So, today...
I got a pack of piano hinges (10pack of 1m from ToolStation) to screw the ply boards that I'm getting from B&Q's custom cut service tomorrow...

I just need to measure how high I want it to be off the floor to allow for storage boxes to be stowed there while I'm sleeping. The boxes I have are 30cms tall so at least that... Just need to work out how to support it when the bed is "deployed" - so a bit of measuring and a bit of carpentry (but not too much).

I'm thinking of a permanent storage box, by the bulkhead with storage boxes in (hopefully three wide) with the ply platform folding on top of this, when I want the space in the back. I'll obviously do some progress pictures for a "project write up"... But I'm thinking of carpet or rubber matting to cover it, so it's not just ply boards, and then look at a mattress to keep me comfortable.

So far, I'm thinking that I can comfortably make a 4ft wide platform (small double) which should be plenty for me.

Longer term, I'm thinking of some sort of metal fabrication frame to support it better, but for now, I think that I can make something in ply that will suffice, and be a good test of how things need to change in the future... I'm hoping to get it cut out of one sheet, so £30, and the hinges were £17 for about twice as many as I think I will need... so inside £50 for a trial run. Coverings would be a similar amount if (and when) I get round to that, but make it feel a bit less Heath Robinson.

I did see someone who also wired in some charging points to their sleep system, and I think that I could do with a cup holder or two, so I'm less likely to spill coco on myself!

Anyone have any other refinements that I should be thinking about? So far, cup holder, USB charging points...

these guys may have some bits you like the look of: https://www.mudstuff.co.uk

gymmaniac said:

these guys may have some bits you like the look of: https://www.mudstuff.co.uk

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Yeah, I was looking at the MOLLE window covers somewhere else, and I can't help thinking that custom cut ones would still be cheaper... Especially as I would be looking to cover the rear door window and the two smaller ones too, as well as two rear sliding ones, so 3 large and 2 small ones, (approx. £300) but with a custom cut, I could get them cut for less and still be able to get some other little bits done as well (if they fitted well onto the sheet metal)

I made my own storage drawer like the one Huddy suggested above (thread here https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/diy-storage-drawer-for-110.350057/). I considered at one stage having the drawer half width and hinging a platform the length of the rear with a piano hinge so that I could fold back the platform and have in effect a rear bench seat some of the time, but in the end chose more storage... I have an inverter to fit in at some point too, though have yet to decide exactly where. By removing the dog guard it is easy to convert into a sleeping platform...

I'm thinking that if I put things into storage boxes (that seem to be everywhere on FB Marketplace at the moment) I could stack them and re-arrange them easier than things in a draw, especially with moving things in and out...
As long as the platform is high enough for them to fit underneath, when/if I use it as a sleeping platform, then I'll not lose storage, or space. Well - that's the current idea.

The current task is, doing a bit of rewiring in and around the dashboard to get everything up and working properly (or at all) - which may have grown into replacing the fuse box in the next few weeks, as there just isn't the space for fuses and relays in the old MOD one without pushing it a little bit too far, and spade fuses seem a lot easier to replace than the glass tube ones - I found a mains fuse in there, so I doubt that would have blown had it needed to :/

HandyAndyUK said:

I'The current task is, doing a bit of rewiring in and around the dashboard to get everything up and working properly (or at all) - which may have grown into replacing the fuse box in the next few weeks, as there just isn't the space for fuses and relays in the old MOD one without pushing it a little bit too far, and spade fuses seem a lot easier to replace than the glass tube ones - I found a mains fuse in there, so I doubt that would have blown had it needed to :/

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I had all sorts of problems with the glass tube fuses on my Ex-Army 110, I replaced them with a later Defender fuse box off fleabay and spade fuses, which wasn't too much of a chore, and all has been well since.

HandyAndyUK said:

Yeah, I was looking at the MOLLE window covers somewhere else, and I can't help thinking that custom cut ones would still be cheaper... Especially as I would be looking to cover the rear door window and the two smaller ones too, as well as two rear sliding ones, so 3 large and 2 small ones, (approx. £300) but with a custom cut, I could get them cut for less and still be able to get some other little bits done as well (if they fitted well onto the sheet metal)

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I have painted over the two small windows either side of the back door.
I know that it sounds rubbish, but if you paint over in black from inside the vehicle, it just looks like a normal window from the outside, I have also panneled it in with thin ply-wood from the inside, so it doesn't look as 5hite as it sounds.
You don't really miss the small side windows when driving.
I also have a removable black painted ply-wood blind that covers the rear door window, I put this in place once I set up camp and it provides privacy and combined with thick black curtains behibd the front seats, it keeps most of the light out for a decent nights sleep.
The advantage of black blinds and curtains is that it just looks like an empty vehicle from the outside and doesn't shout "Camper".

Rougharse Racing said:

I also have a removable black painted ply-wood blind that covers the rear door window, I put this in place once I set up camp and it provides privacy and combined with thick black curtains behibd the front seats, it keeps most of the light out for a decent nights sleep.
The advantage of black blinds and curtains is that it just looks like an empty vehicle from the outside and doesn't shout "Camper".

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That's a great idea, especially the curtains behind the seats to keep the front area looking normal while camping, but also while it's being used for normal thing too.

Double post