ARCHIVE FJ40 Rear Underseat storage console - prototype

[mmw68]

I've always wanted one of those con-ferr style rear storage boxes, that go under the rear seat in my FJ40.

So I made a prototype to compliment my icrap console. Would love some feedback.

The final box will be a tad shorter, and have a support leg on the front, to fill that 2" drop down behind the rear seats. There will be a removable divider between the small and large compartment.

If enough people would like one, I'll do a run of these. I plan on powder coating it black.

 

[tlc762]

Nice work! I love the old drivers side Conferr box in my 74 and have always wanted some more for the rest of the herd... Any idea on a price point?

Several design questions... By "a tad shorter" do you mean in length or height? When I mounted mine years ago I had stock seats- now that I have tiltable seats I need to move mine a little to the rear to allow the lid to swing open without hitting the seat back. Looks like you lid design will fix that issue. How much clearance is there between the jumpseat bottom and the raised lock knob on the forward compartment? Would this work with the early long style jumpseats as well as the later models with support legs? Have you considered recessed paddle type latches with key locks for the lids? This might solve any interference with the jumpseat bottoms...I am just trying to help you get the most year model fits with one box design.

 

[mmw68]

The final legth of the box is going to be 36 inches. 36" x 8.5 wide x 7" tall. Iam not sure how any of the con-ferr boxes worked on jumpseats that had legs. Maybe they stopped making them before that style came out? 1978+ FJ40???

I would like to know the width and highth of you box. I've seen several versions of the confer, what what I gather they were 42"x7"hx10" wide. 10" seemed to wide to me.

I though of using a different lock - but there is not issues, at least on the fold down seat I based it off. The box is the level with the wheel well, and the lock is about 3/4 of a inch high.

 

[1Fine40]

Nice! What is the gauge of the material you plan to use?

 

[mmw68]

This box is 16 gauge. It's the largest gauge we could use on the spot welder. The original con-ferr style were 18 gauge. We debated on using 14, but it made the box very heavy, and that would add to shipping, and we would have to change how we built them.

Everyone I've shown the box to feel the 16 gauge was a good choice.

Nice! What is the gauge of the material you plan to use?

 

[mmw68]

Nice work! I love the old drivers side Con-ferr box in my 74 and have always wanted some more for the rest of the herd... Any idea on a price point?

Would this work with the early long style jumpseats as well as the later models with support legs? Have you considered recessed paddle type latches with key locks for the lids? This might solve any interference with the jumpseat bottoms...I am just trying to help you get the most year model fits with one box design.

No price yet, Iam working on that, and trying to get numbers from my powder coater. And decide on final size. I would make the box a inch shorter on the width, then we could use the box with legs jump seats. Now I was actually planning on adding a inch in width, to 9" inches.

Hard to see in the picture - but the leg hits the box and does not touch the floor.

 

[mmw68]

Here is a shot with my torn apart jump seat.. This is a model cardboard 10" wide box. I feel another inch of width could be added.

 

[tlc762]

I would like to know the width and highth of you box. I've seen several versions of the confer, what what I gather they were 42"x7"hx10" wide. 10" seemed to wide to me.

@mmw68,
From Con-Ferr catalog #42 page #61 in my stash of old tech (circa 1987 when I was infected with the madness) the "full length rear seat area tool boxes-deluxe model" measures 42" long at the bottom x 7" high x 10" wide. This is for the sloped front box which was made in right and left side versions. I will measure the length of the lid (top) and get pictures for you tomorrow... The third thunderstorm of the day just arrived in the Alamo City. For laughs the price back then was $104.00 each or $188.95 for both sides. The other box they showed is the "rear seat area tool box-standard model" which measured 39" long x 7" high x 8 1/4" wide and was priced at $79.25 each or $144.50 for a pair.
HTH,
Will

 

[77HesterSue]

Great idea! My jump seats sag in my 77, so having a box underneath would actually help I think. Interested in final amount. Thanks for taking this on!

 

[ErikinSC]

Any desire to make them end load able?

Consider the driver's seat relocation kit, and consider a shorter box for those of us >72"tall or with a longer then normal inseam for the drivers side.

Don't forget about huge thickness of the rear rubber mat that some of us have.

 

[mmw68]

@mmw68,
From Con-Ferr catalog #42 page #61 in my stash of old tech (circa 1987 when I was infected with the madness) the "full length rear seat area tool boxes-deluxe model" measures 42" long at the bottom x 7" high x 10" wide. This is for the sloped front box which was made in right and left side versions. I will measure the length of the lid (top) and get pictures for you tomorrow... The third thunderstorm of the day just arrived in the Alamo City. For laughs the price back then was $104.00 each or $188.95 for both sides. The other box they showed is the "rear seat area tool box-standard model" which measured 39" long x 7" high x 8 1/4" wide and was priced at $79.25 each or $144.50 for a pair.
HTH,
Will

I wish I could get materials and labor cost from 1987!!!! We had made a mockup out of cardboard with the con-ferr slope and dip in it. I wanted it to be more generic, so I went with a rectangle box.

 

[Texican]

I've got a pair in my trail 40......Con Fers that is

 

[tlc762]

My Con-Ferr box lid measured 39 1/4" long on the outside... here are some pics of it.
HTH,
Will

 

[White Stripe]

This would work with the jump seats but I'm considering going to a folding bench seat. That being the case, how about making a kit where the owner could cut the rear floor and add hinges to gain access to a underfloor compartment that is similarly sized as a aftermarket rear fuel tank? This would also allow for more interior space. You could supply the compartment, a cardboard tracing board to cut the floor, hinges, etc.

 

[fj401978]

This is great, thank you for venturing into this area. Does the short lid open with the seat down? I would prefer the flush paddle style latches, but I'm sure you have to factor many things into your build. I would still be interested even with the raised latches.

Skip

 

[mmw68]

The devider is in, and I mounted the box in my cruiser to "test drive it" before dropping it off at the powder coated.

 

[mmw68]

Finally, the prototype is all done and powder coated. Iam adding up all my cost now... so I can post a price.

 

[mmw68]

This is great, thank you for venturing into this area. Does the short lid open with the seat down? I would prefer the flush paddle style latches, but I'm sure you have to factor many things into your build. I would still be interested even with the raised latches.

Skip

Skip - yes the short lid does open with the seat down.

 

[77HesterSue]

Looks great! When are they for sale and how much?

 

[mmw68]

It will take me about 6 weeks to make a batch of these. I also need to figure out shipping. Custom cardboard box and padding, like we did for our consoles. It a large item and has some weight to it. Any shipping gurus out there with advice?

Iam also trying to get a better price if I do a large batch.

Right now the price is going to be close to $285 plus shipping.