you're a clever monkey.... nice work!
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Tailgate Storage Box (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter kevinmrowland
- Start date
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Nicely done dude!! This is worthy of a write-up...details, details!!
kevinmrowland
Forum Lifer
- Thread starter
- #23
***UPDATE***
I've gone through a handful of versions of this project now (tinkering is a disease) finally happened on a version I like so I figured it was time for an update.
I realized that wanting an actual "box" in the tail gate was silly (and heavy for that matter) I lost the box, sealed up the inside with sound deadener and made a hinged "door" instead.
I did not like the lose panel (too awkward) so I ended up with a piano hinge running the length of the panel. The panel is still plywood (by far the best strength-weight-cost ratio I could find) the ply on the tailgate was not weathering well so I experimented with a bunch of bedliners till I found one that was durable, yet soft and rubbery to the touch.
There is WAY more useable room with this new version, the tailgate is not properly packed in the photo but on our last trip I put the saw, axe, hatchet, shovel, TP, bug spray, tennis balls, bog bones, zip lock bags of dog food, hammer, bungee cords, ratchet straps, oil filter wrench, some random tools and a handful of other things to spare in there and it swallowed it all right up.
I think this one might work out. ;p
I've gone through a handful of versions of this project now (tinkering is a disease) finally happened on a version I like so I figured it was time for an update.
I realized that wanting an actual "box" in the tail gate was silly (and heavy for that matter) I lost the box, sealed up the inside with sound deadener and made a hinged "door" instead.
I did not like the lose panel (too awkward) so I ended up with a piano hinge running the length of the panel. The panel is still plywood (by far the best strength-weight-cost ratio I could find) the ply on the tailgate was not weathering well so I experimented with a bunch of bedliners till I found one that was durable, yet soft and rubbery to the touch.
There is WAY more useable room with this new version, the tailgate is not properly packed in the photo but on our last trip I put the saw, axe, hatchet, shovel, TP, bug spray, tennis balls, bog bones, zip lock bags of dog food, hammer, bungee cords, ratchet straps, oil filter wrench, some random tools and a handful of other things to spare in there and it swallowed it all right up.
I think this one might work out. ;p
kevinmrowland
Forum Lifer
- Thread starter
- #24
I also made some matching panels for the 1/4 panels, I like the way they look (the raw ply matches the drawers) and they should get much less abuse than the tailgate so I will se how they hold up.
kevinmrowland
Forum Lifer
- Thread starter
- #25
I cut the inner supports out of the 1/4s (the panels are way stronger anyway) I just lost the washer fluid bag (tire blocks window anyway) and on the other side I extended all the breather lines and moved the expansion chamber back behind the tail light (out of the way)
Lots of stuff fits in these as well.
Lots of stuff fits in these as well.
kevinmrowland
Forum Lifer
- Thread starter
- #26
Couple more.
Second pic shows how far the panel opens with the boxes in, plenty of access.
Second pic shows how far the panel opens with the boxes in, plenty of access.
That is sooooooo sweeeet!
Didn't see the original thread. Thanks for resurrecting it. Great mods and awesome in truck storage for all that little stuff that can get in the way.
One day this will be in my BJ60. Tres' coooool
Didn't see the original thread. Thanks for resurrecting it. Great mods and awesome in truck storage for all that little stuff that can get in the way.
One day this will be in my BJ60. Tres' coooool
You might consider sealing the plywood with epoxy - West is my favorite (available at West Marine, no connection). That'll keep it from absorbing moisture & add a little strength.
You could also do thinner plywood (marine grade is the best) if you added fiberglass cloth on the inside with just a little more trouble. That'd make the panels a lot stronger.
How much space would you lose by attaching bins to the doors so the stuff wouldn't bang the quarter panels?
Been considering a sub & rear speakers in the tailgate & a panel milled out of 3/8" aluminum that you could sit on or slide heavy objects over without affecting the speakers.
You could also do thinner plywood (marine grade is the best) if you added fiberglass cloth on the inside with just a little more trouble. That'd make the panels a lot stronger.
How much space would you lose by attaching bins to the doors so the stuff wouldn't bang the quarter panels?
Been considering a sub & rear speakers in the tailgate & a panel milled out of 3/8" aluminum that you could sit on or slide heavy objects over without affecting the speakers.
kevinmrowland
Forum Lifer
- Thread starter
- #29
Thanks
Considered the fiberglass, but I hate working fiberglass (do enough of it at work) I neglected to mention that the panels are actually sealed up with marine spar varnish, they are waterproof and hose washable. I am trying to make everything inside hose clean up.
I considered putting a storage box on the back of the panel, but It was the same situation as the original tail gate box, so much room is up under the corners.
