Pre-expedition build

[Mickldo]

Working on the sliding drawers today. I'll post up some progress photos later this afternoon. After getting some prices on heavy duty drawer slides I have decided to look at other slide methods. I have the catches for the slides now. We had some good ones in stock on the shelf at work

I have also picked up the roof rack that I'm borrowing off a mate for the trip. He has given me permission to mildy modify it if I need to. I'm thinking a couple of "wanker lights" brackets, a second spare tyre mount and to bolt my lock up galv box down. I have also seen a cool mod on the old lcool site IIRC of a shower screen bracket attached to the roof rack. They just used a couple of telescopic tent poles.

OK so I was slack with posting up photos that afternoon By the time I finished working down the shed it was dark.



I decided to go for the good slides for the drawers even though the price was . They turned up this morning so tomorrow I'll be able to fit them to the drawers.

I have actually changed the design of the drawers slightly to the mock up drawing I did. The top drawer I have made a bit shallower. The top is still at the same height but the bottom has been raised up a little. This is to allow this drawer to be able to be opened even with the lower tailgate shut. This top drawer will house all my recovery gear as well as the first aid kit so having it easy to open is an asset. The lower drawers haven't been changed as they have been custom made to fit my tool box. This has given me a space between the upper and lower drawers. This space is just the right size to store a camp table. I'll make a table to fit the space exactly and give it a tight fit to allow it to slide out and be used as an adjustable width shelf while I am using the lower tailgate as a work bench.

The tool box drawer has also had a couple of dividers fitted to allow a few aerosol cans to be stored upright in the drawer.


The roof rack has also been fitted. I haven't done any mods to it yet. I'll see if I have any time left before the trip. I only have another three weeks before I go.

 

[Mickldo]

Couple of pics of the sliding drawers so far.

 

[Mickldo]

Couple more.

Still have to give the drawers another coat of paint, line the front of the drawers with carpet and make the hinged lids and side wings.

 

[Mickldo]

Couple of poser shots to show the roof rack and HF aerial base.

 

[RV80]

The part no.s are -

Power steering box (RHD) - 44110-60202

Pitman Arm - 45411-60390



I got the pitman arm Wednesday and fitted it last night.

Thank you, time to go shopping...

 

[Mickldo]

Thank you, time to go shopping...

Mine actually steers straight now

When I fitted it and lined everything up my steering wheel was almost 180* out

 

[Mickldo]

Couple more.

Still have to give the drawers another coat of paint, line the front of the drawers with carpet and make the hinged lids and side wings.

View attachment 136147

View attachment 136148

Note the slide out table in the top pic. I'll have to get some legs for it. Maybe screw in legs or fold up card table legs

I gave the drawers a second coat of paint this evening. I'm going to leave them out until my water tank turns up. Hopefully it will be later this week. I'll be able to fit the water tank then the drawer unit then I can fit the drawers. I need to leave them out for now cause it will allow better access to the mounting bolts.

 

[Mickldo]

I lined the front of the drawers with carpet this afternoon after work and fitted the locks to them. I've given them a trial fit to see if the striker plates for the locks line up. One of them needs a bit of a tweak but they seem to be OK for a rough guess on where they had to go.

My water tank should turn up tomorrow, fingers crossed. I'll be able to fit it all this weekend hopefully if everything goes to plan.

I also ordered a Ram Mount system to mount my laptop and GPS today. It should turn up late next week.

 

[peepers]

great thread! thanks for the inspiration. how much is that drawer system going to weigh do you think?

 

[Aussie]

I've enjoyed the thread Mick, almost time to leave a!

 

[Mickldo]

great thread! thanks for the inspiration. how much is that drawer system going to weigh do you think?

Thanks, I've got the drawers in now. The and I managed to lift the complete unit in together easily. It isn't the lightest drawer system by a long shot but it a vast improvement over my old drawers. I'll take some photos once I've tidied up a couple of minor little things with it.

 

[Mickldo]

I've enjoyed the thread Mick, almost time to leave a!

Thanks Aussie. Not long to go now. Only 9 working days and three non-working/packing/prepping/finishing everything off days until we go.

 

[Mickldo]

My water tank turned up Friday. I fitted it on Saturday and then fitted the drawer system. Everything seems to fit OK and work fine.

Today I put my dash back together and finished off my wiring. I have to put all my interior back together now. I should be able to get that all back together after work during the week.

Wednesday is ANZAC day which is a public holiday so I'll be able to mount my air tank for the OBA system and if I get the time maybe I'll get the chance to make some brackets to mount the heat exchanger for my underbonnet shower.

Later in the week my Ram Mount for the laptop and GPS should turn up which I'll be able to fit next weekend. I still have to do a full service on the 80 too as well as pack everything for the trip.

I can see a lot of late nights coming up to finish everything off

 

[Mickldo]

I took a couple of photos of the sliding drawers and water tank this evening.







These show the top drawer and how it is accessed via the hinged lid or it is able to be opened with the lower tailgate still up. It houses the recovery gear and the first aid kit, as well as my flouro camp light.

 

[Mickldo]

A few of the fridge.



Accessed via the hinged lid. (MMMMmmmmm...........Jim Beam...........)



Fridge slide out, lid open.



Fridge slide out, lid shut.

 

[Mickldo]

This first one shows where I have relocated the HF Radio now that the water tank is in the way.



The tool box drawer. My tools live in the front compartment normally and the rear has all my spare oils, brake fluid, WD40, etc.



I divided the compartment up so the aerosol cans and oil bottles all had their own spots.

 

[Mickldo]

The other drawer has all the bulkier items. Tyre levers, bead breaker, bow saw, jumper leads, spare parts, etc.







The table worked out to be at a handy height. It will come in handy as a bit of a kitchen bench while travelling.

 

[Mickldo]

All of the drawers open.



The water tank outlet. After taking the photos this evening I fitted the hose and tap. I filled it up with water to test for leaks.



I mounted the tanks using what I had spare in the shed. Luckily I had a couple of 1/2" UNC x 4" bolts. It's a little bit of overkill I know. I used some flat bar to spread the load out on the water tank side.

 

[Mickldo]

The water filler is accessed via the RH sliding window. In hindsight it might not have been the smartest idea to put the filler directly above the inverter I'll just have to be careful filling the water tank.



I took a couple of photos of my rear cargo bay light (Narva part# 87340) One with the flash on and one with the flash off.

 

[Mlachica]

very cool. I like how you can access the top drawer with the gate closed, and the table is sweet!