Fridge Mounting Ideas for FJ80

[kbahus]

Scored an Edgestar 43qt fridge locally for sale this weekend and I am really excited to figure out a mounting solution. Looking for how others have mounted their fridges. I currently do not have drawers and am not sure if that is the route I want to go. I also have a rear facing child seat in the middle row and keep a 90lb lab in the far back so I have to keep some room for him. It's a big truck but has been getting crowded fast.

 

[nuclearlemon]

in my 80 it's mounted on a box, but don't see why it wouldn't work on the floor. i did tracks and turnbuckles. in the pigs, we just have folding hooks for the turnbuckles to hook to.

 

[Flagster]

I just use ratchet straps...

 

[Airmonger]

x2 on a ratchet strap. It makes it very easy to remove when you have to clean it out after usage or when you need more space.

 

[SOAZ]

I just have my boxed in on all sides and a ratchet strap to keep the beer from getting thrown around in a roll over. :ylsmoke:

 

[theside00]

Mounting it on a set of tracks is super nice. I have had a couple ARB fridges on tracks and it makes access a lot easier. I mounted mine as close to the tailgate on the driver side as I possible could.

 

[ab1985]

Sounds like you're looking for a stationary mount vs. something on slides. Ratchet straps or turnbuckles to your stock tie downs would work to get started but may take up extra space (ideally you would want your floor tie down points directly below the fridge tie down points) . I'd highly recommend swapping out the handles for some metal chest handles (these can be found at any local hardare store). I would not trust the stock edgestar handles under any type of offroad situation.

 

[ab1985]

This is one of the simplest options I've seen:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/expedition-builds/604751-homebrew-fridge-stove-slide-combo.html

 

[SoCal_80]

x2 on a ratchet strap. It makes it very easy to remove when you have to clean it out after usage or when you need more space.

x3..I just ratchet strapped mine to my Hannibal interior cargo carriers....Works like a charm and doesn't move a bit.

 

[brentbba]

I use Slee's fridge slide for my ARB. I took a piece of plywood, routered the sharp edges, coated it with marine varnish and drilled four holes to bolt it in where the 3rd row seat latches bolt down. You may need slightly longer bolts. Very sturdy.

 

[alia176]

We have one child so the fridge takes the place of one the 2nd row seat, properly secured to the floor. I have four tabs that are attached to the Engel and using turnbuckles, the unit is secured to tie down points (2 on the floor, 2 on the cargo box). The handle on the metal Engels are easily bendable so I avoided using them.

This position allows the wife or I to access the fridge by standing on the ground vs having to hop up on the tailgate. Also, the 7 year old can access it anytime while driving. If you have more than one child then this solution won't work!

 

[kbahus]

I played around a little today with location and I really only have two choices, one is ratchet strapped in the back on the pass side or removing the second row seat behind the driver and mounting it there. The Edgestar 43qt is pretty big and it takes up a lot of real estate. I don't know if I can give up the extra seat but I really only "need" the one for the kid. I am leaning towards mounting it there since it's easy access and there would be no need for a fridge slide. While sliding it around I broke one of the plastic feet

alia176, do you have any pics of your install?

 

[alia176]

Pics as requested

Here are the pics you requested. I've mounted the Engel MT43 in both orientation but this current config allows our daughter the max room. I'm 5'10" and seem to have adequate room for reclining. Still, when we are camped for the night, I'll recline the seat back forward so that the lid can open/close w/o rubbing the headrest. The lid opens up sideways, not the longway that Engel intended. So, as you're looking at the fridge, the lid opens away from you.



Temp readout

 

[kbahus]

Finally got it mounted up. I really wanted to pull a rear seat and mount it there but I couldn't get our Recaro car seat installed in a manner I was comfortable with, so in the middle it stays. I ended up using some tie downs I had put in the truck when I had a spare mounted inside. I also had to find some different handles and came up with some super strong climbing loops that are nice and thick, they fit the factory handle brackets perfect and should last a while. I think I will eventually build a half drawer and move it over towards the window but for now this will work.