My Steel Tray Build - Built completely in my backyard!

In this video I have a my first crack at fabricating a tray for my Toyota Hilux from scratch!
From design, cutting, welding, grinding, painting, fitting and wiring. It's all achievable in your backyard!
Turned out pretty good for a quick build with a time constraint.
I had two weeks to finish it whist working a full time job. There where early mornings and late nights but it was ready for action just in time!
Any questions throw them in the comments !

[@rpb1961]

Here in USA. Awesome job. Inspired the heck out of me.

[@HaydnKamp]

Cheers man!! Glad I could 🤘🏻

[@alans4281]

Thanks for sharing the build. I am an old retired Aussie playing with a toy 1/10 remote control truck and intend to use your build as a base for my scale crawler flatbed. Thanks again, stay safe.

[@HaydnKamp]

We do the same and take the RC Crawlers camping with us. A lot of fun around the campfire at night and driving up rocky creek beds. I’d love to see the build, I’ve always wanted to make a scale version of this Ute but I’ve got too many rc’s as it is 😅

[@ryanmacs2486]

This is probably a little bit presumptuous, but every Australian and new Zealander must be a decent human. I'd doubt such a claim, but after every interaction of them coming through Alaska, they have always been just top tier. That bed looks great.

[@HaydnKamp]

Yeah I’d say most of us are up for a decent chat with some great laughs and a good time. There’s definitely a few that don’t fit that category though 😅

[@knolez1546]

Australians, Kiwis, Americans and Canadians are the same people. We came from Europe

[@mulishapatrol]

Love the build mate!

[@mchilly]

Great job on the build and the video! I’m in the USA and love watching these flatbed builds.

[@HaydnKamp]

Thanks for the comment mate! I'll be making another one a little ways down the track too!

[@mchilly]

@@HaydnKamp I’m subscribed. Can’t wait to see it!

[@efraingallego-ortega-ny9xl]

Same here I have a 1991 Nissan d21 hardbody that I want to make into a flat bed!

[@dgiobun]

A top build. Got a LN 167 double cab. Really inspired me to build one.

[@HaydnKamp]

Cheers man! Get after it, great project building a tray 🤘🏻

[@scottpetrie8707]

The lights look great too!

[@colinduncan908]

Looks great. Not so much of a 'sleeper' look with a tray like that but way more functional for what you were after.

[@HaydnKamp]

Thanks! I was torn wether to just cut up the old one a bit and still have it looking less serious but I couldn’t help myself to just get creative. Happy with my choice 🤘🏻

[@Zugunru]

Very nice rig and tray build!

[@HaydnKamp]

Thanks mate!

[@christianmckinlay2102]

Looks great, given me inspiration to try my own. Thanks.👍

[@HaydnKamp]

Thanks Christian! Get stuck into it and get creative 🤘🏻

[@jamesbennett2352]

Awesome video mate, never seem to let us down. A full inspiration to build my own for luxy, cheers 👍

[@HaydnKamp]

Thanks James! Took me years to get around to starting on building it but so happy now it’s finished 🤘🏻

[@brendanhalse8707]

Not too shabby mate, keep up the build 👌🏾

[@HaydnKamp]

Pretty stoked on how it came out hey! Yeah it’ll never be complete. Always more I want to do to it 😅

[@eddie4410]

This is exactly how i want my tray to look when i get my ute, awesome job bro, looks amazing

[@HaydnKamp]

Cheers Eddie! Changed the entire look of the Ute hey!

[@patrickomalley7460]

Beautiful work well done Watching from Boston USA

[@HaydnKamp]

Thanks Patrick!

[@moreclips805]

That looks clean af

[@HaydnKamp]

Came up a treat hey

[@rafadaranger]

Great video and great build!!! Thanks for sharing! This is giving me some ideas for my pickup truck 🤔

[@HaydnKamp]

Thanks mate! Glad you liked it 🤘🏻

[@TJANDMAC]

Looks the goods mate ! , TJ

[@HaydnKamp]

Thanks TJ! Appreciate it!

