Builds indycole's 2016 200 Series Build and Retrospective

[TexAZ]

I took inspiration from this thread: If you could design your own "full" cargo build...

I just don't have the craftsmanship to make it pretty...

 

[indycole]

I took inspiration from this thread: If you could design your own "full" cargo build...

I just don't have the craftsmanship to make it pretty...

The plans and build in that thread look awesome... looking forward to an update from the OP. The ARB drawers as a base are certainly a convenient solution, but I would probably try building something if I had it to do over. I'd never worked with baltic birch before some relatively recent small projects and it's simply a blast to work with.

I also finished the locking cabinet door on the shallow cabinet below the fridge... I have a bit of finishing to do on the upper edge as you can see from the shadow on the top. I'll clean that up when I take it apart to apply Monstaliner. Now I have a safe place to store my golf clubs.

I also picked up another Alubox to store pantry goods, camera gear, and other miscellaneous items while traveling. Clearly, it has nowhere to go in the cargo area. We typically either tilt-up the middle row or remove it completely while traveling so we'll secure this box there along with our hiking gear and clothing.

 

[indycole]

I made some minor changes to my auxiliary power in the cargo area. I previously had a small plywood box that contained my radios, power outlets for the rear (Anderson Powerpole Connector for the fridge, dual USBs, 12v cigarette plug), a fuse block, battery monitor, and radio speaker. All of these items are powered from the second battery via 4 awg power wires going into the engine bay.

• Removed CB radio equipment because I never used it. This freed up just enough room to allow me to mount everything below the ARB side panel kit.
• Moved the Yaesu speaker to the third row cupholder using a ram mount. We'll see how this works out. I'm a bit worried about this mount tapping the window when offroad.
• With the power outlets now placed flush with the top of the drawer panel along with the recent addition of a small shelf below the refrigerator, it has become impractical to reach those outlets from the rear of the vehicle (though they are quite convenient for the second row). So, I decided to upgrade the rear electrical system by adding some outlets to the rear of the drawer system.

I branched off of the original power feed and added a 60A circuit breaker so that the wiring is protected from both the engine side (which already had a circuit breaker) and the cargo area, which was previously just counting on fuses for each individual circuit.

I usually run Blue Sea electrical gear but this time I picked up some panel products from Powerwerx as I really wanted a plug with built-in Anderson Powerpole connectors. I picked up the following panel connectors: Dual 2.1A USB, 12v Receptacle, Dual Anderson Powerpole 10/30/45A, and a battery meter. I also considered an inverter but held off.

Why the need for Powerpole connectors? A couple reasons. First, the pump for the shower system and the pump for a wash station faucet both use those connectors. Second, I'm considering a part-time solar setup and figured Powerpole connectors would be a good fit.

 

[ryanCA]

How is rear visibility when fully loaded like that?

 

[indycole]

How is rear visibility when fully loaded like that?

Bad. Actually, I can see a sliver of road between the boxes and the fridge but I don't like to rely on it. The view is about to get worse as I'm going to put up privacy window covers in the rear area for security. Fortunately, I just need two mirrors by law.

 

[ryanCA]

Bad. Actually, I can see a sliver of road between the boxes and the fridge but I don't like to rely on it. The view is about to get worse as I'm going to put up privacy window covers in the rear area for security. Fortunately, I just need two mirrors by law.

Yeah when I have things loaded in my station wagon or in my truck with the camper, it looks like yours. I am not worried about the law, as police in CA have other stuff to deal with, but more with real world driving. Either I am carrying too much stuff (blocking view), or I need a bigger vehicle to carry in

Which privacy window cover are you going with?

As always, keep up the great work. Your abilities and vehicle is a true inspiration, and for many of us (speaking for me only), shows our lack of skill and imagination.

 

[indycole]

Yeah when I have things loaded in my station wagon or in my truck with the camper, it looks like yours. I am not worried about the law, as police in CA have other stuff to deal with, but more with real world driving. Either I am carrying too much stuff (blocking view), or I need a bigger vehicle to carry in

Which privacy window cover are you going with?

As always, keep up the great work. Your abilities and vehicle is a true inspiration, and for many of us (speaking for me only), shows our lack of skill and imagination.

