Adventure Tool Company's "RhinoRide60" Land Cruiser: Part 2 (2023)

[BritKLR]

Nice! A fire extinguisher is something that's overlooked by all too many people. I would have mounted it on the passenger side to ensure that if it did come lose, it wouldn't interfere with the pedals, but I think you'll be fine. My grandfather's '73 CJ-5 has had a pair of extinguishers mounted to the dash in the same bracket for over 30 years and they've never fallen out. They don't even rattle going down the trail.

Ridge Runner-
Thanks...yeah, after over 25 years in LE I put my share of car fires out. It's amazing how quickly the small extinguishers get consumed, but if used efficiently they can usually knock the flames down enough to get someone out or with the aid of roadside dirt, wool blankets, coats, etc, put the fire out completely.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Aye. The only thing I wish I knew for sure is how the vibrations of driving and mounting them in a horizontal position affects the chemicals inside. I've heard some people say that the vibration will cause the chemicals to settle and become compacted, thus rendering it useless in an emergency, and I've heard others say they should be fine, which I'm more inclined to agree with. Basically, I'd just like to find a chemical engineer at one of these companies to ask, which I will probably try to do now that it's crossed my mind.

 

[BritKLR]

Aye. The only thing I wish I knew for sure is how the vibrations of driving and mounting them in a horizontal position affects the chemicals inside. I've heard some people say that the vibration will cause the chemicals to settle and become compacted, thus rendering it useless in an emergency, and I've heard others say they should be fine, which I'm more inclined to agree with. Basically, I'd just like to find a chemical engineer at one of these companies to ask, which I will probably try to do now that it's crossed my mind.

Never had a problem with that. Even the ones that sat in our Special Operations vehicles for who knows how long, would discharge when needed.
Good luck with your research.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Good to know!

 

[BritKLR]

Your Land Cruiser has probably the cleanest rear seat removal that I've seen. I had wanted to avoid removing mine mostly for looks, but yours doesn't look bad at all!

ETA: Just saw the ExPo review of your tool roll. Nice!

Ridge Runner-

Thanks on both counts!

But now comes the challenge.....I'm in the process of reconfiguring the RR for our new life in the mountains. In the past, the truck was used for our cross country trips, club events and running around town. Now here in Colorado I need the truck to fill three very specific areas.

Area 1: PR/Image truck for Adventure Tool Company. The truck has to have enough storage room to carry all our camping gear, supplies plus ATC inventory to club events, trade show events, delivery truck, etc. and be our vender stall during the events.
So, maintaining its appearance and reliability is important.

Area 2: Overland camping truck. My wife and I still love heading out west and spending a week of back country exploring. Heck, our new home here in Colorado is at the base of the Continental Divide so we have tons of local trails and roads to explore and the rest of our lives to do it! So, reliability, camping gear storage capability and spontaneity is important.

Area 3: Mountain Rescue Truck. I now belong to a mountain rescue group and have already been on several high mountain events and used the truck to haul gear and people to staging areas (lots of fun with no back seats!) and found I really need the back seat, secure full time storage for my callout kit and bulk storage in the back and on top. Heck, the last practice put us at 9000' during a snow storm. Due to the road being snowed over none of the rigs could get up to the staging area so we hiked 2 miles with all the gear and then an additional 2 miles to the patients with an elevation climb. Eventually snow machines were brought in to move gear and people in and out. I didn't have the RR that day, I wish I did...because my 4wd GMC truck couldn't even get up the road and eventually got stuck with several other trucks! So, reliability, durability, capability and versatility are critically important.

So, my plan is to slowly reconfigure the interior floor plan of the truck to accommodate each of these areas, understanding that it won't be perfect in any specific area. I intend on using the truck for its designed purpose, without abusing it, while caring and maintaining it and hopefully in the years to come it'll gain a wonderful hard earned retirement. I'll update as I go along.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Scrapdaddy]

Paul,

Time to call up the Working pig! It would be a great platform for everything you need. Think about it

 

[BritKLR]

Paul,

Time to call up the Working pig! It would be a great platform for everything you need. Think about it

Ron-

Great suggestion....as long as I can keep it from getting stuck on the driveway!

Btw, your floor shifter makes life so much easier then the column shift. Thanks again.

