4Runner Gets an Engel 45

[xcmountain80]

So I was in Jupiter FL last weekend "inlaws" and had an itch to stop by the Engel importer. So I did and my wife was with me so I couldn't make a mistake and impulse buy. I went in and met the nicest South African. Paul Kabalin he answered question I didnt even know I had and I though I did a good job researching the freezer fridge. SO I asked if he had a 45 in stock and of course. He even had a scratch and dent "lightly scratched". I couldnt resisit asking how much? Oh a $100 off so $595, damn ok lemme see if the I can sell the wife on Popsicles and ice cream in the car. So then I wanted accessories of course but well the money tree had yet to grow back so I decided to build a fridge slide. It may cost a bit more but very cool and super trick. I found some drawer slides at lowes and will support 100lbs. Mounted them to some 2" L channel and there you go. I thought before I had an issue with the slide activating itself while driving I drilled through the slides and added a removable pin on both sides.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P5312419.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P5312418.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P5312417.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P5312416.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P5312415.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P5312414.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P5312412.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P5312411.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P5312408.jpg


Aaron

[xcmountain80]

Ok so I got the fridge slide done and will install it tomorrow. Everything went pretty smooth except when I had the butcher block installed I realized it was making contact with the sliders. Im not that great with a rotozip but I got the job done and made it work flawlessly.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P6022434.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P6022436.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P6032438.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P6032442.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P6032441.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P6032440.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P6032439.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P6032445.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P6032446.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P6032444.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P6032447.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P6032448.jpg

Aaron

[Good Times]

NICE! any reason why you just didn't buy the sliding tray instead? regardless damn that's some great work there :)

[xcmountain80]

Well other the fact I like to make stuff, I really dont know. I would have spent more on their fridge slide to the tune of $239-ish. I build mine for around $100 not including labor of course. But it is what it is and I like the finished product Im going down now to install it into the truck. I'll post those pics when I'm done.

Aaron

[SD4runner]

The fridge looks sweet. About how much amperage is it using? Do you need to setup a seperate battery, or?

I've never really had too much problems with my ice chest lasting for 7-9 days, but, after that things go downhill fast. I wouldn't mind getting one something similar for the long baja trips.

[Bob98SR5]

ok aaron, thats friggin sweet! love the custom work.

[xcmountain80]

The rep told me there is a vast number of users from boaters to medical to what ever. He also told me these are the most energy efficient units available, and they don't get to very hot. He said it should run 2-3 days on a good condition deep cycle in fridge mode. I leave it on and keep it near freezing. I love the no water splash action commonly found with coolers, I don't have to worry about my bagged sandwiches getting soaked either. Did I mention the fact I can carry Popsicles and literally ice cold beer yeah boy!The spec are as follows.
Model Number MT45F-U1
Power consumption 0.7 - 2.5 Amps
Volume 43 qt.
Equivalent 60 cans (12 Fl.oz)
Weight 52.9 lbs.
Inside Dims 15.4" x 10.8" x 16.4"
Outside Dims 25.5" x 14.3" x 20"
Freezing Ability From 40°F to below 0°F
Temp. control Variable
Available colors Gray
Carry handles Yes
Refrigerant Gas 134A
Input rating DC12V - 2.7A
Power Leads 9' detachable
Fuse 10A external fuse
Max Noise 38 dB
Shipping Dims 29" x 17" x 23"
Shipping Weight 66 lbs.
Warranty 2 years

Install pics to come today check back.
Aaron

[slosurfer]

Nice work. Do you think a engel 60 would fit there in the same spot? Looking forward to the install picks.

[xcmountain80]

Everything went smooth until I neede a slightly longer bolt, after 1/2 hour of digging through my parts bin I found a 5/16"X2 1/2" 18thrd, Saved the day! I sprayed the underside with bed liner to seal it up. Since the cargo area isn't flat it causes the slide to bind a little but a little bind proves to be a good thing, because you don't want it rolling out fast when its full it couldn't knock you over. I had to elongate the retainer pin that acts as a slide arrestor, obviously because of the slight difference in the floor thats caused a bit of change. I ran out of camera battery but I wanted to show I used a 1" hole saw to cut the carpet, and the husky liner in a clean fashion. I had to trim the hell out of the husky on the side by the wheel well, as well as the rear where the drawer slides out. Other than that this thing is solid. I'm glad I went with the way I did upon planning and execution. I wouldn't change a thing. It all cost just above $100. vs. the mid $200 priced Engel slide. Though this isn't the same thing but since I like to make things I went that route. In response to the 60 question, I think maybe I have some more room in the back before the unit hits the seat, but you can always use the upward extensions avaiable http://www.twozone.com.au/thermometer.html and go up instead of out.



http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P6032473.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P6032472.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P6032471.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P6032470.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P6032469.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P6032468.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P6032467.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P6032466.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P6032465.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Engel%20Fridge%20Slide/P6032464.jpg


Aaron

[slosurfer]

Nice! Good thought about going up rather than the 60, I will have to figure out the dimensions of that. This is one of the few times where I see how not having the tailgate it helpful. With mine, even slid out onto the tailgate, I would have to bring a step stool for my wife to use it. LOL Great work and I will definately look into doing something like this when I get one. I too, like to make my own stuff. Looking forward to your testing of the unit and slide.

[xcmountain80]

Well I'm headed to SE4RJ next week so I'll be able to battle test it there and let everyone know.


Aaron

[slosurfer]

Well I'm headed to SE4RJ next week so I'll be able to battle test it there and let everyone know.
Aaron


How did the fridge do? Also, do you have any pics with the lid open while the slide is all the way back? Can you open the lid enough to get in it just by rolling down the rear window and reaching in? Thanks, I'm trying to get a feel for how one would work in my 4runner.

[xcmountain80]

Didn't realize it had been forever since I posted this. Fridge did awesome, we mad a margarita bucket in the fridge, yes you can roll the rear window down and access it. Still working on a way to keep the slides locked when the fridge is out.



Aaron