[Zane]

I started working on building a rear storage solution w/ slider drawers this weekend. I was going to wait untel I completely finished the project to share, but wanted to show what I have done thus far.

I used a mix of 3/4 inch and 1/2 inch pine to keep the weight down. I really wanted to utilize as much of the space as possible so I built box storage w/ hinged lids just behind the rear seats with drawers in the very rear. I also took what a few others have done and created side storage with the empty space behind the rear wheel well and back of the main box.

I still have to finish the drawer faces but I think you get the idea! have decided that I will be replacing the current hinges due to the ones I have used are too small and weak. I also need to get to work on adding carpet, but I want to find a carpet the matches the dark tan carpet in my truck (any suggestions would be helpful.) I will also be adding recessed handles for the doors and drawers as well as locking mechanisems for the rear drawers.

Enjoy

[Zane]

more pics

[Zane]

more....

[Romer]

Nice write-up. You should post a link to it in the FAQ thread ion storage solutions

[cruiserdan]

Very nice, I like the contour top. Have you tested access to the jack stowage to make sure you can get the jack out? I noticed that your drawers are not full depth, how do you plan to carry a shovel and axe?

[76BigheadFJ40]

very nice! What do you have to do with the drawer faces? It looks to me like they are sitting pretty far back when closed? Or is that just an illusion?

[valentine]

Great job! Maybe someday when I inherit the 80 from my wife I'll get to do that

[Slomo]

Very nice work. I like the design and the fit and finsih look to be superb.

[Zane]

Originally Posted by cruiserdan

Very nice, I like the contour top. Have you tested access to the jack stowage to make sure you can get the jack out? I noticed that your drawers are not full depth, how do you plan to carry a shovel and axe?

Well Dan I didnt think of that! :( I guess I will have to do one of two things; one develope a solution for an ax and shovel carrier within the truck or hope the guy in the other truck has them in his truck! ha.. A bit to late to change my design, o-well... Good news though, I have tested the access to the jack stowage and I am able to pull it up with a little bit of effort.

[Zane]

Originally Posted by 76BigheadFJ40

very nice! What do you have to do with the drawer faces? It looks to me like they are sitting pretty far back when closed? Or is that just an illusion?

It is not an allusion you see, the drawer currently sits back about 1/2 inch from the rear facing on the back of the box and I now need to put a 1/2 drawer front on the front of the drawer box to make it flush with the rear facing as well as fill in the gap between the drawer box and the facing that goes around the back of the box. Hope that makes since. I will post up pictures once it is all complete so you can see the final product.

[tarbe]

Nice work!

Any idea what the whole thing weighs?

[DanKunz]

I went a bit ghetto with mine...standard box with some rubbermaid under the bed storage drawers on casters

You have done a much better job! Nice!

[kennyv0826]

Very nice indeed! Are you planning on covering it with carpet or something else to protect the wood?

How difficult is it to remove the whole unit if needed?

[Zane]

Originally Posted by kennyv0826

Very nice indeed! Are you planning on covering it with carpet or something else to protect the wood?

How difficult is it to remove the whole unit if needed?

I am planning on covering it with carpet. Looking now for a carpet to match the factory color, but have had little luck in doing so. (any help would be great on this... )

As for removing it, I built the top into two different sections so that I could get it out. Unscrew and remove the top from the unit then slide the drawer system out of the truck. It wont be easy, but it can be removed.

[kennyv0826]

Originally Posted by zjz4476

I am planning on covering it with carpet. Looking now for a carpet to match the factory color, but have had little luck in doing so. (any help would be great on this... )

As for removing it, I built the top into two different sections so that I could get it out. Unscrew and remove the top from the unit then slide the drawer system out of the truck. It wont be easy, but it can be removed.

If you can't find a color that is an exact match then look for a carpet that is close to the color of your factory carpet (prefferably lighter) then get some carpet dye mixed up to match and spray it to match the factory carpet. It works really well. I've done it a few times with different vehicles and had good success.

[Epic Ed]

Looks great. With the right tools, how many would you rate the project? I'm probably going to give this kind of a project a shot at some point in the not-too-distant-future. It just adds tremendous versatility to how you can carry stuff.

