Brian894x4’s Land Cruiser FZJ80 build thread.
- Thread starter Brian894x4
- Start date
adventureduo
Dave Druck [KI6LBB]
Dude! Brian! Love the shelf i idea for a barrier! What size shelf did you use? I can't find a barrier anywhere , let alone a 1/2 barrier for someone with drawers. Mind if i steal your idea? :hehe:
I have a couple of these that I might make into cargo net. They are very strong. I just have to figure out a way to mount/secure them. 58"W x 37"H
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Heav...007QQitemZ170108811825QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Heav...007QQitemZ170108811825QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
Brian894x4
Explorer
SOCALFJ said:
Thanks for the kind words, everyone!
I kind of stole the idea from mud, but I took it a step further. My goal was to make a barrier that was rock solid, wouldn't make noise, i.e. squeak, and would actually stop something if it had too.
The shelving is pretty standard wire shevling, but I'm not exactly sure of the size. I think it's about 4' x 1.5" or thereabouts.
The 3rd row grab handles are perfect places to bolt from the top using L brackets. The African Outback drawers have the wood top deck, which allows for things to be easily screwed and secured from the bottom. Each shelf has a lip on it and I pointed the lip down on both shevles. The bottom lip of the bottom shelf allowed for screws and washers to be used to screw it down.
The hardpart is securing the two halves together. Wire ties or small hose clamps were attempted first, but they just don't do the job. The two halves have to behave as one to be effective, otherwise they squeak and rattle and aren't as strong. So, I used bolts and washers and a lot of them. This works great.
The whole thing needs to be rock solid, because even with two halves behaving as one, the metal can vibrate and be annoying, so I added braces and additional bracketry at the bottom end. Then covered the top and the center (with the lip) with pipe insulation. Mostly just for looks.
So far it seems to work. I'm sure the real cargo barriers are much better and safer, but it definatley keeps things away from the passenger compartment when needed and should stop reasonable stuff. I figure the shelf material itself will give way before any of my mounting bracketry. The only thing I don't like is that it's not easy to remove, if I need more room to haul something long.
If needed, I'll take some measurements and more pics when I get back into town later this weekend.
:Mechanic:
Brian894x4
Explorer
Added some updates on my rig on this page on my site:
http://www.brian894x4.com/ExpeditionLCInterior.html
That's a subpage to my page dedicated to my Land Cruiser,
http://www.brian894x4.com/ExpeditionLandCruiserFZJ80.html
Which is a subpage of...we'll you the idea...
The gist is that I added some Ham radios and a few other mods to the interior over the last few weeks and finally got around to posting some better pictures.
http://www.brian894x4.com/ExpeditionLCInterior.html
That's a subpage to my page dedicated to my Land Cruiser,
http://www.brian894x4.com/ExpeditionLandCruiserFZJ80.html
Which is a subpage of...we'll you the idea...
The gist is that I added some Ham radios and a few other mods to the interior over the last few weeks and finally got around to posting some better pictures.
Mlachica
TheRAMadaINN on Instagram
nice, you've got all the cool gadgets.
sorry if I you answered this already. Any plans to use oem switches with your lockers and the dash indicator? I think you mentioned you were going to use the arb switches. I did mine this week and it was actually quite simple and it only took a couple hours.
sorry if I you answered this already. Any plans to use oem switches with your lockers and the dash indicator? I think you mentioned you were going to use the arb switches. I did mine this week and it was actually quite simple and it only took a couple hours.
Brian894x4
Explorer
Actually I would like to use the OEM dial switch, but I don't have a wiring diagram so I wasn't sure how that would work. I'd love to hear how you did it, especially with the dash lights working.
Mlachica
TheRAMadaINN on Instagram
Here's the link to the write up I followed on mud...
http://www.forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=39028&highlight=arb+factory+switch
The oem rotary switch has three pins. One + in and 1 out for rear and 1 out for front. Just ohm it out to see which is which. The pin by itself is the positive in. Dig for the factory switch and splice into it.
Here's the writeup for dash removal...
http://www.forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=99481&highlight=dash+removal
I think the rest is covered in the first thread...if you have any questions just pm me.
http://www.forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=39028&highlight=arb+factory+switch
The oem rotary switch has three pins. One + in and 1 out for rear and 1 out for front. Just ohm it out to see which is which. The pin by itself is the positive in. Dig for the factory switch and splice into it.
Here's the writeup for dash removal...
http://www.forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=99481&highlight=dash+removal
I think the rest is covered in the first thread...if you have any questions just pm me.
Brian894x4
Explorer
Thanks for the kind words Guy, I just saw the post now as I was getting ready to add the following updates....
I finished upgrading my cargo area today.
Gone is the custom cargo barrier and installed is a new full width deck that I made and bolted to top of the African Outback drawers.
This allowed me to store a few things back there a little more effeciently, including gas cans and a new Powertank.
The reason I removed the barrier is that it was permanantly attached and not easily removable incase I needed to load up a large item or wanted to sleep back there.
I plan to eventually source an African Outback half barrier, but until then, I rigged up what I call a "quarter" barrier. It will make up for not having a left rear seat, but it's not really designed for protection, since it doesn't go all the way to the roof. But it is pretty strong, if anything were to hit it.
