24HOURSOFNEVADA
Expedition Leader
Great build Martyn, glad to see the engine get sorted out. I'm enjoying The full size build and look forward to your rear storage solutions.
Full Size Truck/Expedition Truck Concept Vehicle
- Thread starter Martyn
- Start date
Martyn
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
Sorry, I've been busy with the JK Habitat release and haven't followed up with the build as planned.
All the storage units were placed into the truck the day before SEMA!!!! Talk about last minute. 1Leglance from Disabled Explorers helped me assemble everything in the SEMA parking lot.
I'd loaded all the panels into the back of the truck the day before, panels from the three units were all mixed up together. Luckily I had my original drawings and Lance and I separated them out. Once we had them grouped together the assembly went fairly quickly.
When I get a chance, and it stops snowing I'll take pictures and bring the thread up to date.
All the storage units were placed into the truck the day before SEMA!!!! Talk about last minute. 1Leglance from Disabled Explorers helped me assemble everything in the SEMA parking lot.
I'd loaded all the panels into the back of the truck the day before, panels from the three units were all mixed up together. Luckily I had my original drawings and Lance and I separated them out. Once we had them grouped together the assembly went fairly quickly.
When I get a chance, and it stops snowing I'll take pictures and bring the thread up to date.
Snafu
Adventurer
I wouldn't worry...for a long time now they've been assembling Rams and a big chunk of their parts in Mexico. I live in El Chuco town (El Paso) and you wouldn't believe how many Dodge trucks I see daily with Chihuahua plates.
Another thing you see regularly is wrecked cars (some stolen too!) from all over the USA getting towed out to Mexico...That's one reason cash for clunkers wasn't too popular around here, really put a damper on the amount of older vehicles getting exported!!
Every Miles A Memory
Expedition Leader
Love the bed storage boxes. I might just have to copy some of those designs as I've been trying now for 4 years to come up with a bed system that would work for us.
After multiple designs being built and tore out, the current bed sits empty. I like how yours can be removed so easily
Cant wait for the finished product shots
After multiple designs being built and tore out, the current bed sits empty. I like how yours can be removed so easily
Cant wait for the finished product shots
Martyn
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
The first stage of the storage is complete. I'll photo document that in the next week if the weather stays good.
Second stage is being designed. I'm working on upper storage with a bamboo top surface to double as a food preparation area and sleeping platform. I'll also have a pull out desk "office" set up so I can work while I'm on the road.
Should have it all in place by Expo in April.
Second stage is being designed. I'm working on upper storage with a bamboo top surface to double as a food preparation area and sleeping platform. I'll also have a pull out desk "office" set up so I can work while I'm on the road.
Should have it all in place by Expo in April.
chilliwak
Expedition Leader
Hope this info helps you out.:coffeedrink:The first unit to be placed was the front chest. At 4ft wide (1,219mm) it slid back between the wheel wells unit it was up against the front of the bed.
The chest was held in place using threaded insert placed in the bed and bolts with washers inside the chest.
The wheel wells and the rounded contours of the bed provided a challenge when it came to using the space most efficiently. The cabinets were designed with open backs to utilize as much of this space as possible. The design depends on the shape of the vehicle being worked on, for the Ford had they been designed as boxes with an enclosed back I felt that I would have lost a lot of usable space.
The front chest was followed by the passenger side unit ,with the fridge slide attached (54.5” L x 24” W x 16.75” T – 1384mm x 610mm x 425mm).
The cross member behind the fridge was notched to accommodate the wheel well
The back wall fell just behind the main body of the wheel well and I made the fit fairly tight to contain the contents of the side unit.
Here is a view of the front chest and the passenger side unit fitted into the bed.
The drivers side unit (54.5” L x 24” W x 16.75” T – 1384mm x 610mm x 425mm) is also open backed and has a similar set up to the passenger side in its form fitting to the contours of the bed.
The overall impression when all the units are in place is that of a solid cabinetry, even though two of the units are backless.
The only area to complete was the spaces on either side of the front chest. I shaped some panels to the contour of the bed and cut holes in them to make it easy to install and remove them. I created three small lips for the panels to sit on.
I just noticed that the osb wood that you used has the `This side down´marking pointed up. Just wanted to let you know about that. Otherwise looks like the set-up is great for your application.
Loco-Nomad
Adventurer
Any new updates on this sweet build? Any "issues" come up now that you have had more time to tryout the setup? :drool:
Jr_Explorer
Explorer
Final Pics?
I'm bumping this because I'm pretty sure this vehicle has progressed since the last post. Of course with the JK project it might not have!
I'm bumping this because I'm pretty sure this vehicle has progressed since the last post. Of course with the JK project it might not have!
Martyn
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
Yes the vehicle has progressed along well. It is in Prescott and I am in Lake Tahoe. I'll be back down in AZ in a week and I'll take pictures and do a write up.
