Durangotang's Custom Rear Storage

durangotang · **Posted:** Fri Aug 07, 2009 10:46 pm

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.

The rack mounts into the factory shelf slots with a piece of 3/4" tubing.

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.

Quick and easy way to hold things open... plus it automatically resets to close when you lit the lid again.

The hinges and rear mounts... (hinges not completely bolted yet)

Welds started out a little cold and lumpy... yuck

But after a bit I got back into the groove of things... (I need a TIG setup again)

I'll update once more goodies get added...

Murphyman · **Posted:** Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:15 pm

Looks Fabalicious

kskj · **Posted:** Sat Aug 08, 2009 2:27 am

That looks really good.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Sat Aug 08, 2009 10:50 am

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

whys it notched out on the left side?

durangotang · **Posted:** Sat Aug 08, 2009 1:51 pm

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:

jeepmedic46 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:40 pm

Looks great. Awesome job

stumpjumper_09 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:08 pm

I think that is the most awesome storage idea I've seen yet

durangotang · **Posted:** Fri Sep 04, 2009 12:48 am

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....

riptricket · **Posted:** Fri Sep 04, 2009 11:37 am

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...

durangotang · **Posted:** Fri Sep 04, 2009 12:23 pm

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.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 04, 2009 3:19 pm

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

MtnLuvr · **Posted:** Sun Sep 06, 2009 8:15 am

Looks great Durangotang. Its always great to see someone modifying their Liberty to suit their needs. Keep going....

durangotang · **Posted:** Fri Dec 11, 2009 10:09 pm

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...

Welded up a new support for my cargo shelf. Fridge base can be seen in background.

Just managed to make it a 3 seater again

New compressor and tank installed.

Cargo shelf reinstalled and everything ready to go.

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

UncleDave · **Posted:** Sun Jan 10, 2010 11:35 am

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:

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!

Durangotang's Custom Rear Storage

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