New seat brackets

[ripleykantoo]

Hello to all it’s been awhile since I have posted on mud, but due to new job and new child addition to the family it’s been long days. So I've been working on my 76 FJ40 and had the getto seats in it for awhile. I needed and wanted seats brackets that weren't your typical square tubing and have some functionality. So I have a friend that has a CNC machine and is slow on work and said I could rent or whatever if need be. So we came up with some new seats brackets that use the OEM bolt locations. Since I'm 6'6" I wanted to drop the seats down and move the seats back as far as possible. The CNC was fun to work with since I'm a programmer by profession, but my buddy was the creative thinker. Its pretty cool how artistic you can get with these things. Once the design is in place you can cut it for the other side once I finish the underneath tank that we also are working on it. It gives me a 17 to 18 inch lock box width for the center console area. I know all of this is elementary for some of you but I just wanted something I could pass on as an idea instead of the same ole thing. These brackets can be used for many different widths of seats and whatever height is needed. Enough already I'll post a pic.

 

[PUPTLAM]

Nice work. I love playing with the CNC Machine and Lathes at my work.

 

[ibejamie]

Very nice

NIce work... I dig it!

BTW- look out for the bezel police.

 

[FJ40-40]

NIce work... I dig it!

BTW- look out for the bezel police.

Nice catch. Its hard to see with the black bezel. Nice looking rig BTW.

 

[rabid]

Is the passenger side seat bolted to the gas tank cover?

Tough to tell from the pic.

 

[thecrazygreek]

SO, after 96 posts, you still don't know which way the bezel goes?


Just messing with ya... now flip that bezel!

 

[dgangle]

I could see a market for something like this...bolt in and go. Incorporate a locking box, speaker mount.....Hope your truck's next owners' name is Kyle!

 

[ripleykantoo]

"SO, after 96 posts, you still don't know which way the bezel goes?

Just messing with ya... now flip that bezel! "

It’s on upside down intentionally for the perfectionist lol, it’s funny how you all notice the oddest things.

"Is the passenger side seat bolted to the gas tank cover?”
"Tough to tell from the pic.”

I welded a half inch plate and threaded it for a temp fix until I get the aux fuel tank built, then I'll do the same seat bracket on the other side. The seat is solid besides the mount on the tank. Had a fire extinguisher on hand.

"I could see a market for something like this...bolt in and go. Incorporate a locking box, speaker mount.....Hope your truck's next owners' name is Kyle! "

That’s why I saved the cad drawings. Not going to give up my day job, but also want others to have an option for rear tanks. I just hate that it’s under the passenger seat taking up so much room. Was planning on integrating lock boxes into the seat brackets. I need to keep a gun hidden where I go wheeling. It would have to be a Kyle that owns it next. I rarely sell anything. I just figured my little girl will wrap it around a tree during spring break. Thanks for any compliments or criticism.

 

[dgangle]

No criticism here. Great idea and implementation, IMO.

What's the story on the zipper in your avatar?

 

[ripleykantoo]

Horrible accident 2 1/2 years ago, forest ranger hit me head on with a F350 diesel in the mountains outside of Tucson (on a quad). It keeps me in check every time I see the avatar. Broke a lot of bones that day and got a helicopter flight to the hospital. No worries now, alive and enjoying my kids without a wheelchair. Only set back but fun to my friends is that I'm good for the same joke or movie 2-3 times. Don't retain well.

Anyone have the dimensions for the confer aux tank? I'm making a moc up currently out of balsa wood, to see if I can make improvements on mine. I know downey has one, but I was thinking aluminum is the way to go since rust is such an issue here. I love my FJ80, but the 40 is just so much easier to work on.
Thanks again for any notes.

 

[ripleykantoo]

PS side seat

Today we re modified the seat bracket and made it with a lock box built in under the seats. Turned out pretty neat but will post pics up later. Today my question what have people done in the past with the indention from the PS gas tank. I mounted the rear 20 or so gallon aux and want to close up everything so I can take it to paint. I chopped the tunnel cover to make everything flat so we can make a dual purpose lock box that will have an ice chest built into the bottom with a drain plug. Starting to get carried away but oh well I'm almost done now. This CNC machine rocks but man is that computer demanding when measurements are needed.

 

[77TLCFJ40]

Kyle,

If you cut out your tank indention in the body, sell it to me! Mine is slightly better than swiss cheese and yours looks very good.

Truck looks great. Keep up the good work and pics.

Thanks

 

[ripleykantoo]

I feel like that’s good enough reason to cut it (you needing it 77TLCFJ40). Feel that it’s going to be a future rust collector if I keep it sealed and block off the drains. Only thing I'm worried about is the structural integrity if I cut it out. I'm going to fill it with 11 gauge plate. Someone chime in if they have any opinions. Thanks for any input.
P.S. Sure am coming up with a lot of extra parts removing things. Guess its time to go to the for sale section.

 

[johmbie]

I'm a Kyle too, so put me on the list of people you can sell it to!

Was thinking, why not make a full-width lock box under the seats? Cushion it right and you could store a couple of rifles under there....

Or, if you're going to go with the cooler idea, keep the fuel tank indention, and intall a petcock for drainage....

Great work so far, keep it up!

 

[ripleykantoo]

So I finished the inside and will be assembling the inside. Went ahead and rhinoed the inside after I finished all of the seat brackets and lock boxes. Will post some pictures later of my new seat brackets with lock box. It came out super cool and functional. I also installed Downey's Aux tank and completely removed the OEM one. The tank is awesome but a pain in the butt to install by yourself. Came out real nice in the end and Jim at Downey was very helpful.