Just curious, how many of you have taken on projects for the load space? Air tanks in the storage bins, stove on the rear door, sleepers or beds? I have the two storage bins (No 3rd row seating) I love my bins have the crammed full with gear. Kind of like the remote air tank idea or doing some mods to the back area. Any of you with great ideas or thoughts going on.

 

I'd rather have those storage bins instead of the 2 back seats that are unusable if you're over 5 feet tall.

 

I built a whole thing. I put some pictures up in the "what have you done today" thread. You should be able to find them there. I can also throw up some more pictures and some dimensions when I can.

 

I have a 20lbs C02 tank mounted using a Power-tank mount on a cage. I'm in the process of designing custom drawers to fit behind the 2nd row passenger seat. In Denver you can swap the 20lbs tank at any of the grow hydroponic shops for $11. Its a sweet deal to always have on-board air ready for 4x4ing, air tools, or filling your or friends tires.
I've had my right double row seat removed for years since I store my mountain bike vertically most of the year.

 

I pulled the screws that hold the bins sides on and replaced them with crab claw push-to-release cabinet latches. Now when I need to see what's in the bin I don't have to empty it, just lift the lid and push to release and fold down.

 

I've done a fair bit. Gutted everything more or less, and did this:

 

Awesome. That is why I asked the question about load space mods. I am a backpacker but I am doing a lot more Rover camping now. You are awesome Jeff Blake. I am around a lot of RV campers. I am a Fed Park Ranger for the Corps of Engineers. We see a lot of the big rig campers, but I have not seen a true SUV off road rig. Only nice rig I have seen at my project, A couple from New Zealand had shipped their Modified Defender 110 over to the states and were driving it to South America. It was truly a beautiful site. The 110 had a roof rack with pop up tent.

Thanks

 

This is from my build topic...

Started working on my elevated sleeping platform and storage compartment. Frame work is steel channel, welded and the lower front channel lines up with the old seat mounting bolts...so they will be used to secure the front part of framework. Cut a piece of 3/4 formica countertop (54"X44") for the surface.



Still messing around with a rear compartment door, nothing written in stone here, yet. May have it flip down or flip up, not sure...but I'll use a piano hinge along whichever edge necessary to accomplish my desires.



This rack will be up, when not being used for extra bed support. It is hinged, welded to framework, can be up, flat out or down.



These two pieces of formica will be cut down an inch or so, allowing them to be slid under the storage unit along the front (as pictured, they're an inch to wide at the moment). They will be hinge also, piano hinge, becoming extension pieces for the bed, and will lay out flat over the metal rack and rest on the center console.



Extention pieces in place, picture a hinge and finished edges. The front seats are all the way forward and tilted all the way forward also.



View from the rear.



76", but this will be shorten up a bit...when I cut down the two extension pieces a half inch each.



I'm going to either get a piece of 2"/3" foam for the bed top or an air mattress...not sure. If I go with foam, maybe I'll just cover it with a nice heavy material and roll it up and store it below. Granted, an air mattress would store much easier...and if I got the rover stuck in water over the hood...it wouldn't become soaked.

Making rear storage compartment door.



Notched corner of door, so it can rest on support brace for foldout table.



Door being held out straight, which will offer extra shelf for making coffee or cooking.



Under storage space.



Containers in place on both sides, middle section will be for canopy.



Making support rods for holding up rack, when in sleeping position.



Support rods in place.



Installing hinges for extra flip out extensions.



Hinges installed, sleep extensions folded back out of the way, and rack straight forward for extra shelf.



Racked folded up to offer more access to footwell and items stored there (recovery bag, boots, etc).



Seat torx bolts removed and longer bolts attached storage unit to floor.



All ready for a good night's sleep.



Might add carpet, if I can find something of similar color.

Sleeping pads.



Nowhere near as nice as Jeff's build, but maybe it may add some ideas.

Brian.

 

 

For those of us putting in flooring with tracks and tie downs or big storage boxes with sliding drawers, don't forget that the fuel pump may crap out on you. It's an easy fix, if you can get to it.