Mud has provided me with a wealth of ideas – some of which I’ve implemented with this build. I’ll try to reference those as I go!
I’ll preface with the statement that I’m not a hardcore wheeler, and live in the semi-concrete jungle of Northern Virginia. This is my daily driver, and I am on 1-3 appts per day with my work, so it needs to be a balancing act. If I lived in Utah and worked out of my home, it would be a different story.
I purchased the truck locally in August 2012 from another Mud Member (4Peanut). While I was focused toward a 2004 or newer, and leaning toward a dark colored LX, this Truck was in excellent shape, had some basics done already, and I fell in love right away.
I made it the first 6 months only adding the PA-15TOY iPhone adapter, and doing the 90k maintenance. The prior owner installed a 2” OME lift, and 33’s, so I was happy with it.
In planning for a build out, I wanted to be able to have a system that achieved the following:
- Ability to keep one rear jump seat installed/fold down in the event I had to accommodate another passenger (friends in town, events, etc)
- Ability to have a flat surface to accommodate 1-2 overnight guests, or my own ability to stay in the truck a night or two if needed
- Room for storage for various items – a fridge, tools, firearms, and other equipment at a minimum
Here is my Drawer Set-Up Shopping List
- 2 x sheet of ¾” Plywood (went with cabinet grade oak)
- All slide hardware from McMaster Car
o 500lb lock-in/lock-out slides (Don’t actually lock out!)- for Fridge
o 250lb Accuride Slides (Utility drawer)
o 75lb Accuride Slides (Cooktop storage drawer)
o 75lb Accuride Slides (Cooktop station)
- 8 x Surface mount D-Rings (for fastening to truck, as well as securing goods in transport)
- 6 x fully expandable hinges
- 4 x U-bolts for securing fridge to platform
- 3x handles
- 1 x clasp for non-locking drawers
- 1 x bottle opener
- 4x mid-size 90* angle iron for wing supports
- 4x small 90* angle iron for support while building
- 4x turnbuckles (fasten between drawers and factory seat supports)
- Various screws (1/2”, 1 5/8”, 2”)
The start was to build a utility station for camping trips. This would include a fridge slide, cooker storage, and workstation. Borrowed some of this from nickswan (Homebrew fridge/stove slide combo).
And so it began… I spent some time planning in the garage, measuring, etc.
I started framing the basic structure to make sure I was happy with it. Goal was to have the seats extend all the way up, and still make maximum use of the storage areas.
I recessed the front access point to build a larger storage space up front. I lost some drawer space, but no big deal since I wanted just enough to store the camp stove in it. The front storage bin is now home to a toaster, bread, chips, keurig, etc as they are well protected.
Continued with building of the drawers... making sure they nested without issue.
I built the top pull out for the fridge 3” taller just to be big enough to accommodate the drawer slides. With this, there is also good storage space for other items (silverware, camp cookware, etc.)
First test run! 45L Norcold fit well, even though it is higher than most set-ups, as there is enough clearance.
Like a glove!
I used some cardboard to make some templates, cut out the wing, rounded edges with router for better fit, and no sharp edges. Also ran pieces of thin ¼ ply to help prevent the fridge slide from rubbing/tugging anything stored on wing or other side.
The 2nd (drivers side) drawer was thrown together in about 3.5 hours since I was trying to get it done the night before a winery/camping trip. Very basic, just some good storage space.
I used a simple recessed latch to secure the drawer, along with a turnbuckle at the front. For anyone considering it, I’ve found that keeping this a simple platform, without a wing, is the most effective storage solution for “odds and ends” to go in the wheel well portion.
I decided to add slats that I could reorganize based on the components that were going in, giving additional flexibility to this storage solution, using a radial arm saw.
I tie both of the boxes together using just a simple hidden nut (J-nut). Its worked well thus far.
I used simple surface mount D-rings (screws still have to be swapped out with bolts) and turnbuckles. They kept getting in the way so I modified an old plastic cable hook to secure them.
Here the are side by side. One item you should note is the ¼” plywood that runs each side to cover the platform for the fridge. This was a nice way to make sure that anything stacked on either side didn’t come pulling out with it each time the drawer went in/out.
While the eventual goal may be to go with a M416 trailer, I went with a RTT and awning in the interim, for which the tent can later go on the trailer.
I purchased a TJM, given that it was a SWEET package deal with the tent (from British 4x4 Outfitters) drop shipped from TJM. I kept working this night to rig up some mounting for the awning.
I used simple galvanized angle iron from Home Depot (I think from their roofing section), along with one bolt (drilled through the Thule Bar) and two u-bolts per mount. Not the prettiest, but you cant see them. Have also held up well with over 1000 miles of 70+mph on them.
The tent went on smoothly as well. I will say that the biggest PIA with this is getting the U-Bolts on with the load bars. In a perfect world, line it up on saw horses, have an extra set of hands, and you can probably do it in 15 minutes as opposed to my 45, doing it alone, in the dark, with neighbors staring out their windows….
