The Pod exists

**Armadillo** · 21st January 2010, 08:41 PM

Objective:
To design a storage system suitable for the protection of our fridge,camp gear and tools, but also easy to remove in case we needed to transport white-goods, hay and other large inanimate objects. This removable storage system designated as The Pod

Reccie:
Multiple trips to Bunnings, Supercheap, The Museum of National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Budget:
Cheaper than pre-made storage units ( but more expensive than spouse led to believe

)

Timeframe:
14 days break between jobs.

Materials:
Basic tools, wood, aluminium, paint, carpet, connect-it joiners, screws

Action:
1. relevant measurements taken -

2. aluminium tubing and MDF panels cut - 12mm for load bearing, 9mm for side panels. MDF chosen due to ease of workability and lack of carpentry prowess.

3. Bandage fingers cut by saw, grinder, file.

3. MDF sealed and painted.

4: Aluminium sections assembled and panels screwed to frame.

5. Finish with carpet and trim.

Basic animinium frame of the pod.

Draw frame.

Check for fit....

Completed pod frame and draw.

Finally, fitted in the rangie. The RH extension which sits over the RH wheel arch is also removable and contains tools.

An optional extra...

Mission accomplished...made a pod and saved a wad.

**Mudsloth** · 21st January 2010, 08:46 PM

That is bloody brilliant. I'm makin one tomorrow. How many bandages do you think i'll need?

**harry** · 21st January 2010, 08:55 PM

good bit of kit.
where do the ally joiner bits come from, like the black corner bits?

is the optional extra available in 'door to door salesman attack' mode?

**Bushie** · 21st January 2010, 09:32 PM

You can get them from Bunnings (at least you can from the one near me) or Capral Aluminium, or somewhere similar.

Martyn

**Armadillo** · 21st January 2010, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by harry

good bit of kit.
where do the ally joiner bits come from, like the black corner bits?

is the optional extra available in 'door to door salesman attack' mode?

The black corner bits are part of a system called Connect-it and is available from Bunnings. The same system also has tubing with a lip for shelving etc. To save a bit of dosh I mixed it with standard 25mm square ally tubing. All up it used about 12m of tube.

The Pod uses rachet tie downs attached to the upper seat belt mounts at the rear.

As for the Attack mode of the optional extra........BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

**Armadillo** · 21st January 2010, 09:37 PM

Originally Posted by Mudsloth

That is bloody brilliant. I'm makin one tomorrow. How many bandages do you think i'll need?

If I'm doing it........how about a full first aid kit. Mind you, I found that the pain wasn't too bad (nor the care factor) when utilising an organic anaesthetic such as XXXX or Boags.

**isuzutoo-eh** · 22nd January 2010, 09:46 AM

Capral Aluminium's Qubelok is the same as Bunning's Connect-It, but much much cheaper, the Al tube in 6.5 metre lengths were about $17 a length when I bought some and they will cut it to exact lengths for you for about $2 a cut, first cut free.
There is also a lipped Al tube that is great for adding fascia panels to as the lip supports and aligns it.
I used it to make my model railway, an exhibition stand for my work and a bike rack for the van but always wondered how it'd go for what you have used it for.

**Cap** · 18th April 2010, 01:35 PM

Not sure if its been answered already, how did you bolt the thing to the floor? Or is it just held down by weight and hope it doesnt move much?

**Armadillo** · 19th April 2010, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by stooge

Not sure if its been answered already, how did you bolt the thing to the floor? Or is it just held down by weight and hope it doesnt move much?

To prevent lateral movement, the width of the pod is a perfect fit between the wheelarches (1005mm or 1105mm - I can't remember without going out and measuring it).

At the rear of the pod (ie: towards the front of the vehicle) a tiedown strap is attached to each seatbelt mount/rear seat catch and through two brackets high up on the pod. I found that this held the pod in place very well. At the very least, the pod needs to be tied down to counteract the weight of the fridge when it is slid out. However, I found this was strong enough the hold it in place even when off-road .

I have also planned to add a small section to the pod (see photo below) which will fit into a matching slot on the tailgate to keep this end down -just for peace of mind in case down becomes up

.

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