Wow, thanks

I don't have the window covers yet but they are from this company in Australia: Solarscreen - Quality custom made window insulation for Motorhomes, 4x4s, Boats and Cars

The pricing is pretty reasonable -- $200-$300 for custom fit screens that cover everything from the second row back. We've had some security issues in our community so I'm wanting to keep things less visible both at home and on the road. The idea is that we'll leave the cargo screens on full-time (should help fridge efficiency as well) and use the second row covers when parked for a long time at home or on the road.

In other news, my good wife just finished sewing a VCP + 1000 Denier Cordura lined roof-top carrying bag for our Snow Peak fireplace. More info on that coming soon.

 

[TonyP]

Wow, thanks

I don't have the window covers yet but they are from this company in Australia: Solarscreen - Quality custom made window insulation for Motorhomes, 4x4s, Boats and Cars

The pricing is pretty reasonable -- $200-$300 for custom fit screens that cover everything from the second row back. We've had some security issues in our community so I'm wanting to keep things less visible both at home and on the road. The idea is that we'll leave the cargo screens on full-time (should help fridge efficiency as well) and use the second row covers when parked for a long time at home or on the road.

In other news, my good wife just finished sewing a VCP + 1000 Denier Cordura lined roof-top carrying bag for our Snow Peak fireplace. More info on that coming soon.

Nice. I've been meaning to buy those as well. I sleep in the back while camping, so waking up in the cargo area at 7am, hungover, blinded by the sun, kinda sucks. Looking forward to seeing how they turn out.

 

[RobRed]

I run a full time rear camera in the 100 for seeing behind.

 

[indycole]

I run a full time rear camera in the 100 for seeing behind.

Good idea. Added to the list. If I recall you don't even have a rear view mirror in the 100? Not that it would be very useful with the Trekboxx. Any recommendations on a camera?

 

[RobRed]

Good idea. Added to the list. If I recall you don't even have a rear view mirror in the 100? Not that it would be very useful with the Trekboxx. Any recommendations on a camera?

Honestly I'm still tring to find a high res camera system... right now I have the $20 aptly named Pyle with a matching $20 monitor. You can see shapes for backing up etc bit as a rear view mirror the 480p is kinda low grade.

True I don't have a rearview mirror anymore.

ON another topic I need to take a look at your truck... some months back I was going to get a set of Beast wheels and got side tracked.... i'd like to see them on the 200 before i buy... looks like you're my wheel fashion model.

 

[TonyP]

Wow, thanks

I don't have the window covers yet but they are from this company in Australia: Solarscreen - Quality custom made window insulation for Motorhomes, 4x4s, Boats and Cars

The pricing is pretty reasonable -- $200-$300 for custom fit screens that cover everything from the second row back. We've had some security issues in our community so I'm wanting to keep things less visible both at home and on the road. The idea is that we'll leave the cargo screens on full-time (should help fridge efficiency as well) and use the second row covers when parked for a long time at home or on the road.

In other news, my good wife just finished sewing a VCP + 1000 Denier Cordura lined roof-top carrying bag for our Snow Peak fireplace. More info on that coming soon.

Just got a reply from them. Are you buying the Touring set? I'm thinking of going for the "Full Set"

 

[indycole]

ON another topic I need to take a look at your truck... some months back I was going to get a set of Beast wheels and got side tracked.... i'd like to see them on the 200 before i buy... looks like you're my wheel fashion model.

Oh, cool. I like the wheels. You're welcome to check them out whenever. I'm in downtown San Jose near the Whole Foods or I can come to you. Just shoot me a text (PM me if you don't have my number).

Just got a reply from them. Are you buying the Touring set? I'm thinking of going for the "Full Set"

I bought the touring set. I already have a front windshield cover that I like. If I like the rear stuff maybe I'll sell the Weathertech cover and get the remaining covers.

Mine arrive in two days. I'll try to put some photos up in short order.

 

[TonyP]

Nice! He was asking how I found out about them. I guess Alan (the main Solarscreen guy) has been getting a bunch of Canada and USA orders lately. I told him I saw a similar set on a Ronny Dahl video and that "Cole from San Jose" told me about you guys. His reply was:

"
Ah yes, Cole Dudley, he should get his in a day or two they are in LA atm.
"
So you should be seeing yours soon

I ended up with the Full kit. Just sent payment a few hours ago. Thanks for the link btw!

