restored and refurbished cooler with mods
#1
restored and refurbished cooler with mods
The Yeti is the gold standard but one with over 100 quart capacity loaded is so heavy it can only be moved with a forklift and is $430. I'm jealous of it's ability to maintain temp for 4 or 5 days but I am not that far from ice to justify the cost. The problem with the igloo is that the strap to hold it open was too short so it always slammed shut breaking the latches. I forced it back so many times it finally broke and the hinges finally gave way when the lid went all the way back.
Being a stickler for originality I ordered new latches and hinges directly from Igloo and installed them with a manual philips head screw driver. I avoided the cordless drill that could strip the screws in the plastic and foam insulation.
When it came to performance however I went modern modifications. I replaced the broken strap with an inch longer camo cord and put a 3/4 inch wide ring of weather stripping around the lip. I think I'll get a few more years of use out of it without diminishing re-sale. I avoided the common mistake of using branded/size hinges and latches on the four corners. Also, I realize I will dramatically improve performance by avoiding mods and spending more time in the diver's seat so am focused on that moving forward. Only wish I got on all this early in the summer and would have avoided wasting a bag or two of ice. Water doesn't grow on trees you know.
Being a stickler for originality I ordered new latches and hinges directly from Igloo and installed them with a manual philips head screw driver. I avoided the cordless drill that could strip the screws in the plastic and foam insulation.
When it came to performance however I went modern modifications. I replaced the broken strap with an inch longer camo cord and put a 3/4 inch wide ring of weather stripping around the lip. I think I'll get a few more years of use out of it without diminishing re-sale. I avoided the common mistake of using branded/size hinges and latches on the four corners. Also, I realize I will dramatically improve performance by avoiding mods and spending more time in the diver's seat so am focused on that moving forward. Only wish I got on all this early in the summer and would have avoided wasting a bag or two of ice. Water doesn't grow on trees you know.
#4
Rocky Mountain High
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Trying to picture where this cooler will go... in the front seat?
#6
Goes in the back of the Suburban for weekend-long dove hunts. In Texas we sit on 5 gallon insulated camo buckets filled with adult beverages. The bucket has a swivel seat on top so you can spin around without getting up. You replenish it from the big cooler. It's a cultural thing. You come back on Sunday night and take the Porsche for a ride. That's the relevance.
#7
Rocky Mountain High
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I grew up in Texas and I really miss dove hunting! I still have my cammo bucket/seat in my garage.