Even mo' Storage and a little security
We wanted a secure place to store our valuables when we're away from the rig. Since we also needed to level out the cargo area to sleep on, we had to do something about the "dip" leftover after the rear seats were torn out. I fabricated this steel security "hatch" that we could lock up all of the irreplaceable items. I used the factory mounting points and some of the hardware from the rear seat to keep it all bolted down. I also kept one of the seatbelts bolted up in case we wanted to ride 3.
Here's a better view of the bungee cargo net and the LED mood lighting that we wired up to the aux. battery & fuse panel. This was a cold and windy night so we opened the roof vent, set the fan to exhaust, and we were cooking dinner and hot cocoa in comfort! With the fan on, the CO monitor/smoke alarm never made a peep...although I definitely had to keep an eye on the flame when getting the stove preheated!
We also added a bungee net in the cab area, but I can't really keep anything on my side while I'm driving because it really bugs me. Shannon loves to stuff jackets up there, another advantage of a smaller navigator.
When I sold the Tuffy console, I decided to keep the cupholders. They're easy to remove and clean, plus they fit all sorts of sized cups due to the neoprene mug-grips. We put an painted ammo box between the seats as an armrest, console. I still need to do something about the rear window & wiper switches, for now the wiring is just wrapped up tight under the seat and I tuck the rear window switch with the transfer case shifter so it's easily accessible.
You're probably wondering why we have the seatbelt mounted to the hardtop bolts...the other end of the seatbelts are bolted to the chuck box, so we can quickly and easily strap down the chuck box or pull it out. We saved these little spots behind the storage benches to strap down all of our awkward sized items. Dual fuel lantern, tool roll, Optimus backpacking stove, and it's fuel bottle. There's also a light switch for the rear LED strip that's on the windshield wiper housing, illuminating the tailgate area. On the other side, in the black tool roll is all of the tools to change a flat tire, the tan molle pouch has is my tire repair kit, and a bottle jack is strapped down by a quick fist.
While we're driving Shannon likes to keep the pillows and blankets neatly folded under the chuck box, but when we're sleeping this is where our feet go. Doesn't look like much room, but it's perfect. The small table we carry tucks between the chuckbox and the closed tailgate, we just have to keep the tabletop pointing outwards so I'm not wiping my feet all over!
We needed a place to keep our reading material and guide books. This spot was completely fair game so we ran a bungee across the rear window, and that's all that was necessary. As long as we don't have a super thick book in there, we don't have issues opening the storage benches.
Here you can see our small black first aid kit, and our big khaki first aid kit. The black kit has emergent stuff inside and you can quickly pull it off it's velcro mount. The velcro backing plate is screwed to the wall. Behind that you can see the flower pot that Shannon HAD TO HAVE. The plant eventually committed suicide, so now it's just a penholder. Below and behind the 1st aid kits is the 12v charging station on Shannon's side of the bed.
UPDATE: We've since removed the big khaki first aid kit because it was full of crap we were never going to use...that's what happens when a nurse and an EMT put a first-aid kit together. Keep it simple. I relocated the black first-aid kit to the back of my seat and we may use the space for a 2.5 gallon Scepter water can.
Here you can see the wood platform that extends the sleeping area to directly behind the bucket seats. The wood platform is hinged to the metal security hatch, and the front end is supported by two short pipes connected by pipe flanges. We have it "strapped down" with turnbuckles, so with the seats back while we're driving nothing underneath can fly around in an accident. On the driver's side under the platform we keep two 10 Liter Dromedary bladders, one of which has the hydration kit. This is our drinking water while we're driving, because the mouthpiece is just hooked to the ceiling. Underneath the passenger side has our toiletry kits and shoes when we're sleeping. Since I sleep on the passenger side, I usually leave the seat forward to give myself a little more room and it's kinda like an indoor welcome mat.
These Cabela's Trail Gear seat covers have been awesome for giving us more storage options. We often hook things to the side laces, and of course there's the pockets behind the seats...very convenient for items you want access to while sleeping.
Pictured Above:
Here's a better view of the charging station on my side of the bed, (both sides have three 12v outlets). The 300w inverter is only for charging the laptop while we drive, and for grinding coffee beans when necessary...no Nescafé for us! Thank god. :sombrero:
UPDATE: We've since cleaned up this area to store a 5 gallon Scepter water can.
You can see it in this picture. The inverter now sits in the nook below the stereo surround. 12V sockets are now just above the water can, below the window.
Another great use for the carwash bucket storage pouches that we found at PepBoys. Cut up, these things can be secured anywhere for easy organization and they match our interior! You can kinda see the coffee grinder tucked back there. On this side we keep a bottle of vinegar/water for washing vegetables, and a bottle of bleach/water solution for cleaning our kitchen surfaces. The other side has the same pouches, where I keep tools I want to access easily.
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