Cannon88
In the duck blind...
Probably my fav mod ever. I would still like to do this, my spare carrier has been gone for some time.
More cargo room
- Thread starter haffi
- Start date
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I think you could make one of these and still maintain use of 3rd row seating. isn't it feesible to do so if you have the top of storage boc area secured from one end to the other and then re-insert the seat pieces and remove when needed?
Long Term Review
It's been at least a yer now.. And I have to say that this has been the most usefull mod I have done so far!
Although I originally planned on using it as an ice cooler/
It has never been used for that purpose.
I keep shovel, Axe, oil, tools and trail spares in there! It's amazing all that will fit under there and out of sight. Anyhow.. Very, very happy with this mod!!!! Haffi again Props to you on this idea and for leading the way!
It's been at least a yer now.. And I have to say that this has been the most usefull mod I have done so far!
Although I originally planned on using it as an ice cooler/
It has never been used for that purpose. I keep shovel, Axe, oil, tools and trail spares in there! It's amazing all that will fit under there and out of sight. Anyhow.. Very, very happy with this mod!!!! Haffi again Props to you on this idea and for leading the way!
I need to do the same but also keep the 3rd row seats 
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I need to do the same but also keep the 3rd row seats
If your keeping the third row, I say get an auxillary fuel tank instead of the compartment for tanks, and then get the tailgate storage lid. The cost is obviously higher, but you dont run the issues of the seat mounts being removed.
The cargo area would hold quite a bit more wouldn't it?
I need to do the same but also keep the 3rd row seats
Yes, I think I must do this as well. I rarely use them, but would hate to give them up completely. That third row was one of the reasons I bought the 80 to begin with, 3 kids to haul around, and don't forget their friends.
I think that it won't be all that difficult to do, more work, but very doable. Make the storage compartment as the others have done, but build the 3rd row latch into the lid, and secure the lid very well. Shouldn't be a problem at all. I like the idea of keeping it sealed as well, for liquid storage. Maybe add a removable divider in the middle for dual purpose, cooler on one side and dry storage on the other.
I better get to work, too many other projects on the list first though, it never ends!
I have thought there must be a way to incorporate the 3rd row bars into the equation b/c it would be a shame to loe the seats as an option for flexibility. Keep us posted on what your plan is.
Dimensions
Callum did you ever put the blueprints to your build up?
I cant find them anywheres.
Callum did you ever put the blueprints to your build up?
I cant find them anywheres.
i could use this to hide my 3rd row seats, or i could move the box down below and have the seats in all the time and be good to go all the time. its early in the morning and my brain isnt firing on all brain cells yet but could this be made to be uses with having the 3rd row in?
No kit.
Well.. There is no kit for this, you do have to fabricate everything. I took Haffi's specifications which are very exacting, and had a shop make the box for me. It should not be very expensive to make, if a kit could be made available, it would be expensive as heck to ship such a bulky "tub" and as I said probably a lot cheaper to have a local metal shop build one for you on Haffi's specifications.
As for the 3rd row seats... it's been discussed in this same tread, you will have to cut out the inside anchor points and seat-belt anchor points to fit the tub... so yes you can keep the 3rd row, but no seat belts, and they will only be anchored to the truck on the outside swing up mounts over the wheel arches..
I have used the 3rd row this way in a pinch, but only while off-roading and being fully aware of the danger of having 2-3 people unbuckled in the trunk, taking extra double care to take it easy...
I would definitely not recommend doing it on the highway... especially if your local laws require all occupants be seat-belted.. 
let's not even get into the liability issues if you do happen to get into an accident and the insurance company had a look at your unsafe modifications removing critical safety equipment such as seat-belts and seat anchor points.. 
Well.. There is no kit for this, you do have to fabricate everything. I took Haffi's specifications which are very exacting, and had a shop make the box for me. It should not be very expensive to make, if a kit could be made available, it would be expensive as heck to ship such a bulky "tub" and as I said probably a lot cheaper to have a local metal shop build one for you on Haffi's specifications.
