More cargo room

VFRMAN · Apr 13, 2010

I'm having a fab buddy of mine give me a price to make some of these up just for the heck of it.

Maybe 3 versions. Aluminum, stainless, and mild steel if someone wants a cheaper version. Would think even mild steel, painted or powder coated, would last long enough if the price is right.

Caveat: This probably won't be quick as everything I touch seems to get shelved shortly after starting. And I'm not in it for the money. I just want one and thought if he's building one, he might as well build 12.

At least the estimating is in someone else's hands to see if it even makes sense. Will update when I know more.

Thanks.

If anyone else is taking this on as a business venture, I didn't mean to step on any toes. Just trying to cut my own costs. Have at it.

Salue · Apr 13, 2010

VFRMAN said:
I'm having a fab buddy of mine give me a price to make some of these up just for the heck of it.

Maybe 3 versions. Aluminum, stainless, and mild steel if someone wants a cheaper version. Would think even mild steel, painted or powder coated, would last long enough if the price is right.

Caveat: This probably won't be quick as everything I touch seems to get shelved shortly after starting. And I'm not in it for the money. I just want one and thought if he's building one, he might as well build 12.

At least the estimating is in someone else's hands to see if it even makes sense. Will update when I know more.

Thanks.

If anyone else is taking this on as a business venture, I didn't mean to step on any toes. Just trying to cut my own costs. Have at it.

I'm intereseted. :cheers:

haffi · Apr 13, 2010

eibach1 said:
Sorry, just saw your diagram of measurements, how deep is the box, and how about some measurements of where to cut the floor out?

The box is 30 cm deep.

Exact measurements of where to cut are hard to mesure because I have everything covered and don´t feel like tearing things apart again

When I made the first measurements before I ordered the box I just laid down on the floor under the truck with a drill and a drill bit and drilled holes from below where I wanted the edges of the box. Then I just drew a line on the floor inside the truck. Then I had the outlines of the box.

If you have one made you just have to center it on the floor inside and figure out where to start drilling

Then drill one hole and measure from there. Start by making to small hole, remember it is easier to make it bigger than smaller if you cut to much in the beginning.

IdahoDoug · Apr 13, 2010

Great project.

As an alternative way to carry extra cargo when needed and keep it low for center of gravity, just wanted to mention the hitch mounted trays. Mine is about 4 feet by 18" square and allows me to strap down a pair of weatherproof plastic tubs like you get at any store for about $15 each. The tray can handle hundreds of pounds, and if you choose the tubs well also does not interfere with the tailgate. Alternatively, the tubs can be much taller which blocks the tailgate but allows the upper hatch to open. And alternatively again you can carry something even taller than the roof if need be.

Just a thought. I've carried a lot of stuff on trips over the years this way. Of course the downside is that it's not secure if you park somewhere. Just another addition to the "more cargo room" theme if you don't want to buy a $1000 rear bumper to relocate the spare, remove the spare mounting equipment and cut up the floor of the vehicle. After all, if you have to carry the spare in the vehicle you've gained nothing in cargo space, so you have to relocate the spare.

DougM

Hayes · Apr 13, 2010

VFRMAN said:
I'm having a fab buddy of mine give me a price to make some of these up just for the heck of it.

Maybe 3 versions. Aluminum, stainless, and mild steel if someone wants a cheaper version. Would think even mild steel, painted or powder coated, would last long enough if the price is right.

Caveat: This probably won't be quick as everything I touch seems to get shelved shortly after starting. And I'm not in it for the money. I just want one and thought if he's building one, he might as well build 12.

At least the estimating is in someone else's hands to see if it even makes sense. Will update when I know more.

Thanks.

If anyone else is taking this on as a business venture, I didn't mean to step on any toes. Just trying to cut my own costs. Have at it.

Also interested.

VFRMAN · Apr 13, 2010

IdahoDoug said:
Great project.

As an alternative way to carry extra cargo when needed and keep it low for center of gravity, just wanted to mention the hitch mounted trays. Mine is about 4 feet by 18" square and allows me to strap down a pair of weatherproof plastic tubs like you get at any store for about $15 each. The tray can handle hundreds of pounds, and if you choose the tubs well also does not interfere with the tailgate. Alternatively, the tubs can be much taller which blocks the tailgate but allows the upper hatch to open. And alternatively again you can carry something even taller than the roof if need be.

