You should have called. I either have an extra or you could have pulled mine until you got back.
Builds Gerry's Build thread: "If it happens again I'm buying an Abrams" (8 Viewers)
- Thread starter MongooseGA
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
- Thread starter
- #122
Well damn. Are you still sitting on a shell or did you stockpile parts before it got taken away?
- Thread starter
- #123
I've been planning and putting off drawers for basically ever. I debating buying a KISS system, but had some other ideas I thought would be cool. Ultimately I decided to build my own and I'm happy with how they're turning out. They're about 90% done, not including staining or eventual carpeting.
The goal for me was to make a sleeping platform with storage for things I carry every day (some fluids, tools, gloves, emergency stuff, jumper cables, etc) plus recovery gear for wheeling trips. I also built this with the intent of semi-permanently mounting my air compressor in the unit, with a quick connect fitting and remote power switch built into one side, just inside the tailgate. No more lugging the compressor around the truck and having to connect to the battery.
For the main box, I used 3/4" birch ply. It's heavy, solid, and makes a very strong main box. I also used pocket hole screws for everything except the very top panel. These are very strong and help a little aesthetically. The fold-out sleeping panels are also 3/4" and are affixed with full-width piano hinge. For the drawers themselves, I used 1/2" birch. This is mainly to save some weight, because this sucker is heavy. Inside the box I used UHMW strips from McMaster Carr and lined the bottom and just up the sides. My drawers were cut a little narrow for the space (I'm no expert carpenter) so they had a little side-to-side movement. To remedy this, I added a strip of adhesive foam on the interior face of the box, one on each side of each box. These keep the drawer boxes smoothly snug without adding much resistance.
Rattling and random noises are huge pet peeves of mine so I wanted to do all I could to alleviate them. I used felt tape between every single wood-to-wood joint so if there's any movement at all, it'll be silent. This also got added to the notch where the sleeping panel rests when folded out. I intentionally notched/angled/wizarded the panels here so that when I fold out the intermediate panel, it rests flat on a 3/4" lip to give the piano hinge a little extra support.
In the back of the unit (against the back of the 2nd row), the box is angled to match the seats. This means the boxes don't run all the way back, so I'll be adding some marine hatch type doors to that panel to take advantage of that little cubby space. It's not big, but enough to put some sensitive items or however much cash you'd expect to get from a bank robbery. In the front (against the tail gate), I wanted as clean a look as possible. In my design, I opted to let the front face cover up the top panel. Meaning, the drawers don't slide 'under' the top, they cap it. I used one single panel for this, fit it to the box itself first, then cut in half before attaching to the drawer boxes with pocket hole screws. This means no holes or hardware, just one single clean piece of wood. There are also magnets recessed into the vertical supports of the main box, with a corresponding piece of steel on the inside of each drawer face.
Inside the drawers, I've got some motion-activated LED lights that are battery powered. They're magnetic and come with an adhesive strip of metal, so I can stick the metal to the drawer and the lights can be removed to double as flashlights. I also used a 1/2" router bit to cut some channels in the drawer sides. I'll be able to smoothly slide some dividers in there and section off areas of the drawers. I'll also add some sort of foam floor to keep noise and sliding down.
Still to be done- I need to trim the end sleeping panel, sand it, and attach. I need to put the box in the truck to measure for the side wings. Those need to be cut, shaped sanded, and attached. I also need side panels for either side of the drawers, beneath the wings. Lastly, I need to measure for the tie-downs when it's in the truck next. My intent for this whole thing was to save money vs buying one of the kits. Unfortunately, I didn't really factor for some of the accessories I wanted so all in all, I have more in this build than I have in my actual camper with plumbing and HVAC
The goal for me was to make a sleeping platform with storage for things I carry every day (some fluids, tools, gloves, emergency stuff, jumper cables, etc) plus recovery gear for wheeling trips. I also built this with the intent of semi-permanently mounting my air compressor in the unit, with a quick connect fitting and remote power switch built into one side, just inside the tailgate. No more lugging the compressor around the truck and having to connect to the battery.
