Cabin Hard Points, installing new

[xpdishn]

In the very near future I will be installing a water storage tank directly behind the front seats. Overall, full, the weight will approach 150lbs. I would like to strap it down for safety reasons and it appears that new holes will have to be drilled into the floor and nuts tacked to the under side of the floor.

Has anyone done this? Any advice on what to look out for? The obvious is to not drill into a fuel line, brake line, etc. Did you reinforce the area around the nuts for strength?

I have not read about this being done on any of the forums I read, so sny info would be appreciated.

 

[targa88]

I would suggest using the existing holes where the seats are mounted.

 

[STREGA]

Hard points

I have to agree with targa88, there are 8 10mm(IIRC, at least 8mm) that you could use. I plan on doing the same thing as you with water storage, I think its the best place for the water tank, low and in the middle of the truck.

A couple question I have for you is which tank are you planning on using and do you still have your rear seats installed? I have a couple of the Roto-Pax white water tanks that are 2 gal. capacity, but I'am not sure that is the what I will ultimately end up using, I could get 4 of them in the space available which is not quite enough water for a longer trip (like a Arizona Strip adventure). Looking at the Frontrunner slant tank which is 10+ gal or so in capacity, the footwell tank they make will not fit unfortunately. I have removed my rear seats also which will make it easier to mount a tank behind the front seats. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

 

[xpdishn]

I have to agree with targa88, there are 8 10mm(IIRC, at least 8mm) that you could use. I plan on doing the same thing as you with water storage, I think its the best place for the water tank, low and in the middle of the truck.

A couple question I have for you is which tank are you planning on using and do you still have your rear seats installed? I have a couple of the Roto-Pax white water tanks that are 2 gal. capacity, but I'am not sure that is the what I will ultimately end up using, I could get 4 of them in the space available which is not quite enough water for a longer trip (like a Arizona Strip adventure). Looking at the Frontrunner slant tank which is 10+ gal or so in capacity, the footwell tank they make will not fit unfortunately. I have removed my rear seats also which will make it easier to mount a tank behind the front seats. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

Colin, Strega, First, the existing hard points - they are right under the tank, but since I'm setting the tank on 1/2" styrofoam, they may work. I would not want the bolt heads to wear a hole in my tank. It is an option that I have to look at more closely. I would still have to install two more in front of the tank for a couple of hold-down straps.

I have not had the rear seats or seat backs in for quite some time. I have been using all the room back there for storage/sleeping platform (until we got a RTT) and the dogs ride there.

I am not buying any off the shelf tank. It is a one-off custom plastic tank that I'm building. I have been almost constantly removing and installing the front portion of my storage working on the tank. Here is a shot of the space directly behind the front seats with just the sides of the storage area in place:



Next is a peek of the tank sitting on my shop floor:



This is the second prototype, which will not be used. I'm working on the third that will be installed. It will have a 17 gallon capacity - lots of weight, but on the floor where it should be.

I'll have a 12v pump hooked to it with a spigot at the back - open the door, flip the handle on the spigot and have running water. Also will have a quick disconnect for a shower hose.

This should give you an idea of what I have in mind.

 

[hillbillyjake]

could you use the rear seat bolts with the back bolts for the front seats and make a platform that would bolt between the 2 sets of bolts then bolt your tank to the platform?

 

[STREGA]

Water tank

Gary, that is going to be a nice tank, I like the size of it and having the baffles will be a great feature. Any plans on marketing your design? The problem with all the universal pre-made tanks is that they rarely ever fit the way you want or do not use the space efficiently.

 

[xpdishn]

Gary, that is going to be a nice tank, I like the size of it and having the baffles will be a great feature. Any plans on marketing your design? The problem with all the universal pre-made tanks is that they rarely ever fit the way you want or do not use the space efficiently.

There is still much to be done and testing. I want to put it through some tough trails and see how it stands up.

Your comment about the pre-made tanks is so very true and that's why I took this on. I have to hunker down and get it finished. I'm really curious if it will really work. It should but one doesn't know until you're out in the boondocks using it.

There has been so much more work and head scratching than I thought there would be. And I would at least think about supplying some for FJ's.

 

[EverRidesurf]

I would be very interested.

 

[UK4X4]

First choice for me would using the existing seat bolt holes - just fit the strap between the seat rail and the floor

Second choice would be drilling new holes

and personally for that weight - think of a roll over type scenario

I would run 2" x 3/16" flat bar beneath the floor - drill through both floor and flat bar and nylock washer with stainless bolts to fix it

The flat bar spreads the loads out so the bolts can never be pulled through the floor

stainless so you can remove it when you want !

 

[xpdishn]

Thanks UK, the roll over thing is the reason I posted.

I finally have the tank completed. Have been on a couple of runs with it.

So a quick update: With 17 gallons aboard, there is absolutly no difference in the ride or off pavement handling. With the baffles, I have heard no sloshing going on. There is water coming out on the rough trails. I think the only thing that leaks are the two lids I got for it. They have built in venting and I think the water is coming out the vents. Still some research to do on those and the vent situation.

Right now I have some other things going on that I won't be able to concentrate on this for the near future.

The hard points are still on my list of things to do, yep lots of weight back there.

 

[Ludedude]

I recently mounted a 20lb CO2 bottle and bracket in the back of my 4Runner. We drilled four new holes in the floor, reinforced the underneath with large fender washers so that the bolts wouldn't pull through in case of an accident. Granted the weight of the full tank and bracket is only around 60 lbs but the process is the same. Distribute the tension over a wide enough area so that things don't fall out if it's upside down.

Nice tank idea btw. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.