ROTW: kevinmrowland

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Which hatch? The one between the seats? That one is a marine hatch I found online, hard to find in black.

I've found those online... I was wondering more about the tailgate hatch and the rear over-fender hatches.... plywood?
 
If you don't mind I have a few questions.

1. The door weather seal, where did you source that and how can I get some. On mine any kind of a cross wind blows right in.

2. Can you explain the cargo net on the head liner, where did you get it and how did you attach it.

3. The expanded metal on your front bumper, what size is it and does it effect the brightness of your lights.

4. Why do you use a clevis instead of a hook on your winch?

5. I like your seat on seat sleeping idea, did you modify the hold down straps so you don't need a socket and ratchet to change from upright to sleeping? and in sleeping mode does it just sit on the bottom seat or do you secure it somehow for traveling.

Thanks!
-Wyo
 
I had the same issue, wind gusts from the side were so loud, it was ruining the driving experience.
I had the trim custom made by a company we use at work. Since it was a custom run I actually had to have an entire roll made. :doh: (yeah, the noise pissed me off that much)
I have a bunch left if you need some. I would have to look at the invoice, but I think it was under $2 a foot.

The cargo net is actually half of an elastic cargo net that McmasterCarr sells. The eyelets are actually drilled-tapped-lock nutted into place. The structural metal ribs are surprisingly thick, just enough metal to thread. I have since added more eyebolts and just used nutserts (did not have the tool when I first installed the net) but the original eyebolts are still holding after many thousands of miles.

The expanded metal is not actually expanded metal, it is a square pattern of rods, welded together and dipped in plastic. Just about perfect for the use, I think it was originally industrial shelving base, I found it in a dumpster. They do block some of the light, but I travel a lot of gravel roads and having headlights not get broken is worth the compromise to me. I used to just have a piece of expanded metal zip-tied behind the grill to help protect the radiator from flying rocks, that worked well, but this is lighter and covers the lights as well.

The clevis is just personal preference. I find that the clevis makes you slow down and do things right, make sure things fit, is inherently stronger and safer than a hook and it stands no chance of disconnecting when the line is slack. I just don't like hooks.

The lower brackets for the seat have simply been removed, when the seat is up it is wedged in place between the seat base and the cargo boxes. Originally I planned to run a turnbuckle or strap to the floor for the seat down position, but since the top pins are set back from the top it locks itself in that position by way of the two extra latches and leverage. Even if I pull up on the front of the seat (when folded flat) It will not go anywhere since the back (top) levers down against the wheel wells.

:cheers:
 
Kevin,

I would definitely be interested enough of the that weather seal to do my 60 if you have some to spare. About that cargo net, see those big red topo maps you have behind the seat, I was thinking of some way to store them overhead with bungees or net, ever consider that? Thanks for all the other tips as well.

-Wyo
 
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Hey Kevin, great writeup. I remembered chatting with you shortly after your Artic Circle trip. Your rig was inspirational to me at the time even before I knew about all of he mods you have done. Well done. I have a buddy that organizes everything he owns just like you do. He lived out of his Isuzu Trooper for months at a time near Jackson WY when working there.

You have further inspired me past the point where I was already inspired. Thanks!
 
Kevin - If you have dispersed all of your weatherstrip could you post the contact info for the company you used? I bet there are enough interested people that a group buy might be in the works.
 
The company is Trim-Lok,very well known, make a lot of OE stuff.
The problem is that you need an account and a shipping account to be able to order from them.
I am pretty busy at the moment with the other WagonGear stuff, but if there is enough interest I will consider ordering another roll. I also might be able to get a lower price if I get a longer roll as well, since I conned them into running this for me as a "test".
:cheers:
 
If one of you guys can set that up, then I'm sure you could get many people to buy this upgraded weatherstripping. I know I would.
 
I'll post the specs up, if your guy can get you a good deal that would be great, I certainly don't get any special pricing on the stuff.
I do know that the quality of the TrimLoc stuff is top-notch though.

Ideally the specs would be the same as an FJ62 front door weather strip, just with a larger foam-rubber bulb. The stuff that I have does not have as deep of a U as the OE stuff so it doesn't go on quite as far.

It is a huge upgrade though, especially now that my truck can go fast, no more wind whistling in my ear!
:cheers:
 
Looking over your pics again, what do you use for a jack? If you tote a hi-Lift where do you stow it?

Thanks
-Wyo
 

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