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.
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.
No need to remove the covers you can dremel a slot for the shaft.
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.
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.
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:
I then replaced the rubber seal.
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.
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.
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