1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

1 Bored Clerks AC Fridge Mount

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by 1 Bored Clerk, Aug 3, 2016.

  1. Aug 3, 2016 at 2:31 PM
    #1
    1 Bored Clerk

    1 Bored Clerk [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2013
    Member:
    #112786
    Messages:
    1,999
    Gender:
    Male
    Vancouver, WA
    Vehicle:
    '13 4x4 AC TRD OR
    I desperately wanted to be done with coolers forever. Dealing with ice sucks...there are ways to make it a little more bearable but I'm just not into it anymore. So, that means fridge! My wife and I decided that a small fridge is plenty for us so I picked up an Engel MT 35. Another key to this size is that you can fully open the lid in our intended mounting location in the truck. We decided we wanted it on the 'camp' side of the truck and not in the bed. So, behind the front passenger seat is where it will live!

    image.jpg
    This shall do nicely! You have a lot of room left for the front passenger unless that person like to recline a lot when traveling (neither of us do).

    image.jpg
    Tons of room. An MT 45 might work here too but it's a few inches taller so I'm not positive it would be as user friendly to accessing the contents and using the included basket that comes in the fridge.

    image.jpg
    Full lid swing. No sweat!

    Let's get to building something!
     
    timbobzimbob likes this.
  2. Aug 3, 2016 at 2:48 PM
    #2
    1 Bored Clerk

    1 Bored Clerk [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2013
    Member:
    #112786
    Messages:
    1,999
    Gender:
    Male
    Vancouver, WA
    Vehicle:
    '13 4x4 AC TRD OR
    First step was to remove a ton of stuff...exploratory surgery to see what I had to work with. No pics of that as there are tons of images of this and lots of helpful threads on trashing your interior. I know because I used them! TW FTW!!

    In the final configuration, there will be no lower seat cushion and no headrest. However, I pulled the small center console and underseat tray out of the cab as part of the process.

    image.jpg
    image.jpg
    Without the seat cushion, you have three nice mounting points. I used these heavy steel spacers to get the mounting surface high enough to clear the center console between the back seats.

    image.jpg
    After a little tape measure and template work, I had a plate laser cut. I had to immediately modify it to clear the rear door plastic and tweak the location of the rear mounting points. Hard to measure that stuff accurately when you don't have a direct line between them. This is a picture of all the parts of the mount, FYI.

    image.jpg
    Handily, there is a nut welded to the support sheet metal behind the carpet in the location of this front passenger side mount. Sweet!

    image.jpg
    The driver side front mount uses a mount for the substructure of the rear center console. I drilled a hole in the center console and have a spacer that will make everything line up and be pretty. You'll see!

    image.jpg
    This view shows the additional bracing I used to stiffen everything up. Probably not necessary but I feel good about it. The long angle braces use the same fasteners as the Transit Slide Lok.

    image.jpg
    Another view of other stuff.

    image.jpg
    Here's everything bolted in place. You'll notice I still have all of the floor space under the front edge of the mount. This makes me very happy...more room to store crap I'll forget I have!

    At this point, I mounted the fridge and drove around to see if anything seemed off or rattly or anything else. Seemed really solid and secure so I took it all apart and sent it out for powdercoating on Monday. I imagine I'll have it all back this Friday or early next week. I also took the opportunity to vacuum the heck out of the carpet and clean all the plastic back there. I'll update as soon as I get my parts back!
     
  3. Aug 4, 2016 at 4:47 PM
    #3
    1 Bored Clerk

    1 Bored Clerk [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2013
    Member:
    #112786
    Messages:
    1,999
    Gender:
    Male
    Vancouver, WA
    Vehicle:
    '13 4x4 AC TRD OR
    Looks like I'll have my parts back from powdercoating tues/wed next week.
     
    SonnyBones likes this.
  4. Aug 4, 2016 at 6:41 PM
    #4
    SonnyBones

    SonnyBones I VOID WARRANTIES

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2015
    Member:
    #170342
    Messages:
    833
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeffery
    Vehicle:
    2015 TACOMA ACCESS CAB
    Nice can't wait to see!! Been thinking of doing this as well
     
  5. Aug 15, 2016 at 5:40 PM
    #5
    1 Bored Clerk

    1 Bored Clerk [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2013
    Member:
    #112786
    Messages:
    1,999
    Gender:
    Male
    Vancouver, WA
    Vehicle:
    '13 4x4 AC TRD OR
    Well, powdercoating ran long and I was out of town for a three day weekend. I'm back and so I got to work ASAP!
    image.jpg
    Parts...powdercoated.

    image.jpg
    image.jpg
    Assembled!

    image.jpg
    Since I don't have a passenger rear seat, I don't need a passenger rear seat belt. This is an English fastener...and kind of odd. 7/16" (can't remember the thread pitch). I now have this fastener as an option for any future needs.

