Agreed. I see no reason for constantly pressurized water tank. Just turn on the pump when you need the water.
Custom use of empty spare tire well?
- Thread starter Kaprice
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Agreed. I see no reason for constantly pressurized water tank. Just turn on the pump when you need the water.
Jetboy
New member
Self priming, pressure regulated, 12v water pumps are under $20. Hard to find a good reason to consider anything else. They work great. Draw pretty low amperage. And are way lighter weight overall than increasing the wall thickness of your tank to be pressurized. I use one in my teardrop trailer for the sink and shower pump.
https://www.amazon.com/Amarine-made...qid=1511900598&sr=8-4&keywords=12v+water+pump
Also FWIW - hauling 10 gallons of water drinking/camp use is a lot different from hauling water for showers. Showers take a lot of water. Water is heavy. Heavy + 4runner don't mix very well. If you're wanting a shower on a regular basis - I would suggest either start by building a trailer that can haul the weight of the water you want to tote around with you. Or buy a vehicle with more weight capacity - even a Tacoma would be a better starting point. You'll be a lot happier in the long run than trying to haul 500lbs of water around in the 4runner in addition to all the other stuff you'll have along. Showering with water that you source at the camp site is the best bet. For that you would want a separate shower system. I've done it lots of different ways. Once you have a sink and shower you'll use a lot more water than you otherwise would out of a regular tank. Instead of 1 gallon per person per day, you'll need to think more like 3-4 gallons per person per day. It adds up quick. Having a sink and shower is awesome. Having it all neatly stored in a trailer you can leave at camp or at home for normal daily driving is even better.
https://www.amazon.com/Amarine-made...qid=1511900598&sr=8-4&keywords=12v+water+pump
Also FWIW - hauling 10 gallons of water drinking/camp use is a lot different from hauling water for showers. Showers take a lot of water. Water is heavy. Heavy + 4runner don't mix very well. If you're wanting a shower on a regular basis - I would suggest either start by building a trailer that can haul the weight of the water you want to tote around with you. Or buy a vehicle with more weight capacity - even a Tacoma would be a better starting point. You'll be a lot happier in the long run than trying to haul 500lbs of water around in the 4runner in addition to all the other stuff you'll have along. Showering with water that you source at the camp site is the best bet. For that you would want a separate shower system. I've done it lots of different ways. Once you have a sink and shower you'll use a lot more water than you otherwise would out of a regular tank. Instead of 1 gallon per person per day, you'll need to think more like 3-4 gallons per person per day. It adds up quick. Having a sink and shower is awesome. Having it all neatly stored in a trailer you can leave at camp or at home for normal daily driving is even better.
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Yeah, the technology for fresh water and shower systems have long been proven in the RV and boating world. We don't need to re-invent anything, here.
Seems to me it's a matter of figuring out what will fit and how and where to piece all the parts together.
Sam1Am
New member
I'd love to use that space for a tools/spare parts/jumper-cables/duct tape type "uh-oh" storage box. Stuff that you always want with you - just in case - but probably rarely use.
Any genius ideas how to make such a thing happen - without the need for fancy tools, welding, etc.?
Any genius ideas how to make such a thing happen - without the need for fancy tools, welding, etc.?
I'm not particularly handy, but I'd think you'd at minimum need to cut some aluminum or steel (around the quality and thickness of a skid plate, if you want to be safe). Then you could have one or more bags to hold the tools, etc. Drill a hole in the middle of the plate and attach the tire cable to.
Then you should be able to place your bags on the plate and use the existing system to raise it into place.
Jetboy
New member
How cheap and easy do you want to go? The cheapest easiest low tech option would be to find a 15" wheel with a throw away 33" tire (biggest tire/smallest wheel that fit), let the air out of the tire, then cut an access hole in the sidewall on the side that will be the top. Put your stuff inside the empty tire. If you want to get all "fancy" with it - buy a deck hatch and put a door in it. Just cut a plywood frame for the inside to screw into, put some silicone around it and you're now water tight!
If you wanted to go a little nicer you could make a fiberglass one without too many tools, but you'll have to learn how to make fiberglass stuff. This one would be pretty easy. Get a sheet of luan plywood. Cut two 33" discs. Cut a strip of wood as wide as you want the depth to be. Get yourself some zip ties. Google "stitch and glue" boat building. And make a luan/fiberglass cylinder. Then fiberglass in a center column to put the tire lift through, and a door. The biggest issue is you'd still want a skid plate for it because it's going to get crushed when you drop it on a rock. - so you're back to needing a welder/fab equipment.