As for the carpet, I'd go to a couple of your local car audio stores and ask them who they use for their automotive carpet resource. I had to do this recently for a very hard to find dark brown to cover my audio equipment install and found there were several of these suppliers in the area. YMMV, depending on where you live.

Ed

[cruiserdan]

I bought some bulk "carpet" material from our dashmat vendor to cover mine. It worked out quite well.

[Zane]

OK, I'm about 99% complete with this and wanted to update with some pictures. Found some industrial carpet at my local carpet center that matches the factory carpet really well. I also had some left over aluminum tread plate to use on my drawer faces. I purchased the small handles for the doors from Boaters World. I now have to pull together a locking mechanism for the drawers and add aluminum edging on the front side of the storage box behind the back seat.
Hear you go!

[cruiserdan]

Very nice.....

[Grench]

That looks great! I have a question though, and not to nitpick...

Why did you leave the 3rd row seatbelts in?

[dclee]

I think they make a good makeshift tie-down/lashing point for certain types of cargo. Use a carabiner, hook to the belt clip. In an accident or emergency braking, the belt will lock anyway, so it is fairly secure.

IMHO, no real reason to take them out unless it's for aesthetics.

BTW, very nice job on the drawers!

[kennyv0826]

Originally Posted by dclee

IMHO, no real reason to take them out unless it's for aesthetics.

What about the weight savings of having the seatbelts removed. I removed mine and save about 1.4lbs per side! Do you have any idea how much that helps performance and fuel mileage!?

But seriously I think the whole thing looks very good indeed. I have been debating back and forth if I should build one myself, but once in a while I actually sleep in the back of my 80 (when the weather is REALLY bad or if I'm afraid a bear may come into my tent and eat me). And if I had a storage system like that one I wouldn't be able to do that anymore. Still a really good idea though. Congrats on a great job!

[Grench]

Originally Posted by kennyv0826

And if I had a storage system like that one I wouldn't be able to do that anymore. Still a really good idea though. Congrats on a great job!

The magic to these, and the reason everyone makes them all about the same height... The 2nd row folds down to make a queen size bed.

At my rate of mods, doing this is a 2008 project. I'm envious.

VERY nice work.

[kennyv0826]

Originally Posted by Grench

The magic to these, and the reason everyone makes them all about the same height... The 2nd row folds down to make a queen size bed.

At my rate of mods, doing this is a 2008 project. I'm envious.

VERY nice work.

When I fold my seats down they are at the same level as the rear floor. So wouldn't they be lower than the drawer system?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by kennyv0826

When I fold my seats down they are at the same level as the rear floor. So wouldn't they be lower than the drawer system?

What's up with your rear floor? My floor is flat from behind the front seats to the lift gate.

[gbell210]

Originally Posted by kennyv0826

When I fold my seats down they are at the same level as the rear floor. So wouldn't they be lower than the drawer system?

When you said fold them "down". DO you really mean fold the seatback down, and then the whole seat forward?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by kennyv0826

When I fold my seats down they are at the same level as the rear floor. So wouldn't they be lower than the drawer system?

I'm guessing you must have meant when you recline your front seats the rear of the seat back goes down to the floor. That's not folding, that's reclining.

Originally Posted by Grench

...the reason everyone makes them all about the same height... The 2nd row folds down to make a queen size bed....

Grench means that with an appropriate height rear storage platform, when the 2nd row seats are folded (not reclined) flat they are level with the top of the platform, and form an extended area for sleeping on the platform.

[kennyv0826]

Yes, that makes sense now. I was thinking of tucking them up against the front seats like I would normally do. But just folding them would keep them higher. Sometimes I just don't THINK!!! lol

[docbluedevil]

Sweet system! I wish I had your skills.

It makes sense to me to put carpet on the drawers like you did to avoid slippage issues of things placed on top (e.g. pet crate, coolers, etc).

[kennyv0826]

Now of course I am thinking about making one of these cool storage systems and I am pondering what the best layout would be as far as what makes sense for storage and using the room as effeciently as possible.

Any ideas on the best design (drawer size, additional compartments and what not)