    image.jpg
    Bolt the substructure for the rear center console back in. Just the drivers side bolt though. You'll use the second bolt hole later.

    image.jpg
    Bolt the console back in place. If you look close, you can see the through hole I'll use for the fridge mount in the lower back of the big pocket in the console.

    image.jpg
    image.jpg
    Set the spacers in place.

    image.jpg
    Place this 2x4 here to hold the mount up while you bolt the mount in place.

    image.jpg
    Set the plate in place. Be careful because it's just the right size to gouge the crap out of EVERYTHING! The back of my center console knows all about it.
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2016
  6. Aug 15, 2016 at 5:55 PM
    #6
    1 Bored Clerk

    1 Bored Clerk [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2013
    Member:
    #112786
    Messages:
    1,999
    Gender:
    Male
    Vancouver, WA
    Vehicle:
    '13 4x4 AC TRD OR
    Carrying on...bolt it all in.
    image.jpg
    image.jpg
    Here's some really terrible photos of the front driver side mount. You can barely see the spacer I used. It looks good...just trust me. You can also see that I've put the rubber mats back into the recesses in the console.

    image.jpg
    All bolted in...solid! Also notice how much height the slide lok and feet add. Keep that in mind.

    image.jpg
    Home at last!

    image.jpg
    Put this green non slip pad in.

    image.jpg
    Drop in the basket.

    image.jpg
    Lid clearance when opening. CLOSE but clears! An MT45 wouldn't fit without ditching the slide Lok and lowering the mount in general...as much as you can. Or just live with the lid not opening all the way.

    image.jpg
    Seat in a normal/comfortable position for our 5'11" ish bodies.

    image.jpg
    Plenty of clearance! And the lid opens fully without touching the seat at all. If you're taller, you can move the seat back more but then you'd have to pitch it forward to access the fridge. Not the end of the world in camp but we're happy to not need to.

    image.jpg
    Back door closed looking back from the front seat. You're looking at the clearance between the door and the fridge. Again, close (to maximize rear drivers side passenger room and easier access to the inside of the fridge).

    The fridge comes with handles. It looks like the front one would fit in the space shown above and I may add it. Might be nice to be able to hang a hand towel there or something. I may add the rear handle as another place to hang something like a hand towel. We'll see.

    That's it! I'll update this as I have more experience with this setup. Hopefully it'll all be positive but I'll let you know if it's not!
     
    fatfurious2 and nevadawolfe like this.
  7. Aug 15, 2016 at 6:01 PM
    #7
    nevadawolfe

    nevadawolfe Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2016
    Member:
    #187125
    Messages:
    458
    First Name:
    Heather
    Northern Nevada
    Vehicle:
    2019 MBM DCSB SR “The Boss”
    MESO mod count: 2 Mickey Thompson Sidebiter II’s - 16x8 mattgecko under hood light kit - cool white
    Awesome write up, looks great! Been thinking about a little fridge for us eventually and I like the setup you used. Wonder how easily it could be modified for a DC instead of the AC...
     
  8. Aug 15, 2016 at 8:31 PM
    #8
    1 Bored Clerk

    1 Bored Clerk [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2013
    Member:
    #112786
    Messages:
    1,999
    Gender:
    Male
    Vancouver, WA
    Vehicle:
    '13 4x4 AC TRD OR
    Thanks!

    I'm not sure but I would assume there is even more structure available in a DC. It might be even easier to make a mount. It would all depend on how the seat cushions came out. If it's one piece, that may be an issue...if you still want a seat back there. I feel like there is an option where you could make a quick release mount or just a tie down plate on the back of one of the fold down seat backs. There's a clever solution there somewhere to mount a fridge and keep use of your seat...other than just strapping your fridge into your seat.

    If you were closer, I'd be happy to come up with a solution.
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2016
    nevadawolfe likes this.
  9. Aug 31, 2016 at 9:21 AM
    #9
    1 Bored Clerk

    1 Bored Clerk [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2013
    Member:
    #112786
    Messages:
    1,999
    Gender:
    Male
    Vancouver, WA
    Vehicle:
    '13 4x4 AC TRD OR
    A little update: the fridge works well. You can hear it run but it's not obnoxious. I notice it more because I very rarely drive with music playing anymore. My wife doesn't notice it at all but she's always got something playing when she's in the truck. I also notice that there is a slight rattle in the system. I'm pretty darn sure it's the transit slide lock. By nature, it cannot hold the fridge completely solid. It's secure...just not solid. I may put the handles on and use a strap or two to keep some pressure on everything. I'm sure that would solve the 'issue'. The mount I made seems to be super solid. I'm really happy with it. It weighs more than the fridge but whatever. Haha.
     
