Cargo Mods Episode IV: A New Hope

[vt_maverick]

Cargo Mods Episode IV: A New Hope

Entering his 4th year of VX ownership,
vt_maverick finds himself still searching for more cargo space.
With all exterior options exhausted, he turns back to the interior for ideas,
searching for new ways to store even more crap. Having upgraded to larger tires,
his stock spare was now useless. If only something could be built to take up it's space...

SPACE WARS

Episodes I-III (WARNING: Intros are less entertaining):

Carrying Pets in the VX (http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=15358)
Taking the pet barrier to the next level... literally (http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=16817)
A New Weapon in the Ongoing War for Cargo Space (http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=18055)


A few months ago I asked JAMAS (Jon) to take a look at building a cargo box to fill the spare tire area in the rear door. I wanted something big enough to fit my jump starter / tire pump, air jack, oil, and tools so that I could look at using my Tone box for something different (thinking air tank right now). I also wanted to overcome a problem that I introduced in the second thread above, namely, there was a small void between the rear door and the edge of the Tone box, such that my dog could slip and fall unless I blocked the space with pillows, blankets, etc. So I asked Jon to see what he could come up with that would meet the space requirements while also filling in the void between the door and the Tone box.


Here is the initial design sketch I sent Jon:

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3266/Rear_Door_Box_Mockup.png


So over the next several weeks we traded emails on additional design ideas, including using paracord on the main door to create a fold-out "work shelf," mounting a light to the inside of the top box door, etc. Here is the end result:


Closed:

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3266/Rear_Door_Cargo_Box_-_Closed.jpg

Open:

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3266/Rear_Door_Cargo_Box_-_Open.jpg

Personally I think it turned out great, the storage capacity is awesome and it looks totally OEM from inside the cabin with the door closed. There's no holes to drill since it mounts to the door using the spare tire plate, and it fits perfectly up against my Tone box to keep the main door from swinging open. To give you an idea of the capacity, I currently have the following in the door:

Battery jumpstarter / tire pump
Air jack and accessories
Box of bungee straps
Quart of oil
Screwdriver set
Rubber mallet
Safety glasses
Flash light
Bag of miscellaneous tools
First aid kit

I'll leave it to Jon to advertise timelines and/or price, but I'll be the first to tell you that when he's ready to build these you guys should give it some serious thought. VERY useful mod for anyone who can no longer use their factory spare.

[Mile High VX]

Nice job guys...very useful and looks great.

[Ascinder]

You really need an adventure trailer:yesy:

[surf-life]

looks great!!! I am going to give these guys a call and see if they can make something for the VX

http://www.springtailsolutions.com/subpage10.html

[VXjunky]

very nice...i was going to question you about the void on the prototype ...but appears to have been addressed in the latest issue....real real nice....will it open with the rear door closed?...........just to clarify...does the newest offering look like the first picture...or the last

[VX KAT]

Wow mav & Jon- That looks great! :thumbup:
It came out more functional than I envisioned, really cool!
I was going to use my donut mount on my pulley system...guess I need to find another if I ever want to do this mod. ((Tom...can we use something else to hoist the spare????))

[tom4bren]

Guys,

The kit looks great. KUDOS!!!

KAT,

Sure we can use something else. Not sure of the benefit of using it for this application though - it takes up space in the storage area. Either a flat plate of the same diameter or just 3 pan head screws with some large washers would do the same job without taking up the space of that bracket.

When I make it back home, I'll try to remember to take the donut to Welder Guy to make a plate that will do the same job for your hoist.

BTW, I have a spare bracket as well.

[vt_maverick]

You really need an adventure trailer:yesy:

Those things are sweet, but for that cost ($9K+) I could buy 1-2 VX's. :eek:

You know it's pricey when they make you open a separate document to view the comprehensive pricing sheet. Take a look:

http://www.adventuretrailers.com/page/trailers/horizon/

[vt_maverick]

will it open with the rear door closed?...........just to clarify...does the newest offering look like the first picture...or the last

The prototype that Jon built for me was designed to "mate" perfectly with my existing Tone box (similar dimensions as his own cargo boxes) so right now the main box door will not open with the rear door closed because it's flush with the Tone box. The upper box will open with the rear door closed, but Jon used beefy shut-tight hinges so it won't come open on its own.

I would imagine that members who do not have a Tone or JAMAS cargo box would probably want a latching mechanism on the main door. I'm sure Jon could add that very easily with $1.50 in hardware and 5 seconds with a drill.

The first picture is just a mock-up; the last two are what I actually have installed. I gave Jon a few suggestions for the full production version, but it will look 95% like what you see here (unless you're willing to pay for additional customization of course). ;)

[Ascinder]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ascinder
You really need an adventure trailer
Those things are sweet, but for that cost ($9K+) I could buy 1-2 VX's.

You know it's pricey when they make you open a separate document to view the comprehensive pricing sheet.


You can get a military surplus trailer for a grand or less. With a very slight bit of work it would haul everything you need and go everywhere you could possibly want. Look at what Ldub did with just a normal trailer. Then you just hook up the trailer for adventuring and enjoy the extra space when you are just driving around.

