Putting it back together after painting the front and rear
painted with handle
hinges installed
cut a piece off of the old carpet
to help keep things quiet
all hinges done
just a few things to finish up
I made a trip to the hardware store so i can complete my storage box.
glued on the sides
the hinges and handles i chose
I just have to paint everything this weekend (I would have tonight if it weren’t snowing), then assemble it.
Well, I must say that my first attempt at woodworking since I was in 7th grade has gone extremely well (much better than I had anticipated). Here’s some pics of the storage box I am building where the back seat of my Jeep used to be.
This 2×4 is going to be bolted through the floor, and is where the hinges will be attached
3/4″ Birch Plywood is what the rest will be made from
this is the front of the box where it will latch shut…..I will be bolting this piece thru the metal seat support that is behind it.
next i got one half of the cover that will hinge backwards to open
now both of them
then i cut 2 small pieces to fill the open section on each side. they are just setting there for now
I just need to assemble it, paint it and get some hinges, latches, and handles. It should be completed next weekend.
This article isn’t really going to be a normal “how to” but more of a step by step process on how I built the storage box for my XJ. It’s mainly to help give you ideas on building your own storage box.
After removing my rear seat a few months ago, I thought it would make a good place for a storage box. I plan on moving my rear tire from the back bumper to the cargo area, so I decided that I didn’t want to build the box back there.
First I started out with a 2×4 and cut it to the proper width.
The rest of the box will be made from 3/4″ Birch Plywood.
Then I cut the front of the box. This is where it will latch shut. I will be bolting this piece through the metal seat support that is behind it.
Now I cut the two tops of the box. Each of these covers will be hinged from the 2×4 and lift up from the front.
Next I cut two small pieces to fill the open section on each side (they are just setting there for now).
After a trip to the hardware store, I came home with plenty of hinges, handles and other misc. supplies that I would need.
Then I glued on the side peices of the box to the front.
Next I painted the pieces and started to assemble everything.
Installed the hinges on the back of the lids
I decided to help keep the noise down from things bouncing around, and to help insolate the items from the exhaust below the box, that I would add carpet to the bottom of the box. I started out with the origina carpet that I had ripped out of my XJ a few months back.
Then cut it to size
…and installed it.
Then I finished installing the hinges.
Now I was almost done.
Next I bolted the front of the box through the rear seat support, and installed the latches on the front.
I also bolted the rear of the box through the floor.
Lastly, I found a small flaw in my design. I was unable to open the box while I was sitting inside the Jeep, because the handles on the rear doors got in the way. Luckily, since no one would be sitting in the back anymore, it was an easy fix. All I did was remove the handles on the rear doors.
Now it was time to fill it!
I picked up some 3/4″ birch plywood for a storage box that i will be building for my XJ
I also installed my new 5′ CB antenna
Some stuff I got recently…
I picked up a 5 foot Firestick CB antenna at a truck stop on the way to the Ohio meet this last weekend.
I got some new tow hooks that i can mount on my front bumper
Picked up some new Pro Comp tow straps at a great price. Bought 2 3×30 and 1 2×30……I have one more 3×30 on the way (I couldn’t pass up these prices).
I had been looking for some lower quarter panel protection for a little while and was just about ready to buy a pair from C-Rok when I first heard about Rock Lizard Fabrications new guards. After talking to Marty from RLF, I decided that these were the guards for me, and got in my order for the first batch that were being produced.
The install is pretty straight forward, and the instructions that were sent were very good, but I have a few tips that might help make things a little easier for you. Before you get started, here’s what you are going to need:
- Drill with 3/8″ bit
- 7/32″ Allen Wrench
- 9/16″ Wrench
The instructions also call for a second person to help with the install, however I was able to do it all by myself without much trouble. It might be difficult if you have short arms, though!
Time to get started. As you can see from the following pic, my lower quarters had taked some abuse from previous wheeling trips.
Since my XJ came with the Laredo package, I had the grey plastic trim that needs to be removed so the guards will sit flat against the body. I was able to pull off the trim pieces by hand.
Then I was able to use my fingers to remove the leftover glue.
Next I lined up the guard where I wanted it, and marked the top hole closest to the back of the XJ. Then I drilled that one out and loosely put the bolt in.
Then I made sure the guard was lined up again, and marked the top hole closest to the front of the XJ and loosely put this bolt in.
The next hole I drilled was the bottom middle one. I did whis while the guard was in place (the holes in the guard are big enough to drill thru without touching, if you are careful). Then I tightened all 3 of these bolts down and drilled out the rest of them. Finally tightening all those bolts.
One of the big tips I can give you is to remove the spare tire support when you are doing the driver’s side. It gives you plenty of room to get to the inner quarter panel so you can tighten the bolts. There are four bolts that need to be removed. You can see the top three that need to be removed in the following picture. The fourth one is located near the floor.
Once the four bolts are removed, you can easily remove the spare tire support and get it out of your way.
I’d also like to point out that RLF has done a great job matching their guards to the lines of the body. Mine lined up almost perfectly. I say “almost” because my quarters were a little beat up from years of wheeling.
Overall, I am very impressed with the guards and their build quality. I’d recommend them to anyone looking to protect thier lower quarter panels.
Rock Lizard Fabrications Gila Monster Lower Quarter Guards installed…
I had some free time today, and it was nice outside, so I managed to get these installed.
before
trim removed
installed
Rock Lizard Fabrications Gila Monster Lower Quarter Guards finally came today. I got one of the very first production sets.
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