Saturday projects...

[Trinny]

I needed to take my mind off of things, so I went to work on the cruiser and completed a couple of projects that I've had sitting around for a while.

First, mounting the Mombassa tent that I picked up from Mot (thanks again Mot!). I debated for days how to mount it, but finally decided to use two 1 1/4" box aluminum tubing cut to the width of the my roof rack. I then just used the factory mounts to attach to the tubing. The tent is secured to the rack via the aluminum tubing so it's easier to remove with just four bolts. It's ain't goin' anywhere, unless the rivets pop like Johnny's.

That's one rickety ladder



I've also had a tailgate lid (http://www.wagongear.com) sitting around that I picked up from Kevin Rowland on MUD. First step was to layout the template in preparation for the cut:


Then, comes the cut. Surprisingly, not nearly as scary as drilling the snorkel hole in the front fender. Kevin suggested a jigsaw, but I found a cutoff wheel MUCH easier and faster:


Here's the lid mounted:


And with the lid open. It will be nice to have the extra storage. I'm halfway done with some drawers to compliment it. Still need to line the interior with sound deadening material:


And finally, a pintle/ball combo that I've had laying around for about a year. I reinforced the mounting location by sandwiching in some 1/2" plate between the bumper and the crossmember (welded in place), so it should be strong enough for my needs:


Enough for one day. Working on the truck is good therapy. Next is finishing the rear storage drawers/sleeping platform, ARB fridge mount, Natl. Luna kit with dual battery, install some 1 1/2" wheel spacers/adapters and paint the chromies black, and paint the center of my hood black to stop the failing clearcoat.

[rdublt1]

Wow Trinny. Once again I feel like a total slacker for getting absolutely zero done on anything today while you pound out project after project.

Looking good Sir! How do you like the Wagongear parts? I am contemplating the same for the 62.

[Trinny]

How do you like the Wagongear parts? I am contemplating the same for the 62.

The wagongear lid is definitely a quality product. We'll have to see how it lasts in the long run. I did have some minor installation challenges, but they were due to the previously unrealized huge dent on the inside of my tailgate. Looked like somebody dropped a tree trunk on it while it was folded down.

[BLACKGOLD]

I have been on the waiting list to get myself one of those tailgate lids from wagongear for over a year. Looks good! Seems like a simple install.

[Brian Passey]

sweet!

[ericjcline]

scott barnhill has photos of my saturday project.

looks good trinny! looks like its almost ready for camping season!

[Trinny]

I have been on the waiting list to get myself one of those tailgate lids from wagongear for over a year. Looks good! Seems like a simple install.

LOL, so was I. However, I received a notice that I was next, replied to Kevin, then waited for 6 months. I finally called him to ask where it was, and he had thought I declined. He immediately shipped one out to me. Installation was cake.

Maybe you should give him a call.

[fj40scottb]

scott barnhill has photos of my saturday project.

We got some strange looks from other drivers as we went up 33rd south with about 1500lbs or so of this.

Can't wait to see it installed!

[ttaylor]

scott barnhill has photos of my saturday project.

How did it go?

[ericjcline]

surprisingly well! with scott's help, i dont think it could have gone any easier. putting that much weight down on a trailer was much easier than dealing with a high-boy. i ended up buying the slab and a remnant from a different guy and saved about $400. tomorrow starts the cutting!

[Marc DDS]

I don't have a pic, but at the end of the day I got to go for a ride in Wall-e

[ken]

Clean work on the tailgate, that looks great.

[ttaylor]

surprisingly well! with scott's help, i dont think it could have gone any easier. putting that much weight down on a trailer was much easier than dealing with a high-boy. i ended up buying the slab and a remnant from a different guy and saved about $400. tomorrow starts the cutting!

Nice call on the remnant. Did they match color pretty well? What was the name of the place you got the main slab from?

[ttaylor]

James,
I need to check out your tail gate. Does it seem to support weight very well?

[Big-Ern]

I like the roof top tent. I've been thinking of of of those for my truck. You'll have to let us all know how it works out with use.

[Trinny]

James,
I need to check out your tail gate. Does it seem to support weight very well?

Any time Trent. Obviously it won't be as strong as the stock corrugated metal, but it's plenty strong for my use. It's very heavy duty - the lid weighs about 30 lbs.

I stood on it several times while adjusting the RTT w/out problem.

[Scott Howe]

I have been on the waiting list to get myself one of those tailgate lids from wagongear for over a year. Looks good! Seems like a simple install.

What takes them so long?

[Box Rocket]

Looks good Trinny.

[mistapuggs]

Nice James!

It seems I always have a list of stuff like that to do and it always feels good to knock out a chunk of it. Way to go.

[cruiseroutfit]

Looking good James

My day was spent chasing gremlins on my Tacoma and playing with the dirtbikes.

I had two sticky door latches on the truck, both of which required removing the interior door panels. What a PITA, plastic clip after plastic clip, many of which are not salvageable. Thankfully I had all the different clips in spare but one. So I had to run to the dealership for a .74 clip

That said I am really glad I opened them up, they were packed full of dust, like an inch of dust/dirt at the bottoms. I vacuumed out the big stuff and hit the rest with the blower, my truck seriously looked as if it was on fire as the dust billowed out. So that lead to a truck cleaning too

Other than that I played around a bit with a new rack concept I'm putting over the cab of my Tacoma, might have a chance this afternoon to post some pics.

[Tigerstripe40]

I got a steering knuckle, steering arms, and third member cleaned up and ready for paint. Removed the wiring for my off-road and rock lights. Made a new switch panel for the radio cut out where some new switches are going. Got that painted, and the new switches mounted and wired in. Found where all of my RDB conversion parts are hiding and got those organised and put in the staging area for the rest of the project. Removed the heater blower, mounted, wired up, and tested an ARB compact compressor. Modified the front bumper for the tow bar brackets.

Doesn't seem like that much stuff was done, but it all took a while.

[TLCSKULLS]

Wow. You all are really motivated! I spent the day, again, sanding and prepping my half doors. I'm getting close now. Hope to have them done by Halloween.

[yellowstoner]

My feeble attempt at doing something on the 40 was to pop off the front door window rollers and put down a layer of clear plastic for a vapor barrier. Used a little weather strip adhesive to keep the plastic in place. Now I just need to round up a couple of decent door panels to install. I might have something around here, but if not, I will be asking in the Classifieds section.

[BLACKGOLD]

What takes them so long?

No idea...maybe I'll call em like Trinny suggests. I think a person could do that same hatch on their own but it probably just wouldn't look as nice/clean as the kit he sells.




I need to get motivated...a big "To Do" list for the 80...almost don't know where to start.

Actually I do...Step 1, Fix leaky front diff...and then finish rear bumper and modify DIY Sliders...Oh Mr. Howe!!!!

[KurtN]

Good work Trinny! I need some wrenching therapy. My weekend consisted of house cleaning/dejunking and an inconsolable baby. Closest I got to the garage was washing the van (though, it's about like washing 2 cruisers)