rear lower door storage

[shamirj]

hi all,
whilst trying to make a manual release for the rear lower door got me thinking about making a storage compartment for the inner of the lower tailgate.

see pic i assume a speaker usually sits inside this hole.
starting cutting out a template, just seems like a wasted space. not sure what i will put inside quite yet but open to suggestions hand cleaning items, rags, tie down straps, small enough bbq, utensils, torch, even perhaps my small inverter with its own power supply. power supply already available in that space.

will be hidden with carpet top and needs a sturdy top to sit on. thoughts welcome.

[matti4556]

The factory shoved a sub woofer in mine.

[Tombie]

The factory shoved a sub woofer in mine.


Indeed. Mine as well [emoji41]

[LRD414]

This storage concept is a good idea. Which stereo has a subwoofer? I'd rather not pull it apart to find out. Or can you hear it if you turn up the volume and play some Barry White?

Scott

[BMKal]

This storage concept is a good idea. Which stereo has a subwoofer? I'd rather not pull it apart to find out. Or can you hear it if you turn up the volume and play some Barry White?

Scott

Put some "DOOF DOOF" music on and crank up the volume.

Then walk around behind the car and see if your number plate is rattling. :eek:

Mine has a sub in that space as well. If you have one, you should see it in your stereo / music settings on the screen on the dash. You can adjust the volume / sensitivity of the sub from there. ;)

[Greatsouthernland]

Good idea!

I'd be interested to see your door/access plan. Perhaps a water storage space, could use a bladder and a flexible pipe with tap that you can clip in place so that it drains onto the ground. Good for hand washing etc.

[shamirj]

also thinking and playing with the idea of my arb air compressor with its hose etc though a bit heavier. need to take more measurements but also ideas to mind are snatch strap or even some chairs if they fit. water storage is not a bad idea either. my only concern is not to make it too heavy in the weight for ease of tailgate operation ie lowering and lifting.

[Tombie]

Anything placed in there will rattle its guts out...

And water and dust do flow into that cavity..

Keep those in mind!

Note: Our family D3 base spec stereo also had a Sub in there...

[shanegtr]

theres a bloke over in the states who does tailgate lids for landcruisers. Have a dig around his site for ideas:
wagongear.com (http://wagongear.com/)
something like this would be cool

[shamirj]

that is very nice, great ideas. thx for the link. ;)

[Disco-tastic]

Anything placed in there will rattle its guts out...

And water and dust do flow into that cavity..

Keep those in mind!

Note: Our family D3 base spec stereo also had a Sub in there...

Does the dust and water get into the sub? Or is it protected somehow?

Cheers

Dan

[Greatsouthernland]

theres a bloke over in the states who does tailgate lids for landcruisers. Have a dig around his site for ideas:
wagongear.com (http://wagongear.com/)
something like this would be cool

Some good applications there :D (wouldn't pass for safe storage in Australia, and a Cat C license would be required for the pumpy) Ahhh America :angel:

Those side opening windows are a good idea too, they'd be good even on just one side of the D4...same side as the FRIDGE ideally ;)

[Goaroving]

Thanks Guys! Just found that elusive speaker that I've been looking for. :D:D:D

[shamirj]

step 1 - extend the wiring for the upper actuator to re locate within bottom tailgate. found some old wiring from a D2a harness which had the black and black/purple coloured wires to extend (2 wires). soldering iron died, raced out and bought new one. looks original just extended to assist with new location.

next find suitable location for actuator, needed to be higher up so can access with back door closed at all times, needs to be a natural distance away from location depending on cable length, now housed in new spot cable does not do a half turn to actuator (original location), its actually quite straight.

drilled new holes x2 in bottom of tailgate hidden by number plate holder, sprayed with some paint, one bolt is original next different type as if i used existing holes would be exposed on outside of tailgate. 2nd is bolt/nut. plugged outside with some white sticky mating to reduce risk of water or dust entry then fed bolts thru and tightened up.

also drilled a larger hole on plastic cover then taped up for easy access to cable if needed. the black plastic cover is for protection but is exposed on sides so the hole is so i don't have to remove the cover to see whats happening inside.

checked all still working fine. next will be to make some serious cuts into the bottom tailgate to open it up. have marked with sticky tape but taking my time as i only get one shot at this. And the steel is 5mm thick, i need 4mm steel or Alum then allow for carpet on top to slide into the top plastic cover. the steel is two layered and not flat in all areas.

thinking of creating as much usable space as possible like the wagon pic above. hoping it will work out well. cheers

[shamirj]

hi all,

finally found time and courage to cut out a small piece of the rear lower tailgate, wiring moved and tried to retain some of the strength in the tailgate by not removing too much but enough to access this area. still not sure what it will be used for just yet.

On other side still working on a door to access the actuator in new position where the subwoofer sits. mine being S model had no subwoofer. cheers

first pic markings for the cut out.
2nd pic cut out and spray painted edges for protection.