Removing Rear Side Panels

[Bungee]

Hi All

Has anybody removed the panels in the rear cargo area. I want to fit a plug for my fridge next to the existing socket, or, wire the existing socket up to my second battery. If you have removed this panel what was involved?

Also, I read in another post somewhere there are some spare wires running from the footwell to the rear, has anyone used these for a waeco fridge?

thanks

Bungee

[rt1]

I haven't removed the internal panels but I had to replace one of them. From memory, it was attached by standard interior trim clips. Should be fairly easy to pull off.

[Tom80]

you have to remove the rear seat carpet panel, under there you will find two screws on the forward side, undo these this will allow that hard platic edge to be lifted, this will allow you to lift the edge of the carpet, under the carpet there are 4 screws from memory, undo these. under the rear side cargo tie down, you can lift up the cover and undo the bolt there, then lever up the little carpet panel (standard trim clips) this wil reveal a couple of screws - undo. lever of the very rear trim clip (the interior of the bumper area) and pull off the panel going accross the rear door area. you then need to lever off the step panels on the rear passenger door floor (standard clips). next you need to remove the top panel (the window one) by pulling it has about 8 - 10 body trim clips holding it in, this will then reveal a couple more screws, once these are done you can remove the panel.

I found this out when putting in my electric brake controller, the intsructions were left in the car from the towbar install, it showed how to get the panel off.

I've just put through 50 amp wiring for the caravan battery and got around this by putting along the edge of the panel under the carpet, my plan for a fridge outlet is to do the same and access the side through the panels for removing the seats. Basically sticking your hand up there and feeding the wire through, it will be a lot easier to do than removing the whole panel.
Hope this help.
Cheers Tom.

[Mike DiD]

Removing the upper panel that surrounds the window is a lot easier - especially if you only want to lift the lower part and leave the top part attached.

It just pulls outwards at the lower edge.

[Bungee]

Thanks guys, I was worried about removing the top panel because the side curtain airbag is in there. Does that cause any concern?

[dolphin]

for the ease of all, i would use a 2 to 1 plug socket rather than pull the side covers to bits.

[Mike DiD]

Thanks guys, I was worried about removing the top panel because the side curtain airbag is in there. Does that cause any concern?

The side curtain airbag is behind the ceiling lining. Beware aware of any yellow ducting - it holds the airbag wiring.

[Tom80]

Thanks guys, I was worried about removing the top panel because the side curtain airbag is in there. Does that cause any concern?

my recommendation would be to put the wiring under the foot panels and along the edge (under carpet) of the rear cargo area and then feed it up by hand through the rear seat pivot access panels to a hole you have drilled in the panel for the fridge plug.

Cheers Tom

[Bungee]

for the ease of all, i would use a 2 to 1 plug socket rather than pull the side covers to bits.

Not sure what you mean, I am running a Waeco fridge and it needs 2 things a standard power outlet cannot deliver.

1. Constant power (rather than accessories) I have a dual battery for this purpose
2. Decent wires, the Waeco doesnt respond well to voltage drop. In fact, the weaco will go into error mode and will stop working if the voltage drops due to insufficient wires.

I am assuming you mean to get a double adapter... hopefully you can see why that wont work.

[robsrock]

Not sure what you mean, I am running a Waeco fridge and it needs 2 things a standard power outlet cannot deliver.

1. Constant power (rather than accessories) I have a dual battery for this purpose
2. Decent wires, the Waeco doesnt respond well to voltage drop. In fact, the weaco will go into error mode and will stop working if the voltage drops due to insufficient wires.

I am assuming you mean to get a double adapter... hopefully you can see why that wont work.

Bungee - I am chasing the same issue - how have you got on with the extra socket - I was thinking about going under the car then up through on of the gromets to the rear - although this does not solve the issue of replacing the old outlet with a heavier one.

I am a little unsure if i want to pull a two week old car apart but we are heading off camping soon and the fridge outlet does not cut it.
advice welcome.

Robsrock

[Bungee]

I have installed my plug from the dual battery. I ran the cable through the firewall, then under the kick panels to the rear. I removed the rear side panel to install the new plug. Works well and looks factory fitted. If you want some help PM me...