As for the 3rd row seats... it's been discussed in this same tread, you will have to cut out the inside anchor points and seat-belt anchor points to fit the tub... so yes you can keep the 3rd row, but no seat belts, and they will only be anchored to the truck on the outside swing up mounts over the wheel arches..
I have used the 3rd row this way in a pinch, but only while off-roading and being fully aware of the danger of having 2-3 people unbuckled in the trunk, taking extra double care to take it easy...
I would definitely not recommend doing it on the highway... especially if your local laws require all occupants be seat-belted.. let's not even get into the liability issues if you do happen to get into an accident and the insurance company had a look at your unsafe modifications removing critical safety equipment such as seat-belts and seat anchor points..
Couldn't you modify it to keep those in tact and maybe make the storage box a little bit smaller? Maybe you could provide a support bar that would allow for this?
Long Term Review
Although I originally planned on using it as an ice cooler/
Great mod to both Haffi and You
One thig I thought of if you wanted to use this as an ice cooler, adn not sure if someoe else mentioned it,but hte heat rom th exhaust woudl likely melt everything really fast. Perhaps a wall in the middle to separate he sies and do an ice bucket on the driver side of the box. YOu can also add some styrofoam to keep it insulated.
i bought the materials to do this. i did it in my van for extra battery's. but the muffler pipe is right next to the box in the 80. and i was concerned that it would get the aluminum hot and burn or melt stuff in box. have you touched the inside of box after driving .and is it to hot to touch.
I have touched the inside of the box after a long drive.. yes it does get hotter on the side of the exhaust, but not as much as you would think not hot enough to melt anything not even a loose plastic bag or anything else.. It's definitely not a good thing as a cooler or to keep ice and brewskeys..
But it's awesome as a huge tool box. I carry a spare kit to rebuild my front axle, hub, birf, all bearings, bolts, and nuts, off-road gear, tow straps, winch gloves, remote, pulleys anchors, set of open wrenches, 120 PC, socket set, spare belts for engine, jumping cables, seal puller, compressor, torque wrench and cheater bar, 2x jack stands, 30MM socket for the hub nut, socket set to cover all suspension bolts, grease bucket (For the front axle), extra engine oil 1QT, + 1QT gear oil, electrical parts, wire tape, tester, crimp connectors, but splicers, odds and ends, flashlights, flares, set of trow away make-do mechanic clothes, rags and shop towels,... Pretty much all I would need in almost any middle of nowhere mechanical emergency.... But when you open the tailgate the entire back trunk area is empty,
all that stuff if neatly tucked in the box out of the way and out of sight until it's needed!And out of sight from any would be thief looking to score a nice tool set!
I recently swapped out my transmission.. and I had 99% of the tools needed to do this -the engine hoist, right in the box!
I carry the
in a cooler I can easily take out and reach my tools then use said cooler as a chair to wrench on and have some spare #5 to help me concentrate on the fixin 
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This is an awesome mod for sure.I have touched the inside of the box after a long drive.. yes it does get hotter on the side of the exhaust, but not as much as you would think not hot enough to melt anything not even a loose plastic bag or anything else.. It's definitely not a good thing as a cooler or to keep ice and brewskeys..
But it's awesome as a huge tool box. I carry a spare kit to rebuild my front axle, hub, birf, all bearings, bolts, and nuts, off-road gear, tow straps, winch gloves, remote, pulleys anchors, set of open wrenches, 120 PC, socket set, spare belts for engine, jumping cables, seal puller, compressor, torque wrench and cheater bar, 2x jack stands, 30MM socket for the hub nut, socket set to cover all suspension bolts, grease bucket (For the front axle), extra engine oil 1QT, + 1QT gear oil, electrical parts, wire tape, tester, crimp connectors, but splicers, odds and ends, flashlights, flares, set of trow away make-do mechanic clothes, rags and shop towels,... Pretty much all I would need in almost any middle of nowhere mechanical emergency.... But when you open the tailgate the entire back trunk area is empty,
I recently swapped out my transmission.. and I had 99% of the tools needed to do this -the engine hoist in the box!
And out of sight from any would be thief looking to score a nice tool set!
I carry the
davidp14
SILVER Star
