Another cubby box thread ...

[BlackDogZulu]

1996 Defender 90. The truck came to me with the middle seat missing and carpet over the metal plate in between the seats. I have bought a Britpart cubby box from Paddocks and it's not obvious how to fit it. The box has 4 MDF battens on the underside in the form of a square. If I rest the box on the metal plate it looks 'wrong' as the battens keep it up above the seat box with a gap underneath. If I remove the metal plate, the battens fit perfectly into the gap. This looks as if it is how the makers intended (right height, doesn't move, looks neat), but the MDF and underside are bare with no finish, and on the first wet day the MDF is going to swell and disintegrate. Should I fit the box like this, having first treated the underside with something waterproof like oil-based paint, or am I missing something obvious?

Many thanks for any advice - would like to have it done this weekend if possible

 

[Flossie]

Fit to the plate with the gap underneath.
Screw through the plate from the underside into the battens.

 

[BlackDogZulu]

Fit to the plate with the gap underneath.
Screw through the plate from the underside into the battens.

So it shouldn't sit neatly in the hole in the seat box, but stand above it about an inch?

Many thanks.

 

[neilly]

Have you read this?
http://blog.paddockspares.com/fit-a-centre-cubby-box/

Cheers

 

[Flossie]

Correct. Some raise it even higher and fit stuff underneath like cd changers, CB or whatever.

 

[BlackDogZulu]

Have you read this?
http://blog.paddockspares.com/fit-a-centre-cubby-box/

Cheers

Yes I did, thanks. The box in the article has a flat bottom, whereas mine has this MDF square batten, which looks like it is designed to locate in a recess (coincidentally the same dimensions as the hole in the seatbox). Hence my confusion.

Correct. Some raise it even higher and fit stuff underneath like cd changers, CB or whatever.

Right, will do. Thanks.

 

[BlackDogZulu]

Ok, here's the bottom of the cubby box ...

And here it is in position as recommended ...

Still think it looks a bit wrong, and the box prevents me from tightening the screws holding the metal plate to the seatbox properly, but it's secure and at the right height, so all good. Thanks to all for the suggestions.

 

[neilly]

Give it a going over with some black paint and you will never know.

Cheers

 

[BlackDogZulu]

Give it a going over with some black paint and you will never know.

Cheers

It's hidden by the seat cushions, so the appearance doesn't really matter, but it just feels like a bodge

 

[Flossie]

Yes the front screws are a pain to get at but it doesn't need to (hopefully) come out very often.
I used cap head bolts on mine and a ball end hex key makes it a little easier.

 

[Saint.V8]

My cubby box isnt screwed down, just sits there.....

 

[mick the builder]

My cubby box isnt screwed down, just sits there.....

You Rebel.

 

[mick the builder]

If I had one, id probably screw the inspection panel down as normal and then screw the box to it with a couple of Tec screws from the inside down.

 

[Saint.V8]

You Rebel.

I feel it needs to experience unrestrained life to be able to fulfil its potential. Being screwed down and restrained will strangle its natural level of creativity. these things are born to be free.....

 

[BlackDogZulu]

At the moment, it is secured by two rusty self-tappers. All I could reach to get back in. Ten minutes with a drill and half a dozen caphead bolts together with a journey underneath should sort it out properly.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[MeatCleaverX86]

mine was fitted down with riv nuts like the mudflap. I could screw down the panel then the cubby box had 6 bolts counter sunk a little bit from inside the cubby box into riv nuts fitted to the panel