[@jamesg2343]

Nice work!

[@HaydnKamp]

Thanks James !

[@Tanner731]

if you redid it make pockets for stake sides on the tray and put them in as your reinforcement between the tray slider and the tray

[@andypacmanperez]

Wow that is absolutely fireeee ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 great work man

[@HaydnKamp]

Thanks 🔥 Appreciate it 🤘🏻

[@perth7930]

Great to see your back mate, would love to see a custom front bar build

[@HaydnKamp]

I did think about this a while back! Maybe one day

[@leonkane8240]

...Also I noticed your plumbing hanging out from the water tank as most would know these standard conventional hose & tap fittings eventually leak, even the more expensive ones. It probably does not really matter on the ute as you not operating with mains pressure. But with water out in the bush where I might not be able to get more with in easy reach, I have been using hose link fittings & these things are awesome. I have left the garden hose on full bore for over a week & zero leak, they are durable & last even longer than the most expensive ones. Australian company & reasonably priced last I looked.

[@HaydnKamp]

Sounds like a good option I’ll look into it 🤘🏻

[@KaeoHewson-ds4ye]

Awesome video, definitely given me a few ideas for my tray build. Cheers mate 👍👌🤘

[@HaydnKamp]

Thanks mate! It’s still holding up great too 🤘🏻

[@klettswell1]

Your neighbors must love you.

[@HaydnKamp]

Lucky I don’t have much free time or I’d be always out the side working away 😂

[@sebastianleech6604]

sick bro, tray looks good

[@HaydnKamp]

Thanks Sebastian! Appreciate it 🤘🏻

[@anels9]

Got a new sub mate, love your work man, I always love seeing people like yourself doing this sort of stuff. I don’t have mechanical/engineering bone in my body so I get a real kick out of these videos. Keep it up

[@HaydnKamp]

Cheers man, I’ve always wanted to have a go at making a tray and super happy with how it turned out!

[@tadeuszmichaelwlodarczyk3120]

Awesome tray MATEY material look strong and the build✔️✔️ amazing what can be done in the back yard with basic tools👌. Love the Vice on the Fence Post😅.

[@HaydnKamp]

Thanks mate!! You don’t need all the best gear to get it done 🤘🏻 I did have the vice just staked in the lawn but it kept falling over so I ratchet strapped it to the fence 😅

[@Pultec99]

Nice mate, looks great and strong too. Planning to do one for my own ln106 soon-ish. Canopy for camping trips, etc...

[@HaydnKamp]

Cheers mate!. Are you going to build you own canopy too?

[@Pultec99]

@@HaydnKamp I don't think so, I don't have a tig currently so would be tricky to do aluminium. Might buy off the shelf/marketplace and then modify to suit.

[@HaydnKamp]

@@Pultec99 I’ve thought about it too and it seems a lot easier to get a pre made one

[@allthegoodstuff2091]

Looks good mate nothing you can’t work out. Times the key

[@HaydnKamp]

Cheers man! Wish I had more time to get it a bit neater but it is what it is

[@Jwxr]

Mint vid

[@HaydnKamp]

Thanks mate! Appreciate it

[@codym4846]

love it

[@waxonjitehurst]

great ute mate! gonna do something similar to my first gen tacoma

[@HaydnKamp]

Thanks man! Would look wicked!

[@senolkilic6022]

Awesome.

[@HaydnKamp]

Thanks mate!

[@justjoe8303]

Good to see your grandad helping out.

[@HaydnKamp]

Wouldn’t have gotten it finished in time without him!

[@LukE-og9jf]

Awesome work mate! And I love how you show you don't need a big fancy shed with a hoist and all the other expensive stuff that come with it. Where did you learn your fab skills tho? Are you self taught or have you worked as a fabricator?