Pic 1) shows a sleeping bag (wife likes green flowers, what can I say?) layed out in the back
Pic 2) shows the AO drawers opened up with tools, spares, gear stored inside
Pic 3) shows the over all view with the drawer closed. This is what I normally carry, when I'm not packed for a long trip. Lately, we've been doing a lot of day trips into the local Coast Range Mountains for our abandoned logging railroad research.
I finished upgrading my cargo area today.
Gone is the custom cargo barrier and installed is a new full width deck that I made and bolted to top of the African Outback drawers.
This allowed me to store a few things back there a little more effeciently, including gas cans and a new Powertank.
The reason I removed the barrier is that it was permanantly attached and not easily removable incase I needed to load up a large item or wanted to sleep back there.
I plan to eventually source an African Outback half barrier, but until then, I rigged up what I call a "quarter" barrier. It will make up for not having a left rear seat, but it's not really designed for protection, since it doesn't go all the way to the roof. But it is pretty strong, if anything were to hit it.
Pic 1) shows a sleeping bag (wife likes green flowers, what can I say?) layed out in the back
Pic 2) shows the AO drawers opened up with tools, spares, gear stored inside
Pic 3) shows the over all view with the drawer closed. This is what I normally carry, when I'm not packed for a long trip. Lately, we've been doing a lot of day trips into the local Coast Range Mountains for our abandoned logging railroad research.
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Brian894x4
Explorer
On the left is the 10 gallon Powertank. I decided to go with a C02 tank for a number of reasons, but mainly because I really like how fast they fill up tires and being able to easily reseat a bead if needed and not having to deal with the plumbing of an air compressor and tank.
So, I removed my air compressor and air tank. The ARB compressor will eventually go back to the engine compartment where it belongs and power my air lockers.
On the right is 7 gallons of spare fuel in 3 gas cans. (There's one next to the drawers too) Storing fuel inside it not necessarily a good idea, but at least these the Wedco cans are super air tight. Never a hint of fuel vapor. And right now I don't really have a choice.
I use 2.5 gallon gas cans because they are easier to fill and store. I have a couple more that I will probably also carry on any particular long trip, which would give me up to 12 gallons of extra fuel. For where I go, I shouldn't need any more than that.
A spare tank and rear tire carrier just isn't in the budget right now and a roof rack won't fit with my garage. Only inches to spare as it is.
Also, here's another shot of the rear passenger area and the new "quarter barrier".
So, I removed my air compressor and air tank. The ARB compressor will eventually go back to the engine compartment where it belongs and power my air lockers.
On the right is 7 gallons of spare fuel in 3 gas cans. (There's one next to the drawers too) Storing fuel inside it not necessarily a good idea, but at least these the Wedco cans are super air tight. Never a hint of fuel vapor. And right now I don't really have a choice.
I use 2.5 gallon gas cans because they are easier to fill and store. I have a couple more that I will probably also carry on any particular long trip, which would give me up to 12 gallons of extra fuel. For where I go, I shouldn't need any more than that.
A spare tank and rear tire carrier just isn't in the budget right now and a roof rack won't fit with my garage. Only inches to spare as it is.
Also, here's another shot of the rear passenger area and the new "quarter barrier".
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Brian894x4
Explorer
The sides of the new deck also lift up to access the storage areas on either side of the AO drawers.
I like this set up a lot. The Powertank and fuel cans take up less space than I thought they would. Partly because they occupy space that I previously wasn't able to use.
Oh ya, and I installed George's LED domes and map lights, plus some superbrightleds for the doors. AWESOME is all I can say about that!
I like this set up a lot. The Powertank and fuel cans take up less space than I thought they would. Partly because they occupy space that I previously wasn't able to use.
Oh ya, and I installed George's LED domes and map lights, plus some superbrightleds for the doors. AWESOME is all I can say about that!
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Brian894x4
Explorer
Thanks much. I went with the WLED 5-LED Wide Angle LED bulb (white). Based on what I read on numerous mud threads, that one seems to cast light in more directions giving you better light towards the ground and interior floor with the door open. I'd say it works OK. It's the only one I've tried. Certainly brighter than the stock bulb.
That was the easiest mod I've ever done and they shipped super fast. I got 'em in my mail box in about 2 days. I ordered a few more plus some dome lights from them for my other cars. And some small accent LEDs that I'm going to install to light up various interior places when needed.
I also got their LUXART LED Module - SBL brand. It's only 1 watt, but should work pretty good as an engine light and another rear light. I have one attached to the inside rear glass. When the hatch is up, it shines directly onto the tailgate and directly into the drawers when opened. Works great!
And of course, George's LEDs are awesome. Very spendy, but worth it. I almost only got one dome, but I'm glad that I bought both domes and the map light is just amazing.
That was the easiest mod I've ever done and they shipped super fast. I got 'em in my mail box in about 2 days. I ordered a few more plus some dome lights from them for my other cars. And some small accent LEDs that I'm going to install to light up various interior places when needed.
I also got their LUXART LED Module - SBL brand. It's only 1 watt, but should work pretty good as an engine light and another rear light. I have one attached to the inside rear glass. When the hatch is up, it shines directly onto the tailgate and directly into the drawers when opened. Works great!
And of course, George's LEDs are awesome. Very spendy, but worth it. I almost only got one dome, but I'm glad that I bought both domes and the map light is just amazing.