Coyote; aka my 96 D1 5 speed build thread

[MedicalCowboy]

Thanks very much I find your writeup very helpful. That's exactly what this community is. Enthusiasts helping other enthusiasts and I love it. Thanks bud.

[Ray_G]

Some shots from finalization of further interior storage. Recent birthday gift from fiancee was a pruning/climbing chainsaw so that gave rise to the need to sort out the rear seat floorboard storage.
Built a frame that bolts into the front seat bolts:
IMGP2124.jpg
IMGP2127.jpg
All told it integrates the chainsaw strapped down (blade is inside a 3" piece of PVC quickfisted to the frame), winch controller (inside the little pelican case) and the hi-lift inside the jackall carrying case which is secured via straps that touch both the new frame as well as the rear seat frame.
Pass side_hilift_chainsaw.jpg
driver side_hilift_chainsaw.jpg
IMGP2130.jpg
Testing this weekend with 5yr old (booster seat) and 10yr old will see how much it hurts ergonomics. Everything is built to be removed but leaving the frame in place for when the vehicle is solo or two person mode.

The journey continues...
r-
Ray

[Ray_G]

Continuing my infrequent build updates.
Got a pair of Hella DE fogs to add a little more light down low:
DE install.jpg
A decent amount of light for their size; pretty happy with them:
DE's on.jpg
Lights are wired to come on with low beams along with rear fogs (switch on left side of binnacle). This shot also shows the install of the Scan Gauge II which I'm still toying with. Figured it would be good to keep track of temps and the like...then again, maybe that's info better not seen...
DE switch & scan gauge ii.jpg

[Ray_G]

With my leather seats cracking and generally abused I decided to pick up some seat covers from Cabelas: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Auto-...3Bcat104558580

While I'd love to get some high end canvas covers, that's just not in the cards right now with other projects on the horizon. With the genuine covers being impossible to find in tan, I decided to give these a shot for $20 each. Add to that some shock cord from REI to replace the nylon, the LR ovals on the covers themselves (much mockery ensued from the fiancee over those), and cutting/sewing an opening in the back so I can still access maps/repair manual. All told I'm not unhappy with the end result:
Driver front.jpgDriver's rear.jpg
Passenger front.jpgPassenger Rear.jpg

Even if they just last a single winter, I'd call it worth it.
r-
Ray

[MedicalCowboy]

Hey bud not sure if I missed it in the thread, but that is not a stock grill is it? I really like the look of it.

[Ray_G]

Hey bud not sure if I missed it in the thread, but that is not a stock grill is it? I really like the look of it.

Nope, that's a homemade 'Saudi' style grill-the real deal was on a lot of the middle east spec vehicles and catches quite a premium when you can find them. Since mine had to be chopped to accommodate the winch anyway it just wasn't worth trying to source one of those.

Basically I used a dremel/jig saw to remove the plastic grill portion and then grabbed some mesh from Home Depot (believe the stuff on there right now is from the gutter section). Used small bolts with fender washers to hold it since my attempts with epoxy ended in messy failure (also facilitates changing it if it becomes damaged). The lip on the bottom is rubber tubing split and then wrapped over the mesh to prevent cutting of the hands or what have you.

Pretty easy project to do, and I like the look better than the stock grill.
r-
Ray

[Ray_G]

No roof rack...no rails. Feels a bit naked, but doesn't look that bad. Temporary condition, with luck approx 1 week from now it will have an SD low rack on it.
No rack, no rails.jpg

[mrwizard]

Really like the build up. I've been bit by the Rover Disco bug. Just waiting patiently to find the right one. I really like your platform in the back with the DI essential spare parts. Good call on keeping access to the fuel pump. I'll look forward to future mods. Thanks for sharing.

[Ray_G]

First off, thank you for the comments on the truck.

Lately I've been in a quasi-lull, finishing up some stuff but also waiting for sequencing of parts to come together (SD low roof rack, X-brake shipping, and the big project for this winter...a 4.6 build).

In the meantime I've been doing preventative maint and need to update this thread with some of the smaller things that end up on the never ending list. Awhile back I got a pruning/climbing chainsaw for my birthday (best fiancee' ever...) and thus I was looking for options to securely carry spare fuel/oil mix for that. I also wanted a little on board H2O to augment whatever is carried and/or what could be filtered. A friend got a bunch of Rotopax stuff for another application and after handling the products I decided to give some of the small 1 gallon models a shot for tucked away utilization:
Rotopax 1.jpg
The seats can still be folded down, only minor manipulation compared to unhindered folding:
Rotopax 2.jpg
With the seats in their normal position it is possible for the rotopax to move slightly, and I've considered either strap retention or building a small bracket but the fore/aft movement is so limited I'm not sure that's necessary. Side to side movement is nearly nil b/c of tolearances in where they are tucked:
Rotopax 3.jpg
Rearward movement is stopped by the Pelican cases:
final cargo setup.jpg

All told I'm very happy with the quality of the rotopax and the way these integrate into the truck. Most of the time I will leave the water in the truck stored per rotopax's instruction. I'm seriously considering getting larger fuel/oil versions and mounting them flat on the roof rack for when more trail building/clearing is taking place. A potential/eventual rear bumper/swing away build would also likely see some integrated.

More to follow...
r-
Ray

[Jeep Rescue]

I'm a huge Rotopax fan and have both the fuel and water cans on my 110 (2x 2gal each). They are expensive and so are the mounts, but I like the versatility and the light weight of the 2gal package.