Thread: Around Australia Touring Defender Build

Originally Posted by VladTepes

How did you manage to glue that carpet up without making a big bloody mess and getting it stuck at an odd angle etc ? Good effort I reckon.

Also what did you use to glue the closed cell foam onto the dynamat with ?

I used Kwik Grip Gel for the carpet and at the time used standard Kwik Grip for the foam.. though in retrospect using the gel for both instances would have been easier.. less mess etc..

The glue was applied to the first 20cm of the roof and carpet to oversized carpet pieces so the excess could be trimmed off the edges later and allow for any missalignment. Align this first part square and the rest is easy. Once the first part is glued together the carpet is stuck to the roof allowing more glue to be applied for the next odd 20cm. A small roller was used from the centre of the roof rib working outwards on each side... then repeat again till you make it all the way to the end. Then using a sharp stanley knife, trim the excess off at the edges and touch them up with glue as necessary. Doing it in 3 sections is a lot easier..

I used 1 3.2kg tin and most of a 400g tin to complete the roof carpet. The carpet tends to soak in more of the glue.

How did you get such a neat fit around the roof ribs ?

Originally Posted by VladTepes

How did you get such a neat fit around the roof ribs ?

You could use a spatula to push it into the internal corners,,

Originally Posted by VladTepes

How did you get such a neat fit around the roof ribs ?

The foam takes up most of the difference in height of the ribs to the roof, but as there was 3 seperate sections, I folded a lip around each rib before laying the next section on top.

Mate, I love the truck and I love the build, you are very much an inspiration!

Finally got around to finishing off my fridge mount. Made out of 25mm RHS.


Powder coated and installed.



Strapped in and ready to go. I made it so the top of the fridge was flush with the top of my storage boxes, so when I build the bed section the fridge can form part of the bed area if necessary. It also serves to keep the fridge high and dry during deep water crossings. Learnt a few things from my time on Cape York about that one!



I installed 2 tiedowns. The one on the right replaced the original bolt, and bolts through a metal bracket. Rated to 230kg each with backing plates to spread the load.



The footwell area is where all my water and/or fuel will be stored. This keeps the heaviest weight between the 2 axles. Also allows easy access to jerry's through the rear drivers side door.

I can just fit 5 jerry's = 110L water or fuel.

I completed my engine bay lights installation a few weeks back. Someone asked me how I did it so here is the video.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6Tne1QdBTc&feature=share&list=PL9lhReUyvk m02sKxSJHLGZIr0BOw3u5hp&index=17"]Defender Engine Bay Lights Installation - YouTube[/ame]

Originally Posted by Bushman83

I completed my engine bay lights installation a few weeks back. Someone asked me how I did it so here is the video.

Awesome mod!
I have been considering this for a while. I have however been reluctant due to the consideration of potential heat damage to the led lights but I guess so long as it is fused it should be safe.

Thanks for another inspiring vid