For the main box, I used 3/4" birch ply. It's heavy, solid, and makes a very strong main box. I also used pocket hole screws for everything except the very top panel. These are very strong and help a little aesthetically. The fold-out sleeping panels are also 3/4" and are affixed with full-width piano hinge. For the drawers themselves, I used 1/2" birch. This is mainly to save some weight, because this sucker is heavy. Inside the box I used UHMW strips from McMaster Carr and lined the bottom and just up the sides. My drawers were cut a little narrow for the space (I'm no expert carpenter) so they had a little side-to-side movement. To remedy this, I added a strip of adhesive foam on the interior face of the box, one on each side of each box. These keep the drawer boxes smoothly snug without adding much resistance.
Rattling and random noises are huge pet peeves of mine so I wanted to do all I could to alleviate them. I used felt tape between every single wood-to-wood joint so if there's any movement at all, it'll be silent. This also got added to the notch where the sleeping panel rests when folded out. I intentionally notched/angled/wizarded the panels here so that when I fold out the intermediate panel, it rests flat on a 3/4" lip to give the piano hinge a little extra support.
In the back of the unit (against the back of the 2nd row), the box is angled to match the seats. This means the boxes don't run all the way back, so I'll be adding some marine hatch type doors to that panel to take advantage of that little cubby space. It's not big, but enough to put some sensitive items or however much cash you'd expect to get from a bank robbery. In the front (against the tail gate), I wanted as clean a look as possible. In my design, I opted to let the front face cover up the top panel. Meaning, the drawers don't slide 'under' the top, they cap it. I used one single panel for this, fit it to the box itself first, then cut in half before attaching to the drawer boxes with pocket hole screws. This means no holes or hardware, just one single clean piece of wood. There are also magnets recessed into the vertical supports of the main box, with a corresponding piece of steel on the inside of each drawer face.
Inside the drawers, I've got some motion-activated LED lights that are battery powered. They're magnetic and come with an adhesive strip of metal, so I can stick the metal to the drawer and the lights can be removed to double as flashlights. I also used a 1/2" router bit to cut some channels in the drawer sides. I'll be able to smoothly slide some dividers in there and section off areas of the drawers. I'll also add some sort of foam floor to keep noise and sliding down.
Still to be done- I need to trim the end sleeping panel, sand it, and attach. I need to put the box in the truck to measure for the side wings. Those need to be cut, shaped sanded, and attached. I also need side panels for either side of the drawers, beneath the wings. Lastly, I need to measure for the tie-downs when it's in the truck next. My intent for this whole thing was to save money vs buying one of the kits. Unfortunately, I didn't really factor for some of the accessories I wanted so all in all, I have more in this build than I have in my actual camper with plumbing and HVAC
- Thread starter
- #124
.
- Thread starter
- #126
I love this truck more and more all the time.
The drawers/platform were 'prototype' level finished in time for a camping/wheeling trip over the weekend. The task was to pack all recovery gear for remote wheeling, plus spare tire, enough food, clothes, and warmth for me and the dog while sleeping in the truck in freezing rainy weather for a weekend. Mission accomplished!
Ultimately I still want to stain/carpet everything, and there are a few additions I've got in mind as well. Because reasons, I'm unable to mount my spare under the truck, and haven't dropped the coin for a back bumper yet. For now, it goes inside. For this, I recess-mounted (flush mounted?) a big tie down point directly in the center of where the wheel would sit on the box. From there, I make a 6" cookie to anchor the wheel and some turn buckles to keep it snug. It works for now, but it's really not ideal.
I also ditched the lights I did have in favor of some with an LED strip. Also motion activated, but these actually work. Happy with them, just need some staples to help the adhesive. Drawer boxes were lined with yoga mat material to keep things from sliding or rattling.
For the camping trip, I way over packed the truck but it carried everything. In hindsight I could have probably saved a few hundred pounds.
The truck did great on some pretty slick trails. We had rain on the way in, then rain the first night. Gerry also rolled 250k while frolicking in 4-Low with her CDL engaged.
Next up for Gerry... Crap, I don't know. Finish the drawers completely, redo/upgrade the HIDs, buy a bumper, refoam the rest of the speakers, replace front seat skins, skid plates, second battery system, electrical/power accessories, exterior lighting...