[@HaydnKamp]

Thanks Luke ! I wish I had the hoist and all the fancy stuff to go along with it 😅 All self taught when it comes to the fabrication side of things

[@kennethhudson8013]

Awesome job you can put a camper on the back and do anything

[@HaydnKamp]

Would love to do a few big trips in it 🤘🏻

[@MattysWorkshop]

Gday, looks bloody good, it’s a shit load of work making videos, adds a heap of time to your build to, you did a really good job mate, cheers

[@HaydnKamp]

Cheers Matty! It really is, spend a lot of time thinking about camera placement and planning shots as well as trying to achieve what your making. Then comes the hours upon hours of editing 😅

[@MattysWorkshop]

@@HaydnKamp editing for a 30min video can take me more then 8hrs, it’s not as easy as a lot of people think

[@HaydnKamp]

That’s when you know what your doing 😅 One day I’ll be able to be that fast 😂

[@mattmuir4388]

I build trays for a living and bro this has turned my designs to shit lol good work brother looks sick best 96 hilux tray I have seen

[@HaydnKamp]

I didn’t expect that from a professional 😅 Thanks man!! I tried to do something a little different from what I’ve seen on luxys

[@iplayoldschoolrunescape]

Truck looks amazing and bed looks amazing .... but all im thinking about is the hot sun beaming down on the black truck bed turning it into a giant skillet for your eggs xD

[@HaydnKamp]

Cheers man 🤘🏻 might save me bringing a stove ya rekon.

[@Tanner731]

are chevy 63inch leaf springs on these a thing in Australia? also curious about those front springs, they seem to have a uniball or somthing in front?

[@HaydnKamp]

Front leaves are ln106 rears, and the rear springs are Toyota Tundra leaves. Works pretty well in combination.

[@joshsouthern5436]

Tray looks awesome how much did it cost for all material if you don’t mind me asking, as I’m looking at rebuilding my tray but not sure where to start cheers 🤙

[@HaydnKamp]

As a rough estimate with steel, tail lights, and paint I reckon around $1,000. And I did have to go back to get more steel because I made a mistake with the head board. Thanks, stoked with how it turned out 🤘🏻

[@bersK00]

If you have the back so much lighter than the front doesn't that introduce grip issues or it's fine for offroading? Asking because I have never done this kind of stuff before but it looks wild to me.

[@HaydnKamp]

In my other Hilux, the weight balance is more equal front to rear and it’s a huge hindrance on steep climbs as all the weight sits on the rear wheels and the front looses grip and steering. For the tracks I’ve built this Ute up for, I prefer the rear to be lighter. However too light and it’ll make steep down hill’s interesting also, that’s one reason why the tray’s made from heavy steel and not aluminium. I’ve also got a low mounted water tank and a large secondary battery mounted under the tray. Spare tyre will also sit on the tray when I fabricate a mount for it.

[@isaacplace9093]

looks so good man, what paint did you use? and do you recommend it?

[@HaydnKamp]

Cheers Isaac! I used ‘white knight rust guard’ in the ‘epoxy enamel’ and with the satin black colour. Cheap and really easy to spray, seems to hold up as I painted all my bar with with the same stuff. Can also get it in a pressure can for touch ups 🤘🏻 used the cheapest spray gun I could find from Bunnings and just filled it and pulled the trigger 😂

[@mchalky6133]

Where are the tail lights from? The tray looks amazing. Thanks for sharing!

[@HaydnKamp]

LED Autolight - Maxxilamp 355’s Cheers man 🤘🏻

[@edwardelric2071]

Man, ya Aussie have it good, while just a slights mod on our car and the gov would chase us till the wormhole 😂

[@HaydnKamp]

Trust me, there’s enough horror stories over here to just want to pack it up and drive a Prius and play golf but where’s the fun in that 😅 Where are you from?

