Puma Glove Box?

Hey Gav 110, any pics yet mate? Looking forward to seeing this animal.

Hi mate, no photos yet - likely to be done in AUG. At the moment it's in bits - not much to look at...

Would like to correct something.

I usually build things out of Aluminium - not steel. Unless it absolutely needs the steel strengths.
The 'glove box' in progress is made out of Aluminium - no need for steel.

Cheers,
Daniel

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Originally Posted by Gav110

So far the facings are being built in steel - with final finish to be determined - could be matt black like the exBox or possibly grey flecked spray finish similar to the plastic dash 'lid' already there.

Also for those wondering, I believe the reason there is an 'upper' and 'lower' box is to make access easier as the space is very tall and narrow, so it's like having 2 small cubbies. There will also be cable access from the back of the top 'lid' to enable cables from GPS power etc to enter/exit.

Dan has a habit [a healthy one I admire!] of over-engineering things hence steel construction, but who knows what form future 'production' models may take?

Photos - absolutely - will likely be in early AUG when I take it back in again for him to work on.

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Sorry Dan - feels solid as steel to me ;)

Here are the photos I took of it so far on the recent trip to Kanangra. Sorry they're not the best but give you an idea.

Note that the "lid" is not yet fitted and the construction is just a proof of concept so far.

Have had Daniel fit 4 x 12v power sockets which will be refitted lower when finished (iphone, offroad GPS, battery charger + 1 spare - you always seem to need one! keeps cables from flying all over the cockpit).

We're also looking to fit some more cup holders and possibly a new grab handle if it fits.

The space may look small (it is) but it's surprisingly handy especially on long trips. Got full thumbs up from Mrs Gav110...

Looks great..

My only concern is how much you get thrown around offroad the grab rail is fantastic...

And in an impact, a face full of Alloy plate may not appeal to the passenger.. Something soft above really should be considered.

The fabrication of this thing looks fantastic, but I have to say I don't see how anyone cold need a "glove box" in a Defender. I also have the same concerns as Tombie, explaining to the authorities why the missus is slumped over in the passenger seat with two cigarette lighter power adapters sticking out of each eye socket after a bouncy off-road experience :p

The way I see it, if the two foot long shelf in the dash can't hold her gloves/make-up/tissues/phone/lipstick/purse then there's a pretty cavernous cubby box directly to her right. If that's not big enough then there's an even more cavernous defender cab behind her. Cars have glove boxes primarily because they DON'T have the storage that something like a Defender does.

On a more serious note though, if the need for storage of small items up front is paramount, perhaps a roof console, which can also hold the UHF radio and a myriad of other things, may be a better investment.

My wife is always lamenting the lack a decent grab rail whn we go off-road. Don't ditch it !

Watching with interest....seriously :D

However (not so seriously) where does the obligatory box of kleenex tissues go.

The box used to fit in the Disco recess very nicely (pre-airbag version). The snotty passengers were well pleased. Now in the Defender the box is crumpled and crushed into the space below the grab rail (that they insist remain) or left to slide around the passenger side footwell.

I was thinking that something like this could be incorporated:

http://www.ameraproducts.com/store/i...987_tissue.jpg

Good idea mate - tissue holder can be surface mounted to the front fascia. I am getting 2 x collapsible cup holders mounted there instead - but you could go with that.

Grab rail - Daniel will be fitting a smaller replacement handle below the cupholders, so all is well. Did I mention I am fitting a set of 4 x Pajero triangular grab handles to the 1st 2 rows? See attached. This should be all the bracing points needed :angel:

As for the comments about a hard surface to hit - what planet are you guys on? It's not like the factory Defender has airbags or a soft touch dash or is in some way geared up to take a face to the dash. As I explained - the 12v sockets will be submerged under the "lid" - ie the existing plastic topping above the grab rail, hinged for access. The sockets will be sunk deeper - this is just a test harness...

The stock Defender dash material is all brittle plastic bar the grab handle... If frontal collision safety was really a worry for any of us would we have bought a car with no airbags? Who used to say: "in a Defender, the other vehicle is my crumple zone". Seriously, above 50km/h impact speed (heaven forbid) - you are deluding yourself there would be a difference - it's hospital or the morgue either way...

As for storage space - my experience I can never have enough - with 4 kids, wife and long touring. This is just the tip of the iceberg - I have Daniel making up sunken floor boxes in the 1st 2 rows to store recovery gear, tools etc - all the heavy cr_p that normally rides up high on my roof rack because the 3 rows are full of kids and their stuff on long trips. He's even fitted quick fists under the second row seat to hold me hi-lift jack, axe etc. secure and down low. The air compressor is already in a box like this on the LHS rear quarter (accessible from outside with lock) - to save interior space and reduce noise; and I have door pockets with roof nets coming - plus the ExBox gives a bit more space. For my families needs - the more space the better...

The glovebox project for me has 2 objectives: give the wife somewhere to store her sunnies, lip balm, snacks and stuff she needs handy for the kids; and have a neat solution to the problem of 12V power cords trailing all over the dash. It's small $ in the scheme of things on a vehicle I will keep for 10 years and do a few hundred thousand much more pleasant touring KM with, and as the old expression goes: "happy wife, happy life" ;)

But each to their own...

I will be adding detailed pics of all the mods over the coming month - it's about 85% done. Anyone in SYD who wants a private viewing PM me or see me at the LR Expo in SEP - my 110 will be on display at Mulgo's stand...

Some very good ideas there.

Certainly helped my thinking about my kit out.