[vt_maverick]

Dub's trailer is sweet, I'll have to think that over and look into where I can find a surplus place in the local area. Got to believe there's someplace in Hampton Roads, we have like 10 military bases (Army, Marine, AF, Navy, Coast Guard) all within 45 minutes of each other.

I'm almost certain there will be an Episode V; we found out a few weeks ago that we have another little one on the way! :eek: :D

[vt_maverick]

looks great!!! I am going to give these guys a call and see if they can make something for the VX

http://www.springtailsolutions.com/subpage10.html

Looks cool, but it seems like all their solutions are built around mounting backpacks; there just isn't room in the VX for something like that (IMHO) unless you're planning on permanently removing your backseats. Not to mention you'll need to take out a second mortgage to pay for it. Sample Tahoe pricing list:


Tahoe/GMC MSM Base unit: $1595.00

Optional Drawer Trays: $350.00/pair

Optional Top Shelf: $180.00

[VX KAT]

Dub's trailer is sweet, I'll have to think that over and look into where I can find a surplus place in the local area. Got to believe there's someplace in Hampton Roads, we have like 10 military bases (Army, Marine, AF, Navy, Coast Guard) all within 45 minutes of each other.

I'm almost certain there will be an Episode V; we found out a few weeks ago that we have another little one on the way! :eek: :D

http://www.smileyshut.com/smileys/new/Babies/pregnant-woman-123.gif (http://www.smileyshut.com/facebook-smileys.html)
http://www.smileyshut.com/smileys/new/Babies/stork2.gif (http://www.smileyshut.com/facebook-smileys.html)
http://www.smileyshut.com/smileys/new/Babies/baby-pacifier-2.gif (http://www.smileyshut.com/facebook-smileys.html)
http://www.smileyshut.com/smileys/new/Babies/baby-girl.gif (http://www.smileyshut.com/facebook-smileys.html)

Congrats Ashley & Sonya! http://www.smileyshut.com/smileys/new/free-jumping-smileys-463[1].gif (http://www.smileyshut.com/facebook-smileys.html)

[VX KAT]

Here's another mod for Mav! Don't know if t dog will still fit behind there:_thinking....
I know you'll make it work somehow!
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/member.php?uid=91&protype=1
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/91vx-7c.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/91vx-7a.jpg

[vt_maverick]

Yeah I looked at that set-up awhile back. The dog probably wouldn't fit, but beyond that the "third row seat" seems way too small for any passenger besides a child, and they would have to be in a car seat or booster seat that wouldn't fit either.

[tom4bren]

Grats Ash & Sonya on yer expecticatin a new young'n.

[Mile High VX]

Congrats Ashley and Sonya...what a blessing!

[vt_maverick]

Thanks guys! We're almost as excited as Mahalia, she keeps saying "Baaaaaabeeeee" with a huge grin on her face. :)

[vt_maverick]

To undo my own threadjack (;)), I want to make it clear that I stumbled on these pics AFTER Jon and I started talking. But clearly great minds think alike. :p

Pictures from the Mini Beachcomber Concept world premiere:

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Mini-Beachcomber.jpg

http://www.roadandtrack.com/var/ezflow_site/storage_RT_NEW/storage/images/auto-shows/detroit/mini-beachcomber-concept/gallery/photo_16/1642763-1-eng-US/mini-16_gallery_image_large.jpg

http://images.gizmag.com/gallery_lrg/mini-beachcomber-6.JPG

Caption from article: The rear-mounted spare wheel compartment is actually a lockable storage area

http://images.gizmag.com/gallery_lrg/mini-beachcomber-4.JPG

http://www.gizmag.com/mini-beachcomber-concept-revealed/13841/picture/108520/

[VX KAT]

Ummm, so they call it a "rear-mounted spare wheel compartment"....but "it's actually a lockable storage area"....so where's the spare?:confused:

And yes, you guys are obviously great minds!! Your "rear cubby" (my description) is a fantastic idea. Betcha have a backlog already JAMAS!

[JAMAS]

Betcha have a backlog already JAMAS!

Nope. Then again, I haven't really setup a thread to gauge interest yet.

I will do that in the not so distant future.

[VX KAT]

As I'm cogitatin' on this further.....you had Jon make yours deeper, so it would meet flush with the Tone box and your dog wouldn't fall in between (personally, I think putting my 8 lb Pom Teddy there, cover it with my cargo net....would be a fantastic idea...but I digress...)

For those of us w/o a Tone or a JAMAS Box...Jon would you suggest we use the same design as Mav, to maximize depth? Is your "standard" model basically flush with the rear door?

Mav- How much more inward does your box come vs. a basically "flush" with rear door design? 3" or 4"??

[vt_maverick]

Sue - The door box "encroaches" into the cargo area by exactly the distance between the Tone/JAMAS cargo box and the rear door. I'm not sure of the exact measurement, but a good rule of thumb would be to say that it sticks in just about to your rear tie downs. Take a look at the pics below, the area between the cargo box and the door (where the rear walls "merge" towards the tailgate) is the area that's consumed by my door box.

JAMAS Box:
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/JAMAS_CARGOBOX_03.jpg

Tone Box:
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3266/IMG_00038.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3266/IMG_00106.JPG

Personally I don't see the advantage of a more shallow variant; since the rear walls curve inward to the tailgate, you probably don't even use that extra inch or two now.