[@mattgorman7689]

found a tray on marketplace for 350 because i didnt trust my main supports welding that im going to rebuild but by the looks of it, almost should've just started from scratch

[@HaydnKamp]

I was super torn to just fix up the old tray but real glad I started from scratch now. Feel like it would have been more effort to repair then rebuild. You could use the tray you have now as a ‘practice’ tray and build a neater one later 🤘🏻

[@user-yr1sb3xt7s]

Hey man just wondering what were your final two angles for those taillight pieces and how did you know how much to cut out to get the angle when you bent that main rear bar piece

[@HaydnKamp]

I used the taillights angles for the rear section so it sat nice and neat I believe it was 60° There’s online calculators for mite joins to save thinking about it so it’s perfect every time. I didn’t use them, I just halved the angle I wanted and cut out the wedge section

[@JustDreamChasing]

In the USA. Love the lights! I’m trying to get ideas for a flat bed build and this is probably my favorite ones so far. Where did you find the lights?

[@HaydnKamp]

A company called LED auto lights make them. Maxilamp series

[@JustDreamChasing]

Thank you. Awesome build. Looks so good.

[@mikesoares1863]

This is a perfect flatbed man! Guys like you give me motivation to complete mine! Would you be willing to share a link to those tail lights? Id love to use them in my own build if you don't mind to much

[@HaydnKamp]

Thanks man, stoked how it’s turned out. Its coped a beating and holding up great too. They are maxilamp 355 lights

[@mikesoares1863]

Thank you!!@@HaydnKamp

[@bigoz1734]

What are those tray lights. They look so good

[@HaydnKamp]

Maxilamp 355 by led autolamps. They set it off hey 🤘🏻

[@jeddsternbeck6045]

Hey mate how did u mount the cargo box to your tray? Tray looks fkn sick btw

[@HaydnKamp]

I used a canopy fixing kit. It’s got some 60mm round 10mm thick aluminium washers with a neat countersunk stainless bolts going through it. It’s not going anywhere!

[@Georgiaguntraining]

Great vid. Inspiring. (music is a bit loud compared to voice.)

[@HaydnKamp]

Cheers man, I do need to work on my video editing skills 😅

[@user-ul8yd3xy7v]

Hi mate looks bloody awesome where'd you get your taillights?

[@HaydnKamp]

Got them from an online trailer parts store. They where 40% off at the time

[@Shed-To-Beach]

Awesome mate, just about to start a custom tray build on my old 1984 YN65 Hilux. I will be putting the build on my channel “Shed To Beach”. Your build has given me plenty of motivation, and you have got yourself a new subscribe mate, keep up the great videos 👌

[@HaydnKamp]

I’ve got a soft spot for the older luxys Keen to see it! Thanks mate!

[@brett2091]

Hey mate , looks awesome good job. Where did ya get ya lights from ???

[@HaydnKamp]

Maxilamp 355’s. I got them online

[@ultra4suzukisamurai679]

Where did you get the tail lights? Nice work!

[@HaydnKamp]

They are ‘Maxilamp 355’ by LED Autolight

[@sloppyjoeoutdoors2980]

Cracking video mate what is the length and widenes of the tray cheers

[@HaydnKamp]

890 tall, 2000 long, 1900 wide 🤘🏻

[@sloppyjoeoutdoors2980]

@@HaydnKamp cheers mate 🤘

[@master6676]

Awesome build, I think it is very well proportioned for the job. My brain won't stop sometimes, and I just wonder, has anyone out there drilled out the framework to make an air tank from it? Seems like a good place to store air from an on-board compressor? I would like a reply if anyone has done it, pro's and con's ?? I am wondering if it is worthwhile to try..

[@HaydnKamp]

Thanks mate! Yeah I know a few people with aluminium trays who have used the headboard tube as a reserve tank for lockers and air free spool on winches. Works well !

[@rubenvor]

Awesome build! What are those tail lights?

