NewHilux.net

Glad you like the bash plate mate!

So I haven't updated here for a while. Been doing a bit to Penny. Before the trip last month to LCMP I chased down some new beams for under my alloy tray. The 2 existing ones were 100mm and I upgraded to 150mm. While I was at it I moved the tray forwards closer to the cab and straightened and squared it all up again. Was actually easier than I had hoped. Now I have a lovely 150mm gap under the tray to fit in a slim line water tank with 12v pump as well as improving the departure angle. Pictures tell a thousand words so I will let them do the talking!

Existing tray gap to cab.



Original Risers



This support was twisted causing the tray to be unlevel and out of square. It was replaced with new piece direct from Triple M.



Tray off!



Tray is surprisingly light. Flipped it over myself after removing the 4 bolts which hold it down.



Tray back on with new beams.



Gap to cab now. Moved forward around 75mm and lifted 50mm.




Now time for next mod! I needed the tray exactly where I wanted it and all square and level again so I could get the lockable Canvas Canopy I wanted built. Shopped around and around until I found a guy I was happy with at the right price. Ended up with Archerfield Auto Upholstery. He had a mate who worked as a welder/body builder at a truck yard who did cash jobs on the weekend. After chatting with him about exactly what I was looking for and some advice on best options I hadn't thought of, the deal was done! He took some measurements and a few weeks later I dropped off Penny for 2 days so the cage could be installed and canvas sewn. I am absolutely stoked with how it turned out. Exactly as I imagined! Fully lockable steel powder coated black cage with solid alloy roof. 3 doors which hinge up and held by shocks and run full length of the sides and rear. Canvas has full zip in one spot and runs in sail track so it can be removed completely if required for cleaning or mending etc. Doors are all hinged like a tray side, so again if a door is damaged, the whole cage doesn't need to be removed. Tie down rails up top at 2 different levels so it is still easy to use picking up timber etc from Bunnings. The roof is supported by 2 beams front to back so will be very strong. Will easily take spare wheels,or bikes etc when required. The sail track around the top of the cage is doubled up, so I can have some awnings made up to slide into it in the future. Now to start really throwing the camping gear in her and dragging the family away camping so I can work out what works and what doesn't and build up the inside for touring.

I will just dump all the pics so you can see for yourselves!

Looks really good mate! Are you going to put some sort of storage rack or system in the back?

looks great tony!!! where did you get yours made?

white_hilux wrote:looks great tony!!! where did you get yours made?

Archefeild auto upholstery. 3rd line down


Looks good tony. You planning to leave it on full time with the way you've made it?

06lux wrote:

white_hilux wrote:looks great tony!!! where did you get yours made?

Archefeild auto upholstery. 3rd line down


Looks good tony. You planning to leave it on full time with the way you've made it?

Yea. I did toss up having it jack off but it just became too involved. Besides with no RTT I don't need it to stay on. That is the main reason I decided to have it angle inwards. I had the square headboard which I nearly wiped out numerous times on trees or branches! The solid roof and rails are perfect for carrying stuff from Bunnings etc anyway! I picked up a load of gear this weekend to build a wall and 1200mm sheets of plaster fit perfectly!

white_hilux wrote:looks great tony!!! where did you get yours made?

Cheers Ben! Archerfield Auto Upholstery in Boniface street. John there has gone out of his way to help out and his mate Kyle built the cage.

Matt02hilux wrote:Looks really good mate! Are you going to put some sort of storage rack or system in the back?

Yea that's the plan. Start using it doing more camping with the whole family and figure out what we need and use and how it all packs in and then build around that. Have some initial plans but really want to work out what we use regularly and what we don't.

Looks great mate!! how did u fix your under tray boxes? I noticed you dont have any bolts going up through the tray. I am hopefully installing my trade tools box this saturday and wouldn't mind any ideas on how to mount it.

Cheers,
Rhys

rholm3 wrote:Looks great mate!! how did u fix your under tray boxes? I noticed you dont have any bolts going up through the tray. I am hopefully installing my trade tools box this saturday and wouldn't mind any ideas on how to mount it.

Cheers,
Rhys

Haha You noticed that hey! Under the alloy tray there is a small L section that is used to bolt the panels to the frame underneath. I drilled into these and ran bolts from inside the box through these with lock nut. I will say it was an absolute pain in the a**e to do! Getting to the nuts on top to tighten was a job for a very small hand and I needed to be a contortionist to hold the box up and the bolt in place and reach around for the nut! IF I was doing it again I would run 2 pieces of flat bar across the top of the toolboxes which extend far enough out each end to reach the next mounting spot. Bolt up the bar to the toolboxes then mount them to the tray. Would be much easier! Not as neat though!

Trueeee. sounds like a fun job haha. Well I reckon that flat bar sounds like a good idea, might have to give it a crack...plus I reckon it will much easier to waterproof the bolt holes because I can do it while the box is off the ute.

cheers,
Rhys

Ok so small update. took the family away at Easter to Queen Mary Falls for 4 days. Sunday was rained out and then the oldest boy came down with tonsilitis but in all a nice relaxing weekend. Did a run through the Condamine River road too which is always a nice trip.
Packed up for Easter



Condamine River crossing.



Then I found a guy on Facebook selling 5 Federal Couragia Muddies in a 31x10.5x15 for $650 which I thought was an excellent price so for another $125 I got them put on my steelies and now have a full set of play tyres. Means I can put my Yokie A/T's on my set of alloys and save them from the off road abuse!

Oh mate finally some muddies, she'll be unstoppable now

Thanks Greg! Yea finally got some only because of the price, had never really planned on them. The Yokie A/T's never let me down and as you know I try just about everything! But they have certainly be showing some signs of abuse.

good to see that you have finally converted to some muddies

Good buy mate! Will be interested to hear how they go iv been thinking about a set as my next tyres

any updates mate?

Nothing too much than what you see here Matt. Just getting out and using her as much as possible. Got a boys weekend away in a few weeks time if you are keen? See this thread for details as they come up.
viewtopic.php?f=91&t=17567

What off set are you rims and what width are they?

Well I'm impressed mate, nice build.
With your compressor in the engine bay, I noticed it sits where the brake controller/ABS pump sits
Did you move it? At present the only room I can fit mine would be in front of the air cleaner box, which is no big deal. What did you use to mount it? Considering the vibration etc? Sorry for the inquest haha

All good mate. Is yours an SR5?? Petrol??
Mine didn't have Brake Controller or ABS here? Just a nice clear area.

You can just see in this pic that the Brake Booster is further inboard. And the Air Box is right over to the other side.