Probably a locker
The drawers/platform were 'prototype' level finished in time for a camping/wheeling trip over the weekend. The task was to pack all recovery gear for remote wheeling, plus spare tire, enough food, clothes, and warmth for me and the dog while sleeping in the truck in freezing rainy weather for a weekend. Mission accomplished!
Ultimately I still want to stain/carpet everything, and there are a few additions I've got in mind as well. Because reasons, I'm unable to mount my spare under the truck, and haven't dropped the coin for a back bumper yet. For now, it goes inside. For this, I recess-mounted (flush mounted?) a big tie down point directly in the center of where the wheel would sit on the box. From there, I make a 6" cookie to anchor the wheel and some turn buckles to keep it snug. It works for now, but it's really not ideal.
I also ditched the lights I did have in favor of some with an LED strip. Also motion activated, but these actually work. Happy with them, just need some staples to help the adhesive. Drawer boxes were lined with yoga mat material to keep things from sliding or rattling.
For the camping trip, I way over packed the truck but it carried everything. In hindsight I could have probably saved a few hundred pounds.
The truck did great on some pretty slick trails. We had rain on the way in, then rain the first night. Gerry also rolled 250k while frolicking in 4-Low with her CDL engaged.
Next up for Gerry... Crap, I don't know. Finish the drawers completely, redo/upgrade the HIDs, buy a bumper, refoam the rest of the speakers, replace front seat skins, skid plates, second battery system, electrical/power accessories, exterior lighting...
Probably a locker
- Thread starter
- #127
Snagged some crazy mileage on the drive up to the trails. We had a TJ in our group who needed to keep his speed down, so we held about 60-65mph the whole time. I was blown away here. I usually show 15-17mpg at the scan gauge just running 75-80mph.
Truck loaded to the gills. We (Norman and I) carried an air mattress and a handful of blankets, extra battery, full recovery gear, cooler plus dry foods, cooking equipment, extra clothes, an EZ-up, rifle in a hard case plus second ammo box, spare tire, water, tools, 2 chairs... Luckily the guys I camped with all had their own s***, so I didn't have to unpack most of mine.
We found a sweet camping spot right off the trail up against the river. It's been a wet month so the water was moving really well. Had a great chilli dinner by @sammybones and a killer camp fire by the Jeep brothers.
Truck loaded to the gills. We (Norman and I) carried an air mattress and a handful of blankets, extra battery, full recovery gear, cooler plus dry foods, cooking equipment, extra clothes, an EZ-up, rifle in a hard case plus second ammo box, spare tire, water, tools, 2 chairs... Luckily the guys I camped with all had their own s***, so I didn't have to unpack most of mine.
We found a sweet camping spot right off the trail up against the river. It's been a wet month so the water was moving really well. Had a great chilli dinner by @sammybones and a killer camp fire by the Jeep brothers.
- Thread starter
- #128
.
sammybones
Study in Moppishness
@MongooseGA didn't get very good gas mileage pulling my heavy ass off the trail when my serpentine belt broke
. The winching did help out the gas mileage a little. Hell, even @bencallaway had to join in, it took two trucks at one point. We had a land cruiser train going for a little while.
. The winching did help out the gas mileage a little. Hell, even @bencallaway had to join in, it took two trucks at one point. We had a land cruiser train going for a little while.
- Thread starter
- #130
I wasn't going to break your bad news for you but yeah, she was a beast and rolled the 250k pulling Adam and his truck up a mountain 
Still bummed we didn’t meet up with @Wermz and co. As always @MongooseGA pushed his clean ass truck harder than he should have and it did not disappoint.
Winched my 80 out of a pickle and towed @sammybones like 20 miles.
This was a trip for the books and I’m ok with the lack of photographic evidence. We were too busy pushing and rock stacking and winching and whateverthefuckelse.
Winched my 80 out of a pickle and towed @sammybones like 20 miles.
This was a trip for the books and I’m ok with the lack of photographic evidence. We were too busy pushing and rock stacking and winching and whateverthefuckelse.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #132
Ha! I only had to winch you back out because I wouldn't have had the balls to try that section first 
In related news, I found a locked rear axle within an hour's drive for $300... Everybody shut up and don't peer pressure me into buying it this week, maybe toward the end of the week, when I have some free time from work, to make a short road trip. Don't do it. Stop.
