Bigreen505's Trooper Mod tread

[bootzilla]

Thanks, I'll try that. The previous owner ran them at 65 psi (max pressure) and the tires are very obviously worn from over inflation.

Holy smokes! no wonder they wore too much in the center.

So the Rancho shocks aren't doing the job, huh? I am thinking of replacing the factory shocks with something a little more stiff - I think I have one going bad - I am noticing some strange wear on one of my rear tires (I need to replace those tires anyways..) - I was hoping that the Rancho's were good - the 9000x are similar in price to the OME's, and adjustable, and the Rancho RS5000 are reasonable priced.

If Daniel Stern can get a better price doing multiple sets of headlights, I'd be interested if the price isn't too crazy - that is one area I think the Trooper could use an upgrade in.

Somehow I missed Tad's bumper-mounted lights, I'll have to jump over there and see if I can find a pic. I was thinking of doing like a Westin bar, because you can mount lights on them, and it is far cheaper than an ARB, but I can get over the fact that the bar is designed more for looks than for functionality - a product of my Land Rover days, I guess...

 

[Scott Brady]

I swear by the OME firms. I have over 80k miles on them now and they still work great.

It will be fun to watch the progress :victory:

 

[Scott Brady]

Now that you have had the Trooper for a few weeks what do you think?

The little issues worked out?

 

[bigreen505]

Thanks Scott. I may look into those.

 

[bigreen505]

To answer Scott's question, with the limited time I've spent driving it, the Trooper seems like a good platform. Everything comes down to compromises and while I wanted a relatively small truck for the trail, I'm a bit surprised how short the cargo area is with the rear seats folded, but not removed. I have not measured, but easily 18" shorter than our Subaru Outback (I'm 5'10" and can lay down in the back of the Subaru, but the on Trooper everything below my knees hangs out).

 

[ZooJunkie]

For this problem I built a box covering the whole rear section of the cargo area in my Zoo. Once the rear seats are folded down once, I can sleep in the Zoo. I'm only 5'7" but my lil bro in law is 5'9 and didn't have any issues sleeping in this configuration. The first time out in the woods, I found that my sleeping pads are too thin!!

I'll bring some pics of my box, still waiting for drawer sliders so I can complete it.

 

[bigreen505]

I came across this thread and I really like the platform he built as it really mirrors my needs and wants. Ultimately I need to make the Trooper a safe place for people, gear and dogs while bouncing along a rough road, or even in the event of a roll over, at least to the extent that no one gets crushed by the gear. It needs to be big enough to accommodate a reasonable amount of gear, but still allow space for dogs, bikes, etc. on top.

Also, I have to consider construction. While making it out of wood would be quick and easy, it is also very heavy. I think I could make it strong enough with composite panels, either balsa or blue foam (styrofoam) core, laminated with very thin plywood for strength and impact resistance. It would also provide some serious thermal insulation as well. Hmm, that is sounding good. Baltic birch drawers and frame and make thet top from a foam/wood/glass composite.

What to do guys think? As far as I'm concerned, metal is out as I have absolutely no welding experience or skills.

 

[datrupr]

Bill, I am going to build my platform similar to the one on Planetisuzoo, I don't remember off hand what the guys name is, but he had pictures of it posted up. Similar, but I will modify mine a bit to better suit my needs.

 

[bigreen505]

Bill, I am going to build my platform similar to the one on Planetisuzoo,

This one?

Somewhat tempting, looks light and just bolted together rather than welded. I like the concept of a drawer, seems it would be easier to keep things organized and reachable.

 

[ZooJunkie]

Yup, my box is similar to Big's first post. I'm waiting on some sliders to complete the drawers. One side of my box measures 17" wide, and the other side is 22" I believe. I need to cover mine in carpet so it matches the car.

 

[datrupr]

Bill, that is the one, but that picture is showing it without the drawer.

 

[bootzilla]

I like the mounting of the air compressor/coupling on the bottom of that platform. Isn't that that guy with the white Trooper with the aftermarket wheels and Surco rack with lights?

I really like that Yota box - verry trick with the slide out drawers and hidden cubby hole. And those drawer handles are indeed way cool...

 

[bigreen505]

Yeah, that's the one. I need to really evaluate under hood space. If there is a way to have compressor and batteries under the hood I will probably plan to go that way. I want a dual battery system for a future refrigerator, lights and possibly a winch. I also have plans for a compressor and air tank. I had planned to try to put the compressor in the engine bay, but I saw someone on Planetisuzoo had both compressor and tank in the engine bay (Zaphod, was that you?). Time will tell.

