So after owning Landruisers for 5 years I finally pulled the trigger on my first upgrade besides tires.
After weeks of reading up on different mods I figured the first would be one I could do myself. I decided on the cargo drawer setup that many owners have either built or purchased for big bucks. It took me about a week of prep to get my plans and materials ready and 3 days of hard labor to finish it off, which was just a few minutes ago and about $300.
After looking at the different designs I decided to make two drawers of 30 inches deep and a 3rd storage area of 43 inches wide in the front of the box. I can fit all my longer items hidden way such as guns or heavy jacks.
Here are my plans http://www.dustinryan.com/fzj80/dimensions.pdf
The box dimensions are 44x42x10 made of 1/2 inch plywood mostly the birch laminate which is stronger then the regular 4ply. I decided on the 1/2 inch as weight was a concern and 3/4 inch would weigh about 40lbs more and the 1/2 inch 6ply is strong enough to support hundreds of pounds.
It is important when using 1/2 inch ply that you pre drill all of your holes before you screw it together, that way the wood does not split. It takes a little extra time but is worth it.
I started out with this shell, it is made of regular plywood.
Layout of the drawers and removable dividers, note the 10 x 43 compartment at the front of the box. The slides are 24 inch 100lb from Lowes, I stood in each drawer while in the box and it held me fine, 160lbs
Here you can see how I installed the hinges before I carpeted it. I did all the work outside the car and would slide it back in to make sure it fit correctly.
Fit in the car, I created 2 piece wings on each side that fold up to slide the box in. The rear wings fold up independently and can support over 50lbs when closed. Also added tiedown anchors from lowes, sprayed them with black rubberized spraypaint. Marine carpet with rubber back used on all surfaces. Aluminum edging front and rear. Piano Hinges on all movable parts.
Nickel plated spring loaded latches keep the drawers from moving. Sprayd laquer on wood surfaces. The drawers pull out easily with the current setup but I may add pulls later. All screws were the outdoor not rusting varity.
The 10 inch height is perfect match for the second row seats. I removed the oem carpert in the back and used the 3rd row seat bolt holes with new longer bolts to attach the box to the floor.
The wing on the right side allows 5 gallons of water or a Nato Jerrycan of fuel to be held neatly, or just about anything else.
With the wing closed I put 50lbs on the outside edge and it holds fine.
Now, sleeping in the cruiser will be a easy, just need screens on the back windows.
This drawer can hold a 5 man tent, sleeping bag, queen airmattress and a electric blower.
The hidden 43x10 inch compartment can hold a variety of things, as you can see lots of guns is just one option.
After weeks of reading up on different mods I figured the first would be one I could do myself. I decided on the cargo drawer setup that many owners have either built or purchased for big bucks. It took me about a week of prep to get my plans and materials ready and 3 days of hard labor to finish it off, which was just a few minutes ago and about $300.
After looking at the different designs I decided to make two drawers of 30 inches deep and a 3rd storage area of 43 inches wide in the front of the box. I can fit all my longer items hidden way such as guns or heavy jacks.
Here are my plans http://www.dustinryan.com/fzj80/dimensions.pdf
The box dimensions are 44x42x10 made of 1/2 inch plywood mostly the birch laminate which is stronger then the regular 4ply. I decided on the 1/2 inch as weight was a concern and 3/4 inch would weigh about 40lbs more and the 1/2 inch 6ply is strong enough to support hundreds of pounds.
It is important when using 1/2 inch ply that you pre drill all of your holes before you screw it together, that way the wood does not split. It takes a little extra time but is worth it.
I started out with this shell, it is made of regular plywood.
Layout of the drawers and removable dividers, note the 10 x 43 compartment at the front of the box. The slides are 24 inch 100lb from Lowes, I stood in each drawer while in the box and it held me fine, 160lbs
Here you can see how I installed the hinges before I carpeted it. I did all the work outside the car and would slide it back in to make sure it fit correctly.
Fit in the car, I created 2 piece wings on each side that fold up to slide the box in. The rear wings fold up independently and can support over 50lbs when closed. Also added tiedown anchors from lowes, sprayed them with black rubberized spraypaint. Marine carpet with rubber back used on all surfaces. Aluminum edging front and rear. Piano Hinges on all movable parts.
Nickel plated spring loaded latches keep the drawers from moving. Sprayd laquer on wood surfaces. The drawers pull out easily with the current setup but I may add pulls later. All screws were the outdoor not rusting varity.
The 10 inch height is perfect match for the second row seats. I removed the oem carpert in the back and used the 3rd row seat bolt holes with new longer bolts to attach the box to the floor.
The wing on the right side allows 5 gallons of water or a Nato Jerrycan of fuel to be held neatly, or just about anything else.
With the wing closed I put 50lbs on the outside edge and it holds fine.
Now, sleeping in the cruiser will be a easy, just need screens on the back windows.
This drawer can hold a 5 man tent, sleeping bag, queen airmattress and a electric blower.
The hidden 43x10 inch compartment can hold a variety of things, as you can see lots of guns is just one option.
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... It probably weighs around 80-100 lbs but thats just a guess, I took out the 3rd row seats, hardware and seatbelts which weigh about the same I think. I would weigh it but I dont own a scale.
