Mattys Extra Cab Build. SAX TSDS Fitted

[Mattya]

Nah matty express post to wa from east is just as fast as getting express from the US. Go figure. But that's ok I've got loads on my to do list.

Anyway The canopy isn't ready yet they said Monday buy I got to pick up the ute so I can go dirtbiking tomorrow, more importantly I got the chance this arvo to begin building a draw and fridge slide system.
It will allow me to have jerrys in the sides secured and better organization of camping gear. Now I'm no carpenter but I think it's coming along nicely. The fridge isn't in the ideal position. (cough suicide doors Toyota?) but it will be ok. The old waeco has been through hell so it should be ok.


The guys that sell the pre made draws must think they are comedians. Some of them are asking almost 2k for draws. I'm still below 300 for this so far and I think it would be a huge stretch to say I'd get to 600 by the time I add carpet and some trimmings.

[CJY91LUXXY]

I helped a mate out decking out the back of a Patrol and using offcuts etc from work (Carpenter/Cabinetmaker) We did the whole lot for under $250 including drawer runners carpet and wiring. What the major retailers try selling them for is a joke. Looks neat Btw.

[Mattya]

Cheers mate!
I did a bit more work today. My canopy frame was ment to be finished today and measured up for the canvas but they haven't finished the frame yet. I understand that they want to get it right. But it better be better than I pictured. It is supposed to be booked in on Wednesday for the canvas to be sewed and completed. And that's my last day before I fly back to work for 2 weeks and then my holidays start.

Anyways on the brighter side here are some pics of my draw setup and some wiring I did today for the fridge and lights in and on the canopy.







Tomorrow is going to be a busy day. Lost more wiring, woodwork and carpet. Lucky the fridge has a few beers left.

[Mattya]

so i had the frame finished this morning and then went straight round to the canvas fellas to get measured up and have the canvas pre shrunk for tomorrows fitting.

this gave me all day to finish the draws and the 12/240v wiring. I also got a 5m roll of those LED strip lights from ebay to use in the canopy. so far they look like the goods, only $35 a roll so i think il get another 10m to add lights elsewhere.

heres some pics of the process so far

[MarkYounger]

That's some good work on that cage man canopys gonna look good!

[Mattya]

Thanks Mark, I like not having any windows to smash and i think the canvas looks really tough on a fourby. Theres not much difference in price between this and a glass type. Im realy happy with how it turned out. Il put pics up tomorrow arvo with the canvas.

[RonBacardi8]

That looks mint mate , looking forward to seeing the end product...

[D4D luxy]

Looking real good mate!! I've been wanting a canvas set up since forever I just can't figure out how to make it work for work as well! (chippie)

[BAT091]

Fair to say you ain't farkin around with this... Looking good mate should look pretty mint with the canvas on n finished

[Mattya]

I just went and picked up the ute from the canvas shop (Bryson Canvas). Im super happy with it, the quality is amazing and they have just done a really really good job. Il be putting 2 more roof bars on before i leave to put an awning on.
Now i can notice that the rear is a little bit lower, so when i get back from my holiday next month its time for rear springs and wheels and tyres

Actually.... i have to go to a wedding in Wangaratta on the 24th...... Isnt Monster Rides near by? It would be a waste to drive all that way and not save all that money on postage.... thats what il tell the missus anyway.

Anyways heres some pics of it now.

[hamoyz]

That looks the goods mate! The bloke that manufactures the MR gear is in wodonga only about 45 mins away, I got my leaf packs through him but he gets them off EFS and dosn't keep them in stock! Keep an eye out for me if ya floating around yarrawonga

[Mattya]

i might have to drop by there now that you mention it. i remember when i was a kid seeing HUGE carp swimming at the bottom of the wier, I always wanted to try catch one.

[CJY91LUXXY]

Awesome canopy setup mate!

[Mattya]

Righto, I got a little more work done on the luxy during my trip over east, All up it was about 10,500Km.
as you will se in the pics i left the rear stock springs in for the drive over and then changed them whilst i was at Mum & Dads place. I got a set of SAX TSDS springs and used the MR rear shocks to compliment the Rekon up front.
im not exactly sure how much lift it got but its about 2 to 2.5in, the front is almost at the lowest. HOLY CRAP are the rear leaves GOOD! it handles soo well now. you can feel the stages in them working. when empty its plush as but if you go over a big bump you can feel it hit the 2nd stage but its not harsh at all.
when i had all my camping gear and stuff in it was sitting on the 2nd stage and again it was super smooth.

I also fitted the rhino tracks & bars to the roof and a shovel holder and a featherlight awning on top.

any ways some before and after pics and any questions just ask me.

before (dont mind me it was a long days driving)


After


click pictures to see full size
IMHO the SAX springs are well worth the money.

[Hilux Max]

Nice hood ornament

Trucks looking good mate....love the canopy!

[Monster Rides]

Hey Matty,

Good to hear the SAX TSDS springs are performing well. Looks like you and Mrs are having a ball.

How have you found the canopy set up? Would you do anything different if you did it again?
Much dust/water get in?

Have a safe and enjoyable trip home.

Cheers
Matt

[Jgarcia91]

Love the ute mate, pretty impressive the amount of work you have put on her in such a short time.

i see your still on your trip but was just wondering how you have found the dust/water proofness of the canvas canopy?
I too love the look of canvas on fourbys and am looking at a similar setup on my car

Thanks

Jason

[Mattya]

Hey Matty,

Good to hear the SAX TSDS springs are performing well. Looks like you and Mrs are having a ball.

How have you found the canopy set up? Would you do anything different if you did it again?
Much dust/water get in?

Have a safe and enjoyable trip home.

Cheers
Matt

Cheers Matty,
If you havent yet been in a car with these fitted yet, see if someone will let you take theirs for a couple of hours and got for a couple of laps with varying loads. There really is a huge difference between loaded and empty, being able to feel the different stages. Id say it handles better with a small load, but when empty the 2nd stage feels almost like a sway bar working and stops any body roll.
I am truly amazed with the MR gear, I always thought it was aimed at the hard core market,However the setup i am running at the moment must be one of, if not the best touring setup for a hilux at the moment. The only reason i can think of getting new wheels and rubber now is just for looks, The stock rubber is too good on the beach and the handling on road is so comfey.
Next up is the diff drop kit then the UCA's

Love the ute mate, pretty impressive the amount of work you have put on her in such a short time.

i see your still on your trip but was just wondering how you have found the dust/water proofness of the canvas canopy?
I too love the look of canvas on fourbys and am looking at a similar setup on my car

Thanks

Jason

Im home now got back a couple of days ago, just been flat out unpacking everything, mowing the forest and seeing the inlaws...Blah Blah blah

I didn't have any trouble with water getting in on the canopy, i did treat the zippers with a water proofing zipper lube my dad had and we went through some pretty heavy rain on the WA side of the Eyre highway, so the lube might have helped. and the water does sit above the channels on the roof bar track but nothing got in. oh and they guy who made it did say he treated it once it was all stiched, Only wash it with water he said.
The canopy did not let any dust in, however the tailgate sides let a bit in but not a huge amount to be worried about at the moment. il have a look around the site for a soloution as it would be an issue for any canopy.
if you have good craftsmen to do the frame and canvas then it really is a matter of opinions, Plus with the rhino tracks on its strong enough to put anything on the top you can think of.

[Jgarcia91]

Glad you had a safe trip

That was my only concern with possibly putting a canvas canopy on the back. I have a soft tourneau on atm and it lets water in like its going out of fashion! Good to know thats not the case with the canopy

Once again mate awesome rig and thanks for the insight

Jason

[Mattya]