Convert pack to porter-style frame backpack

I want to try out a style of backpacking which I would call "car camping without the car."  Basically, find a cool isolated spot in the woods that's maybe a 5-15 minute hike from the road, then haul all the comforts of car-camping (nice camping chairs, cooler full of brews, more elaborate cooking setups, etc) out to the site in a couple of trips.

It seems like the best way to carry all that stuff out there would be with a frame-style backpack, something like this:

I have a worn-out Granite Gear Nimbus Trace 85L pack which has a big sheet of maple as the frame core, so I was thinking of stripping the thing down to its frame and waist/shoulder straps, then bolt on some hardware to make that bottom shelf, then mount some straps to secure the loads.

Anyone have any experience with these frame packs?  Any other suggestions for accomplishing the task of hauling large amounts of gear like this?

I did this out of an old external frame pack.  Basically stripped the pack from the frame and used motorcycle tie downs to secure the load.  Cooler in the bottom, Some camp wood on that, tent,  chairs and a duffel bag on top with everything else.  Easily an 80 pound load and worked great. 

If that "sheet of maple" means a flat board will be pressing against your back, you're not going to like it. External frame packs always have tight bands of mesh or webbing spanning between the vertical side members. That's what you want on your back.

Having said that, I'll sell you my 1970's era pack frame for $20 + shpg.

Gunkiemike wrote:

If that "sheet of maple" means a flat board will be pressing against your back, you're not going to like it. 

That pack has a maple "skeleton," but there are strips of foam padding for your back, which I plan to keep intact.

With that wood frame it actually carried big loads quite well... but not as well as my fancy new Osprey pack