Sam1Am
New member
I like your thinking, jetboy - as far as that 1st paragraph goes. Your second paragraph made me cross-eyed.
Soon as i get me some bigger tires (ie. run my stock tires to the steel belts) I'll put my sawzall to good use on the spare! Will just need to replace that lame stock spare rim with something that looks cool on the swing arm!
Hmm... In fact, this idea gives me good incentive to replce those stock things all the sooner... Safety and utility! Genius!
Soon as i get me some bigger tires (ie. run my stock tires to the steel belts) I'll put my sawzall to good use on the spare! Will just need to replace that lame stock spare rim with something that looks cool on the swing arm!
Hmm... In fact, this idea gives me good incentive to replce those stock things all the sooner... Safety and utility! Genius!
I'm loving the idea of a fresh water system for the spare well. Issues as I see it:
* Finding a container that's strong and will fit.
* Finding a place for the pump that's out of the way, protected, but reachable.
* Securely routing all the hoses and wiring.
* Cutting a hole in the rear side of the 4runner for the intake and outtake.
* Keeping the water (in tank and hoses) from freezing or over heating.
* Protecting the underside (skid plate).
* Probably worth it to get a filter system for refilling from any offroad source.
Is there any danger/downside to having 20+ gallons sloshing around under the truck when the tank is not full?
* Finding a container that's strong and will fit.
* Finding a place for the pump that's out of the way, protected, but reachable.
* Securely routing all the hoses and wiring.
* Cutting a hole in the rear side of the 4runner for the intake and outtake.
* Keeping the water (in tank and hoses) from freezing or over heating.
* Protecting the underside (skid plate).
* Probably worth it to get a filter system for refilling from any offroad source.
Is there any danger/downside to having 20+ gallons sloshing around under the truck when the tank is not full?
Sam1Am
New member
I don't recon it'd be any worse than X gallons of gas sloshing around. Unless... Are there baffles in gas tanks? :shrug:
4Reak Show
New member
My thought was to go as wide and shallow as possible. Probably do it out of wood and then screw in a sheet of decent thickness metal underneath just for dings and stuff. Easy to make an octagon type shape out of 3/4 ply wood and use 2x2's or 2x4's as the perimeter siding. Caulk it, paint it and it would last a long time. Add an eye bolt or screw and a carabiner in the center to attach to the lowering chain and it's done. Probably less then $100 and and afternoon with a saw. If it's shallow enough it would probably tuck higher than the bumper
hajismash1133
New member
Here's my setup. Has a 1200W heater and water pump. Use it primarily for showers and kitchen cleanup. Been planning to make a bolt on kit but lots of things are getting in the way.
That’s awesomely! AND you have the bumper I’m getting. Please tell me how you did the heater. I was looking at piping it to an external propane heater but if I can heat it off the electrical system, that would be mo betta
nglayton
Senior Member
Done!
nglayton
Senior Member
Most aftermarket tanks I've looked at have baffles. But I supposed there are many that do not.
I'd never heard of baffle balls, before. Apparently, they're very effective. But, they don't seem to make them small enough for what we're considering.
One guy made his own baffles by cutting pvc pipe into small sections and filled his tank with them. Said it worked amazingly well.
While researching them, I found an expedition forum where a lot of concern was expressed about the weight of 20 to 30 pounds behind the rear axle -- baffled or not.
One guy made his own baffles by cutting pvc pipe into small sections and filled his tank with them. Said it worked amazingly well.
While researching them, I found an expedition forum where a lot of concern was expressed about the weight of 20 to 30 pounds behind the rear axle -- baffled or not.
For the heater I'm using two Dernord 12v 600W heaters that I got from amazon that's hooked up to a digital thermostat (pic above shows the water at 111F. It takes a little planning to heat the water as it takes approx 1 hour to get water to heat up by 40F. I typically do this by heating the water while driving to my destination.
Jetboy
New member
Most motorsports fuel tanks use open cell foam to prevent sloshing. It's required in almost all race class rules for approved fuel cells. I doubt it's FDA approved for drinking water though.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...boxZybgifVU6eI-o0tPqFdB9yC2lxpswaAteqEALw_wcB
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...boxZybgifVU6eI-o0tPqFdB9yC2lxpswaAteqEALw_wcB
kencuddeback
New member
Did you make this box or have someone fab it up for you?
kencuddeback
New member
Here's my setup. Has a 1200W heater and water pump. Use it primarily for showers and kitchen cleanup. Been planning to make a bolt on kit but lots of things are getting in the way.
Did you buy this box or did you have it made?
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