MacTrol

[macca]

Front on view using standard fridge slide then modifying



Locking pin in lock position


Locking pin in unlock position


Slide down in locked position


Slide tilted, the keeper for the pin is visible

[macca]

While I'm waiting for outsourced bits I dragged these slider steps from behind the shed, they were on my Hilux so I cut the mounts off and lined them up on bits of wood.

SORRY PHOTOS LOST

What do you think? Should I shorten them up to the cab length or leave them as they are?

And what is the best fixing, the chassis is full of hole but none that really will be strong enough. Curious to know how other people have got around this obstacle.

Thanks Macca

[Russell1974]

great lookin bus mate love the pics

[macca]

Well Mactrol's got to go on a diet, the truck not me!!

The trays getting the flick and we are going to build a new lightwieght platform for the pod to sit on, gone are the headboard, underslung tool boxes and the fairly useless long cabinet accessed from the back.

Will try and put the spare back there, that frees up room in the pod although we dont need much.

The steel will cost $305 so is a cheap fix.

Then the pods 12mm ply floor will be replaced with aluminium sheet.

Should see the rear rise a bit with this trimming.

Been playing with a Polaris CM60 reverse camera, wont run over any little people now or light poles or guard rails , you know what I mean.
It's dark now so will have a look at the infrared view should be a great improvement.
Got to have a look

More later

Macca

[macca]

We have been busy, the pod is now lower and further forward, Rhino bars fitted and a open ended alluminium Rack covers the full length of the pod with the HiLift on one side and a Rigid no 2 plumbers shovel on the other. (if a plumber has to swing on a shovel all day, you listen to what he recommends!!!!)

The 65litre water tank is now under the "tray" and all plumbed. The shower water tank is working a treat, great to have a hot shower in a minute after reaching camp.

LED lights tail lights, high and low, and reversing spot light to compliment the camera are fitted to the back.

The floor was removed and 2mm ckeckerplate installed, sikaflex sealed all round, the kitchen and all the camping racks installed. Ended up with a drop slide for the Engel a much improved option over the tilt. We will use that for a freezer in the future. All the internal lights and 12v outlets have been done and rear battery controller relocated to make it easier to access when we need to link the auxilaries.

The side steps went on, they are not strong enough to jack with so have some more work to do there.

Recaro seats are fitted and now adjusted to be very comfortable and supportive, they have been a good buy. Still a very pricey mod but are used every time the ute's driven.

Got hold of 5 17" OEM Nissan rims with near new AT's for highway driving, with them on and extra soundproofing of the cab it is very pleasant to drive.

All this was done then fully loaded as if we were off to the desert country, put the ute over the wieghbridge then got a suspension mob to install King springs to compliment the ToughDog Ralph's and 45mm adjustables allready installed. The front came up 95mm, its a 50mm lift, the OEM springs were that flat.

Very happy with the set up now, canvas seat covers to come then some power, thinking of a 3" exhaust and a tune up for that.

Got to find out if thats the best way to go, want to keep things as origional as possible for maintenance and sourcing parts while in the outback.

Its taken 6 weeks from when the origional steel tray came off, been a lot of fun.

Been bush a couple of times for a mid build shakedown, heading out next 3 weekends to try the suspension on Sand to Farquhar near here for the 1st, then ruts in the Barrakee NP and a rough public road out to Crowdy Bay NP for the last weekend.

Should be a good test for all our hard work !!!!!!!!

Cheers Macca

[macca]

A few shots of our camp set-up, I was on my own so slept in the pod. Normally we have a BlackWolf tent.



Kitchen side with drop slide, a fantastic addition and coleman dual fuel.



Awning is great in rain and even heavy dew.



Bed for the night warm on a cold night



Office, great seats







The working end, all the wet tracks are giving the winch a work out lately.



Some shots of the doors closed at home








Water tank with a mechanical fuel guage so we know how much is left.



3" pipe, part of the fuel saving programme dear.

[Bob]

Great Set up Mate. Makes you want to pack and go

[AB]

Great set up Macca, those pods are handy!!!

[growler2058]

Bloody great setup mate well done!!!

[macca]

Next mod is tyres, ordered 5 new tyres as the Cooper STT 32" (265/75/R16) are trashed, one got staked and destroyed over the weekend, another has a tread lug missing exposing the steel bands.

Getting Micky T MTZ 33" (285/75R16).

As the photo shows the 32's touch the chassis rail during flex, dont damage or mark the tyre, just dont feel/look right.



Had a look at spacers, not real keen on the idea so went for new rims.

Stock are +10 offset, will be getting -13 so the wider tyre (10mm each side) should have 13mm more clearance from the chassis.

Its been interesting doing up the Patrol Ute / Pod combo. Learnt heaps and have ideas for the next one allready if I did it again.

Number one it will be no bigger than the cab as I've allready hooked the front of the pod on an overhanging tree stump.

Hope you enjoy the read, Macca