[@HaydnKamp]

Maxilamp 355’s

[@liltigs5985]

hay mate, i am currently in the process of upgrading the back of my tray and was wondering what lights you have and where you have got them from?

[@HaydnKamp]

Maxilamp 355 was the model of lights

[@leonkane8240]

I like the clean look you have achieved. It will almost always be that there will be things that you would do differently. I take the view if it still bothers me then it just means I am not finished :0) @ some point I will build a full tray for my 2nd project. But on my daily drive I have chosen to modify what is already there as it is not too "grandpa (as I have heard you put it). I have struggled to get it to look right especially with additions like a 50% length rear under tray storage compartment. I thought as I am not going full length, I could save on weight with it not being a conventional draw slide tool box. I have seen many of those rear draw slide tool boxes & the doors look too "Grandpa for my liking. I am well more grandpa than you so I am a bit self conscious & cringy of it So I am trying to customize out as much of the grandpa as I can.

[@HaydnKamp]

Definitely hard to modify the existing if you have a vision that’s far from it. Sometimes it’s easier to just start again 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@leonkane8240]

​@@HaydnKamp Modifying the existing will usually ask compromise & lateral solutions so I may just need to meditate some more on it before I get surgical. I may be in for some brain hurt when I cut the head board back & 125mm of the deck to integrate a vertical water tank It is an old DIY steel tray & in good condition, it's somewhat mad max patina as with the rest of the vehicle has bonded me to the vehicle in a way no entitled modern woman ever could. On this project starting from scratch did not even occur to me . I don't think I could bring myself to do it. I don't know how I am going to get it to run on pig shit & breath fire & still be street legal.

[@curtisjones1904]

Nice work - what did it end up weighing when complete, any idea?

[@HaydnKamp]

Unsure how much it weighs to be honest! It’s pretty solid but three blokes can comfortably lift it if that helps.

[@curtisjones1904]

@@HaydnKamp Yeah nah, seems about right for the amount of steel. It's a lovely design mate and I hope you don't mind if I borrow from it for my 106. They're a great machine, for all that they are. Keep the content coming!

[@HaydnKamp]

@@curtisjones1904 of course man go for it! Yeah can’t beat the old ln’s for simple capability

[@AhilMohan]

heavy duty

[@HaydnKamp]

It’s still holding up great 🤘🏻

[@AhilMohan]

@@HaydnKamp The lines, especially the rear end with the lights look sex

[@Mr_RPE]

Wow that’s nice what spray did you use thank you

[@HaydnKamp]

White knight rust guard epoxy enamel, satin black

[@nigelmorgan3449]

Bud always weld the tray underneath that’s what the body shops do

[@HaydnKamp]

I stitched the top flat sheet to the trays frame underneath, just didn’t film it as I was running out of time. Is that what you meant?

[@TRDieselPerformance]

How is the Weigth with that 3mm compared to the stock bed of the truck?

[@HaydnKamp]

I never drove the Ute with a tub but in my opinion they just work so much better offroad with a bit of weight on the back.

[@bodyzoasispersonaltraining9186]

Those tail lights are sweet. Whats the link 4 them

[@HaydnKamp]

They’re called Maxilamp 355 by led auto lights. I rate them 🤘🏻

[@Zillo5]

Just wondering where you buy all the metal and stuff from

[@HaydnKamp]

I got it from a local steel supplier about 20minutes from home. AJ Steel

[@Idopainting]

What did you paint the tray in what products for the undercoat and final coat ?

[@HaydnKamp]

Just used White knight rust guard epoxy enamel in satin black. Majority I didn’t prime

[@IDontTalkToCops]

Looks great! Do you have the drawings available for this build? I’d be happy to purchase from you. Cheers.

