Update: Sorry for the delay in updating this thread... I have put some photos below of my progress, it's almost useable! I'm trying to get it ready for this weekend (05 Jun 20) for it's maiden voyage.
We removed the old fender and welded a 1" round tube up to run along the side running into the pull handles at the front.
I was kindly given another set of fenders from a friend (thanks Elliott), so we were able to cut and re-weld both sets to widen the fenders. This enabled me to keep the look of the old fenders.
We re-purposed some old JK tailgate hinges from mine and a buddy JK and used three to make the lid hinge. We had to cut them down and bend them to take shape of the lid. They turned out great I feel.
We also set about working out how to make the RRT raise and lower, so I don't have a constantly high tent and one I can raise to utilise the annex.
The tasing mechanism led to lots of head scratching moments, but I feel we have accomplished it. I wanted to design some kind of bump stop so it doesn't come down too far, when it did, I was unable to raise it again. I was determined to create something that was able to be raised and lowered with one person.
Happy with how it was going, we removed the rack (made of 1.5" GalvAllum and welded some 1" sqr tube in to support the RRT and painted it black.
You can see some small eyelets we attached to the front of the lid and rear for the raising frame. This was so we could secure the tent system elevated and have piece of mind it wasn't coming back down when I was asleep sup there.
Next is to finish tidying up the fenders, front and rear of lid, then get it painted. There is lots I want to do such as attach 2x 5lb propane tank brackets to the side, some kind of tongue storage ro battery system. Utilise the front part of the raised rack to carry boxes in transit. I also need to finish the levelling jacks to stabilise it all.
I'll keep ya posted, I promise haha
