anthrax323
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- San Antonio, TX
Progress is nice.
My box build
- Thread starter anthrax323
- Start date
anthrax323
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- San Antonio, TX
All the side bin wood pieces are cut. Next step is to pull it all back out of the car and get things mounted, then do some final trimming to make sure it all fits in there nicely. After that, I just need to order the carpet.
playwithit
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Fairfield, CA
I bought carpet at walmart. In the automotive section they have rolls which are very close to the oem. It cost like 9 bucks. You can see it here. I think it was 5'x12'.
anthrax323
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- San Antonio, TX
Nice! Thanks for the tip - I'll swing by Walmart on my way home and see if they've got it locally. Worst case scenario, I can rip it all off and re-do it with OE carpet if I'm not happy with the results (but based on your pic, it does look like a damn similar color).
anthrax323
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- San Antonio, TX
Just a quick update - the frame is almost entirely painted, but the process is taking a while because I'm plagued by rain and 97%+ humidity every time I have the opportunity to take a stab at it. That in conjunction with the fact that Krylon apparently sucks ass, even on primed metal, is making things take longer.
Given that there's somewhat of a Krylon satin black topcoat on it now, I'm probably just going to finish it off with a can of Rustoleum High Performance Enamel in semi-gloss black... Similar sheens, and at least I'm guaranteed I'll get decent coverage with the Rustoleum (it's what I used on my Detours Slimline with great success, but in flat black).
Regardless, it's a beautiful Friday without a cloud in sight - I'll hopefully have this damned thing finished by nightfall. I did pick up a couple cans of 3M Super 90 and some of that Walmart carpet (in black, though, as it was the only color they had) so hopefully I can get everything 100% done today.
Given that there's somewhat of a Krylon satin black topcoat on it now, I'm probably just going to finish it off with a can of Rustoleum High Performance Enamel in semi-gloss black... Similar sheens, and at least I'm guaranteed I'll get decent coverage with the Rustoleum (it's what I used on my Detours Slimline with great success, but in flat black).
Regardless, it's a beautiful Friday without a cloud in sight - I'll hopefully have this damned thing finished by nightfall. I did pick up a couple cans of 3M Super 90 and some of that Walmart carpet (in black, though, as it was the only color they had) so hopefully I can get everything 100% done today.
anthrax323
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- San Antonio, TX
More progress.
Just need to trim the top pieces a tad, wrap them, and get started on the final side bin pieces (install hinges, trim one more piece of wood, and wrap 'em all). Feels good to be getting things done.
Just need to trim the top pieces a tad, wrap them, and get started on the final side bin pieces (install hinges, trim one more piece of wood, and wrap 'em all). Feels good to be getting things done.
anthrax323
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- San Antonio, TX
Things are almost completely done - just gotta do the left bin hinges and secure the forward walls of each bin... Still haven't figured out the best way to do it given that I might have to somehow take this thing apart and put it back together again one day.
In any case, a few more pics:
Apparently these are called "European style" hinges... Honestly, they barely worked out in this case (due to the slight gap between the top surface and the side wall to which the hinge is mounted thanks to the frame) but prevent me from needing magnets or anything to keep things closed.
So close, yet so far...
In any case, a few more pics:
Apparently these are called "European style" hinges... Honestly, they barely worked out in this case (due to the slight gap between the top surface and the side wall to which the hinge is mounted thanks to the frame) but prevent me from needing magnets or anything to keep things closed.
So close, yet so far...
anthrax323
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- San Antonio, TX
Some higher quality "finished" pictures.
Enjoy.
Overall I'm quite happy, but would like to have used better carpet... Then again, I needed 4 yards which would've brought the total to over $110 for just the carpet. Fit and finish wise, there are a few subtle inconsistencies, but honestly, far fewer than I expected.
The top fills the entire cargo area with the exception of a few square inches (namely the back corners near the hatch struts - in the name of completing things, I skipped those pieces).
Anyway, I hope this learning experience of mine has given others some ideas. At least I now know I can (a) design something far more complex than it needs to be, and (b) see the project through to completion.
Now I've just gotta start building some modules.
Enjoy.
Overall I'm quite happy, but would like to have used better carpet... Then again, I needed 4 yards which would've brought the total to over $110 for just the carpet. Fit and finish wise, there are a few subtle inconsistencies, but honestly, far fewer than I expected.
The top fills the entire cargo area with the exception of a few square inches (namely the back corners near the hatch struts - in the name of completing things, I skipped those pieces).
Anyway, I hope this learning experience of mine has given others some ideas. At least I now know I can (a) design something far more complex than it needs to be, and (b) see the project through to completion.
Now I've just gotta start building some modules.
moneypit_k5
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- pdx
that looks great! Makes me want to build something today, but I sleep in mine too much.
anthrax323
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- San Antonio, TX
Thanks man... I was actually pondering some ideas to make the XJ a single-person mini-RV, of sorts (or at least a car you could easily sleep in).
This idea is only suitable for a single person based on how I've hashed it out, but ponder this...
Remove the front passenger seat, as well as the back seat (ideally the whole thing). Build a floor-level "cargo shelf" of sorts extending from the front edge of the cargo area up to the center console. On the passenger side, continue this as far forward as desired (probably not all the way up to the dash, as you may still want to use the glovebox or have floor space for crap). Within this "shelf" of sorts, you can easily build storage bins as desired/needed.
At that point, you'd have a considerable amount of room to sleep along the passenger side of the vehicle, and can pile the driver's side sky-high with whatever you may have with you on your trip.
Not sure I'd ever do that though, as I think I'd get lonely realizing I'm the only occupant of my car... Ever.
This idea is only suitable for a single person based on how I've hashed it out, but ponder this...
Remove the front passenger seat, as well as the back seat (ideally the whole thing). Build a floor-level "cargo shelf" of sorts extending from the front edge of the cargo area up to the center console. On the passenger side, continue this as far forward as desired (probably not all the way up to the dash, as you may still want to use the glovebox or have floor space for crap). Within this "shelf" of sorts, you can easily build storage bins as desired/needed.
At that point, you'd have a considerable amount of room to sleep along the passenger side of the vehicle, and can pile the driver's side sky-high with whatever you may have with you on your trip.
Not sure I'd ever do that though, as I think I'd get lonely realizing I'm the only occupant of my car... Ever.
moneypit_k5
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- pdx
interesting concept. in mine though, I use all my seats between my wife and my dog. in order to sleep in it, I have to take my road gear out and lay diagonally to fit.(im 6'2").
Im thinking of fabbing a front seat mounts that allow them to fold forward into the dash, and out of the way. also, build cubbys on top of the wheel wells to the rear hatch. thus my floor would stay open, and I think I could store nearly everything in there.
Ive gotten my gear down to two 50cal ammo cans, an aluminum med crate,
my chainsaw, and an axe.
Im thinking of fabbing a front seat mounts that allow them to fold forward into the dash, and out of the way. also, build cubbys on top of the wheel wells to the rear hatch. thus my floor would stay open, and I think I could store nearly everything in there.
Ive gotten my gear down to two 50cal ammo cans, an aluminum med crate,
my chainsaw, and an axe.
