New Storage Solution

I have recently bought a pair of custom stroage boxes for the back end of the 109. They were made by a member of the Land Rover UK internet forum that I frequent (www.landrovernet.com), who goes under the tag of se7enup.

They’re made of galvanised steel, with a sturdy hinge along the back. He designed them so that they make full use of the space in the curve of the body work, unlike the Mobile Storage Systems boxes which leave that void unuseable. Better still, though the height and depth of the boxes are fixed (the box is flush with the edge of the wheel arch, sitting all the way back against the outer wing, and the top is level with the tub cappings), the lengths can be varied to order at no extra cost. Not at all bad for £50 including VAT and delivery.

I had the boxes made to 700mm length, though he normally does them at 800 and 900. This custom length fits exactly between the lip of the wheel arch top (just in front of the rear light interior covers) and the second row seat belt inertia reels. It’s the biggest box I can have and leaves no wasted space – the MSS boxes would not only leave a void between their backs and the wing panel, but at 400mm wide, would have left large unuseable spaces beside them.

Unfortunately, due to previous mods in my tub, I can’t fit these boxes directly to the tops. First of all, they need to be removeable so that I can use the rear seats when not away. Secondly, the right hand box will need to be notched for the fuel filler neck. I also have to account for the cargo rail along the outboard edges of the wheel arch tops, the hinges and bolts for the Trakkers fold-up seats, and the lower seat belt moorings at the back end of the wheel arch tops. By drilling out the spot wels that hold in the bottom panel of the boxes and then trimming away 15mm from the bottom of each side, I can trim the box to fit above all these wheel arch fittings and still fit within the curve of the tub sides.

I plan to fit flush locks in the lids so that they can’t open accidentally, handles at each end for lifting in and out of the vehicle, and some quick-release fixings to secure them properly when in use but allow them to be removed instantly at the end of trips and the seats to be refitted. I’m considering using the MSS chest locks, as they sell them separately and they’re ideal for the task. The boxes will be powder coated to match the MSS cooker box on the back door.

These should allow much neater and larger storage capacity that the cooler boxes we used around the Alps, and should be easier to fit and access with proper fixings in place of ratchet straps, so we should be able to open them without them becoming unsecured.