Since I got Degsy I used it for moving stuff about. Initially for my allotment tools and allotment related activities. Then for my mix of beekeeping and allotment. Then just for beekeeping. I built a shelf between the wheel arches to create a wide platform. This gave me a space under the shelf for a jerry can, deck chairs and tools like shovels, spades and forks.
Life has moved on and Degsy has been retired from day to day duties. I now keep honeybees on a professional basis
(Here is a link to my website) so Degsy works as my "Promotion vehicle". It carries my equipment and stock for outdoor events. Last year I started doing "Experience days" where folks come out to my hives to looking inside at the honeybees. It occurred to me that the logistics to get the customer from the car park to the apiary (the place where the bees live) was a trifle awkward. It requires a five minute walk whilst I drive ahead with all the gear. Its not ideal. I decided what I needed was some with four wheel drive that seat several people. It took quite a while for the penny to drop. Why not convert the back of Degsy? I knew that there were Land Rover after market suppliers of bench seats. I priced them up, I needed two sets. I was surprised to find they were super cheap for brand new equipment. I order two sets and went off to
Craddock's to collect them the very next day.
The seats lived in the garage for a few weeks until I got time to spend on the refit. It is surprising how much stuff fits in the back of am 88" (short wheelbase) Land Rover. For once I decided to read the instructions first. They where no help. Landys come with slots and square cut outs in the rail at the top of the tub. Whatever I did I could not get the right combination of bracket and slot. My knees where aching by the time I sussed it out. Then it kind of fell into place. A tip for you...arrange the brackets so the dog legs face inwards on both seat uprights. The back of the seat is retained by the horns of the brackets locating into the slots in the rail. The feet on the bottom of the back rest are bolted to the wheel arch. Just beware of any wires that might be on the underside the wheel arch. Next to fit the seat base. It is hinged so it can be folded up. It was a bit fiddly getting the washer in between the seat back and seat base other wise it was straight forward enough. The seat bolster is secured to the seat base with two braided cotton tape which are tied to the frame of the seat back. Not sophisticated but it works. The last thing was to rivet the braided nylon with the hook on that retains the seat when it is folded up. Luckily the rivet gun was in the tool chest. A couple of squeezes and the rivet was set.
The I just had to do it all over again on the other side of the cab. One thing I had not envisaged was that the hi-lift jack (orange) would have to find somewhere else to live. It usually was strapped to the side wall at the top of the tub just where the back of the new seat rests. As luck would have it there is a space at the forward edge of the bench in front of the tub bulkhead. I even gave the tub a sweep out. I think a wash is needed though.
Since it is MOT time I would go mad a shell out on a gasket for the rocker cover. I forgot to ask for the gasket when I collected the seats. As I was just about walk out the door I remembered. I did the walk of shame back to the spares desk to ask for the item. The chap got the item from stores and sent me on my way without having to pay. Apparently they are cheap as chip and could not be bothered to ring it up...kudos Craddocks.
Final job, install the bulbs in the number plate light mount. The work of seconds. I put the replacement exhaust section in the back of Degsy so the mechanic can fit it before the MOT. (see previous post
Getting-ready-for-mot-2017 ,otherwise Degsy is ready for his annual date with destiny.
Life has moved on and Degsy has been retired from day to day duties. I now keep honeybees on a professional basis (Here is a link to my website) so Degsy works as my "Promotion vehicle". It carries my equipment and stock for outdoor events. Last year I started doing "Experience days" where folks come out to my hives to looking inside at the honeybees. It occurred to me that the logistics to get the customer from the car park to the apiary (the place where the bees live) was a trifle awkward. It requires a five minute walk whilst I drive ahead with all the gear. Its not ideal. I decided what I needed was some with four wheel drive that seat several people. It took quite a while for the penny to drop. Why not convert the back of Degsy? I knew that there were Land Rover after market suppliers of bench seats. I priced them up, I needed two sets. I was surprised to find they were super cheap for brand new equipment. I order two sets and went off to Craddock's to collect them the very next day.
