False floor fridge install

[mthomp6]

I have had an Engel fridge in my vehicle since 2005 and wanted a solid way to mount the fridge in my 2014 LX so I built a false floor that is mounted to the existing cargo tie downs in the rear. I mounted the floor on top of the carpet, and it is bolted directly into the cargo tie downs threads.

Here is what I used:

- Engel Slide Lock
- 8 guage wire for constant on
- 12v plug
- 3/4" Birch Plywood
- Black Marine Carpet
- 3M Super 77 spray adhesive
- M6 1.0 thread pitch x 2 1/4" bolts for mounting (reused cargo tie loops)


First I used the cargo floor mat to layout the shape and cut out the plywood -

Once the shape was correct and would allow for the right side seat to be used, I carpeted the false floor, added the Engel Slide Lock and mounted the floor -

Here is the fridge installed with the seat up -

Here is the fridge with the seat in action -

I added a dedicated (always on) 12v plug wired directly from the battery with 8 gauge wire -

Hope this helps others wanting to do the same.

Cheers,


Mike

 

[Markuson]

Nice work.

I did something similar with plywood after removing my second row seats. It’s just a simple cutout...then I used a router to create grooves that carefully space my National Luna fridge and Alu-boxes to create a sleep surface in combination with my drawers.

Not as pretty as yours, but works a charm.

 

[OregonLC]

Nice craftsmanship! Reminds me that I need to use my router more.

I did something similar for my fridge enclosure, but I have the third row completely removed and use the seat anchor bolts.

 

[TXLX100]

Nice work. Has anyone bolted a fridge slide to the 3rd row seat mounts (on the floor) in a 200 series? I've had some luck with doing that in older SUVs with 3rd row seat.

 

[OregonLC]

I have the ARB slide bolted to the floor of my fridge enclosure which is bolted to the repurposed seat anchor bolts. An enclosure for the fridge is one of the best mods I’ve done.

 

[ForrestGrump]

@mthomp6 Great work on this Mike!! I'm looking to do something similar. How did you mount the false floor to the actual floor?

 

[TexAZ]

He used the bolt holes for the cargo tie downs. They are under cuts in the carpet.

I used the 3rd row seat catch bolt holes.
They are a pain in the but to find metric M10x 1.25

 

[ForrestGrump]

Interesting, I'm going to explore a bit more. I really want to make the false floor easy to remove/insert. Not sure how yet but noodling on it.

 

[OregonLC]

They are a pain in the butt to find metric M10x 1.25

I was lucky, local Home Depot had them. I believe they were 70mm length. Also Fastenal if you have one close.

 

[TexAZ]

There is a specialty bolt shop in the town I live in. Got Allen head bolts for fridge slide base. Almost 3$ each.

10x 1.5 are much more common and many cool options.

 

[mthomp6]

Interesting, I'm going to explore a bit more. I really want to make the false floor easy to remove/insert. Not sure how yet but noodling on it.

FYI - Using longer cargo tie down bolts makes it a 5 min job to install/remove.

 

[Sac Cerevisiae]

I was searching online for this very idea. Of course, I should have checked Mud first.

@mthomp6 did you have a cad file or just eyeball the cuts?

 

[TexAZ]

@Sac Cerevisiae if you are on instagram, check out overlanddad. he did a similar base using polimer laminated plywood. it came out great. i talked to him about it at expo. said he used the carpet as a template and did a pattern using mdf.
using "T" nuts through bolted allows him to move drawers in and out easily.

 

[mthomp6]

I was searching online for this very idea. Of course, I should have checked Mud first.

@mthomp6 did you have a cad file or just eyeball the cuts?

I used the carpet mat in the back for the template.

 

[Sac Cerevisiae]

I used the carpet mat in the back for the template.

Any reason you didn't cut out just the holes for the seat connection and had the opening go out the side?

 

[mthomp6]

Any reason you didn't cut out just the holes for the seat connection and had the opening go out the side?
View attachment 1988798

The Seat won't latch down without cutting that out... the idea was to have one seat useable with the fridge.