Thanks for being patient.
Martyn
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
The phase two version of the truck is complete. Phase one was the ARB front bumper, snorkel, OME shocks, and AT FlipPac. Phase two was the internal storage in the bed.
Here is an overview of the bed interior. The right side has the fridge, and a top opening storage unit. At the front of the bed is a top opening chest with two small side storage units. The left side has a double layer, the upper & lower are open front storage, the top surface is at counter height and can be used for cooking inside the FlipPac.
I'll be hanging a Load Tamer cargo net over the front of the open storage to keep everything in place when off-road. The net also allows me to attach soft items to the exterior of the net using carabiners.
There is a slide out desk or table in the left side storage. I use this as a desk, sitting on the top opening storage on the right side. It can also be used as a table for two, one sitting on the front chest and the other on the right storage.
At the front of the bed is a top opening storage chest, I may put an on demand water system in there are some point, there are two small storage areas to the left and right of the chest. I made the chest just narrower than the wheel well width so it can be easily slid out.
Behind the fridge on the right side is a small top opening unit. The unit has an open back on the interior, this way I can maximize the space around the wheel well.
The fridge is on a full extension side and can be accessed with the tailgate open or closed. Behind the fridge I have a couple of 12 volt outlets and a junction box for the 12 volt system in the bed of the truck. Right now the 12 volt in the bed consists of two red/white LED lights and eight 12 volt outlets. The great thing about the junction box is I can add to the system at any time.
I have future plans for the truck but nothing immediate.
Here is an overview of the bed interior. The right side has the fridge, and a top opening storage unit. At the front of the bed is a top opening chest with two small side storage units. The left side has a double layer, the upper & lower are open front storage, the top surface is at counter height and can be used for cooking inside the FlipPac.
I'll be hanging a Load Tamer cargo net over the front of the open storage to keep everything in place when off-road. The net also allows me to attach soft items to the exterior of the net using carabiners.
There is a slide out desk or table in the left side storage. I use this as a desk, sitting on the top opening storage on the right side. It can also be used as a table for two, one sitting on the front chest and the other on the right storage.
At the front of the bed is a top opening storage chest, I may put an on demand water system in there are some point, there are two small storage areas to the left and right of the chest. I made the chest just narrower than the wheel well width so it can be easily slid out.
Behind the fridge on the right side is a small top opening unit. The unit has an open back on the interior, this way I can maximize the space around the wheel well.
The fridge is on a full extension side and can be accessed with the tailgate open or closed. Behind the fridge I have a couple of 12 volt outlets and a junction box for the 12 volt system in the bed of the truck. Right now the 12 volt in the bed consists of two red/white LED lights and eight 12 volt outlets. The great thing about the junction box is I can add to the system at any time.
I have future plans for the truck but nothing immediate.
Martyn,
Thanks for sharing the details of this project. Do you know how much weight is saved using the composite panels to construct the interior, versus the original plywood?
Do you have a ballpark figure for the weight that the cabinets, mechanicals like the refrigerator and house battery, and the AT FlipPac add to the truck?
Regarding "Cardboard Aided Design," Costco is a good source for big sheets of cardboard. The pallet loads of items displayed on the racks at Costco often include thin cardboard to separate the layers of merchandise. Usually it's not corrugated, so it's easier to bend into shape during the design phase. Some pallets use cardboard with a white finish, making it a little easier to see pencil lines. Costco is happy to let you take as many sheets as you want, no charge.
Thanks for sharing the details of this project. Do you know how much weight is saved using the composite panels to construct the interior, versus the original plywood?
Do you have a ballpark figure for the weight that the cabinets, mechanicals like the refrigerator and house battery, and the AT FlipPac add to the truck?
Regarding "Cardboard Aided Design," Costco is a good source for big sheets of cardboard. The pallet loads of items displayed on the racks at Costco often include thin cardboard to separate the layers of merchandise. Usually it's not corrugated, so it's easier to bend into shape during the design phase. Some pallets use cardboard with a white finish, making it a little easier to see pencil lines. Costco is happy to let you take as many sheets as you want, no charge.
BUMP! Anything else done this year? Lots of good stuf in this thread!
I'm not familiar with the cardboard mentioned, guess it would make good dividers.
I like the approach here and will follow much of it as well. Mine is the little F-150 extended cab but our trucks are the same color...lol
How often do you get in water over three feet deep, I like the cool look of the snorkels, not sure I'd ever use it.....is there any ram air effect with it? MPG?
I'm not familiar with the cardboard mentioned, guess it would make good dividers.
I like the approach here and will follow much of it as well. Mine is the little F-150 extended cab but our trucks are the same color...lol
How often do you get in water over three feet deep, I like the cool look of the snorkels, not sure I'd ever use it.....is there any ram air effect with it? MPG?