In related news, I found a locked rear axle within an hour's drive for $300... Everybody shut up and don't peer pressure me into buying it this week, maybe toward the end of the week, when I have some free time from work, to make a short road trip. Don't do it. Stop.
Ha! I only had to winch you back out because I wouldn't have had the balls to try that section first
In related news, I found a locked rear axle within an hour's drive for $300... Everybody shut up and don't peer pressure me into buying it this week, maybe toward the end of the week, when I have some free time from work, to make a short road trip. Don't do it. Stop.
Ditch work and go get it. You will love it once you get it all going. Obviously it will need to be regeared to 4.1 to match your front. Or you could just regear both front and rear to 4.88 nitro gears
Great drawers and great trip report - you are really using the LX the way it was intended! Just one question, where did the spare go when you camp in it at night?
- Thread starter
- #134
Ditch work and go get it. You will love it once you get it all going. Obviously it will need to be regeared to 4.1 to match your front. Or you could just regear both front and rear to 4.88 nitro gears
Great drawers and great trip report - you are really using the LX the way it was intended! Just one question, where did the spare go when you camp in it at night?
Took it out and leaned it against a tree nearby. Definitely not ideal.
- Thread starter
- #135
Nothing major going on, just using the truck and documenting work.
Took the trucks out a few weeks ago with another mudder who may prefer to remain nameless because reasons. Had a great time! Norman has become the ultimate trail dog, trying to teach him some sort of spotting commands
This week Gerry got oil/filter/lube, 5 tire rotation, had resistors wired in for the rear brake lights, did trans and power steering fluid exchanges, and replaced the cylinder #5 coil. Mileage is 255k.
Took the trucks out a few weeks ago with another mudder who may prefer to remain nameless because reasons. Had a great time! Norman has become the ultimate trail dog, trying to teach him some sort of spotting commands
This week Gerry got oil/filter/lube, 5 tire rotation, had resistors wired in for the rear brake lights, did trans and power steering fluid exchanges, and replaced the cylinder #5 coil. Mileage is 255k.
sammybones
Study in Moppishness
You should find better company to hang with. I think I know the fellow muddier you are referring to, he’s nothing but trouble for sure. Also, his sense of direction sucks.
- Thread starter
- #137
But he brings good firewood and whiskey, so...
Take the good with the bad
Take the good with the bad
- Thread starter
- #138
Just shy of 5k since my last update to this 'journal', as I'm considering it now.
Had the steering rack replaced. Our last trip to Flatland Rd really toasted the original. Went new OEM (Toyota part#, btw) and had it installed by a buddy at the Lexus store.
Did another paint correction. After a riveting weekend in the woods, she wasn't looking so hot. Yeah, there's a line for when to stop caring about the paint on a trail truck. But, until I buff through the paint or put some damage into it that can't be corrected, I like it to look 'presentable'.
Replaced the other 7 ignition coils since I didn't like having 1 new, 7 @ 250k. Decided it was PM and splurged. Pro tip: if you CALL Advance Auto corporate customer service, they will match Rock Auto's online price. If they're in stock locally, you can get them same day. If not, they'll ship for $7 flat. I held this secret until I ordered the rest of mine
Also replaced the radiator with a CSF. My buddy noticed a leak while replacing my rack so I went ahead and got that done. My temps have been just barely high for a while, and I've replaced like everything else in the system at this point. Shame, the leaking one was less than 2 years old. Chinese made. Go figure.
Lastly, I reinstalled my sliders today to get ready for a trip this weekend. I've been having all kinds of God-awful creaking from my WKORs for a while, and I might be the only idiot who has that problem. So I devised a plan to cut that s*** out.
Under-the-tub liner on the feet of both sliders, and wrapped from the top,inside, to the bottom edge of the frame rails. Now the sliders have insulation, as do the U-bolts. My short test drive yielded good results. $5 for one 1'x4' section with plenty leftover.
I've got some movement/groaning in something in the suspension. Hard to consistently duplicate, but annoying considering EVERY FRIGGIN PIECE OF SUSPENSION IS NEW. I suspect it could be my SPC UCAs. Greasing them didn't seem to improve, so maybe I'm chasing the wrong thing.
