Cypher
New member
Having a fridge in the truck is flippin amazing. We have had this ARB Fridge in our FJ Cruiser for well over a year now and I have to say, camping and road trips are so much easier and enjoyable not having to worry about ice. That said, I decided to get it installed in the 4Runner on a slide with the ARB mounting straps so that I can move it between the two vehicles quickly and easily.
I figured this was going to be a quick and easy drill some holes install. However, I was very wrong. The mounting holes for the slide lined up perfectly with everything that either I didn't want to drill through (seams and welds) or that I simply couldn't make work. After about a million careful measurements, I decided that It would be best to build an adapter out of 3/4 inch Birch. Here is how it went down:
Here is what the cargo floor looks like with all interior flooring removed.
The holes that I drilled in the cargo floor for the adapter.
I placed a sheet of rubber between the birch wood adapter and the metal cargo floor to reduce noise and vibration.
Using a flat hole saw, I had to drill out recesses to fit over the plastic fittings on the cargo floor to ensure the best fit.
The birch wood adapter was cut to fit in tight and flush to everything else that is going on with the cargo floor. Using a flat hole saw, I recessed the mounting bolts to ensure a tight fit. Large washers were used to spread load forces. I put a quick ugly coat of polyurethane on the birch wood to seal and protect it. I also had to drill new holes in the ARB slide for the rearward mounts due to the fact that the mounting holes on the slide lined up with a cargo floor support cross member.
On the underside of the cargo floor, all stainless steel hardware was used to ensure corrosion resistance. Large fender washers were used to spread the load forces. I also used silicone between the washers and the cargo floor to seal the holes and prevent water from entering the cabin.
Replaced the trimmed to fit cargo floor styrofoam.
I then replaced the carpet and cut holes for the slide mounting bolts.
Lastly, mount the slide, and finally the fridge.
All in all, everything turned out well. and the slide works great. Even better yet is the fact that I can look in the rear view mirror and clearly see the temp gauge of the fridge reflecting off the rear window. Since it is two reflections the numbers read correctly and clearly. If anyone would like to mount their fridge in the same fashion, I am willing to share my measurements for all holes drilled.
I figured this was going to be a quick and easy drill some holes install. However, I was very wrong. The mounting holes for the slide lined up perfectly with everything that either I didn't want to drill through (seams and welds) or that I simply couldn't make work. After about a million careful measurements, I decided that It would be best to build an adapter out of 3/4 inch Birch. Here is how it went down:
Here is what the cargo floor looks like with all interior flooring removed.
The holes that I drilled in the cargo floor for the adapter.
I placed a sheet of rubber between the birch wood adapter and the metal cargo floor to reduce noise and vibration.
Using a flat hole saw, I had to drill out recesses to fit over the plastic fittings on the cargo floor to ensure the best fit.
The birch wood adapter was cut to fit in tight and flush to everything else that is going on with the cargo floor. Using a flat hole saw, I recessed the mounting bolts to ensure a tight fit. Large washers were used to spread load forces. I put a quick ugly coat of polyurethane on the birch wood to seal and protect it. I also had to drill new holes in the ARB slide for the rearward mounts due to the fact that the mounting holes on the slide lined up with a cargo floor support cross member.
On the underside of the cargo floor, all stainless steel hardware was used to ensure corrosion resistance. Large fender washers were used to spread the load forces. I also used silicone between the washers and the cargo floor to seal the holes and prevent water from entering the cabin.
Replaced the trimmed to fit cargo floor styrofoam.
I then replaced the carpet and cut holes for the slide mounting bolts.
Lastly, mount the slide, and finally the fridge.
All in all, everything turned out well. and the slide works great. Even better yet is the fact that I can look in the rear view mirror and clearly see the temp gauge of the fridge reflecting off the rear window. Since it is two reflections the numbers read correctly and clearly. If anyone would like to mount their fridge in the same fashion, I am willing to share my measurements for all holes drilled.
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