Rear storage

[Steve F]

Decided for the Cape trip I needed to do something about the storage in the XJ. Previously it was setup with low false floor so the canvas tent could be slid under it last. Now, with the roof top tent I dont use the large tent anymore. With the lift and tyres the fridge was too high as well for anyone else in the family other than me :(

I also had a cargo barrier in the garage that I got for free years ago and wanted to finally use.

Got a little done today with the base floor for the draw and fridge and mocked up what needed to be done to fit the cargo barrier.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_4945.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_4950.jpg

Next mount the cargo barrier properly pretty much as an XJ one would mount and then make a draw etc.

Cheers
Steve

[Dave]

Looking good Steve, I wish I had that much space in the back of the KJ! While you are working on the back end, have you checked the rear door struts? I'm sure Jaffas told you what happened, and almost happened, with his on the Birdsville trip last year. Long distances on corrugations etc can do bad things!

Dave

[Steve F]

Not sure what happend to Jaffas but my gas struts were replaced about 12 months ago when they started to loose their holding power :)

Cheers
Steve

[Dave]

Jaffas replaced his before heading West. At our first lunch stop after hitting dirt, the rear door opened very fast, then both struts snapped off at their mounting points, at which point the rear door came down even faster. Not good and almost caused a bad accident. Glad to hear yours are in good nick!

Dave

[Steve F]

Mounted the cargo barrier and bolted the fridge slide down :) I had to take the handles off for it to fit properly so I'll make some strap handles to attach it to the slide with. Just need to make the draw and top now and also another two mounts for the cargo barrier so the top is supported by the upper seat belt mount.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_4955.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_4958.jpg

Cheers
Steve

[SteveC]

As for cargo barriers - check out http://stores.ebay.com.au/travallusa

They have very reasonable steel barriers, that are powder coated for many model Jeeps & others. They cost about $110 to ship to Australia

[Steve F]

Did some more, also glued and screwed the top down and mounted the slides but no pics of those sorted yet.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_4978.jpg

I decided to go with one deep draw, two draws is nice but they wont be that deep and that would also mean more weight, cost and less useable space. The draw itself will have slots for dividers in it that will be removable and repositionable for the best packing of whatever I take.

I also had the passenger side upright moved away from the wheel arch a little so that area was a bit bigger and can be used, it's a bit small otherwise and not very practical. The top will have a removable lid for access to it.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_4980.jpg

Tools, oil, recovery gear will fit in here with the little extra space I left.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_4981.jpg

Due to the slope of the rear seat there is an odd angle at the back of the draw, rather than just loose that space I will extend the draw base to the cargo barrier and mount the compressor and first aid kit back there, they will slide out when the draw is pulled out but will be outside the rear of the draw if that makes sense. I'll also run power back there for the compressor and possible an invertor if needed.

With the base off the compressor it just fits in the angled section behind the draw.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_4983.jpg

Since the draw has to be raised up a little to clear the rear plastic surround around the hatch striker I'm going to use the space to slide in a thin table top, this will pull out and mount on top of the draw when it is out to make a table, I'll embed some rare earth magnets in it and the top of the draw sides so when it sits on the draw it wont slip off. I'll also use them to attach it to the floor for travelling.

Anyway, hope that all makes sense. More pics when I have the draw sorted.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve F]

Did some more, I decided not to mount the compressor at the back of the drawer, too hard to get too and it ate into the drawer space. I'll mount it next to the fridge or possibly behind it.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_4986.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_4987.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_4996.jpg

I sloped the rear of the draw instead to get as much drawer space as possible.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_5000.jpg

Cheers
Steve

[Wolfe]

love your work steve

[Steve F]

All glued and screwed together now, I also made the drawer face as well. The last thing to do is put a support across the back to stop the whole thing racking over, unlikely but better to be safe :) Then carpet tomorrow after a bit of epoxy on a couple of the joints to fill a gap or two ;) Also need to put on a handle, latches and some tiedown track that I have for the top.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_5006.jpg

I think I'll mount a torch on the back of the drawer front that extends over the side and possibly some other small often used items.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_5009.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_5010.jpg

And to get some overall perspective on size.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_5014.jpg

Cheers
Steve

[Steve F]

Carpeted, the exposed wood at the front will be lacquered for a bit of colour :)

I need to install the locking bolt I have and the tiedowns on the top but I'm done for today.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_5031.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_5037.jpg

Cheers
Steve

[Steve F]

Mounted the lock and tiedown track (after I gave it a clean up)

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_5044.jpg

Still need to line the drawer, looking at some thin rubber

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_5045.jpg

Also test fitted the compressor, it fits behind the fridge, just, it'll be an easier fit once the sand tray comes off as that will drop it down a littleand let it go further back. Tonight I'll pull it apart around the switch and see if I can rotate the hose output so it points up, should be able to. I'll also wire in a remote switch and then mount it and hardwire it into the power I've run to the back for the fridge. I'll also mount a short hose to the rear of the jeep that terminates at a quick connect below the tail light.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_5047.jpg

Cheers
Steve

[Steve F]

Wired in the compressor. Connected up an Anderson plug to the large wire I have running to the rear of the jeep, it's switched via a 70A relay, I didn't feel comfortable running it directly through a switch even though it's switched directly on the compressor. The switch for the relay is a simple toggle switch with a missile switch cover on it so when it's shut the compressor is off. Last thing I want is it getting knocked on while I unload and running the second battery flat. You can just see the switch near the 'D' pillar. You can also see I managed to rotate the outlet on the compressor so it points up and gives me more room for it.

Tomorrow I'll run a hose from the compressor to a plug on the rear of the Jeep, probably just below the rubber stopper the tailgate stops against.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_5062.jpg

Cheers
Steve

[Steve F]

Ran the hose from the compressor to just inside the tailgate. Since I dont have a tank (no pressure cutoff) I used an open end fitting so I couldn't over pressurize the line accidentally. It's mounted through the steel and then through a hole in the plastic trim, nice and solid and works really well. I also got a new hose for the compressor, one that will reach the front wheels easily from here.

It's the anodized blue fitting, I had it already so thought I'd use it :)

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_5084.jpg

Cheers
Steve

[Steve F]

Had some nice ply and hardwood in the garage so made a small table top. There is room under the drawer to the passenger side as it is raised to allow it to clear the plastic around the tailgate latch. I decided to use this space to fit a table top for the drawer. Anyway.

The top, has a hardwood raised edge on it and will be lacquered etc.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_5096.jpg

Made it half the drawer length so it can be slid back and forth to allow access to the drawer, it's also high enough to stop the drawer closing with it on and knocking everything off :)

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_5097.jpg

Stores nicely under the drawer, just need to put a stop under there so it cant slide back too far. Quite easy to get out as well. Just trying to efficiently use as much space as possible.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_5095.jpg

Cheers
Steve

[Steve F]

Me and my son made a frame for a shelf above the fridge, just need to weld some brackets on it to attach it to the cargo barrier and then put a plywood carpeted floor on it. Mostly for light weight stuff so the space above the fridge can be used as well.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_5102.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/Storage%20System/IMG_5103.jpg

Cheers
Steve

[Steve F]

Got some rubber isolated mounts for a lawn mower to remount the compressor, man is it quiet in the Jeep now. My daughter doesn't have to get ouy of her seat in the back when I air up now. Previously the vibration with it directly bolted to the floor was too much to put up with especially with the drawer acting as a big speaker box. They are studs on the top isolated from the bolts that go into the bottom of the mounts.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc200/steveff/IMG_0370.jpg

Cheers
Steve