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Prado 120 Storage: Shelf as an alternative to Drawers.
Build Task: Frig & Shelf system for 2 travelling adults in a 120 Prado.
Design Brief: Remove (2) middle and (2) rear seats to maximise luggage space, make provision for (1) Rear Storage and (2) Frig. Final items to be easily installed and removed.
Rear Storage. (1)
The aim was to ‘fully’ use the extra space in the middle seat area, with a single shelf, allowing for a ‘cut out’ to accommodate the bulk of the frig. A modest Luggage protector was planned (for items placed on top of the shelf), to reduce fall-out in the case of rapid de-acceleration.
Heavy luggage is planned to be placed under shelf, and thus “generally” restrained by the shelf in the case of rapid de-acceleration or accident.
The shelf to be mounted using existing “standard” seat mounting points, as these are already designed for moderate loading.
It was decided to ‘level’ the floor area in the middle of the car, to standardise storage space, so a raised plywood ‘flooring’ was placed over the seat mounts for the middle row of seats.
The shelf was built using a simple steel frame, and covered in 7mm plywood, and carpet. This was my first exposure to arc welding, so a wire / base was ruled out. The weight of the main shelf (excluding frig mount, and centre floor), is about 25kgs, and is very sturdy.
Above: The frame is built in one solid piece. The Plywood and carpet are yet to be applied.
Above: Preparation for the Frig Supports, and false floor. The timber under the support legs is to spread the load over an area of carpet.
bworth
Build Task: Frig & Shelf system for 2 travelling adults in a 120 Prado.
Design Brief: Remove (2) middle and (2) rear seats to maximise luggage space, make provision for (1) Rear Storage and (2) Frig. Final items to be easily installed and removed.
Rear Storage. (1)
The aim was to ‘fully’ use the extra space in the middle seat area, with a single shelf, allowing for a ‘cut out’ to accommodate the bulk of the frig. A modest Luggage protector was planned (for items placed on top of the shelf), to reduce fall-out in the case of rapid de-acceleration.
Heavy luggage is planned to be placed under shelf, and thus “generally” restrained by the shelf in the case of rapid de-acceleration or accident.
The shelf to be mounted using existing “standard” seat mounting points, as these are already designed for moderate loading.
It was decided to ‘level’ the floor area in the middle of the car, to standardise storage space, so a raised plywood ‘flooring’ was placed over the seat mounts for the middle row of seats.
The shelf was built using a simple steel frame, and covered in 7mm plywood, and carpet. This was my first exposure to arc welding, so a wire / base was ruled out. The weight of the main shelf (excluding frig mount, and centre floor), is about 25kgs, and is very sturdy.
Above: The frame is built in one solid piece. The Plywood and carpet are yet to be applied.
Above: Preparation for the Frig Supports, and false floor. The timber under the support legs is to spread the load over an area of carpet.
bworth
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