[@HaydnKamp]

Closest thing I’ve got is what I filmed in the start of the video. I’ve lost the book I sketched it all out in 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@IDontTalkToCops]

@@HaydnKamp No worries. Yeah it’s a mint looking tray. You’re very talented mate. I’ve been learning a lot from you, so thanks for taking the time to document your work

[@HaydnKamp]

@@IDontTalkToCops thanks again! I’ve got a plan for another tray build in my head and when I get some time I’ll get cracking on it. Very excited about this one! It’s ridiculously time consuming filming and editing but I still enjoy it most of the time 🤣

[@IDontTalkToCops]

@@HaydnKamp have you ever worked with AutoCAD software? I think someone like yourself would find it super helpful for when you design your next tray. It’s simple to use. Takes the guesswork out of it, and as an added bonus, you’ll have a record of your beautiful designs that you won’t loose! 😆👍

[@fletchercuthbertson3340]

What paint did you use for the tray?

[@HaydnKamp]

White knight rust guard from bunnings

[@troyphillips719]

How do you get so much flex out of leafs man?

[@HaydnKamp]

A lot of shed time 😅 One of my earlier videos I show what I’ve done to this Ute and I’m currently making a new video on the project hilux on how to get it flexing also

[@samiiidy1029]

can you share material/tube specifications

[@HaydnKamp]

50x50x3mm 75x50x3mm and 32nb medium wall tube. Top sheet was 2mm

[@DylanMccorkindale-cf9bz]

What sort of paint did you use for it mate?

[@HaydnKamp]

White knight rust guard epoxy enamel in satin black

[@firebreathingfool]

What type of taillights were those that you ended up going with?

[@HaydnKamp]

Maxilamp 355 by LED Autolamps

[@firebreathingfool]

@@HaydnKamp thank you looks great

[@HaydnKamp]

@@firebreathingfool thanks mate!

[@jackshepherd4002]

I will pay you to build a tray exactly like that for my 02 Luxy

[@HaydnKamp]

I wish I had enough time and was talented enough to make more in a decent timeframe with a bit more attention to detail. I enjoyed making it

[@scottmccarthy7035]

👍👍👍

[@joyco377]

i would’ve sprayed it with bed liner for more protection

[@HaydnKamp]

I was thinking about that but I went with a cheap and easy option to touch up. Also it’s the same paint I used on all my barwork so everything matches.

[@Frothin4x4]

what tail lights are they

[@HaydnKamp]

Maxilamp 355 by LED autolamps

[@joelseconi]

just wondering mate how much did all of this set you back $

[@HaydnKamp]

Roughly around $1,000 Joel

[@supdus]

where did you find those tail lights

[@HaydnKamp]

I got them online from a trailer parts store. The lights are called Maxilamp 355

[@tomkelly3896]

Lookin for an rig in aus.....im from usa...want to come travel 3 or 4 months a year....any help?? Thx tomk fdny✌

[@matthewstuart4802]

Heyy mate what was your welding setup ?? Cheers

[@HaydnKamp]

I use a Unimig 250

[@noahridesmtb5886]

Where did you buy the lights from

[@HaydnKamp]

Got them from a trailer spares website. Maxilamp 355’s

[@noahridesmtb5886]

@@HaydnKamp sweet as thanks mate

[@WestinCobb]

What brand of tail lights?

[@HaydnKamp]

Maxilamp 355

[@bennocooper7787]

I would of use galave spacers from bunings 5 bucks

[@HaydnKamp]

True! I just made these from scrap laying around…. free 🤘🏻

[@mrsbradpittiful]

You’d be a nightmare to live next door to

[@HaydnKamp]

Yeah look, end goal is a property with a decent shed that’s far enough away that I don’t have to worry about noise. Dreams are free hey 😅

[@hoover5277]

Nice build! Where can I find those tail lights?

[@HaydnKamp]

Maxilamp 355 I got them from an online trailer parts store

[@David-di4um]

Man's thats freaken awesome. Great build, what tail lights did you use ?

[@HaydnKamp]

Thanks David 🤘🏻 Maxilamp 355 by LED Autolight

[@stuartburk6783]