Internal switchboard

[bazzaboy]

I'm thinking about making & fitting a "half" cargo barrier in my GU. Twin purpose, to stop getting bashed in the back of the head with gear if in an accident, and primarily to mount a switchboard for my inverter, maybe a battery charger, switches, etc ....
I would like some ideas from others who may have done the same thing, and the pro's & con's, if any. I'm thinking of mounting it on the cab side of the cargo barrier and not the rear, to enable easier access. Any pics would be a help.

[threedogs]

go to Jaycar and get the right size seal abs box youll need and go from there.
you can use the right size glands to get wires in an out mount your fuse panel in there as well
Id mount it low behind one of the rear seats, easy to run wires aloung the sills and inside qrt panels etc
.Picture just an example

[PeeBee]

Be careful with anything mounted to the cargo barrier. I was hit with a defect notice from the engineer when it went for engineering re motor/gvm, as the perception is that a passenger could hit their head on anything protruding from the cargo barrier. I had to remove it all for the certificate, then half went back, the other half mounted on the rear side of the cargo barrier, Its a fair point, but a waste of what seems a good mounting area. I have a large SS water tank behind the rear seats, hence cannot mount the gear down low like 3D suggests. If you that, then you won't have a problem, unless some 'smartie' comes along and takes exception o the mass on the cargo barrier and loading on the mesh during a sudden stop - if mounted behind the seats though you would think it would be ok.

[threedogs]

You could possibly recess it into the qrt panel near that small pull out panel
you can by ready made fused panels from flush fitting recessed would be better imo ,
but I dont know what you want to use it for?

[bazzaboy]

Be careful with anything mounted to the cargo barrier. I was hit with a defect notice from the engineer when it went for engineering re motor/gvm, as the perception is that a passenger could hit their head on anything protruding from the cargo barrier. I had to remove it all for the certificate, then half went back, the other half mounted on the rear side of the cargo barrier, Its a fair point, but a waste of what seems a good mounting area. I have a large SS water tank behind the rear seats, hence cannot mount the gear down low like 3D suggests. If you that, then you won't have a problem, unless some 'smartie' comes along and takes exception o the mass on the cargo barrier and loading on the mesh during a sudden stop - if mounted behind the seats though you would think it would be ok.

Good point. It just happens that I was recently pulled-up by our RTA portable weigh stations guys and checked. First time for me, although I think they were targeting 4wd's as they already had two other pulled over. Even though I carry lots of weight ( camping gear, tools, etc ...) I was the only person in the truck and it was just under weight. I may have to re-think my plans for it's location, as the switchboard I'm thinking of will be quite large to accommodate a large inverter, charger, fuse box, switches etc..

[threedogs]

Is it possible to create a small false floor with a lift up lid.
just putting it out there to click some ideas going

[bazzaboy]

Is it possible to create a small false floor with a lift up lid.
just putting it out there to click some ideas going

My problem, I think, is access. Putting it in the rear on a cargo barrier would be APITA if your loaded with gear for a trip. You see some nice ones fitting in those box canopies where they have plenty of room and accessibility. Not so easy in a standard Patrol. My thoughts were to find, or have made, the shallowest possible electrical cabinet to mount all the components in, and mount it high on the cargo barrier behind the passenger side rear passenger. This would not hinder my rear view any less, as it would be in front on my existing fridge location. I never considered any legalities of it's "in cab" location.

[threedogs]

I was thinking low down on a cargo barrier behind one of the rear seats,
not in the cargo area but behind the rear seat or you have plenty of room under
front seats as well, as long as you dont drown your patrol lol.
Or build a box that covers the wheel arch and house your electrics in there.
One on either side would make packing easier to

[bazzaboy]

I was thinking low down on a cargo barrier behind one of the rear seats,
not in the cargo area but behind the rear seat or you have plenty of room under
front seats as well, as long as you dont drown your patrol lol.
Or build a box that covers the wheel arch and house your electrics in there.
One on either side would make packing easier to

I will take your suggestion and look at RHS rear wheel arch area. That may be a possibility.

[threedogs]

I will take your suggestion and look at RHS rear wheel arch area. That may be a possibility.

What Im trying to say is box it in that will give you a front and rear section for
anything you want

[PeeBee]

Thinking about my installation, its a cluster of raw components that are bolted to the cargo barrier. Most have heat-sinks and sharpish corners, which would of course amplify the risk. I am thinking if you mounted all your gear inside a smooth box with a removable front cover, like you show in your first photo, this might be allowable, I guess a quick call to an automotive compliance engineer will give you an answer from the 'regulation perspective' and he might be able to advise how to still do it. There are a couple of guys on here who have done really neat electrical installations behind the rear seat and I think the more 'professional' it looks and the more effort you go to not put an injury zone inside the car, the higher your chances of success.