i managed to get quite a bit done over the last few weekends and have got the pick up checker plate on and water tight, (hopefully!)
the ally was a single piece again from ebay originaly fitted to a vitara.
it needed trimming and i wanted to use a different fixing system than the one originally used which
was just self tappers into the side panel tops, so i chose to keep the plastic soft top trim and using some self adhesive foam and a bead of silicone i thought that should keep the water out.
the plate already had a plastic window in it so i just tidied it up a bit and made the hole a bit more square.
the brackets i used were enough away from the ally to give a good pull down onto the foam when the bolts were tightened up and 4 of them have eye rings to use for attaching things to the rear plate like waffle boards or some shopping!
the square tube of which there are 2 will also give the ally some support and i can stand on it without it giving too much,.
i also intend using some of the original soft top to cover from the windscreen to the join of the ally to the rear of the steel cab as a extra weather protection as my missus is a gem with the old sowing machine and i can use the original pop on/off clips that were on the sort top rear end.
this allows us to have the top open in the summer.
the snorkel also came from ebay and after making a card template took the plunge and got out the drill and hole saw, i was only 2mm out!
after a test fit, it fits quite well despite being second hand i also managed to get some pipes to connect it all up easily.
the window now just needs a bead of silicone and then bolting in properly.
so now the back is on i can get out the paint gun and spray the rear and cab roof the same colour,
if it is as warm as last xmas i may well get it done then as the family are only coming for 1/2 a day!
this year.
then i can get the camouflage done