Extension socket for spare wheel mechanism

[bobzed57]

Discoverers

I apologise in advance for my poor search skills, but I recall that there was a post here somewhere that showed how to make an extesnion socket and rod for the spare wheel ratchet. I run a false floor and fridge slide in my D3 and I thought it might be a good idea to be able to get the spare wheel down when the boot is loaded without having to remove everything.

If someone could point me to the thread/post that'd be great.

Cheers

BZ

[sniegy]

HTH

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/d3-d4-rrs/19001d1253757407-roller-drawers-d3-tdv6-s-discovery-006.jpg

Cheers.

[trobbo]

I think this is the one you were looking for.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/84623-roller-drawers-d3-tdv6-s.html

When searching on D3 specific stuff I usually start in the D3 section and then click on search this forum (top right of threads)

edit - pipped at the post by Pete.

[sniegy]

Thanks Trobbo,
Thats where i got the photo from, accidentally pasted the link from the photo....:eek:

[eddomak]

This is the first I'd heard about this idea and have now looked at the other threads. Does this mean that the 3rd row seats must be removed for this to happen? I have a D4 and can't see how this works without removing seats? The seat back needs to be flipped up before you can see the winch?

[bbyer]

In the D3, there is a sufficient gap between the seats in the stowed lay down postion to get a socket extension down there. In other words, with the D3 there is no need to flip up the seats; with the D4, I do not know. It sounds as if the width of the seats is a bit more if there is no gap, or the winch nut has moved off the centre line?

Re the 3, you must have to have a 22mm socket already in place over the winch nut; you then just shove a suitable socket extension down thru the gap between the seat backs or have a suitable length socket extension already in place.

[eddomak]

I will check out the D4 this weekend and see if the gap is big enough. Cheers!

[Mal_W]

I have a home built storage section on my D3 and I arranged the boxes to be just clear of the centre, and there is a hole in the plywood sheet that makes up the floor i.e. access is available between the folded down third row seats. Then I permanently placed a 22 mm socket on the winder. I then have a 1/2 inch square rod (extension) that comes to the top of my boxes. This is smoothed out to round (with a grinder) for the section above the bottom socket so that it goes between the folded seats. There are some plastic covers on the seats at the place where the rod needs to go through and I also removed them to make a slightly wider gap. They are only cosmetic and no one has noticed they are missing. The top of the 1/2 inch rod I shaped to fit another socket. It has to be less than 1/2 inch. Then I use a 1/2 inch ratchet drive to operate the spare wheel winch.

Mal

[bbyer]

I have often thought that as the gap is a bit tight, that one could purchase a half inch drive to say 3/8" adapter, or perhaps even to 1/4"

The reduced diameter of the drive extension would fit more easily between the gap. It is not as if a lot of force is needed re operation of the mechanism. A quarter inch drive might however feel a bit weak when bringing the spare back up into place.

[eddomak]

I have often thought that as the gap is a bit tight, that one could purchase a half inch drive to say 3/8" adapter, or perhaps even to 1/4"

The reduced diameter of the drive extension would fit more easily between the gap.

I just attempted to reach the winch with a 3/8" extension through the gap of the D4. Can't do it. :thumbsdown: It may be possible if the side covers for the seat hinges are removed.

[bobzed57]

Thanks Mal, yours is closest to how I remember the post. Someone had actually posted photos and given measurements for the length of the extension. As I recall there was also some welding involved.

I have taked the hinge covers off and I'll see what I can fit in the gap. I'm thinking of using an old drain plug as a lid for the ratchet cavity to see if I can reduce the amount of dust that gets in.

Now I've just gotta get off my bum and do it as I have a big trip to the Harts Range coming up in July.

Cheers

Bob

[Mal_W]

Further to my post below, with my arrangement, as the 1/2 inch square bar won't fit beteen the folded seats at the final position above the socket, I have to put the lower end of the 1/2 inch bar between the seats at the far rear of the seats and then slide the bar forward to the desired position and then down to engage the socket. I ground down the square bar to round for a sufficient length from just above the socket to above the folded seats to allow the resulting reduced section of the bar to just fit and be able to turn. I needed an extension of some 500mm so I made my own. Otherwise a standard extension would probably work as long as you insert it as I mention above.

Mal

[Mal_W]

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/6203/extensionroddetail.jpg (http://img28.imageshack.us/i/extensionroddetail.jpg/)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[CaverD3]

No need to remove the covers you can dremel a slot for the shaft.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/06/540.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/06/539.jpg

If you are going to have a socket attached you have to have the cover open and you will get a wet boot on river crossings unless you seal the opening between the winder and body.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/06/543.jpg

This is what I used on mine:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/06/538.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/06/537.jpg

[bobzed57]

Caver

Good pics thanks. Do you leave the extension bar in place all the time, or do as Mal does and slide the rod in place when needed?

Because I have a false floor screwed down at the luggage tie down points I would prefer to have enough of the extension bar exposed so that it's just a matter of connecting a ratchet drive and lowering away.

About the fitting itself, what did you use to seal the hole. I wouldn't think that the OEM cover would do much in keeping the water out. I've been through a number of reasonably deep river crossings and while I haven't specifically looked, I can't recall seeing any water or dampness.

I'll crack on and wrkr something out and post pics when I finished.

Cheers and thanks

[CaverD3]

I poke the extension down to the socket which I attached to the nut with silicone sealant. The slots in the plastic cover guide the extension to the socket.

I need the flat floor so I take out the extension. If you have enough space there is no reason why you couldn't leave the extension in though.

I used some foam rod and black caulk to seal the gap:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/06/541.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/06/542.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/06/543.jpg

I then replaced the rubber seal.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/06/544.jpg

The OEM seal keeps out water quite well.
Before I did this mod I left it open and I got water in after a water crossing, just a bit of wet carpet.

[bobzed57]

CaverD3

Very clever indeed.

Cheers

[furrydog]

Trade Tools have a slim 1/2 " extension in different lengths

[Neil P]

A 6" x 3/8" wobble ; Sidchrome in this case .

[bobzed57]

In the end I went for off the shelf extensions. The 1/4" drive fitted neatly between the seats although the hinge covers are never going back on.

The hole in my false floor lines up with the socket below and it's just a matter of poking the extension through and inserting it into the socket. because of the seat hinges, even when pulling the extension out, it can't lift the socket high enough to fall off the wheel mechanism.

I also inserted foam tube around the mechanism, and glued it into place with clear sealant.

Thanks for all the tips.

Cheers

Bob

[bobzed57]

Further to my last, I got to use it in anger a few weeks ago. I had a puncture nearing Clare in SA. Worked like a charm and boy was I glad I didn't have to get two fridges and all the other stuff out :D

A great mod and thanks for all those that contributed.

Cheers

Bob Z

[CaverD3]

Or just dremeled?