Just a thought. I've carried a lot of stuff on trips over the years this way. Of course the downside is that it's not secure if you park somewhere. Just another addition to the "more cargo room" theme if you don't want to buy a $1000 rear bumper to relocate the spare, remove the spare mounting equipment and cut up the floor of the vehicle. After all, if you have to carry the spare in the vehicle you've gained nothing in cargo space, so you have to relocate the spare.

DougM

Hey Doug,
Something like this?

I agree they work like a charm. I seem to need the rear rack, and the in-floor box, and the roof rack, and the trailer, to get anywhere these days. "Travel light" isn't in our vocabulary.

bignasty · Apr 13, 2010

VFRMAN said:
Hey Doug,
Something like this?

I agree they work like a charm. I seem to need the rear rack, and the in-floor box, and the roof rack, and the trailer, to get anywhere these days. "Travel light" isn't in our vocabulary.

Is your suspension ok? You almost need a uhaul or a stretched landcrusier.

VFRMAN · Apr 13, 2010

bignasty said:
Is your suspension ok? You almost need a uhaul or a stretched landcrusier.

We're all good. The hitch carrier is a POS cheapo and it fits too loose in the receiver. It's just flopped to one side a little in that pic. No "Cruiser lean" in the maxi van.

edit:
Haffi,
Sorry for the hijack. I'll start a new thread if this progresses any further. Thanks.

maronism · Sep 30, 2010

VFRMAN said:
I'm having a fab buddy of mine give me a price to make some of these up just for the heck of it.

Maybe 3 versions. Aluminum, stainless, and mild steel if someone wants a cheaper version. Would think even mild steel, painted or powder coated, would last long enough if the price is right.

Caveat: This probably won't be quick as everything I touch seems to get shelved shortly after starting. And I'm not in it for the money. I just want one and thought if he's building one, he might as well build 12.

At least the estimating is in someone else's hands to see if it even makes sense. Will update when I know more.

Thanks.

If anyone else is taking this on as a business venture, I didn't mean to step on any toes. Just trying to cut my own costs. Have at it.

Is there any news on this?

VFRMAN · Oct 4, 2010

Sorry maronism. It got backburnered worse than I expected. Will check into again this week and see if he can get the mothballs off the quote for me. Thanks.

VFRMAN · Oct 6, 2010

Just got word he's putting it together for me. Should have a ballpark # shortly. Thanks.

cody c · Oct 6, 2010

This is such a cool/smart mod.
I would be interested, but I want to keep the third row and do an auxillary fuel tank one day. It is nice to have storage space though. Perhaps a tailgate box in the future I guess..

Manuelsv · Jan 12, 2011

haffi thanks for the lead!

OK so I was busy this holiday season! :idea:

And here is what I ended up doing.
Had my uncle build the box following this tread

VFRMAN · Jan 12, 2011

Awesome. You're miles ahead of me. Looks great.

Manuelsv · Jan 12, 2011

So Easy part done now.. TO clean up the trunk area.. Take out the carpets, make a carton template.. and mark the spot where the box will reside.. :grinpimp:

Then get rid of the tire carrier/chain contraption..

((If anyone wants a rust free one; mine lived in Arizona and has not a spec of rust

)

I followed the advice on this post and I used the cardboard template to drill from the bottom up.. and then it was easy to make the marks on the top to cut along.
Then the cutting was done very carefully :meh:

Manuelsv · Jan 12, 2011

Strep 3

So now to fit the box in it's place.. Lots of minor cuts and re cuts to make it tight.. But in the end a nice and tight fit

I have to admit it was really quite a relief to see that such a huge box actually fit in there!

Manuelsv · Jan 12, 2011

So now to secure it in place..
I had the box made of steel plates, don't know the specifics but it's fairly thick, heavy and strong as can be. I wanted to make sure it would be as solid as any other part of the cruiser..
So going with that idea; rivets, glue, screws, etc, where out of the question.. So we did some welding !!

Had a couple of extinguishers on hand.. and we wrapped wet towels on the fuel lines and any wires underneath just in case.. Also had my buddy under the truck making sure all was ok.. Took it slow and carefull, and it all turned out great.. :cheers: