Outer Limits 4x4 Board

I want to replace the tray on my Defender 110 Ute.

The current one is alloy, and fairly buggered.

I was thinking of doing a new one with a steel frame and probably steel hinged and removable sides (like any tray you see) , and perhaps a chequer-plate alloy floor.

I want a removable canopy, that follows the profile of the cab (i.e. same height and angled sides so that it doesn't catch passing trees ) with hopefully enough strength to support a roof ti op tent in case required in future.

Also would like:
- Tool boxes in front of rear wheel arches
- Water tank, or space under the tray for one.

A main issue is sorting out where I can carry two spare wheels, so that they are accessible but restrict rear vision as little as possible.

Also how do I decide exactly what would be the best dimensions (length and width) to build the tray to ?

I'd appreciate any comments, advice, details of your own builds, and photographs to assist me in designing and building my new tray.

Thank You.


(I don't know if there are any threads covering this, but haven't found any yet. Apologies if I'm repeating something).

anyone

I've never done this but I guess you'd want to start by sussing out some examples that you like the look of - get pics and/or measurements of some trays that are well done.

They wouldn't have to be on a Defender, any ute would do when it comes to collecting ideas.

If you want a removable canopy, you'd almost want to start with that and work your way down - build the tray to match the canopy. So find a canopy that is a rough match for your cab that's still cheap.

Your current tray might have parts you can salvage as well, to save money ie the hinges and latches might be steel anyway even though it's an alloy tray, so you may be able to use them. Have a good look at it and see what's worth keeping.

Good locations for spare tyres - I think they look good vertical and up near the front, the common option is to have them under the tray but only you can decide if this is workable. Maybe you could set the tray up so that there is a 14" gap between the back of the cab and the front of the tray, and have two spare tyres upright in the gap. I've never seen this but I think it would work okay and it would create a little bit of space for a second battery or whatever.

Just some ideas since you are looking for replies, like I said I've never done this (I have a wagon!). I'm also assuming you want to do it cheapish since otherwise you wouldn't be asking us, you'd be asking someone who makes them!

Jason

Unfortunately the tray I have is pretty buggered with nothing really salvageable, so I have to start from scratch.

chimpboy wrote:Good locations for spare tyres - I think they look good vertical and up near the front, the common option is to have them under the tray but only you can decide if this is workable. Maybe you could set the tray up so that there is a 14" gap between the back of the cab and the front of the tray, and have two spare tyres upright in the gap. I've never seen this but I think it would work okay and it would create a little bit of space for a second battery or whatever.

That was exactly the sort of thing that had crossed my mind as well.
Either we are both geniuses or both quite mad.

chimpboy wrote:I'm also assuming you want to do it cheapish since otherwise you wouldn't be asking us, you'd be asking someone who makes them!

Bingo

imm building a tray for my defender soon, itll most likely be outa 4'' tube with rollbar and storage boxes built into floor, im just starting to gather material now. i made my tray on my rangie ute outa same stuff and same style and cost around $400 material cost including checker floor, so i imagine itll be slightly more as the bobtailed tray ended up mesuring a little over 1 m long