    SonnyBones likes this.
  10. Oct 23, 2016 at 10:18 AM
    #10
    1 Bored Clerk

    1 Bored Clerk [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2013
    Member:
    #112786
    Messages:
    1,999
    Gender:
    Male
    Vancouver, WA
    Vehicle:
    '13 4x4 AC TRD OR
    I think I'm going to ditch the transit slide loc. It just allows too much movement. The fridge rattles around; it's annoying. I even added straps to the two handles and it wasn't enough. In the bed of a truck, it would be great but inside the cab it's no bueno. I'll put the rubber feet back on the fridge and use straps to hold it down, I guess? I'd like to have something more secure in case of an accident. Don't need a fridge flying around in the cab. Maybe leave the slide loc and work with strapping options to constrain movement?
     
  11. Oct 23, 2016 at 10:32 AM
    #11
    Pigpen

    Pigpen My truck is never clean

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2012
    Member:
    #74319
    Messages:
    8,955
    Gender:
    Male
    Northwest Montana
    Vehicle:
    2012 AC Manual 4.0 4x4 Base Model
    Access cab toolbox/ dog bed with seats and headrests deleted, waterproof TRD seat covers, yellow wire mod, diff breather relocated to tail light, engine block heater, Leer topper with Yakima tracks and rack, Yakima rack on cab, Ride Rite with Daystar cradles, CBI hidden front hitch, wired for winch front and rear Warn quick connect, Warn x8000i on external carrier, sway bar delete, trailer plug relocated to bumper, Pelfreybilt IFS and Mid skids, ECGS front diff bushing, ARB CKMA12 compressor, 255/85/16 Backcountrry MT 3 load E tires on stock steel rims, Up2NoGood heated mirror kit, Husky X-act Contour front floor liners, Northstar AGM 24F battery, Pelfreybilt bolt on sliders with kickout and top plates, TRD Pro headlights, Depo smoked tail lights, Energy suspension body mount bushing kit, OME Dakar leaf packs with AAL, Billstein B110 rear shocks, OME 90021 front shocks with 885 coils, SPC LR UCAs, Up2NoGood 2wd low range mod, 4 Wheel Campers Grandby slide in camper
    Man, great write up! If you ever get the urge to have a few mounts made and offer up a kit, I'd be on your list to buy one in the spring. I have a plywood box back there instead of seats, but would love a fridge on one side.

    #EAF
     
  12. Oct 24, 2016 at 1:28 PM
    #12
    1 Bored Clerk

    1 Bored Clerk [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2013
    Member:
    #112786
    Messages:
    1,999
    Gender:
    Male
    Vancouver, WA
    Vehicle:
    '13 4x4 AC TRD OR
    Thanks! I'll keep that in mind. I can't guarantee that this will work, as-is, on anything but a 2013 AC Tacoma. It may work all the way through 2015 but Toyota has changed the rear seats and the shape of the rear floor area several times over the years so who knows if the front mounting points I'm using even exist (in the same location) on other model years.
     
  13. Oct 24, 2016 at 4:15 PM
    #13
    Pigpen

    Pigpen My truck is never clean

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2012
    Member:
    #74319
    Messages:
    8,955
    Gender:
    Male
    Northwest Montana
    Vehicle:
    2012 AC Manual 4.0 4x4 Base Model
    Access cab toolbox/ dog bed with seats and headrests deleted, waterproof TRD seat covers, yellow wire mod, diff breather relocated to tail light, engine block heater, Leer topper with Yakima tracks and rack, Yakima rack on cab, Ride Rite with Daystar cradles, CBI hidden front hitch, wired for winch front and rear Warn quick connect, Warn x8000i on external carrier, sway bar delete, trailer plug relocated to bumper, Pelfreybilt IFS and Mid skids, ECGS front diff bushing, ARB CKMA12 compressor, 255/85/16 Backcountrry MT 3 load E tires on stock steel rims, Up2NoGood heated mirror kit, Husky X-act Contour front floor liners, Northstar AGM 24F battery, Pelfreybilt bolt on sliders with kickout and top plates, TRD Pro headlights, Depo smoked tail lights, Energy suspension body mount bushing kit, OME Dakar leaf packs with AAL, Billstein B110 rear shocks, OME 90021 front shocks with 885 coils, SPC LR UCAs, Up2NoGood 2wd low range mod, 4 Wheel Campers Grandby slide in camper
    Mine's a 2012... keep me in mid if you ever want to offer it - you've done the leg work and I don't mind paying for work I don't have to do. I'm in no rush to put a fridge in, so take your time and think about it! I think enough '12-'15 owners would be interested to make it worth putting a few kits together.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top