Behold, The Ghetto RTT

[SwiCago]

I shared this with FJcruiser(dot)com and I thought I'd share it here too.

"The Ghetto RTT"
a DIY by SwiCago (don't blame me if you get hurt)

I decided to do this project, because I could not justify spending $850(Cheapy RTT) - $1600(Top of line RTT) for only 3-4 times of use per year...even though my wife approved of me buying one LOL...plus I'll be damned if a scorpion is going to sting my MMMMM on the Kokopelli
I bought the African outback rack because I saw how versatile it was...what I did not know was that it has track on the bottom side. Because of this, I was able to do the slide out mechanism.
The rack also has track channel on the top to do all sort of configurations and easy DIY products.
All parts to build Ghetto RTT cost ~$100.- + $39 tent = $139 RTT
The rack however is $1100, but is super versatile and 100% Aluminum.

The finished product setup. Setup takes about 8 minutes

The Setup
1) An FJ

2) Hidden Slide Outs

3) Slide Outs out

3.1) Close up of slide out

4) A piece of plywood is shifted from the rack onto the slide outs

5) Furring Strips are used as shims to level plywood with rack

6) 8x Carriage Bolts and wing nuts are used to secure, 4x EyeBolts used to secure tent on each corner

7) Cheap $39 7ft x 7ft tent

 

[SwiCago]

8) Throw tent onto platform and enjoy

The Build
1) 1" x 4' Square tubing for SlideOut (predrilled from hardware store

2) Drilled one side to allow socket for bolts

3) Test fit on bottom side of African Outback rack (notice cross member has a channel)

4) Layout finished square tubing on 4 cross member channels

4.1) With hardware (look close and you'll see square nuts in channel

5) Put Blue LockTite on threads of bolts and screw in just enough to allow slide out to still slide.

6) A dab of silicon on each bolt head as extra guarantee that they can't rotate out

7) SlideOuts installed...now go install rack

 

[tommudd]

Looks like it will work , plus you have a "little" shade under the right side now. Thinking out of the box for sure!:wings:

Tom

 

[Schattenjager]

Where was this thread before I ordered my RTT?!?!

Pretty darn cool!

 

[xx.xii]

nice fj dude, i was thinking bout painting my rig olive drab or desert tan. i like the ease of being able to paint over any scratches if any,mainly to keep rust away and not so much on looks

 

[Michael Slade]

Dude that rocks! You rock! That rack/platform rocks!

I love the fact that you didn't do what everyone else is doing and found your own solution. Ghetto rules!

 

[grahamfitter]

Dude that rocks! You rock! That rack/platform rocks!

I love the fact that you didn't do what everyone else is doing and found your own solution. Ghetto rules!

Yeah, what he said! Bravo :sombrero:

Cheers,
Graham

 

[GreenToys]

Thumbs up!:26_7_2:......me like

Hey what color is that FJ ?

 

[SwiCago]

Thanks everyone... :1888fbbd:
I had fun doing this DIY, like all my other DIYs...and I thought this one would benefit some other folks too.

Oh..what color is my FJ you ask?!?
It is completely Linex'd in Olive Drab...color matched to a can of Krylon
Here is a link to my build page at the FJcruiser forum
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/member-build-ups/64463-meet-booger.html

 

[madiaz]

that is quite an exemplary utilization of ghetto engineering.
i am so going to be doing that too ! thank you for sharing. i like the picture of the little kid with the big ole happy face next to the snorkel but the color on that FJ is utterly sick
regards, m.a.d.

 

[02TahoeMD]

Very, very creative. Love to see stuff done that is out of the norm. Bravo! And two big thumbs up on the Olive Drab Line X. It looks bada....well, you know.

 

[tibaal89]

I said it over there, I'll say it here... Bravo! :sombrero:

 

[kjp1969]

90% of the function for 10% of the cost- My reason for living. :clapsmile

 

[tdesanto]

Creative Solution

How do you secure the tent to the platform for use in stormy or windy conditions? Straps or cords from the stake-down points to the platform?

 

[SwiCago]

How do you secure the tent to the platform for use in stormy or windy conditions? Straps or cords from the stake-down points to the platform?

I have eye bolts on each corner and I was thinking of using carabiners or straps to attach the stake-down points to the eye bolts. Mentioned in step number 6


Again, thanks everyone for the positive reactions...this little DIY really went better then I expected.