building frame around fridge

[tracemul7]

You could use 12mm ply and use a hole saw to cut a pattern in the side , lightens it a bit as well
Plenty of different types of mesh around, depends as well what you want timber or metal.
Im in the process of making guards for the rear windows so I can pack up high, are you planning a top shelf
if so you could do a simple "T" design

Yeah - I think the idea of drilling holes in the wood is the best option.
Not really fussed about metal or timber - just hadn't really considered metal.

We have fridge on left, other stuff at the side of it, and the gazebo and tent go across the top of the whole lot, with blankets & pillows etc by the windows to prevent damage/movement. Would be keen to heard more about the guards

The main reason for building this is so that when the car is packed, we can still get the fridge open - so it would need to have a sturdy top that will take the weight. I like the idea of covering it in carpet, both to look tidy, and also the other stuff slides against it quite nicely (nothing to get caught on).

[threedogs]

you could make up a frame using 20 x 20 x 1.5 rhs and
tack welding some mesh to the sides and roof , enabling you to pack on top as well
That was the "T" reference, gives you a top shelf for light gear like pillows and sleeping bags etc

[tracemul7]

you could make up a frame using 20 x 20 x 1.5 rhs and
tack welding some mesh to the sides and roof , enabling you to pack on top as well
That was the "T" reference, gives you a top shelf for light gear like pillows and sleeping bags etc

Welding .... this suddenly sounds way too complicated!
Never done any welding ... and while I would love to have a go, I think wooden frame might be the best option at this stage

Will have a play at the weekend and see what we come up with

[threedogs]

screwed and glued will be fine, are you plannning on fully boxing in the fridge?.
Might be easier then bolt the fridge side to the box

[tracemul7]

screwed and glued will be fine, are you plannning on fully boxing in the fridge?.
Might be easier then bolt the fridge side to the box

Fully boxing the fridge is the plan ... well, both sides, the top, and maybe a half-back as suggested for support - and lots of hols for venting
Fridge slide is mounted to the current base we have - but the plan is to build the box onto that ... but some way of making it relatively easy to remove, as we often use our Patrol for other stuff (moving big things or taking more than 5 people out).

[threedogs]

Yeah thats sounds like a great plan, looking forward to pictures

[graeme1969]

Gday. This is the frame I have for mine. Built it several years ago when we had a GU, now it resides in the GQ. Works well for the travel buddy as well.

[tracemul7]

We did it
Took us a while to measure it all up and cut the wood to size. We're shaped it nicely at to back, so the top part sits flush against the cargo barrier, but power down is open to give ventilation at the back of the fridge where the fan outlets are
We haven't cut the holes in the side yet - we'll do that in the coming weeks when we have a bit more time to cut the holes and glue the carpet around the holes to stop anything catching on it.

So we used 12mm marine ply, some small brackets on the inside of the joins, and metal strip along all horizontal joins, and also a half-height panel across the back to make it more rigid.
IMG_3215.JPG
Finish thing:
IMG_3243.JPG

We've tested it, and the gazebo and tent still fit nicely across the top, and the fridge opens nicely too
Pretty happy with the result - although it took us a while!

Now we're ready to fit the new water bladder in the back tonight and lift kit, snorkel and recovery points go on tomorrow at TJM ..... super excited!!!

[threedogs]

very good job After you drill the 70mm holes etc
you could staple so mesh to stop gear going into holes

Two thumbs up good stuff ,and another job ticked off the list

[tracemul7]

very good job After you drill the 70mm holes etc
you could staple so mesh to stop gear going into holes

Good thinking!! Hadn't thought of that!

Two thumbs up good stuff ,and another job ticked off the list

Yep - feeling slightly more prepared for our Adelaide-Oodnadatta-Uluru-MacDonnell Ranges-Adelaide trip in April