Storage: CJ7

[HillBillE]

A while back, Korisu was looking for ideas on storage for his CJ7.

I also needed a better solution, and a way to keep things from getting messy and flying around in the event of a flop/roll.

I got my dad to help me out, he's great at wood working stuff.:D

What we came up with was to use the one black plastic box I had behind the rear seat, and build a couple of wooden storage areas.

The rear compartment is a drawer, that my tools, inverter, hitch, spare lock outs, fuel pump, fuel filter and U-joints are in.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Fabbed%20stuff%20for%20the%20CJ/CJstuff370.jpg

The drawer fits flush with the tailgate, the tailgate keeping the drawer from opening while moving.

Forward of the drawer, we bolted the black plastic box to the floor. (got it at Wal-Mart, in the Automotive section- $40 in '08)

In this I have my oils, fluids and grease/grease gun, funnels, spouts, rags, etc.


http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Fabbed%20stuff%20for%20the%20CJ/CJstuff378.jpg

Then between the seats and the plastic box, my dad built a small box.
It has a wooden lid that keeps everything inside, held down with a bungee cord. Reason for the bungee, is the spare tie rod and drag link will go under the bungee, on top the lid. (won't fit inside)

Drive shafts inside:
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Fabbed%20stuff%20for%20the%20CJ/CJstuff366.jpg

[HillBillE]

With lid and bungee:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Fabbed%20stuff%20for%20the%20CJ/CJstuff372.jpg

From the back:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Fabbed%20stuff%20for%20the%20CJ/CJstuff368.jpg

And with the recovery gear bag, and other stuff that needs to be readily accessible:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Fabbed%20stuff%20for%20the%20CJ/CJstuff380.jpg

The bags are held down with an old lap belt, hooked to a rail on each fender. Very easy to hook/unhook, adjustable, and strong enough to hold everything in place.

[HillBillE]

Here you can also see my solotion to OBA.:D

A 2 gallon 110V compressor (on sale at Menards: $35 in '08)

I use an inverter to run it. I now have a 1000 watt inverter, but a 400W will run the compressor.

It won't run air tools, but it will fill a repaired tire, or air up the Jeep for the road, if nothing else is available. Also good for air mattress's:D

[HillBillE]

Finally got my spare front axle shafts and spare tie rod and drag link stored.

Stuck the tierod and axle shafts on top on the small wooden box behind the seats, that holds my spare driveshafts.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/CJ7/cj7005.jpg

And the drag link, I zip-tied to the radiator support, next to my spare belts:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/CJ7/cj7003.jpg

[Fred]

vewy nice wabbit

[bluedragon436]

Nice use of space.... I have been thinking of building a similar idea with your rear box/drawer setup... granted I got way more room for storage in my Cherokee.. but am trying to restrict it to behind the rear seat... in case I ever need to use it... Don't want anything flying around in case of an accident on or off road....

[highlandercj-7]

I can't wait to see what ya came up with Randy. I cant see the pics at work (damn computer natzi's) guess I'l have to wait till I get home. I use ammo cans to store stuff as they are tough, cheap and water proof.

[Ghost00TJ]

looks handy!
If I didnt have kids in the back set alot I would try something.
When the kids are with the X we have the dogs so storage is limited.

[HillBillE]

The storage worked great for the Moab trip! Especially the seat belts on the trac-rails. I run the seat belts through the handles on the tool bags, duffle bags, and ammo-can(s) and cinch them down.

That way nothing flies around when this happens:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/jeeperwilly/2010-04-06145614.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/jeeperwilly/2010-04-06145515.jpg

[ColoFreeJeeper]

Glad to hear it was a good trip HB and that you didn't tear up much on your flop.

[HillBillE]

Glad to hear it was a good trip HB and that you didn't tear up much on your flop.

Naw, the flop was fine! It was cracking the block on the way home that sucked!

Awsome trip though! Can't wait until next year!!:D

[jeepdreamer]

Billy,
While I am all about finding a place to put stuff I wanted to offer you a small word of caution. This seems trivial but its one of those "I've seen it and it ain't pretty" kind of things...
By putting your draglink/tierod along your radiator support you have done something that can lead to trouble. I had a good friend years ago that I wheeled with that did the same thing. He got in a car wreck (slid into the back of a semi trailer) and where the original tiny grille/radiator support would have flexed and bent...the TRE/draglink assembly was a stronger modification that in essence created a javalin or lance that was pushed through the firewall, the dash, and his chest.
I'm not going to deny that this is likely a one in a million kind of accidents...it is. But, had he ran that same spare side to side instead...well, he may have been here to type this.
We all live life as it comes..I just wanted to pass this along in case it didn't cross your mind.

[HillBillE]

Billy,
While I am all about finding a place to put stuff I wanted to offer you a small word of caution. This seems trivial but its one of those "I've seen it and it ain't pretty" kind of things...
By putting your draglink/tierod along your radiator support you have done something that can lead to trouble. I had a good friend years ago that I wheeled with that did the same thing. He got in a car wreck (slid into the back of a semi trailer) and where the original tiny grille/radiator support would have flexed and bent...the TRE/draglink assembly was a stronger modification that in essence created a javalin or lance that was pushed through the firewall, the dash, and his chest.
I'm not going to deny that this is likely a one in a million kind of accidents...it is. But, had he ran that same spare side to side instead...well, he may have been here to type this.
We all live life as it comes..I just wanted to pass this along in case it didn't cross your mind.

Dreamer, you make a very good point! I didn't even think about that at the time.

One in a million chance or not, I'm not going to chance it!! Especially since this is not just a trail rig, but my DD in the summer.

It got removed when I swapped motors, and I'll be finding a better spot for it.

Sorry about your friend, and thanks for the heads up.

Randy

[jeepdreamer]

Thats what its all about right? Watching out for eachother! Two optional locations are side to side in the same area just going from one "spreader bar" to the other...or up under the rear cross member.
I tried to upload a pic (teaser) of what will be coming with me to play in the mud but no joy...Computers are not my friend...esp. today!