I should have a new mod to announce on the Trooper in the next week or so, but as Datrupr and ExpeditionsWest know (sorry about bitching to you guys so much!), this one is taking a little longer than initially expected. :box:

Todd, my problem with the Toyota box is weight, I don't find 100 lb. to be minimal. I think in a perfect world I would either buy the Overland drawer system or something fabbed from welded aluminum, but since my skills -- as extremely limited as they are -- are in wood and composite structures, I'm looking there. I know I can make some very light and very strong and impact resistant panels with foam and wood veneer or very thin ply wood, so currently that is at the top of the list.

 

[bigreen505]

Well, the above alluded to mod has been completed, but I need another week or so of testing before I give any details.

Right now I'm looking a little more closely at storage, and would like some input from the group and I am open to any and all suggestions. Please forgive the length and rambling as I am also using this to organize my thoughts.

At max load, the Trooper will be carrying two, possibly three adults (probably only a couple short trips with three people a year), two small dogs (55 lb. lab mixes), baby in car seat and assorted gear. The majority of trips will be one or two adults and two dogs. I don't think there is any reasonable way to sleep in the truck, even for one person, because of internal dimensions (if you disagree speak up!) so that is not a design criteria.

Rough dimensions that I am looking at at 34"L x 54"W x 14" H, which is the space behind the rear seats and level with flat spot above the wheel wells (see pictures in previous posts). I plan to eventually have a refrigerator where the large side of the rear seat is (like the Expeditions West Trooper).

I am open to any and all suggestions, so bring it on! I am kind of at the retooling stage and don't have most of the basic gear most of you take for granted because I'm relatively new to the concept of vehicle based expeditions instead of using the truck to get to a trail head and hike from there, either to go skiing or backpacking. The point being, I'm not really sure what should go in the drawers/storage area. Off the top of my head:
- 48" Hi-Lift
- Black Rat recovery kit
- Tool box
- Spares
- Fire extinguisher
- Kitchen equipment (plates, utensiles, pots, stove, food)
- Water (probably in a 7 gal. 12"x15" Reliance container)
- Backpacks, clothing, sleeping bags, tent, dog stuff
- Air compressor, at least temporarily

First aid kit is on the door. Cooler and camera equipment are in the back seat floor. I need somewhere to put the dogs. Long term I think they need to be on top of the drawers in the back, but short term I could remove the large rear seat section and build a platform there? Not really sure.

After looking at the space, I am considering two 6" tall stacked drawers on the left side and leave the right side open for backpacks, cases, etc.

Please make suggestions and please don't assume anything is obvious. If I didn't specifically mention it, I probably have not thought of it.

On an unrelated note, I heard back from Daniel Stern about H4 lights for the Trooper and his cost was $450 ea.! :yikes: We are exploring other options ranging from trying to source lights from a European junk yard all the way to building a set of lights from 90mm Hella projectors. I have relatively poor vision and spend a lot of time driving in all sorts of conditions (usually a snow storm at night when I'm in a hurry), so high quality primary lighting is critical for me. I can probably get by with upgraded 9004 bulbs and good fogs as a short term fix, but ultimately the beam scatter of standard American lights (and these are the worst I have ever seen on any vehicle) is just not safe for me, I need a precisely aimed light with a sharp cutoff. Sorry, end rant.

Coming soon: Superwinch hubs, ball joint flip and a CB of some type.
Scratching my head about: how to install some sort of headlight washer system.

 

[ZooJunkie]

I'm not sure how tall you are, but for my 5'7" frame, I sleep very comfortably in the back of my Zoo with the seats folded down and my box I made.

sorry bout the poor pic, I was snapping these at night.
Here's the full box:

The rear section will fit someone up to 6' if you move the front seats forward. I drape a old bed sheet over both head rests and tucked underneath the front of the head rest to keep it from slipping off. So, if you move you seats forward you can easily fit someone who is 6' tall.

right side of the box:

left side of the box:

seat folded:

both seats folded:

Again there's a gap between the front seats and the rear seats' foot well. Draping the bed sheet over the head rests allows me to rest my feet and provide some privacy as well. People looking directly into the front og the car will not see you sleeping.

Underneath the box is plenty of room for storage. I currently do not have my drawers made yet, and with drawers in place, you can easily access the junk from the rear of the box.

I hope this gives some ideas. :costumed-smiley-007

P.S.: The box is not finished, I had to load up my truck with camping gear in Aug, so you see a lot of oil patches! I still need to add my drawers and carpeting.