Batboard

I was asked to make up an equipment vault for a business associate. He has a soft top jeep & wanted to keep the goodies out of sight. We made a full size template where the rear seat normally sits and are mocking it up out of MDF before cutting the diamond plate.

The basic question is from ground level, what is a resonable height for the lowest penetration? He does not want the power & signal leads going through the top of the enclosure.

Why not just buy one of these?

http://www.tuffyproducts.com/trunk/046.html

A friend of mine has one of these in his jeep as a radio box, and it works great.

Not sure what you mean about height from ground level. Does he take this thing off roading where he's worried about fording a stream or something?

If not I would just drill a hole wherever is convenient. Put a grommet in it, seal it with silicone caulk, and you're good to go.

He has water in the foot wells every time he goes "wheeling", so water intrusion is a definity concern.

I don't recall offhand from my friend's install, but you could contact Tuffy and see if the box is waterproof (gaskets and the like). If that's the case, I'd drill a cable access hole on the front facing side, all the way at the top, centered side to side. That would put the cable entry centered between the front seats, for ease of access. Then, as mentioned before, silicone caulk the heck out of the bad boy, and off you go.

I have the same issue. I do hope the owner of this fine site don't mind another web site posted for ideas. Stu used plywood. MDF as a template would be OK but actually is heavier than 1/2 inch ply. Remember that weight is also an issue. I don't know what the price and weight of diamond plate is. Pics when the box is done would be cool.

Here is the web site.
http://www.stu-offroad.com/body/rearstor/storage1.htm

I have NO FINANCIAL INTEREST IN THIS SITE[/b]. However it is a great site for jeep ideas.

Mark

akardam wrote:Why not just buy one of these? http://www.tuffyproducts.com/trunk/046.html

Went to look at a Tuffy 054 http://www.tuffyproducts.com/trunk/054.html Other then the holes through the bottom and the pushbutton latching system, it's pretty much what he wants design-wise.