 

[indycole]

So you should be seeing yours soon

With any luck they'll be here tomorrow so I can take them to Big Sur this weekend. For those who don't know, Big Sur has been pummeled with landslides this year and there's a 37 mile section cut off from the rest of the world by landslides. We've camped up there a couple times since then but haven't fully explored the forest roads to see how far south we can go. I'm curious to see if we can make it all the way to Plaskett Ridge Road or Willow Creek / Los Burros. I think I'll take the chainsaw.

I alluded to a Snow Peak Pack and Carry fireplace bag a few posts above. We love to use the Snow Peak fireplace setup when camping but it rattles like crazy inside the truck. It also takes up a lot of room even though it's lightweight. We bought the canvas carrying case but have had mold issues.

I bought some 16 oz Vinyl-Coated Polyester, 1000 Denier Cordura, seatbelt webbing, and a fancy water-resistant zipper. The goal was to make a weather-resistant storage bag that would house the fireplace, its accessories, and maybe some other paraphernalia on the roof. I don't want it to stand out as we leave our rooftop stuff on full time. I've requested something like this from Blue Ridge Overland Gear but they haven't gotten around to making it.

Fortunately, my wife has a sewing machine and also loves the Snow Peak setup. She made this bag over the weekend. It's perfect (though she would say it still needs work/refinement). I'm optimistic that the combination of VPC exterior, heavy Denier Cordura lining, vinyl cement at all seams, and a protected zipper will keep water out of the bag.

 

[ethernectar]

Too many likes to post...

 

[indycole]

@TonyP -- I think you'll like the Solarscreen kit. I picked mine up on Friday before heading out of town and they pretty much blacked-out the interior of the cargo area. Here's a super-short video showing the contrast of daylight outside versus the second row and cargo area. There's also a photo of what they look like from the outside along with the fit of the rear cargo area glass.

As for the Los Padres National Forest exploration, we ended up changing our plans as friends of ours in a Volkswagen GTI accepted our invitation to go camping at the last minute so we found a location that didn't require much offroad driving. Next time! We still had a good time camping!

 

[TonyP]

@TonyP -- I think you'll like the Solarscreen kit. I picked mine up on Friday before heading out of town and they pretty much blacked-out the interior of the cargo area. Here's a super-short video showing the contrast of daylight outside versus the second row and cargo area. There's also a photo of what they look like from the outside along with the fit of the rear cargo area glass.



View attachment 1539082

View attachment 1539081


As for the Los Padres National Forest exploration, we ended up changing our plans as friends of ours in a Volkswagen GTI accepted our invitation to go camping at the last minute so we found a location that didn't require much offroad driving. Next time! We still had a good time camping!

Perfect! I'll be sleeping until noon with these things. Plus, much less heat blasting on my fridge and interior.

 

[FALKOR8]

As I alluded to in another thread, I've been exploring ways to squeak out a bit more storage space in the rear cargo area. I built a small birch plywood box to reclaim some storage space below the refrigerator. However, even with a sliding drawer, actually using the refrigerator that high would be impossible... unless there was a way to tilt the fridge down.

In conjunction with the box, I installed an Alu-Cab Tilting Fridge slide. So far so good... I really like the setup though we'll see how it holds up offroad.

I had originally intended on a locking cabinet door on the front of the box but I may try some lightweight netting.

View attachment 1530959 View attachment 1530960 View attachment 1530961

Just got my alu-cab slide, but had a question about yours? does your vertical "catches" tilt outward? i havent installed mine yet, but had one instance where when tilted the wheels on the slide can slip right between the vertical "catches". Wanted to know if you had experienced this on yours. I currently have mine under compression with a ratchet strap hoping to force them more vertical/ parallel, before i install.

 

[indycole]

Just got my alu-cab slide, but had a question about yours? does your vertical "catches" tilt outward? i havent installed mine yet, but had one instance where when tilted the wheels on the slide can slip right between the vertical "catches". Wanted to know if you had experienced this on yours. I currently have mine under compression with a ratchet strap hoping to force them more vertical/ parallel, before i install.

Mine have a nylon stopper screw that prevent the slide from coming out completely. I think I can still roll past the tilt catch a bit, though. Is that what you're asking?