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Durangotang's Custom Rear Storage
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=45679
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Author:  durangotang [ Fri Aug 07, 2009 10:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Durangotang's Custom Rear Storage

Things are still going well in an attempt to prepare the KJ for the Cabo trip next spring. I've been interested in a rear shelf or rack but never saw quite what I wanted.

Some rummaging around a metal scrap yeard turned up 1 big and oddly shaped piece of aluminum diamond plate. $50 later it was mine. The shape was a square "C" but I found a shape I could turn it into. A friend of mine let me use his TIG welder for a growler of beer and off I went. No pics of the build process but here's the final product:

All the bends were done over the 90 degree edge of my friend's welding table with a 2x4 and a big hammer :lol: I'm just glad I remembered how to run a TIG torch after a year or so off.
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The rack mounts into the factory shelf slots with a piece of 3/4" tubing.
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I wanted some added security so I made it have two compartments... a lockbox and tools will go in the middle section. I wanted to see how a light would work out in there and that marine light was the only one I had... some LED's on a refrigerator switch will be coming.
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Quick and easy way to hold things open... plus it automatically resets to close when you lit the lid again.
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The hinges and rear mounts... (hinges not completely bolted yet)
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Welds started out a little cold and lumpy... yuck
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But after a bit I got back into the groove of things... (I need a TIG setup again)
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I'll update once more goodies get added... :D

Author:  Murphyman [ Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:15 pm ]
Post subject: 

Looks Fabalicious 8)

Author:  kskj [ Sat Aug 08, 2009 2:27 am ]
Post subject: 

That looks really good. 8)

Author:  JJsTJ [ Sat Aug 08, 2009 10:50 am ]
Post subject: 

(whisper) aluminum hinges, more tig welding, No bolts......

whys it notched out on the left side?

Author:  durangotang [ Sat Aug 08, 2009 1:51 pm ]
Post subject: 

JJsKJ wrote:
(whisper) aluminum hinges, more tig welding, No bolts......

whys it notched out on the left side?


That was the best shape I could come up with given the shape of the metal I was working with... didn't have a choice unless I wanted to make it smaller.

And yes, I know that the hinges shoudl have been welded... but I already wore out my welcome with my friend's wife by camping out in their garage welding all day. (her car normally lives in that garage) I'll have to lay low a couple weeks before I can try it again. :lol:

Author:  jeepmedic46 [ Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:40 pm ]
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Looks great. Awesome job :)

Author:  stumpjumper_09 [ Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:08 pm ]
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I think that is the most awesome storage idea I've seen yet

Author:  durangotang [ Fri Sep 04, 2009 12:48 am ]
Post subject: 

Some updates....

I bedlined the interior of the compartments and started to install some accessories. The compressors are bolted down, as is the lockbox. A second fusebox is getting wired into the inside compartment for all the expedition goodies wired to a second deep cycle battery and solar charger.... yikes :shock: I'm already confused....

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Author:  riptricket [ Fri Sep 04, 2009 11:37 am ]
Post subject: 

Looks awesome!
Why two compressors?
Also have you noticed how hot it gets.... i have the same one and man it gets hot after about 10 minutes of use...

Author:  durangotang [ Fri Sep 04, 2009 12:23 pm ]
Post subject: 

riptricket wrote:
Looks awesome!
Why two compressors?
Also have you noticed how hot it gets.... i have the same one and man it gets hot after about 10 minutes of use...


The 2 compressors is just for redundancy... this way I can cut down on the workload for each and have a backup if one quits working.

Author:  JeepinJarhead03 [ Fri Sep 04, 2009 3:19 pm ]
Post subject: 

nice gettup tangerrang! walmart sells some tire tread lookin rubber in sheets that has 3m sticky backing if ya decide to line the inside of anything

Author:  MtnLuvr [ Sun Sep 06, 2009 8:15 am ]
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Looks great Durangotang. Its always great to see someone modifying their Liberty to suit their needs. Keep going....

Author:  durangotang [ Fri Dec 11, 2009 10:09 pm ]
Post subject: 

Today I took another big step in the rear storage area... things got VERY re-done and beefed up. It's all over-engineered by 1,000% but that's just fine with me.

Started off the day welding up a base for my fridge...
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Welded up a new support for my cargo shelf. Fridge base can be seen in background.
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Just managed to make it a 3 seater again 8) New compressor and tank installed.
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Cargo shelf reinstalled and everything ready to go.
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I think I finally found the way I want it done. It took a LOT of shuffling and a couple hundred mockups...

I did find out one very cool thing:
The drawers are big enough to fit a hi-lift :D
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Author:  UncleDave [ Sun Jan 10, 2010 11:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Durangotang's Custom Rear Storage

Wow! How cool is that!? Especially given the fact you were able to keep expenses to a minimum! I trust the 'fridge will see it's share of beer. I know Pacifico goes particularly well with fresh fish tacos that are so readily available in Baja.... :wink: :CAMPING:

I am so jealous! I have always wanted to do a similar trip, ever since I read an article in 'Pickup, Van & Four Wheel Drive' magazine (predecessor to Four Wheeler) waaay back when. They drove/tested a new full size Bronco down the west coast, and back up the east coast of Baja. Camping, fishing, digging clams, you guys will have a blast!

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