Finally....Da new rig..

[crash2]

It seems like something small but it truth its something big. For a number of years I kept trying to remember to put a rear view mirror back in my toy. I always seem to be the leader out on the trail and found myself constantly turning my head so it was a high priority to put one in the new rig.

 

[crash2]

Time to dig out a box I have had stashed away well before I started the rig. Matched set of gauges...

 

[Clark]

Looking good!:awesomework:

Why not hinge the back of the hood? It makes it easy with one person and your hood has a place to be when you open it. That was the first thing I changed on mine after checking fluids a million times on the maiden voyage.

 

[WA-Wheeler]

How did you mount the mirror?

 

[crash2]

How did you mount the mirror?

Like this :awesomework:

 

[crash2]

Looking good!:awesomework:

Why not hinge the back of the hood? It makes it easy with one person and your hood has a place to be when you open it. That was the first thing I changed on mine after checking fluids a million times on the maiden voyage.

Thanks Clark..

Before I even started the hood I sat there for some time trying to come up with a plan and how I did it really was the best option. Problem I see with doing hinges is the fact my weak link is doing that type of sheetmetal work. You would have to build a structure under the back of the hood to give it some rigidity. Its very flimsy and wobbly and is actually quite easy to remove. Plus I can only see it coming off a a couple times and I really don't see it coming off on the trail. Just seemed like a bunch of un-needed work to add hinges... But it did cross my mind.

 

[crash2]

Time to play with cardboard again. Like anything I have done to this point it starts with an idea and goes from there.

 

[crash2]

And it evolves into a more general idea. I have never been good at simply drawing a picture--my mind just can't process it so I draw on a bigger platform. So here is the general idea I am shooting for. Of course it always seems to evolve a bit more from a visual concept to a finished product.

 

[crash2]

I wanted to get the heater vents as low as possible so I revamped the heater box mounts to drop it down more. I also made a mount for the bottom the center dash to mount to.

 

[crash2]

As I cut parts out again it evolved and actually used every bit of room. My original plan was to build speaker buckets in front of my seats like my toyota had been for years. Well I got to looking and found there was "just" enough room to fit them in the center part of the dash.

 

[crash2]

And there is the finished product.

 

[crash2]

And at the bottom I made a cubby hole. Its tilted downward and also has a 1" raised lip so things should stay in there pretty well....

 

[leadfoot067]

what about a USB port?

https://www.hodgesmarine.com/Blue-S...lkid=SWNeAVMhd9Gw&ppcsu=xhg7f5djqeniramsegdoh

 

[crash2]

what about a USB port?

https://www.hodgesmarine.com/Blue-S...lkid=SWNeAVMhd9Gw&ppcsu=xhg7f5djqeniramsegdoh

I aint done yet :redneck:

 

[TreeClimber]

I aint done yet :redneck:

I see speakers, but no radio.

 

[crash2]

I see speakers, but no radio.

If you read earlier you will see why :awesomework:

"simplification" :redneck:

 

[boxboy]

It seems tall and will block viability but then I don't know what your dash and hood heights are... but looking good!

 

[crash2]

It seems tall and will block viability but then I don't know what your dash and hood heights are... but looking good!

From that angle it does look tall but yup its well below my field of vision...

 

[crash2]

So next it was time to get the shifter done. I had gotten one with the plastic housing/mount but I did not like the fact it didn't easily let me incorporate other items I wanted with it. Well so I tossed it and built my own that will be welded to the tranny tunnel. I also made it with a removable panel on the back side so I can access the back of the shifter assy.

 

[crash2]

So after I got the shifter mounted welded to the tunnel it was time to make the switch pod that has the items I will constantly be using and easily to reach when fully belted in. (engine ignition,crank,front/rear ARB, front/rear winch and radio volume..... Once the pod was built I finished off the mounting. I was very happy with the fitment and ease of use with the driver seat in place.