 

[BritKLR]

I think I've solved my floor plan design problem if anyone knows where I can find a HJ60 60/40 split rear bench seat!

 

[NMC_EXP]

I think I've solved my floor plan design problem if anyone knows where I can find a HJ60 60/40 split rear bench seat!

Paul

That is a fine looking FJ60. I do not know of the seat you need.

Since you are currently working a floor plan issue with it, maybe you could help me out....

There are 1,100 miles between me and my FJ60. Won't be reunited until March or April. Problem is I have a chance to buy some storage containers for the rear cargo bay and I do not have the dimensions of the bay.

Specifically: [1] minimum width between the wheel arches at floor level, and [2] length front to back from inside surface of tailgate to rear surface of back seat (back seat in up position). This length at about 6" up from floor level due to the tailgate angling forward and the seat angling rearwards.

If you have this info already I'd appreciate your sharing it, but don't jump thru any flaming hoops to get it.

Thanks

Jim

 

[BritKLR]

Well the Rhino Ride was pressed into service transporting us and all our camping gear and ATC gear to the 2014 Overland Expo in Flagstaff. It was a 1800 mile round trip via Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. The RR did a fantastic job, yet I'll be looking at ways to improve storage and drivability.

 

[ExploreNorthernBC]

Very nice! One thing I do have to bring up is that even when given a masculine name, ships, aircraft. vehicles, etc. are referred to as "her," not "him." It's your vehicle and you can call it whatever you want, but I was in the Navy and just can't resist pointing that tradition out.

With planes and ships perhaps, but I've known a lot of trucks to be called boy names. My current vehicle is Toby Tacoma

With respect to the build - awesome build.

 

[gaap master]

Really admire your build! I have an '87 FJ60 as well.

In post #18, you included a picture of a 5-switch panel in the ashtray spot. Do you have a source for that? I've been searching for one. Was it a direct fit?

Thanks!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[BritKLR]

Really admire your build! I have an '87 FJ60 as well.

In post #18, you included a picture of a 5-switch panel in the ashtray spot. Do you have a source for that? I've been searching for one. Was it a direct fit?

Thanks!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thanks! It's been a wonderful truck.

The switches and mounting faceplate are Carling brand Rocker switches. If you google them you'll find many venders the sell them. The only modification I had to do was remove the ashtray and bracket and file the backside of the hole that the ashtray came out of so the mounting faceplate had something to snap into. It's been a solid mount for several years.

Best of luck on your project!

http://www.waytekwire.com/products/1407/Carling-Rocker-Switches/&pg=2

 

[cruiserpilot]

I've not commented on your rig before, it is a completely well done build. I too removed my rear seat, much to the disgust of others. Your removable floor is genius, and the solution to my own conundrum as a multi role rig. I breed Ridgebacks, so I need to keep the cargo area open for dog hauling. I sleep in the back, so a bit different layout, but your arrangement is a great starting point. Consider your rear marine hatch & electric outlet hijacked, I've been meaning to do that, but I don't have a fridge as of yet. Everything else is pure inspiration!
Sometimes I get to lay over at Centennial Airport out of Denver, be nice to meet and see your truck one day. If you ever get to Vancouver Island, look me up.

 

[BritKLR]

I've not commented on your rig before, it is a completely well done build. I too removed my rear seat, much to the disgust of others. Your removable floor is genius, and the solution to my own conundrum as a multi role rig. I breed Ridgebacks, so I need to keep the cargo area open for dog hauling. I sleep in the back, so a bit different layout, but your arrangement is a great starting point. Consider your rear marine hatch & electric outlet hijacked, I've been meaning to do that, but I don't have a fridge as of yet. Everything else is pure inspiration!
Sometimes I get to lay over at Centennial Airport out of Denver, be nice to meet and see your truck one day. If you ever get to Vancouver Island, look me up.

cruiser pilot-

Thanks! I appreciate your compliments! As for the rear hatch it came from Hamilton Marine. They have them is dozens of sizes, colors and configurations!

If you happen to be in at the airport on the first Thursday of the month I'd be happy to pick you up for the monthly Rising Sun Toyota Club meeting. Great bunch of guys and trucks.

Good luck on your build and your dogs.

Paul