Considered the fiberglass, but I hate working fiberglass (do enough of it at work) I neglected to mention that the panels are actually sealed up with marine spar varnish, they are waterproof and hose washable. I am trying to make everything inside hose clean up.
I considered putting a storage box on the back of the panel, but It was the same situation as the original tail gate box, so much room is up under the corners.
Wile E Coyote
Out in the streets, they call it murder!
Nothing to add 'cept that's some quality work. Thanks for lettin us bite your ideas!
Wish those were mass made...
x2
Anyways can you give us a little part list? Where did you get those latches, hinges, and can you give us the specs on the metal frame surrounding the quarter panels and tailgate?
How is the tailgate holding up? Can you sit on it will all the supports removed? Just to clarify, did you cut out all supports in the quarter panel area?
Thanks in advance and nice work!
[I vote to add this to the 60s FAQ
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Very nice work, from conception through execution! Have you thought about adding sound-deadening now that you have such easy access?
srplus
Walked with the Dinosaurs
I have been considering doing this with my 60 and have been thinking of expanded PVC sheet (see http://www.sdplastics.com/pvcx.html ) that is used in the sign industry... it comes in all kinds of colors and thicknesses. It is not at structural as Starboard or the like but it would be very functional for doors, etc.
Tail gate is a good place to put a nice tactical shotgun. SORRY.
Very nice work, I love the idea.
Very nice work, I love the idea.
Great idea.
Fantastic execution!
You should mass produce these.
Fantastic execution!
You should mass produce these.
That is a great idea!!! I like it!
kevinmrowland
Forum Lifer
- Thread starter
- #38
Thanks everybody, glad you like it.
The hardware is all from Mcmaster-Carr, pull latches and stainless piano hinge. I welded a flange on the hinge so that I could screw (in the case of the 1/4s) and through bolt (in the case of the tailgate) through the panel rather than into the edge. 1/2" plywood does not like to hold fasteners in it's 1/2" dimension. All the bolts use the existing mounting holes and stainless hardware.
The OE tailgate was all caved in before this all started, I used the subsequent boxes to actually pull the tailgate back into shape. The frame is made from 2 pieces of angle iron, the two short sides and one edge are bent from one piece and a second piece is welded in to connect the legs. Plenty strong enough to sit on, in fact my test for them consists of dropping my 33" spare tire on them from the roof (I like things strong)
Yep. I cut all the vertical supports out of the 1/4s, the new panels are 13ga. steel with a lip welded to the inside of the opening for rigidity, plenty strong as well.
I would, except I am too cheap to waste my $ on sound deadening for a rusty body, I used the cheap stuff inside the tailgate to clean it up and I will do the same for the 1/4s as soon as I get around to chopping them (welding and sound proofing don't mix very well
)
Yup, nice stuff, I looked at the Nidacore as well, but once again the strength-weight-and especialy-cost came into play again.
I could always make more but you all know how cheap we are.
It takes me a least a few hours to make, two latches are $26, the stainless hinge (which I then have to modify) is like $20, plywood is not cheap these days and neither is steel.
calphi27 said:
The hardware is all from Mcmaster-Carr, pull latches and stainless piano hinge. I welded a flange on the hinge so that I could screw (in the case of the 1/4s) and through bolt (in the case of the tailgate) through the panel rather than into the edge. 1/2" plywood does not like to hold fasteners in it's 1/2" dimension. All the bolts use the existing mounting holes and stainless hardware.
calphi27 said:
The OE tailgate was all caved in before this all started, I used the subsequent boxes to actually pull the tailgate back into shape. The frame is made from 2 pieces of angle iron, the two short sides and one edge are bent from one piece and a second piece is welded in to connect the legs. Plenty strong enough to sit on, in fact my test for them consists of dropping my 33" spare tire on them from the roof (I like things strong)
Yep. I cut all the vertical supports out of the 1/4s, the new panels are 13ga. steel with a lip welded to the inside of the opening for rigidity, plenty strong as well.
Creeker said:
I would, except I am too cheap to waste my $ on sound deadening for a rusty body, I used the cheap stuff inside the tailgate to clean it up and I will do the same for the 1/4s as soon as I get around to chopping them (welding and sound proofing don't mix very well
)srplus said:
Yup, nice stuff, I looked at the Nidacore as well, but once again the strength-weight-and especialy-cost came into play again.
77TLCFJ40 said:
I could always make more but you all know how cheap we are.
It takes me a least a few hours to make, two latches are $26, the stainless hinge (which I then have to modify) is like $20, plywood is not cheap these days and neither is steel.
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I could always make more but you all know how cheap we are.
It takes me a least a few hours to make, two latches are $26, the stainless hinge (which I then have to modify) is like $20, plywood is not cheap these days and neither is steel.
Is there a group buy coming on???
I'll send stickers w/my $$ since it looks like you've added to your collection.
Very nice stuff!