Mileage is 258.5k. I'll be doing oil in another 2-3 weeks I presume..
Had the steering rack replaced. Our last trip to Flatland Rd really toasted the original. Went new OEM (Toyota part#, btw) and had it installed by a buddy at the Lexus store.
Did another paint correction. After a riveting weekend in the woods, she wasn't looking so hot. Yeah, there's a line for when to stop caring about the paint on a trail truck. But, until I buff through the paint or put some damage into it that can't be corrected, I like it to look 'presentable'.
Replaced the other 7 ignition coils since I didn't like having 1 new, 7 @ 250k. Decided it was PM and splurged. Pro tip: if you CALL Advance Auto corporate customer service, they will match Rock Auto's online price. If they're in stock locally, you can get them same day. If not, they'll ship for $7 flat. I held this secret until I ordered the rest of mine
Also replaced the radiator with a CSF. My buddy noticed a leak while replacing my rack so I went ahead and got that done. My temps have been just barely high for a while, and I've replaced like everything else in the system at this point. Shame, the leaking one was less than 2 years old. Chinese made. Go figure.
Lastly, I reinstalled my sliders today to get ready for a trip this weekend. I've been having all kinds of God-awful creaking from my WKORs for a while, and I might be the only idiot who has that problem. So I devised a plan to cut that s*** out.
Under-the-tub liner on the feet of both sliders, and wrapped from the top,inside, to the bottom edge of the frame rails. Now the sliders have insulation, as do the U-bolts. My short test drive yielded good results. $5 for one 1'x4' section with plenty leftover.
I've got some movement/groaning in something in the suspension. Hard to consistently duplicate, but annoying considering EVERY FRIGGIN PIECE OF SUSPENSION IS NEW. I suspect it could be my SPC UCAs. Greasing them didn't seem to improve, so maybe I'm chasing the wrong thing.
Mileage is 258.5k. I'll be doing oil in another 2-3 weeks I presume..
I need a friend like yours one day. Perhaps I’ll come wheeling and we can all be friends. Replacing a front steering rack looks awful.Just shy of 5k since my last update to this 'journal', as I'm considering it now.
Had the steering rack replaced. Our last trip to Flatland Rd really toasted the original. Went new OEM (Toyota part#, btw) and had it installed by a buddy at the Lexus store.
View attachment 2322388
Did another paint correction. After a riveting weekend in the woods, she wasn't looking so hot. Yeah, there's a line for when to stop caring about the paint on a trail truck. But, until I buff through the paint or put some damage into it that can't be corrected, I like it to look 'presentable'.
View attachment 2322389
View attachment 2322390
Replaced the other 7 ignition coils since I didn't like having 1 new, 7 @ 250k. Decided it was PM and splurged. Pro tip: if you CALL Advance Auto corporate customer service, they will match Rock Auto's online price. If they're in stock locally, you can get them same day. If not, they'll ship for $7 flat. I held this secret until I ordered the rest of mine
Also replaced the radiator with a CSF. My buddy noticed a leak while replacing my rack so I went ahead and got that done. My temps have been just barely high for a while, and I've replaced like everything else in the system at this point. Shame, the leaking one was less than 2 years old. Chinese made. Go figure.
Lastly, I reinstalled my sliders today to get ready for a trip this weekend. I've been having all kinds of God-awful creaking from my WKORs for a while, and I might be the only idiot who has that problem. So I devised a plan to cut that s*** out.
View attachment 2322394
Under-the-tub liner on the feet of both sliders, and wrapped from the top,inside, to the bottom edge of the frame rails. Now the sliders have insulation, as do the U-bolts. My short test drive yielded good results. $5 for one 1'x4' section with plenty leftover.
I've got some movement/groaning in something in the suspension. Hard to consistently duplicate, but annoying considering EVERY FRIGGIN PIECE OF SUSPENSION IS NEW. I suspect it could be my SPC UCAs. Greasing them didn't seem to improve, so maybe I'm chasing the wrong thing.
Mileage is 258.5k. I'll be doing oil in another 2-3 weeks I presume..
- Thread starter
- #140
I'll shoot you a text.
