Rear platform/storage done in XJ!!!!!

[SixLug]

Im finally done!!! For the most part. There are a couple of small details Ill pan out later but this thing is 99.9% done!! Im very excited about this b/c its been about a year or longer from drawing plans to completion. Ive put well over 100 hrs into it with drawing, measuring, cutting, building, etc. etc. and Im very pleased. Comments welcome.

On to the pics....

Slideouts that hold a front extension piece to increase the length to 70" so I can sleep back there...

plenty of room for more stuff...

 

[SixLug]

lockable...

Thats it!:wings:

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

Very nice! Do you have plans to sleep on that platform or is just for gear?

 

[SixLug]

Yes its to sleep on...the pic with the plywood extensions shows the extra length that the (not pictured) 3rd piece will sit on to make it 70" long. Im 6'2" so its still a little short, but if I sleep diagonally, it will be more than enough. If im with my lady, then Ill just have to spoon her...darn...ha

Thanks!

 

[ExpoMike]

Looks good. Limits head room in the back. I think that is one complant I have with the XJ over a Disco or Cruiser is, when you raise the floor like this, the head room is lost. Since their floor the roof height is taller, it is not as bad.

Good job.

 

[chrslefty]

basterd !!thats exactily whatt i had in mind for mine !!
good job it looks really nice . a little food for tought tho and i didnt find out tell just the other day when i pulled my carpet .but i would reconsider using thoes mounts for ur turn buckels . there only in the floor with the equivlint of the plastic thats used to hold ur door panels on with . they might have changed with the newer models but still somthing to consider or take a closer look at . other that that awsome job.

 

[BC Explorer]

Now that is beautiful and very well finished, makes me wish I kept my XJ.

 

[preacherman]

Nicely done. Your time and planning really payed off. Great job!

 

[nwoods]

Looks nice. Do you intend to install drawers at some point? What was the deciding factor on the final height of the platform?

 

[SixLug]

thanks a lot guys!

to answer the questions...The tiedowns in the floor that I hooked the turnbuckles to are all metal hardware, so Im not worried about that. If it seems they loosen up or something breaks then Ill address it at that point with bolts or something, but Ive used them plenty and they havent showed any signs of weakening.

I may install drawers, but as of now its not something Im going to do. Rubbermaid bins work well enough at this point, but it could easily accomodate drawers in the future if I decide to add them.

The final height was determined by the wheelwell arches in the back. The top of the platform sits maybe 1-2" above the top of the wheelwells. It puts the top at roughly 11" or so but Id have to check my measurements.

Thanks again guys!

 

[Black Dog]

Very well done, I especially like the bins up towards the front. What would be cool instead of drawers would be to have a slide out cooler to keep your cold beverages in. :drool:

 

[DBH]

That is a great looking mod. Nice storage ideas with the holds up front too.

 

[SixLug]

Thanks a lot fellas.

One idea I had for car-camping with buddies or something not long term was to somehow turn one of the front bins into a cooler for brewskis...Or even better, BOTH!!!

 

[gpndave]

Very nice job. Good idea to use the turn buckles and existing floor mounts. I once had an XJ and put some mounting brackets in by screwing them into the floor. VERY BAD IDEA. Let's just say the gas tank is really close to the bottom of the back floor. One suggestion...I would spin the floor anchors around and put the turn buckles on the outside to keep a clean inside wall to load cargo against.

 

[The Swiss]

Nice job.