So I've finally got around to starting a build up topic after much nagging from my good mate bill_i_am. I purchased a 2008 SR5 manual TD dual cab in around August this year with the view of a few simple mods to make it suitable for 4wd camping. The lux I bought had the following already installed:
- 2" Ironman Suspension Lift
- Questionable dual battery setup
- Alloy bullbar
- Rust proofing
- Window tint
Other than that it is/was pretty much a cascade blue blank canvas. To date I have:
Installed a department of interior designs console to house my icom UHF
Having an electrical background I was keen to get this sorted straight away, I got rid of the original dual battery setup and installed a redarc and associated electrical distribution. This included a distribution block, two circuit breakers and a electronic rust prevention system for the front and a distribution block behind the back seat. bill_i_am and I have a little mod planned for behind the seat so this installation is likely to change substantially (stay tuned...).
I also installed IPF800XS from a previous vehicle, a new a snorkel and a ARB air compressor under the front passengers side seat.
One of my biggest aims was to turn this thing into a camping machine. When I bought it, I had always planned on putting a steel tray and canopy on it. After searching without luck for the exact tray I wanted, I ended up deciding on building one with the assistance of my handy next door neighbour. To back it up a bit, a couple of weeks before starting, I came across an alloy canopy on ebay which I picked up for a good price, I therefore needed a tray that were the exact dimensions to house this custom made canopy as it uses the sides of the tray. So after much designing with bill_i_am and other mates (Chaddy), we embarked on building a tray. As we were building it from scratch we were able to make a few mods:
- Sunken tie down points
- tray sides that lay flat to be used as a table
- Spare wheel nuts in the headboard
- Water tank
- Air tank
- Water pump
- Water and air distribution
- Pipe and cable tie points etc. etc.
Thus far the tray is about a week away from being painted. I will post more pics when it's done.
Still to come is:
- Buds custom sliders with S/S infills
- Rear locker
- Canopy mods including a new rack and ofcourse electrical distribution (I have also made an allowance for a 3rd AGM battery)
- Winch (for next years cape trip)
- New wheels and tyres (waiting to see what happens with the rules next year as per the recent threads)
- Install tray equipment
I also have a helton that I am yet to intstall. There has been a fair bit of work gone into the tray design. I have installed a panel that has camlock water fittings for cold water outlet, hot water outlet and water inlet (pump from a bucket). It also has compressed air out and space for airbag suspension valves.
Obviously I have a bit of a way to go with the tray but I look forward to keeping the forum up to date with the journey.