My Toyota Land Cruiser BJ40

WTF - BIG BOX ?

 

posted by Fuel @ 11:53 AM 1 comments

100 hour Cargo Box

This is in no way at the same level as some of the craftsmanship that I have seen here. This project makes me even more envious of some of the skills and thought that I see here on Mud. My hats off to those who can think it up and make it happen. (keep doing it)

My goal was too create a light weight yet strong storage solution for the rear ½ of the LC. When I say strong I mean strong enough for general camping equipment / with a distributed weight range. (my cooler will sit on the floor next to the box) The primary objective was to build the box to be easily removable so it needed to be light in weight and easily bolted or strapped down. The box needed a hatch On top upfront so it can be accessed with the tail gate closed.

1. I wanted to still use one of the third row seats.
2. It needed to be light weight enough for easy remove and add back.
3. It must securely bolt / strap to the floor
4. It must not make a lot of noise when off road. (no rattling)
5. Second row seats must be able to fold forwards

Dimensions of Box: 20 inches wide by 41 inches length.
The Box height is 6 1/2 inches.
Wood: 8 foot 2 by 6 pine.
8 foot 2 X 4 pine (for draw sides)
2 Ply board ¾ 24 by 24 squares
2 Ply Board 3.4 24 by 4 feet

Other Misc.
2 rolls of rubber drawer liner
2 small hinges
1 bottle of wood glue
1 forgotten candle for wax
1 sheet sand paper

Tools:

• circular saw
• Drill
• Screw driver
• Brad Nail Gun
• Staple Gun

Total Cost : less than 50 dollars
Total Hours to build : 9 hours +

Results of the build:
Well the choice to go light weight was good one but posed some problems. This box is not made to take several people standing in the middle on it, but it seems to have a good distributed weight range towards the edges. This will more than meet the need for carrying camping equipment and jumper cables, trailer hitch, lights, ropes, fire extinguisher, etc.. But by using thinner wood you have to take into consideration of where you can place screws and hardware. So I am staying away from any fancy hardware right now and going with rope pulls for handles. I think this will make it easier to meet the no raddled requirement. I am also going with a wax treatment for the slide of the drawer. The only thing I have done a little different than some of the other folks is that I placed two bottom slides on the top of the box to make getting things from the back easier when the tail gate is open. I don’t have to climb in there to get things. The draw can open towards the front from the rear area if the second row seats are folded forward. The biggest is that it is really easy to pick up and move. One major thing is to place the wood gain across the opening not with it for added strength. Also PINE is a light weight wood which needs some protection once built. I went with a shellac stain so I could see the wood gain. Also this box does not weigh enough to cause the truck to lean even when fully loaded.

Top Hatch Has Lock

Drawer Has Lock

Top slide has rope pull and lock to hold in position.

Slide and bolt hinge system using existing floor seat mounts.

posted by Fuel @ 11:46 AM 0 comments

ARB Bumper -

Well after going back and forth on the issue and talking myself out of it completely, I broke down more like collapsed to buy an ARB winch bumper. The wife had gone out of town and I just had read a post on Mud about a sale and sure enough , it was a good deal. I know she will be pissed but what can you say, the truck will thank me. I think I should get it in two to three days and then the installation !!

posted by Fuel @ 10:58 AM 0 comments

cargo box

WEll I have been working on a cargo box for the back of the lx. I will post more later I am not quite finsihed with the hardware but som far it has worked out really well . It might look a little rough around the edges but it works.

posted by Fuel @ 7:51 PM 0 comments