on the top has not been cut yet, but will be one of the filler pieces.

 

[Volcanic Iceberg]

Though I am far from the point where I can begin any real body work, I have started to get tired of the patchwork paint and bare unprotected steel. So today I pulled the trailer out of the garage and sprayed a coat of rattle can primer. Its a little easiear to see the body shape now with one consistent color. Also Makes the imperfections stand out. While I was at it I swapped out the tires for a set of tall skinnys. 33 X 9.50 BFG MT's. Again, a little photoshop on the last one.

 

[Volcanic Iceberg]

In compairison with many of the other expedition trailers out there like adventure trailer and the M416, some of the things that I like and which set this trailer apart: Obviously that it matches the 40 series with a factory Toyota look. I like that all the equipment ( I.E. propane tank, water tank, batteries, etc.) are contained inside. - Less of a visual target for would be thiefs and it can be locked Securely. It is more aerodinamic with the tent contained inside rather than RTT style. I like having an extra spare tire. The tailgate is perfect counter top hight for food prep or anything else. With no RTT the roof rack is still availible for extra gear, Fuel, Wood, etc. With the slide out bunk, sleeping capacity will be 4 adults rather than 2. The straight tongue rather than an "A" frame lends itself to Jackknifing if the need arises.

I am curious what everyone else thinks. Granted this is a one off, Not yet complete, and not availible commercially, but if it were, how many would buy one over the other options out there?

 

[titanpat57]

Complete and total awesomness....


keep chompin' on that bit bro....the end is right around the corner and nicer weather is just a few weeks away!!

Really taking shape

 

[77TLCFJ40]

Frequin SWEET! Nice work VI

 

[Walking Eagle]

I am curious what everyone else thinks. Granted this is a one off, Not yet complete, and not availible commercially, but if it were, how many would buy one over the other options out there?

I love it. Way too much work, and way to expensive to buy, but I love it. Looking forward to the tent part. Only suggestion would be editing out the tow vehicle

 

[93yotasr5]

bad ass!!!! my pants just got bigger

 

[swampman]

I love it. Way too much work, and way to expensive to buy, but I love it. Looking forward to the tent part. Only suggestion would be editing out the tow vehicle

a jeep pulling a toyota, seems normal to me
excellent job on the trailer, very nice work

 

[waiting for time]

a jeep pulling a toyota, seems normal to me
excellent job on the trailer, very nice work

Its not pulling, its keeping it level because there is no front wheel yet.

Love the trailer, can't wait to see the rest.

 

[Volcanic Iceberg]

a jeep pulling a toyota, seems normal to me
excellent job on the trailer, very nice work

I knew i would catch some flack for ever attatching it to the jeep.

 

[Combat Chuck]

a jeep pulling a toyota, seems normal to me
excellent job on the trailer, very nice work

That's because you always watch your Jeep getting rescued in a mirror!;p

 

[Volcanic Iceberg]

OK OK Enough with the jeep comments. Here are some pics of the real tow vehicle. Just started working on it today. It's a 71. Have to do an engine swap. Also, the latches to hold the top on the trailer arrived today.

 

[Volcanic Iceberg]

Latches are pop up trailer latches. Originally I was planning to use Fj40 windshield latches, but they would have to have been modified, they arent lockable & they arent adjustable. So ended up with these, which ARE all of the above. I have 4, one at each corner.

 

[waiting for time]

OK OK Enough with the jeep comments. Here are some pics of the real tow vehicle. Just started working on it today. It's a 71. Have to do an engine swap. Also, the latches to hold the top on the trailer arrived today.

Now that is a fine picture.

 

[Volcanic Iceberg]

Work has been buzy the past few weeks so I havent had much time to work on the trailer. But my tongue jack showed up so today I started in on modifying it to accept a removable 10" pneumatic caster. The jack will be mounted through the center of the tongue close to the tub rather than on the side of the tongue to keep the tongue sides clear in the event that I need to push the trailer in reverse in a jacknife situation. The jack is a square 3500 lb. drop leg. I cut the foot down to the same size as the mounting surface of the caster. I then fabricated the bracket & welded it to the caster so that it will slide snugly over the foot. Next I will drill a hole and insert a pin so that it wont come lose durring use. When the castor is stowed onboard, and the jack is in the up towing position, Only about 1-1/2" will hang below the tongue.

 

[Volcanic Iceberg]

Got the jack welded into the tongue.