Builds My '78 FJ40 "44"

[Solace in Solitude]

Here's my drawers... The first is really a topless box... It slides under the driver's seat... So, I can pull it out and find what I need, rather than taking everything out, one item at a time.

My back is decked, in two-piece, hinged plywood... Hinged so that I can get to stuff behind the seats without lifting the whole deck. I built a single drawer that spans the width of the tub. Mounted a rail on each side and mounted a length of 3/4"x3/"4 angle to the sides of the drawer. The angle glides on top of the rails. I left room at the back for various tools that I carry.

 

[handcannon]

Looking real good Danny.

Years ago I set up my pickup similar to what you did. The canopy had side doors, with glass, instead of fixed windows. I built a vertical, 8ft long, panel behind the drivers side canopy door. In that cubby I put all my nail and staple guns, clamps, cabinet jacks, smaller stuff, etc. I also put a raised floor, at wheel well height, in the bed. Below that floor I had my compressor, drills, saws, etc. And on the raised floor I could carry full sheets of plywood, etc. It proved to be extremely handy, as I'm sure your set up will also.

Don

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Looking real good Danny.

Years ago I set up my pickup similar to what you did. The canopy had side doors, with glass, instead of fixed windows. I built a vertical, 8ft long, panel behind the drivers side canopy door. In that cubby I put all my nail and staple guns, clamps, cabinet jacks, smaller stuff, etc. I also put a raised floor, at wheel well height, in the bed. Below that floor I had my compressor, drills, saws, etc. And on the raised floor I could carry full sheets of plywood, etc. It proved to be extremely handy, as I'm sure your set up will also.

Don

Thanks Don!

The drawer replaces shallow plastic totes and is sized to better allow carrying of various tools. Beyond that, this is the same configuration I've been using. I remove the passenger seat back and lay a half sheet of plywood, from back to front, to accommodate my bed. DaBoise have the rest of the back... It's cozy for overnight stays... We pitch a tent for multiple nights.

I'm really anxious to make a 44 trip with daBoise... But first, Dianna and I are gonna take a couple of weeks in the Tundra and the Casita travel trailer... We hope to do a lot of hiking with daBoise and I'm going to take my inflatable pontoon along and see if I can still kick my flippers and row my oars... Hopefully, it doesn't make my back worse.

Gunner loves to fish with me and swim back to shore... Chester hasn't yet been... But, he'll probably try to catch ducks in the water. Mr Parker (my 109lb Golden, that I had to euthanize a couple of years ago) used to swim with a flock of ducks... He thought he was one of them.

Gunner waiting patiently...

 

[78fj40mg]

Very nice Danny! I like everything you've done, it looks like you've got yourself a custom and very versatile Bug-Out jeep...I mean a cruiser!

All you need now is run flat tires and a roof top tent and you should be good to go. Do you think your Air Force training had something to do with all this prepping?

 

[78fj40mg]

Here's an interesting article.

 

[ginmtb]

I received these from Georg... I hope to swap them all in this next week... We'll see.... Bushings, greaseable Spring pins and greaseable shackles. This is the last thing I'm doing until I get a chance to take some trips.

View attachment 1220077

Here are a couple of 'better' pictures of my Molle panel, I've added stuff and reorganized it.
View attachment 1220084

View attachment 1220086

View attachment 1220088

I built a drawer to replace the two plastic totes I used to carry my spares and stuff and mounted it between the rear fender wells and reinstalled my plywood desk over it, spanning the fender wells.

I also built a 'drawer' to fit under the driver's seat,... So, I can find stuff easier... It's basically a topless box... No glides, it sits on the floor.

I'll get pictures tomorrow... Sans paint... I'm not going to paint them until I'm know they are keepers.

Not sure if you have enough stuff up there Danny...

 

[DSB345]

OMG! LMAO I must say that first rig will be the first one blown to bit's. Going to be hard to hide that one.

Here's an interesting article.

 

[DSB345]

One of the most important thing you need in a bug out vehicle

Stomp Military Medical Kit Fully Stocked

 

[78fj40mg]

OMG! LMAO I must say that first rig will be the first one blown to bit's. Going to be hard to hide that one.

Hey Dave you mean this one?

It has surface to air missile capability in the NORAD command center in the basement

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Not sure if you have enough stuff up there Danny...

I don't... Yet... Need to get my garage and gate remotes up there...

I'm sure I'll find more that needs to go up there... I can always lean out the driver's window to see where I'm going

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Very nice Danny! I like everything you've done, it looks like you've got yourself a custom and very versatile Bug-Out jeep...I mean a cruiser!

All you need now is run flat tires and a roof top tent and you should be good to go. Do you think your Air Force training had something to do with all this prepping?

Thanks Mike!

No, I think my AF training is behind me removing the only computer that 44 had... Too many computers in my life... For too many years.

My prepping is directly attributable to the remote places I've found myself in... Here in Nevada... Initially, it made me apprehensive... e.g. How do I deal with this? How do I deal with that?

Now, I make sure I'm prepared and can deal with whatever comes up... Or, use my hike-out bag and daBoise boots and hike our way out.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Here's an interesting article.

I'd seen that first one before... If I had the money for that, I would buy the Cheyenne Mountain Complex. I always felt very safe in there!!

 

[DSB345]

Yep

Hey Dave you mean this one?

It has surface to air missile capability in the NORAD command center in the basement

 

[DSB345]

I'm with you. You can never be prepared enough when your in the boonies.

Thanks Mike!

No, I think my AF training is behind me removing the only computer that 44 had... Too many computers in my life... For too many years.

My prepping is directly attributable to the remote places I've found myself in... Here in Nevada... Initially, it made me apprehensive... e.g. How do I deal with this? How do I deal with that?

Now, I make sure I'm prepared and can deal with whatever comes up... Or, use my hike-out bag and daBoise boots and hike our way out.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

One of the most important thing you need in a bug out vehicle

Stomp Military Medical Kit Fully Stocked

I've got the first aid part covered in the green pack on my panel... There's stuff in there for daBoise too.

I also have a machete, I case I have to cut off my head or something...

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Installed my Terrain Tamer bushings, greaseable spring pins and greaseable shackles in the rear of 44 today. I'll try to do the front tomorrow... If we get home in time... Otherwise, the front will probably have to wait until we get back from our camping trip , around April 1st.

 

[lostmarbles]

There's only so much you can fit in without enlarging the basic space Danny..

I can see one of these in your future:

 

[Solace in Solitude]

There's only so much you can fit in without enlarging the basic space Danny..

I can see one of these in your future:

Those are great Tom!!

But, I've decided to go the other way... ever since I watched the Harry Potter movie where they had the tournament, with the tent city... I've been a convert...

When they entered Perkin's (Perkins's tent) small tent, it was enormous inside... I'm working on a way to keep 44 as is, but make her as roomy as a school bus inside.

Once I get the size worked out, I'll build the inside out, using this floorplan.

The bunks are for daBoise... the third bunk is in case they bring home a friend.

 

[drnekFJ40]

Those are great Tom!!

But, I've decided to go the other way... ever since I watched the Harry Potter movie where they had the tournament, with the tent city... I've been a convert...

When they entered Perkin's (Perkins's tent) small tent, it was enormous inside... I'm working on a way to keep 44 as is, but make her as roomy as a school bus inside.

Once I get the size worked out, I'll build the inside out, using this floorplan.

The bunks are for daBoise... the third bunk is in case they bring home a friend.

So, next time some sheet metal work,Danny?

 

[Solace in Solitude]

So, next time some sheet metal work,Danny?

Oh, I hope not Mike!!