Expedition trailer made from FJ40 tub (1 Viewer)

[Volcanic Iceberg]

beautiful job. Nicely done.

(On as side note, is that a 2008 date on the tank? If so, would that mean you lost 4 years already out of 10 or 12 (IIRC) tank official life before recertification? Maybe ask for a newer one?)

Thanks! The tank was purchased used, so I knew that going in.

 

[Volcanic Iceberg]

This is what I imagine the kitchen looking like. 1st time completing anything on sketchup so cut me some slack on the detail.

 

[misterpepper]

No slack needed. That looks great -- very functional. Are those two thin vertical protrusions on the bottom supposed to represent the drawer slides?

 

[Volcanic Iceberg]

No slack needed. That looks great -- very functional. Are those two thin vertical protrusions on the bottom supposed to represent the drawer slides?

Thanks. They represent what the slides attach to, so that the actual slide will be flush with the cabinet face. The void between the slider mounts could house a folding stabilisation leg, or a sliding platform that comes out the end for additional food/cooking ware storage. Right now my thoughts are to make the kitchen with a frame made from steel tubing with wood inserts for the flat areas. Something a little different than most of the kitchens I have seen, but structurally very sound.

 

[Volcanic Iceberg]

This is the sink , folding faucet, and Stove that I would like to use.

 

[Volcanic Iceberg]

A little more detail. I imagine a bumper level, reciever mounted, platform opposite the kitchen for the fridge to sit on.

 

[Volcanic Iceberg]

Started working on the access doors for the kitchen and one on the opposite side for the shower. I am re-purposing 2 tool box lids. In the pictures you can see 1/2" x 1" steel tube that I am making a weather strip channel out of. I will create a rectancle with 2 radius corners to match the lids - 1/4" wider all the way around. Then I'll split it in half making 2 opposite "C" shaped 1/2" deep channels, one for each side of the trailer. The lip of the door will sit down inside the center of the channel with some nice foam weather strip in the bottom. The door should sit flush with the body and have a nice dust proof seal. Kitchen size will be limited by the size of the door to 16" tall X 20" wide but I couldnt resist using those cool doors and in reality the availble space was only a couple inches larger anyway.

 

[The Jade Bean]

^^^ What kind of seals are you planning on using exactly? Thx!

-Daniel

 

[Volcanic Iceberg]

^^^ What kind of seals are you planning on using exactly? Thx!

-Daniel

I have'nt chosen seals yet, but it will most likely be a low profile self adhesive high density foam type that you can buy at Home depot or Lowes.

 

[Volcanic Iceberg]

I made a little more progress and split the two halves apart before the angle grinder jumped up and bit me. Needs a litte more work on the hinge side - somehow my measurement was a tad off, but you can see how it will work.

 

[Volcanic Iceberg]

Once I got the frame together I could trace the opening onto the trailer. Next step is to cut a big gaping hole in the side of the trailer and weld in the weather strip channel.

 

[Volcanic Iceberg]

Got the hole cut and the door fitted.

 

[77TLCFJ40]

Very nice work.

Awesome re-purpose.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Very nice work.

Awesome re-purpose.

x2 :cool

 

[Volcanic Iceberg]

I got the drivers side door cut in. This side went a little easier. This side will provide access to the propane hot water heater/shower. Its actually starting to look like an expedition trailer!

 

[The Jade Bean]

Awesome!!!

-Daniel

 

[Volcanic Iceberg]

Today I tried to catch up on a few loose ends. I stripped off the Previous owners body filler that was quite thick. Took it back to metal so that I have a clean pallet to work from going forward. Also ground down the seams where I welded sheet metal panels together in preparation for body work.

 

[Volcanic Iceberg]

Its about time I got to do a little field testing. Over the week end I dragged the trailer out to deer camp. I really wanted to test out the functionality of the sleeping area. So I bought some cheap 4' canvas drop cloth and pinned it to the sides as kind of a makeshift tent material and ended up spending 2 nights in it. I came back very encouraged. My measurements on the leg hieght turned out to be spot on. I could sit up and dress no problem. It was quite comfortable to sleep in, not too claustrophobic. It really got me excited to continue to make forward progress.

Entry is through the tail gate, thus the improvised milk crate step. I discovered the tail gate was a great place (kind of like an entry porch) to put on shoes as I sat on the bed. I may consider finding a way to enclose or cover that when I have the tent sewn. I also had thoughts of adding stabilizers to the back. Rocking was'nt bad at all with just one, but with more than one sleeping I think it would be a good idea.

 

[Volcanic Iceberg]

Once home from deer camp, I was able to hang the passenger side door. I rivited a piano hinge with steel rivets down one side. closure is a simple keyed cabinet lock. Door swings 180* to be clear of the kitchen that will slide out. Im hoping to put on the opposite side tomorrow.

 

[Volcanic Iceberg]

Got the drivers side door mounted this morning.