Rear storage - different design

[Natator]

Hi all

I have just completed my rear storage for the Paj. It's the biggest project like this I have ever attempted and I am very happy with how it worked out.

I had a couple of things that resulted in the design I came up with .....

1) Must still be able to attach child seat restraints

2) Must still have access to under floor storage

3) Must be simple to remove/replace, 5 mins max (actually ended up being about 2 mins

4) Was mixed on if I wanted drawers or plastic bins I could remove with the contents in place for camping etc. Solution ... one of each.

Points 1 & 2 meant I could not have x2 full length drawers. Solution was the third compartment you'll see and having just one drawer and one plain storage area.

The storage area on the left was made to exactly fit, very snugly, a plastic bin whatsit (Bunnings). I then bought x3 of these and can have them pre-loaded (i.e. a camping box, a hunting box etc.).

One, unplanned part of the project ended up making this far better than I thought it would be. I removed the cover for the underfloor storage area and found the box didn't then sit flat. Using the lid I'd removed I made a template in 12mm ply, cut an access hatch, and attached this securely to the base of the original box. The result ... you slide in the whole unit and it drops nicely into where the underfloor storage lid was ..... as a result the entire system is held beautifully in place, it doesn't shift a mm In the third photo you can see this as the wood is slightly lighter.

Ok, photos in next post.

[Natator]

Early build stages

Early build stages

[Natator]

Mid construction

Mid construction

[Natator]

Completed

Completed

[Uncle Fester]

Looks good M8. I like the hatch idea. One quesion I have is do you put a fridge in there anywhere and if so where.

[Natator]

Looks good M8. I like the hatch idea. One quesion I have is do you put a fridge in there anywhere and if so where.

Unfortunately I don't have a fridge. However, it would be really very easy to put a set of runners for a fridge on top

[Calspec]

Looks really well done.

I have just remade my own storage unit. My original one was very similar to yours but I decided to alter the design due the fact the wife couldn't see inside the fridge (which was just tied down on top). Overall storage capacity has not been effected much.

Used the same drawers from the original unit.

[amr75wcr]

Unfortunately I don't have a fridge. However, it would be really very easy to put a set of runners for a fridge on top

If you are in need of a fridge I have a 40 lt Primus surplus to my requirements. It wouldn't fit my camper

[Calspec]

One thing that I was very mindful of was the need to remove the drawers very quickly if needed, to access the LPG shut-off valve underneath. Unit is well secured and doesn't move but can be slid out in only a few seconds if needed.

[entropy]

Looks good Natator. Can you describe or post up a picture of how you've secured the storage unit so that it stays put in the event of accident?

Calspec, it looks like you're using the luggage tie downs to hold yours in place, is that right?

cheers

[Natator]

If you are in need of a fridge I have a 40 lt Primus surplus to my requirements. It wouldn't fit my camper

Would be very interested but have really badly stuffed up finances unexpectedly so am on a complete spending freeze

[Natator]

Looks good Natator. Can you describe or post up a picture of how you've secured the storage unit so that it stays put in the event of accident?

It is really well secured, if I hit anything hard enough to dislodge it I would have far bigger things to worry about than the storage

Three things keep it securely in place ....

1) The base fitting into the storage lid hole. This is a very good/tight fit. It doesn't allow for any horizontal movement at all. Having zero movement also prevents it picking up it's own momentum.

2) Under the front storage section, that runs across, there are the three child seat points. There are three bolts (longer than the original as had to allow for the thickness of the base) through the base of the system that lock it down tight here.

3) There is a tie down point in each of the rear corners of the Paj, which is under the flaps of the sides of my box. I have secured anchor point on the sides of the box, under those flaps, just below the top. These are then attached using (sorry, not sure what they are called) those screw things you often see used to tension cables. Currently (as I only finished this today) they are attached to the original cargo flip up whatsits, but I want to replace them with something a little stronger.

Basically, therefore, point 1 secures it nicely and 2 & 3 mostly prevent it from jumping out from that in an accident.

[Natator]

Looks really well done.

I have just remade my own storage unit. My original one was very similar to yours but I decided to alter the design due the fact the wife couldn't see inside the fridge (which was just tied down on top). Overall storage capacity has not been effected much.

They look fantastic Calspec. You've done a far neater job than I did.

I just couldn't get the corners of the aluminium edges right for mine. Might not show on the photos but they are not the nice neat fit I'd like.

[Calspec]

I have mitred the corners of the aluminium. Looks OK, but by no means perfect. I made two steel brackets that are secured by the child restraint points that the unit just slides in under at the front, and have secured the rear of the unit using over-center catches. These are located just beside the rear luggage hooks, but I have not used them. The overcenter catches have an "R" pin securing them. All that is required to remove the unit is to remove all gear from on top, fold over the wings, pull the pins to release the catches and then two people can then just slide the unit clear of the back.

Thanks for the comments.

[Calspec]

As I have LPG fitted, there is no room under the hood for my second battery so it has to be stored in the back (AGM type). This was previously secured on top of the drawers adjacent where the fridge sat. As this took up a lot of useable speace, I decided to relocate it in my redesign. The battery now resides forward of the lower drawer, which has been shortened to accommodate it. The top drawer is full length (600mm). If required, the battery can be disconnected quickly by accessing it from behind the rear passenger seat, and simply unplugging the Anderson connector.