First things first, We'll see where it goes from there

[The Swiss]

Holy smokes!!! That is some nice work here. If I see some of the fabbing skills people have on this board, then I seriously hate being a sales guy!! In my next life, I will become a welder or a carpenter ... or I could just take some welding classes. I think if I could just the "measure twice, cut once part" right, I would be on the right track. Darn two left hands ...

 

[Dave Bennett]

Really like your setup. Your carpet job came out great. Any tips to share on how you got those corners done so well?

:iagree: x2

That corner looks awesome. Your whole setup is coming along nicely! :bigbossHL:

 

[Overland Hadley]

Nice work! Your dog will be riding in style.

 

[richard cabesa]

Thank guys!

A little hard to explain but I'll try. I should have taken more "during" pics

I rounded all the corners of the box with a 3/8" bit on the router so the carpet could bend easier first. Then I measured EIGHTEEN times before I cut basicly a square with a notch out of the corner. Then I marked where the box sat with a sharpie so I could get it back in the same place once I applied the contact cement.

The white line in the pic is the only cut in the carpet. The black lines are all folds. Does that help? Try to picture it laid out flat. I think the only secret I could give here when working with floppy materials like carpet etc, is to lay the floppy stuff on something flat, apply your adhisive, and then place your rigid box or what ever on to it. You have alot more control this way.

Helping at all? I could explain it better if I could wave my hands around :wings:

 

[daverami]

Thank guys!

A little hard to explain but I'll try. I should have taken more "during" pics

I rounded all the corners of the box with a 3/8" bit on the router so the carpet could bend easier first. Then I measured EIGHTEEN times before I cut basicly a square with a notch out of the corner. Then I marked where the box sat with a sharpie so I could get it back in the same place once I applied the contact cement.

The white line in the pic is the only cut in the carpet. The black lines are all folds. Does that help? Try to picture it laid out flat. I think the only secret I could give here when working with floppy materials like carpet etc, is to lay the floppy stuff on something flat, apply your adhisive, and then place your rigid box or what ever on to it. You have alot more control this way.

Helping at all? I could explain it better if I could wave my hands around :wings:

I think I got it, good planning. What is the thickness of the plywood you used for the bed box? Looks like 1/2.

 

[Switch]

Hi all, I did it! I picked up a brand spankin' new '08 access cab, TRD with the six-speed. So far I love it, of course it hasn't see any dirt yet It will.

First thing it needed was some tires that may actually work in the dirt so on went some 265/75 BFG A/T's and a quick and easy 2-1/4" lift in the front. Seeing as I can't leave anything alone, I'm sure I'll end up with some "real" suspension down the road.

I have a camper shell on order (need to lock tools up on a daily basis) and then I'll weigh the rear with tools loaded and decide on springs vs. AAL. I'm guessing that my normal tool load will be about the same as my camping load, 400-500 lbs. I'd like the rear to sit about another inch higher than stock when loaded so any suggestions would be welcomed.

I've been reading lots here and getting tons of great ideas and have a few of my own so I figured I'll share in return.

The next piece of hardware that I need is an onboard compressor so I can air those new tires down. Again suggestions welcomed. I'd like it to be an under hood permanent installation.

The next major project will be bed storage/platform/drawers that work for both work(sucks) and travel. I built a set-up like this in a van and have some ideas and drawings already going.

Oh!!! and my very special day thirteen mod that I don't really suggest for everyone. I call it the "get side swiped by the drunk woman in a motorhome at 7:30AM while parked at work" mod

I guess I don't have to worry about that first scratch any more.

Oh yeah, one more thing. My name's Dave, my parents really aren't that cruel

I'll be around :wavey:

As far as compressors are concerned, I know there are cheaper products out there, but I mounted a VIAIR compressor under the driver's side bed cubby.

Except that I wish I had a tank, this has worked well.

 

[Streakerfreak]

As far as compressors are concerned, I know there are cheaper products out there, but I mounted a VIAIR compressor under the driver's side bed cubby.

Except that I wish I had a tank, this has worked well.

Now that's cool. I would have never even thought of something like that.

 

[richard cabesa]

I think I got it, good planning. What is the thickness of the plywood you used for the bed box? Looks like 1/2.

It's all 3/4" paint grade birch. I know it seems a bit much and is heavier but I did the setup in my van years ago in 1/2" and in seven years it had fallen to pieces. Well five years really, I kept patching it up for a couple of years until I sold it. The 1/2" just doesn't hold fasteners as well.

All total, both interior and bed boxes with carpet and hardware will be a little under 200 lbs.

 

[richard cabesa]

As far as compressors are concerned,

That's cool, I haven't looked under that corner closely. Is the compressor protected from mud etc by an inner fender liner?

 

[Switch]

That's cool, I haven't looked under that corner closely. Is the compressor protected from mud etc by an inner fender liner?

The intake was positioned so it was pretty well protected even with the mudflaps removed. But with the mudflaps removed the back half of the compressor would get dirty. The only reason I never enclosed it is that I planned on replacing the bumper anyway.

Now that I've replaced the rear bumper that space is completely protected.

It might be possible to mount the compressor above the cubby instead of below it. That would keep it protected. Not sure how easy the install would be though...

 

[richard cabesa]

I got my Toy back!!!

And, got to installing the interior box. It slips right in and I used two of the old seat bolt locations to bolt it down.

I took the plastic lids off so they are all full depth. You could still use the seat belts if some one needed to slip in there to ride across town.

Carpet on the bottoms of the front three

I added a small strip of foam weather strip under the sides where the sit on the door sills.

The seats still recline enough to take a little nap there if needed.

And it's all Cleo approved

I can scratch that project off my list!!! :luxhello:

 

[Streakerfreak]

Nice! I really like that. It's cool that you can still use the seat belts. If I had any building skills and a place to do it, I would do that right away.

 

[richard cabesa]

Big Brown Truck Came Today

Always a good day when UPS shows up :wings:

You can see in the pic that I'm working on some of the lids for the storage boxes. For those who asked about the carpet corners on the cab box, and I so poorly explained, here are a few pictures

This is pretty much the same notch I cut other carpet only smaller.

When you fold the front up, the small tab folds around the corner

Then you fold the other side up to finish the corner.

When I actually glue this up tommorow, I'll probably fold the side without the tab first. Then when I fold the tab around, I will trim it to lenght.

One tip for cutting and triming carpet, use brand new good quality SHARP blades. It makes all the difference.

 

[richard cabesa]

Cross it off the list!!!

The weekend saw good progress towards completion of the bed storage. Only a few minor details left.

With some of the panels and lids open

In the last photo you can see that I didn't go full width with the forward box. I didn't waste the space though

To hold the drawer closed (and open) I went down to a buddies shop and we came up with this. I couldn't find anything off the shelf. This was more fun anyway.

It's spring loaded and pops into the hole with a nice little click.

Worked out pretty slick

Rear panels removed and you can see that there will be room for a cooler or fridge on the right

It feels good to get this project out of the way, now I just need to load it up with work(sucks) tools.

Oh, got my shocks installed too!!! :wings:

Next up: Daddy always said to use protection :bigbossHL:

 

[Streakerfreak]

Its looking good.:26_7_2: