What the heck, I may as well have a crack at a build thread on my 2wd multi use ute.
I bought a 2011 pov pack 2wd single cab cab chassis new in, you guessed it, 2011.
It's my daily driver, carts gravel, bricks, pavers, tools etc on weekends, and takes me camping whenever I can get the time.
I don't need a 4wd for what I generally do but set out to create a vehicle that ticks all the boxes for what I want to do.
I have spent the last few years getting it to where it is now. All the work I have done myself which gives me a bit of satisfaction. I must admit I have stolen a lot of ideas from other members on this forum or taken info from here as inspiration for my build. The things I have learned on this forum are invaluable, so thanks to everyone that contributes to this great site.
When I first got the vehicle I threw on a 2nd hand aluminium tray which was available at the right price. Soon after came a towbar, nudge bar, driving lights and I made up a rear panel to tidy up the taillights. The rear lights are all LED and I also fitted a LED reverse lamp which I wired to either come on with the reverse lights or operate manually.
Next up were undertray toolboxes, tray worklamps and a UHF radio. The worklamps are wired with 3 switches all working together so can be turned on or off from any switch. 1 is in the cab and there is a switch on the front of the undertray toolboxes on both the left and right hand side of the tray. Also on the LH toolbox is a merit and cig socket I use when camping.
I jammed a compressor under the bonnet using existing factory mount points which supplies a 17 ltr tank under the tray. I use the compressor regularly and so far this setup has been faultless.
The air goes through a regulator in the LH toolbox then to outlets on both sides of the tray.
I have also fitted a 70 lt undertray water tank with pump under the tray. Gives me plenty of water when camping, cool showers and clean hands.
Along the way I added brackets to hold a shovel, broom and rack for the nudge bar under the rear of the tray.
A "shelf" behind the seats to hold gear and a drawer under the passenger seat.
Last summer I put in a second battery system. 120 ah agm battery, Redarc BCDC1220 charger, fuse panel for each battery. this is wired through a changeover relay so batteries charge via BCDC while engine running then automatically switches to solar when stopped. I run a 120 watt panel on top of the cab when I need it.
I also made up a mount for my fridge on the tray which hopefully keeps it secure. I'll get pics of the fridge mount and solar panel next time they are on if anyone is interested.
Through work I scored side steps and factory fogs so why not. I sourced factory look switches and converted them to work properly for the fogs and driving lights
A stebel horn behind the grille
A fire extinguisher in the cab, electric LH window and Autostrada cruise control also found their way in.
The little LED under the meters is the cruise control indicator
The tray has rivnuts and mounting points installed for the fridge and a lockable toolbox.
When I go camping I like to keep it simple so I set up the swag on the tray and shade is provided by a 5 x 2.5mt tarp with small LED lights underneath to provide light when cooking etc.
I don't stuff about on serious 4wd tracks but do have traction drama particularly on boat ramps, wet grass or clay or sometimes sand. I often cart loam, gravel or pavers and on sufaces like above I get the "one wheel spinning...going nowhere" problem so next week I will be having an Eaton Harrop eLocker installed in the rear......this I am looking forward to playing with. It will also be the first mod I haven't done myself.
So you can see us blokes with 2wds are no different as far as wasting too much time and money on our vehicles as you 4wd'ers......talk about overcapitalising.......