100 easy and essential DIY mods for under $100!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
50 \u2013 SMARTER REAR CANOPY TABLE<\/h3>\n
COST $100
\nDIFFICULTY 2\/5
\nTIME 2 hours
\nTOOLS Drill, circular saw, MIG welder
\nMATERIAL 20×20 square tube, 30×30 box tube, 12mm ply, screws, flatbar<\/p>\n
METHOD<\/p>\n
- \n
- Mark out where you want your table mount on your canopy.<\/li>\n
- Weld the 30×30 tube to a piece of flat bar, then mount the flat bar on your canopy. This will be your bracket.<\/li>\n
- Cut your table to size, and then mount it to the 20×20 tube offset so tube protrudes out of one side.<\/li>\n
- Test fit your table; if you like you can secure the table to the mount with a small chain.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
WHAT NOT TO DO
\nDon\u2019t weld anything if you\u2019re not sure how, get a mate who knows what he is doing to do that bit.<\/p>\n49 \u2013 MAP LIGHTS UP THE BACK<\/h3>\n
COST: $10
\nTIME: 30 minutes
\nDIFFICULTY 1\/5
\nGet your hands on one of those bendy map lights online for cheap and install it up the back of your 4WD on your drawer wing or trim, they can light up what you\u2019re doing or you can focus them on something small \u2013 perfect for map reading or cooking.<\/p>\n48 \u2013 LED INTERIOR LIGHT UPGRADE<\/h3>\n
COST: $20
\nTIME: 10 minutes
\nDIFFICULTY 1\/5
\nThis one is pretty simple, but turf your old interior light bulb for one of those universal multi light LED upgrades. They cost bugger all, fit into most light fittings and make a massive difference to the inside of your truck.<\/p>\n47 \u2013 SECOND SUN SHADE<\/h3>\n
COST: $30
\nTIME: 20 minutes
\nDIFFICULTY 1\/5
\nIf you want a bit of extra protection from the sun when you\u2019re driving, fit a piece of Perspex or thin ply to the top of your visor on a hinge mounted sideways to come out across your side window.<\/p>\n46 \u2013 NEW SEALS ON YOUR OLD TRUCK<\/h3>\n
COST: $100
\nTIME: 1 hour
\nDIFFICULTY 1\/5
\nYou can get your hands on some door seals from a spare parts supplier or a wrecking yard for pretty cheap \u2013 but the difference they make is unreal. Your truck will be a lot quieter and is less likely to let water inside in a river crossing.<\/p>\n45 \u2013 WIRELESS BATTERY MONITORS<\/h3>\n
COST: $30
\nTIME: 1 hour
\nDIFFICULTY 2\/5
\nYou can pick up these cheap digital wireless voltmeter\/ammeter jobbies cheap online. Wire the shunt up to the battery or batteries you want to monitor, wire some power into the display and you’re done. Then for the ultimate in wireless knowledge add in a wireless fridge thermometer and you’ll know the moment anything isn’t running like it should.<\/p>\n44 \u2013 ESKY AIRCON<\/h3>\n
COST: $50
\nTIME: 1 hour
\nDIFFICULTY 2\/5
\nIf you\u2019ve got an old esky lying around, cut a hole in the lid or the side big enough for a small fan to sit in. Cut another hole on the opposite end and place a scrap piece of PVC elbow or similar there. Then fill it with ice blocks or ice and there you have it, a budget air conditioner out bush, just point the elbow into your tent or swag and you\u2019re done!<\/p>\n43 \u2013 BUSH SPEAKERS<\/h3>\n
COST: $100
\nTIME: 2 hours
\nDIFFICULTY 2\/5
\nGet yourself a cheapy head unit and some speakers from your local auto parts store and install it in the back of your 4WD for tunes while you\u2019re at camp. It\u2019s perfect for ute owners out there who don\u2019t want to leave their doors or windows open to listen to music.<\/p>\n42 \u2013 POWER MIRRORS<\/h3>\n
COST: $80
\nTIME: 2 hours
\nDIFFICULTY 2\/5
\nIf you\u2019ve got hand wound mirrors, you can buy universal electric motor kits online for around 80 bucks. They fit onto the window crank, are easy to wire in and the electric switch covers the hole in the door \u2013 perfect for a bit of luxury in your old bus.<\/p>\n41 \u2013 SLIDE OUT SOLAR PANEL<\/h3>\n
COST $100
\nDIFFICULTY 2\/5
\nTIME 4 hours
\nTOOLS Drill, tape measure, grinder
\nMATERIAL alloy angle, U-bolts, screws, nuts and bolts, drawer runners<\/p>\nMETHOD<\/p>\n
- \n
- Mark out a position under your roof that you can mount the Adventure Kings 110W solar panel where it won\u2019t foul on anything when pulled out.<\/li>\n
- Once you have your mounting location, test fit the alloy angle, then mark where you will place your U-bolts.<\/li>\n
- Mark your drawer runner mounting positions on the alloy angle, and drill holes to suit then mount your panel to the drawer runners and the alloy angle.<\/li>\n
