Rough 470 aka Lunch Mobile aka Lunch Box Build Thread

[KiPod]

Howdy,

What first started as a simple idea has accidentally become a project that I’ve been working on for the past two years or so. Since I’m almost at the point where I can start testing things out, I wanted to share what’s been going on in my head and garage. Some things you might like. Some things you might not. This build is for me to push myself, problem solve, and learn new things. Even though it’s not going to be for everyone, I do think it’s different enough that at least a few can take something away from it. Now, let’s start at the “beginning”…


May 2024:
I had recently sold my utility trailer and was missing the ability to load what I wanted when I wanted. As I started to shop around for one, I had a silly idea; what if I got a busted 470 on the verge of death and just turned that into a self driving utility trailer? I could gut it, throw a bunch of crap in the back, hose it down as needed, and keep one more 100 on the road.

I contacted my buddy Chris and asked him if he had any 100’s he was parting out that still drove, preferably a 470, and white (since it would match my other 470 for spare parts). Turns out he did and he sent me these pics:

Cracked windshield, busted rear glass, blown suspension, no brakes, dented body, moldy interior……..it was PERFECT! I went to check it out and the frame was better than most. Since the bones were good (and it fired up with a jump) we had a deal.



I needed to get this started to make me finally post stuff up on here. I’ll keep updating over the next few days and adding “bookmarks” (example below) for different projects so you have an idea where to skip around to.

Post 3: doors
Post 4: tailgate
Post x: blah

Thanks for your patience while I find time to post.
I hope you enjoy at least some of it!

Ki

 

[KiPod]

The tires were so old I had to borrow a set of 24’s (don’t ask why I knew where a set was) to get it mobile again.

Here’s a pic next to my Campteq 470

And here’s how flush they sat

Slammed on 24’s really gave it a 90’s dub vibe. It actually looked like a full size matchbox car or something. Scary part was I got a few thumbs up while driving it like this and it wasn’t on purpose but out of necessity.

 

[KiPod]

June - October 2024:
With the original plan being a self driving utility trailer, I stripped most of the interior and doors to make it easily washable. I did some research and turns out 95.5-04 Tacoma front doors and 96-02 (I think, I’ll check) rear doors are a close fit to the 100 series doors. I order tube doors for those vehicles and did a test fit on the 470:

I cut off the hinge plates on the doors, bolted a plate to the hinge, and welded the doors back to the new plates. I then trimmed and shaped the plates and off the doors went for powder coating.


Since I needed wheels, tires and suspension, I figured I would get items I could swap on my other 470 if/when needed. Ironman foam cells, icon wheels, and 35” Yoko XMT’s went on. I also pulled
The rockers and that’s when the “trailer 470” project started to look and feel a bit different.

 

[KiPod]

January - March 2025:
With the lift gate being rusted out with busted glass and liking the way the doors turned out, I decided to try to make a tube tailgate. I ordered two more front doors, cut them in half to join them together, and then I had an idea that would really push my limits.

At this point I was still planning to just use it as a fun trailer to drive around and test my fabrication skills. Then more and more I started to think about what else I could make for it.