[robsrock]

I am looking for some thoughts from those sparkies or seasoned campers out there on a particilar set up for my second battery and fridge.

I have an Ns exceed Did - which has a small space in the engine bay for second battery so i have decided to go with a deep cycle agm - 100ah fitted in the third row of seats bay in the rear.I will be a portabel arrangement in a battery box.

I also need the ability ,in the car and if the battery is not there, to have the waeco connected and receiving enough current - as the current cig set up in the rear does not cut it due to voltage loss.

I was looking to see how others have managed this with a smart soleniod to get charge to the battery - if, without the second battery ,and the car switched off , allow a current draw by the fridge .
I was thinking of a coupel of options


Install a Redarc solenoid which has the override switch
Run a second cable to the rear but have it directly off the main battery.
Upgrade the current cig lighter socket and cable.- but this does not help manage the requirement to have frideg power with engine off.


recommedations welcome

Robsrock

[pslambe]

you have to remove the rear seat carpet panel, under there you will find two screws on the forward side, undo these this will allow that hard platic edge to be lifted, this will allow you to lift the edge of the carpet, under the carpet there are 4 screws from memory, undo these. under the rear side cargo tie down, you can lift up the cover and undo the bolt there, then lever up the little carpet panel (standard trim clips) this wil reveal a couple of screws - undo. lever of the very rear trim clip (the interior of the bumper area) and pull off the panel going accross the rear door area. you then need to lever off the step panels on the rear passenger door floor (standard clips). next you need to remove the top panel (the window one) by pulling it has about 8 - 10 body trim clips holding it in, this will then reveal a couple more screws, once these are done you can remove the panel.

I found this out when putting in my electric brake controller, the intsructions were left in the car from the towbar install, it showed how to get the panel off.

I've just put through 50 amp wiring for the caravan battery and got around this by putting along the edge of the panel under the carpet, my plan for a fridge outlet is to do the same and access the side through the panels for removing the seats. Basically sticking your hand up there and feeding the wire through, it will be a lot easier to do than removing the whole panel.
Hope this help.
Cheers Tom.

Tom.

I don't suppose you could photo/scan those interior trim removal instructions could you? A few people want to know how to pull the interior panels without stuffing up anything.

Phil in Sydney

[CeeJay]

I am looking for some thoughts from those sparkies or seasoned campers out there on a particilar set up for my second battery and fridge.

I have an Ns exceed Did - which has a small space in the engine bay for second battery so i have decided to go with a deep cycle agm - 100ah fitted in the third row of seats bay in the rear.I will be a portabel arrangement in a battery box.

I also need the ability ,in the car and if the battery is not there, to have the waeco connected and receiving enough current - as the current cig set up in the rear does not cut it due to voltage loss.

I was looking to see how others have managed this with a smart soleniod to get charge to the battery - if, without the second battery ,and the car switched off , allow a current draw by the fridge .
I was thinking of a coupel of options


Install a Redarc solenoid which has the override switch
Run a second cable to the rear but have it directly off the main battery.
Upgrade the current cig lighter socket and cable.- but this does not help manage the requirement to have frideg power with engine off.


recommedations welcome

Robsrock

I got a 90AH AGM battery into a Piranha tray in the engine bay, used a Redarc and ran two heavy duty circuits to the rear under the step trims and carpets, so I still get to use the 3rd row seat well for tools and recovery gear.

Charlie

[Gregzzzz]

Interior trim removal

Tom.

I don't suppose you could photo/scan those interior trim removal instructions could you? A few people want to know how to pull the interior panels without stuffing up anything.

Phil in Sydney

Hi, here are some pages from the towbar instructions showing the panel removal (hopefully I have attached them successfully).
Some notes. In step 4 you probably don't need to take out all the screws, just the ones towards rear of vehicle and the Right Hand Side ones....just so you can get access to the lower trim screws underneath on RHS.
In step 8, you probably don't need to take the upper trim all the way off (or the seat belts all the way out), 'just' unclip the lower section of the upper trim so you can get to the lower trim.
When you go to put the lower trim back again, remember to connect up the power socket first, although you can with difficulty reach it through the 3rd row seat holder hole. (from experience!)