I’ll preface with the statement that I’m not a hardcore wheeler, and live in the semi-concrete jungle of Northern Virginia. This is my daily driver, and I am on 1-3 appts per day with my work, so it needs to be a balancing act. If I lived in Utah and worked out of my home, it would be a different story.
I purchased the truck locally in August 2012 from another Mud Member (4Peanut). While I was focused toward a 2004 or newer, and leaning toward a dark colored LX, this Truck was in excellent shape, had some basics done already, and I fell in love right away.
I made it the first 6 months only adding the PA-15TOY iPhone adapter, and doing the 90k maintenance. The prior owner installed a 2” OME lift, and 33’s, so I was happy with it.
In planning for a build out, I wanted to be able to have a system that achieved the following:
- Ability to keep one rear jump seat installed/fold down in the event I had to accommodate another passenger (friends in town, events, etc)
- Ability to have a flat surface to accommodate 1-2 overnight guests, or my own ability to stay in the truck a night or two if needed
- Room for storage for various items – a fridge, tools, firearms, and other equipment at a minimum
Here is my Drawer Set-Up Shopping List
- 2 x sheet of ¾” Plywood (went with cabinet grade oak)
- All slide hardware from McMaster Car
o 500lb lock-in/lock-out slides (Don’t actually lock out!)- for Fridge
o 250lb Accuride Slides (Utility drawer)
o 75lb Accuride Slides (Cooktop storage drawer)
o 75lb Accuride Slides (Cooktop station)
- 8 x Surface mount D-Rings (for fastening to truck, as well as securing goods in transport)
- 6 x fully expandable hinges
- 4 x U-bolts for securing fridge to platform
- 3x handles
- 1 x clasp for non-locking drawers
- 1 x bottle opener
- 4x mid-size 90* angle iron for wing supports
- 4x small 90* angle iron for support while building
- 4x turnbuckles (fasten between drawers and factory seat supports)
- Various screws (1/2”, 1 5/8”, 2”)
The start was to build a utility station for camping trips. This would include a fridge slide, cooker storage, and workstation. Borrowed some of this from nickswan (Homebrew fridge/stove slide combo).
And so it began… I spent some time planning in the garage, measuring, etc.
I started framing the basic structure to make sure I was happy with it. Goal was to have the seats extend all the way up, and still make maximum use of the storage areas.
I recessed the front access point to build a larger storage space up front. I lost some drawer space, but no big deal since I wanted just enough to store the camp stove in it. The front storage bin is now home to a toaster, bread, chips, keurig, etc as they are well protected.
Continued with building of the drawers... making sure they nested without issue.
I built the top pull out for the fridge 3” taller just to be big enough to accommodate the drawer slides. With this, there is also good storage space for other items (silverware, camp cookware, etc.)
First test run! 45L Norcold fit well, even though it is higher than most set-ups, as there is enough clearance.
Like a glove!
I used some cardboard to make some templates, cut out the wing, rounded edges with router for better fit, and no sharp edges. Also ran pieces of thin ¼ ply to help prevent the fridge slide from rubbing/tugging anything stored on wing or other side.
The 2nd (drivers side) drawer was thrown together in about 3.5 hours since I was trying to get it done the night before a winery/camping trip. Very basic, just some good storage space.
I used a simple recessed latch to secure the drawer, along with a turnbuckle at the front. For anyone considering it, I’ve found that keeping this a simple platform, without a wing, is the most effective storage solution for “odds and ends” to go in the wheel well portion.
I decided to add slats that I could reorganize based on the components that were going in, giving additional flexibility to this storage solution, using a radial arm saw.
I tie both of the boxes together using just a simple hidden nut (J-nut). Its worked well thus far.
I used simple surface mount D-rings (screws still have to be swapped out with bolts) and turnbuckles. They kept getting in the way so I modified an old plastic cable hook to secure them.
Here the are side by side. One item you should note is the ¼” plywood that runs each side to cover the platform for the fridge. This was a nice way to make sure that anything stacked on either side didn’t come pulling out with it each time the drawer went in/out.
While the eventual goal may be to go with a M416 trailer, I went with a RTT and awning in the interim, for which the tent can later go on the trailer.
I purchased a TJM, given that it was a SWEET package deal with the tent (from British 4x4 Outfitters) drop shipped from TJM. I kept working this night to rig up some mounting for the awning.
I used simple galvanized angle iron from Home Depot (I think from their roofing section), along with one bolt (drilled through the Thule Bar) and two u-bolts per mount. Not the prettiest, but you cant see them. Have also held up well with over 1000 miles of 70+mph on them.
The tent went on smoothly as well. I will say that the biggest PIA with this is getting the U-Bolts on with the load bars. In a perfect world, line it up on saw horses, have an extra set of hands, and you can probably do it in 15 minutes as opposed to my 45, doing it alone, in the dark, with neighbors staring out their windows….
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