[CNCFJ40]

I took some time off work last week, and between the last-minute shopping and the bazillion little chores getting ready for Christmas, was able to make some real progress on my storage drawer. Since a couple of folks had asked about it from an earlier post, I thought I'd put up a quick description and a few pictures. So, here it is.

The concept: I’ve experimented with different ways of organizing tools and spares, mostly various kinds of boxes bolted or strapped to the inside of the bed. Almost invariably, getting the item I wanted involved moving all the stuff that was on top of it. So I decided that turning the area between the wheel wells into a drawer was the best way to go. At the same time, I’ve been in situations where rolling out a drawer that size would be difficult or impossible (on a steep incline, or stuck with the back of the truck against a rock or a tree, for example), so the top needed to be removable.

So, here’s what I came up with. It’s made from 3/4” B-C exterior plywood, except for the drawer bottom, which is 3/8”. All joints are screwed and glued.




A piece of 1/8 X 3/4 inch angle iron across the front of the top reduces sag. The drawer is held closed with a cam latch and rods (from McMaster-Carr) extending into the sides of the case. Turning the latch draws the rods in and allows the drawer to open. Drawer slides are also from McMaster-Carr.



The top is held in place by 6 hex-head furniture screws, countersunk into the top, and threaded into brass inserts in the sides of the case. This keeps the case good and solid, but still allows access from the top if needed.



Here's what the drawer looks like loaded up:



The white storage baskets are good for keeping smaller items organized, and the smaller clear plastic boxes are waterproof enough for electronics stuff and a roll of shop towels – both of these are from my local general-purpose hardware store. The dark gray plastic cases are from Sears and hold wrenches, sockets, ratchets, etc.

Now that construction is done, all that remains is to brush on a couple of coats of polyurethane, and bolt it into the Cruiser. For that, I’ve drilled two holes in the side of each wheel well, through which I’ll run bolts into T-nuts in the sides of the drawer case. Plastic furniture glides on the bottom of the case help level it and will also keep it out of any water that accumulates in the bed.

Cheers!
Alfred

[Doug_S]

Looks Great!

[projektdotnet]

good lookin box!

[Mad Chemist]

Very nice. I had something similar in my 4runner. The only down side is I usually brought too much gear because of all the storage space I had!

[CruisinGA]

I like it...

And I need something similar.

But- I wonder how the plywood will hold up in the elements. My 40 sits in the weather 90% of the time, and never has more than a bikini top on.

[sandcruiser]

with a good couple of coats of polyurathane, it should do ok in light-medium rain. I guess you could always caulk the joints to really make it water/dust tight. Overkill, but that seems to be the normal state of affairs around here!

Nice looking drawer! Curious to hear how that latch holds up, it looks like a good solution.

[shelfboy1]

con fer makes metal boxes like that have a drawer and lots of space slide out the rear dont have the homemade flare that the wood 1 does mabey treated ply wood for outdoor use and with wood you can customize it any way you want good luck