- Get a mate to help you lift the solar panel up under your roofrack to your chosen mounting point, and then mount the brackets to the roofrack.<\/li>\n
- Connect your solar panel back up and you\u2019re done.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
40 \u2013 WATERPROOF RELAY BOX<\/h3>\n
COST $10
\nDIFFICULTY 1\/5
\nTIME 4 hours
\nTOOLS Drill, soldering iron and solder, wire strippers, crimping tool
\nMATERIAL Plastic box, wiring<\/p>\nMETHOD<\/p>\n
- \n
- Get your hands on a cheapy plastic box to mount your wiring in, and figure out where to mount it.<\/li>\n
- Once you have your mounting point, mount the plastic box and start to relocate delicate wiring there.<\/li>\n
- You can set your box up to have relays on one side and fuses on the other.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Keep wiring together for each individual circuit so it doesn\u2019t become a mess inside your waterproof box.<\/p>\n
39 \u2013 SWING AWAY TABLES<\/h3>\n
Get some next level table space with this cracker of a table idea.<\/p>\n
COST
\nDIFFICULTY 2\/5 spanners
\nTIME 2 hours
\nTOOLS Drill, saw
\nMATERIAL benchtop of your choice (i.e. ply, steel etc.), tek screws, nuts and bolts, tether<\/p>\nMETHOD<\/p>\n
- \n
- Open your wheel carrier and measure the length of the horizontal swing arm to suit your table.<\/li>\n
- Mark out and drill some pilot holes in the top, and paint them so they don\u2019t rust out.<\/li>\n
- Cut your table to size, and fix your hinge\/s to your table and then to your swing away carrier.<\/li>\n
- Use a bungie cord or similar to fix your table to your carrier when you\u2019re not using it.<\/li>\n
- Mount your tether to the table and the carrier so it has a stay.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
WHAT NOT TO DO
\nDon\u2019t fix your table to the carrier without checking clearances when it\u2019s open and closed.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.4wdsupacentre.com.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IMG_3673.jpg\")
<\/p>\n38 \u2013 PRESSURISE YOUR CANOPY<\/h3>\n
COST: $50
\nTIME: 1 hour
\nDIFFICULTY 2\/5
\nGet yourself a pop up air vent online or from your local canopy shop. Carefully measure and cut a small hole in the roof and install the vent. Run a bead of sealant around the vent too. What it does is create positive air pressure in your canopy to keep dust out (provided all your seals are in good nick too).<\/p>\n37 \u2013 UNDER ROOF RACK STORAGE<\/h3>\n
COST: $20
\nTIME: 1 hour
\nDIFFICULTY 1\/5
\nIf you\u2019ve got a space under your roofrack, some using U-bolts around your rack that then bolt through some plywood under the rack is perfect for things like your MAXTRAX or fishing rods.<\/p>\n36 \u2013 REAR FALSE FLOOR<\/h3>\n
COST: $75
\nTIME: 2 hours
\nDIFFICULTY 2\/5
\nIf you haven\u2019t used the rear seats in your 4WD for a while, remove them and build a false floor in their place with some plywood and marine carpet. It\u2019s a fantastic base for storage and things like fridges.<\/p>\n35 \u2013 BUDGET REAR DRAWERS<\/h3>\n
COST: $100
\nTIME: 1 hour
\nDIFFICULTY 2\/5
\nFor rear drawers on a budget, make a frame out of 12mm ply, and get a couple of plastic storage containers that are on wheels. It gives you plenty of storage for your gear, and the frame you built will stop them sliding around in the back.<\/p>\n34 \u2013 NUMBER PLATE ON A HINGE<\/h3>\n
COST: $5
\nTIME: 5 minutes
\nDIFFICULTY 1\/5
\nIf you\u2019re tired of bending your numberplate every time you go into a boghole or a water crossing, get a couple of door hinges from your hardware store and fit them onto your plate and bullbar. It is also handy if your winch sits behind the plate too.<\/p>\n33 \u2013 AWNING STORAGE<\/h3>\n
COST: $10
\nTIME: 10 minutes
\nDIFFICULTY 1\/5
\nFor a bit of extra storage when your Adventure Kings Awning is setup, drill a couple of holes in the pole and hang some of those S-hooks on them for your gear or clothes. Just make sure the holes don\u2019t foul on the adjuster pole when you finish.<\/p>\n32 \u2013 CANOPY CLIP ON TABLE<\/h3>\n
COST: $20
\nTIME: 1 hour
\nDIFFICULTY 2\/5
\nIf you\u2019ve got a ute, you can make a simple table that hangs on the side of your canopy. Use a bit of alloy angle on one side to hang on your tub, if the table needs more support you can use an old metal pole as a leg, or if you have a roof rack or ladder rack, just attach a chain to it and the table to prop it up.<\/p>\n31 \u2013 WATER TANK SLIDERS<\/h3>\n
Want an awesome way to store your water and protect your truck? Check out these insane water tank sliders!
