Thread: Custom boxes on top of wheel arch

No help with the boxes, but they sound like they would be a terrific pairing with a set "gull-wing" side windows......just say'n !

In the Puma there are a number of nuts (look like 8 mm thread) welded under the wheel arch. I presume that where 3rd row seats are added, then holes are drilled in the wheel arch to give access to these nuts. They look like very sturdy connection points.

Hey Mate,

I have exactly what you have described. Mine are made from ply wood covered in marine carpet. The are just bolted through the wheel arches. I have 2 6x9 Speakers mounted in them and keep recovery gear, Bottle jack, axe, shovel rope and various bits and peices. They are perfect size and dont take up much room at all.

Cheers

Pete

Something like this, I guess - only better finished if built by a cabinet maker or covered with marine carpet.
For years I used a couple of milk crates but since replacing them with the box I find it much tidier and it takes up less room. I didn't fit lids as I considered that they would restrict access too much.



The fridge is a semi fixture on the LHS and even though I'm a shortie, I don't find access a problem. I'm not a fan of fridge or drawer slides and feel that they add unnecessary weight and take up extra space.


I like to have access to gear as needed, without needing to unload unwanted items, hence the multiple levels as seen here.


The fridge and Box are attached to a tubular steel framework that I fitted to each side of the rear load space and, as can be seen, the LHS also houses most of my extra electrical gear - utilising the curve in the bodywork and is out of the way.

Originally Posted by 110 Pete

Hey Mate,

I have exactly what you have described. Mine are made from ply wood covered in marine carpet. The are just bolted through the wheel arches. I have 2 6x9 Speakers mounted in them and keep recovery gear, Bottle jack, axe, shovel rope and various bits and peices. They are perfect size and dont take up much room at all.

Cheers

Pete

Fantastic, any chance for a couple of photos?
Did you bolt them on the wheel arch?

Originally Posted by Xtreme

Something like this, I guess - only better finished if built by a cabinet maker or covered with marine carpet.
For years I used a couple of milk crates but since replacing them with the box I find it much tidier and it takes up less room. I didn't fit lids as I considered that they would restrict access too much.



The fridge is a semi fixture on the LHS and even though I'm a shortie, I don't find access a problem. I'm not a fan of fridge or drawer slides and feel that they add unnecessary weight and take up extra space.


I like to have access to gear as needed, without needing to unload unwanted items, hence the multiple levels as seen here.


The fridge and Box are attached to a tubular steel framework that I fitted to each side of the rear load space and, as can be seen, the LHS also houses most of my extra electrical gear - utilising the curve in the bodywork and is out of the way.

Super thanks, this is exactly what I want to do with spare battery, I want to install it in one of the boxes on the left side.


I just need to buy the marine carpet and my best man will provide the ply and labour to build, so am getting a good deal here.

I'm half way through a similar build but for a hardtop. Two 1300mm long boxes on each wheel arch that sit just below the window line. One houses a 58ltr water tank and pump and the other an aux battery and ctek. Both have separate storage compartments towards the rear so weight is kept closer to centre of vehicle and storage can be accessed easily from the rear.

Lids won't be hinged, they will be a routered fit and have latches at each end set into the top of the lid. I'm not convinced hinge screws into ply will last long on rough roads.

My boxes are larger than the wheelarch tops as they fit snugly against and will be bolted to a 660mm wide x 400mm high (approx) centre drawer box. The gap between the drawer box and the sides of the wheelarch will be where I run power and water to the rear.

I'm using 17mm form ply. Has a black coating on both sides that keeps it all looking neat but is harder to work with as the coating needs to be routered off so glue works. Galv screws and selleys durabond on all joints. Will weight around 120kg including a set of 227kg drawer slides.

Will transform the useable space and mean I dont need to unpack the back to get to things.

Originally Posted by steane

I'm half way through a similar build but for a hardtop. Two 1300mm long boxes on each wheel arch that sit just below the window line. One houses a 58ltr water tank and pump and the other an aux battery and ctek. Both have separate storage compartments towards the rear so weight is kept closer to centre of vehicle and storage can be accessed easily from the rear.



Lids won't be hinged, they will be a routered fit and have latches at each end set into the top of the lid. I'm not convinced hinge screws into ply will last long on rough roads.



My boxes are larger than the wheelarch tops as they fit snugly against and will be bolted to a 660mm wide x 400mm high (approx) centre drawer box. The gap between the drawer box and the sides of the wheelarch will be where I run power and water to the rear.



I'm using 17mm form ply. Has a black coating on both sides that keeps it all looking neat but is harder to work with as the coating needs to be routered off so glue works. Galv screws and selleys durabond on all joints. Will weight around 120kg including a set of 227kg drawer slides.



Will transform the useable space and mean I dont need to unpack the back to get to things.

I won't be using drawer in the middle. I will leave middle as is so I can put the fridge and other things. This is my daily vehicle and need to have free space, load it only when I go on trips.
The whole design will be based on modular type.