The HamRover Build

[OLLIE]

I'd love to have it Chazz. Thanks!!!

BTW... Where do you get those window socks?

[Chazz Layne]

Mods & Equipment
Yaesu FTM-350R 2m/70cm

How do you like this radio? Assuming I pass the test in Borrego, that's the radio I've got my eye on.

Love it. It has been great having so simple a setup for APRS (no external devices or special setup), and the big display is worth it regardless of APRS usage. At the time, it was also a bit less expensive for the finished product vs. getting a D710 and buying a 3rd-party GPS.

I'd love to have it Chazz. Thanks!!!

BTW... Where do you get those window socks?

I'll bring it with to BorregoFest. The WindowSOX are available at http://www.windowsox.us/WindowSox/catalog/buynow.aspx, though I don't see the FJ listed yet.

[Chazz Layne]

I finished installing the new Hard Labor Creek Fabrication rock sliders about 14 hours before BorregoFest. As fate would have it, they did not touch one surface the entire trip, and I received damage in the other vulnerable spot on a Discovery instead.


Integrated Hi-Lift ports and rock light tabs:




HLCfab's sliders are rolled to match the curve at the bottom of the doors. The finished product:




...and my new TruckhavenFab rear bumper (with integrated Redneck Reverse Lights)...

thfrbwrnrl.jpg (75.03 KiB) Viewed 3302 times

[cruiserlarry]

I love that someone put enough thought into the sliders to incorporate the rock light mounts...

And thanks to Truckhaven, your rig and your trailer have matching rear bumpers !!!

[Chazz Layne]

Birch, that is...

I finally got started on the rear storage / sleeping platform this afternoon, and have the most difficult panel - the bottom - about 90% finished.



I've tinkered with building my own furniture a little, but I've never done anything quite so complicated before so I'm forcing myself to go slow and follow the rules: measure thrice, cut once. Thus far, it's working out well and I think the RotoZip and I finally have an understanding.



I've decided to go with 3/4-inch birch ply for the main structure, and will probably do the same for the base of the drawers. In the interests of maximizing space:strength I'm going with aluminum for the drawer walls, and may yet do the same with the drawer bases. The access hatches will be aluminum - one covering the big square (fuel pump/filter access) and one up top on either side to access the on-board air and second battery for maintenance (2nd battery goes opposite the OBA).

I have not decided what to use for the foldable or removable forward portion of the sleeping platform yet. I am back and forth between the idea of a removable birch panel that can also serve as a camp table, or a fold-and-flip metal mesh that can be locked up to serve as a cargo barrier. Either way, it will have to move out of the way when driving as space is limited when the seats are all the way back. I had planned to coat the entire thing in black bed liner, but the beauty of the birch has me pondering aluminum trim and finished wood for the back portion (drawers).

The RotoZip and I may have made peace, but the Discovery still bites me every chance she gets...

[Chazz Layne]

I was able to finish up the structure today. Now all thats left is cutting the holes for wiring and water lines (and building the drawers, but I'll deal with that later). I'm hopeful I'll be able to finish up the top piece, get it mounted, and finish the Herculiner tomorrow. I also have 2 small pieces to make for finishing up the gap near the doors, but that can be glued on after the top is done.


The butt cut... the easiest way to make symmetrical wheel well cuts, or maybe I just wanted to play with my new circle cutting attachment and rotozip. Either way, it worked out perfectly and I now have a seat for a new anatomically correct stool.




Driver's side panel finished and ready to mount.




Nice and tight.




Ready for wiring...

[salad_man]

Looks great, awesome craftsman ship

[Chazz Layne]

Welp, I had my third "oops" last night (the first two are in a hidden, non-structural location, so no biggie). The top panel is one single piece all cut out to fit perfectly, but now that the base structure is in place, there isn't enough room inside the truck to move the top panel into position.



I'm going to cut it into 3 pieces width-wise so that the front (critical cosmetically) and rear (critical both cosmetically and structurally) are still solid pieces jointed to 5 others, and still span the width of the truck to tie into the seat mount brackets. Now that I think about it, this will also make the access doors for the OBA and second battery much easier to cut since it will be a single slice with a circular saw (vs. tracing a long rectangle with a Rotozip).

[BorregoWrangler]

Lookin' good, Chazz! I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product.

[Chazz Layne]

Slow progress, but I only have one cut left on the structure. When that's done, I can Herc the rest and finally get my speakers re-installed.



I've decided to carpet the horizontal surfaces for as close to a "factory" look as possible.