\nCOST $100 bucks
\nDIFFICULTY 4\/5 spanners
\nTIME 4-5 hours
\nMATERIAL Galvanised steel, water pump, hose fittings and boat bungs<\/p>\nMETHOD<\/p>\n
- \n
- If your sliders are made out of galvanised steel, you can use them to store water easily. In fact it\u2019s used in some comp trucks as it also strengthens the sliders.<\/li>\n
- Drill a few holes in an easy to reach point in the slider and tap in a filler bung and a fitting for a hose to run to your water pump. Boat bungs work well as they are small and won\u2019t catch on much.<\/li>\n
- Wire in your 12V water pump to your chosen outlet and connect your hoses.<\/li>\n
- Fill the sliders up and test to see if they work.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
WHAT NOT TO DO:
\nDon\u2019t do this mod if your sliders are made out of mild steel as they will rust internally.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.4wdsupacentre.com.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/160309-Isuzu-MU-Blake_Details_066.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDIYS THAT ARE SO EPIC, YOU GET EXCITED WHEN YOU GET TO TELL YOUR MATES ABOUT IT FOR THE FIRST TIME<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
30 \u2013 SECURITY KILL-SWITCH<\/h3>\n
Thief-proof your 4WD with a simple starter isolating switch.<\/p>\n
COST $15
\nDIFFICULTY 2\/5 Spanners
\nTIME 1 hour
\nTOOLS Soldering iron and Solder, wire strippers, crimpers, multimeter
\nMATERIAL 25A wiring, toggle switch, heat-shrink, cable ties<\/p>\nMETHOD<\/p>\n
- \n
- Remove your steering shroud so you can get to the ignition wiring. Use a multimeter to find the wires that send power to the starter motor. Using a factory wiring diagram for your truck will come in handy here.<\/li>\n
- Once you\u2019ve found the wires, splice a minimum of 25A wire between them (as it needs to carry enough current for the starting circuit), and wire in your switch.<\/li>\n
- Run your wiring to an area of the vehicle that the thief isn\u2019t likely to look for a kill-switch. For example, avoid placing it in the dash or under the instrument cluster \u2013 use your imagination here.<\/li>\n
- Make sure you make the wiring look as factory as possible by using heat shrink, solder, perforated tubing etc., to hide the wires.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
29 \u2013 CUTLERY ON A DRAWER SLIDE<\/h3>\n
COST: $100
\nTIME: 2 hours
\nDIFFICULTY 2\/5
\nIf you have a fridge cage, secure a cheapy drawer slide to the side, and attach a gear organiser to it. It\u2019s perfect for things like cutlery and camping gear and is a smart use of space.<\/p>\n28 \u2013 DIY ROOF CONSOLE<\/h3>\n
COST: $100
\nTIME: 4 hours
\nDIFFICULTY 2\/5
\nGet a half sheet of 12mm ply from your local hardware store, some marine carpet and some alloy angle. You can make a simple roof console that runs flat toward the back of your 4WD, which will give you more space further back. Then you can deck it out with switch panels, lights, map holders and anything you can think of.<\/p>\n27 \u2013 BUDGET TRACTION BOARD MOUNTS<\/h3>\n
COST: $20
\nTIME: 30 hour
\nDIFFICULTY 2\/5
\nFor a secure way to mount your MAXTRAX, a couple of eyelet bolts and some RHS steel mounted to the rack works wonders.<\/p>\n26 \u2013 PLY LOAD SPREADERS
\nCOST: $20
\nTIME: 30 minutes
\nDIFFICULTY 1\/5
\nIf you setup your Awning on a soft surface, cut a few squares of 8-12mm ply and drill a hole in them in the middle a few millimetres smaller than your tent pole. It will give you a more stable base than a simple pole in the ground.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"PART THREE OF OUR FOUR PART SERIES FOR HOW TO TRANSFORM YOUR 4WD IN A DAY 100 easy and essential DIY mods for under $100! 50 \u2013 SMARTER REAR CANOPY TABLE COST $100 DIFFICULTY 2\/5 TIME 2 hours TOOLS Drill, circular saw, MIG welder MATERIAL 20×20 square tube, 30×30 box tube, 12mm ply, screws, flatbar…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":123456,"featured_media":263,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.emgcloud.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/261"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.emgcloud.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.emgcloud.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.emgcloud.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/123456"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.emgcloud.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=261"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/news.emgcloud.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/261\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":266,"href":"https:\/\/news.emgcloud.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/261\/revisions\/266"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.emgcloud.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/263"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.emgcloud.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=261"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.emgcloud.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=261"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.emgcloud.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=261"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}