Bloomer
SILVER Star
Realize there are many great drawer kits available for purchase (ARB, Trekboxx, KISS....) and more in development. The quality and design of these are amazing and I have to admit it was difficult to decide whether to just purchase one and install, or take on the task of building one myself. With the time and effort Trekboxx and KISS have put into designing their systems and the R&D/testing capability of ARB, there is no doubt the quality and finish of building myself will be nowhere near those listed above. Just read through the many threads here on IH8MUD and you'll see for yourself they are all amazing products.
With the exception of these drawers, all of the modifications to my 100 series have been purchased. Front and rear bumpers, sliders, suspension/shocks, roof rack, etc... Sure, it's all been installed in my garage and driveway at home and I've learned a lot (and saved some $$$) doing the installs myself. But, everything thus far has been unpacked from shipping boxes and bolted on. A drawer build seemed like a good opportunity to (at least try to) take on something that was not prebuilt and shipped to my door. For full transparency, I'll admit I have "0"/ZERO carpentry skills so have help from someone who can at least cut a straight line. And, I've done a ton of research on IH8MUD and have used many of the threads here for ideas on design and materials. There's also been a few friends and members here I've reached out to through PM while trying to decide whether to build or purchase and with questions on materials and build advice. Thank you to all who have directly or indirectly helped!!!
I've been collecting materials for and researching/designing the drawers over the past several months. I'm using 3/4" birch plywood wood and handles and slides from Allegis Corporation. The slides for the drawer and fridge are heavy duty 36" full extension lock-in/lock-out (these will be full length drawers encompassing the majority of rear cargo area of the land cruiser). I'm planning for a smaller drawer beneath the fridge slide using 30" full extension lock-in/lock-out slides. I'm still contemplating hinges for the sidewings. Will likely just source them from one of the big box stores, just haven't decided yet.
Basic prep for the cargo area prior to the build. Removed carpet and used it as a template to cut some Jute fabric. I had originally planned for a full sound deadening project prior to the build. I wasn't particularly unhappy with the noise level so just opted to reinstall the OEM carpet with a Jute overlay. Also didn't want to contend with any clearance issues with the drawers and thought the OEM carpet/padding and extra Jute would provide sufficient rise to clear the tail gate.
Here's a pic of the Jute installed.
I have a general plan for the build but am to some extent making adjustments as we go. The height of the drawers was an interesting dilemma to start with. I wasn't sure if it would be best to set the height of the drawers to create a level sleeping platform with the second row of seats folded down, or allow for a taller set of drawers for more storage. I've only slept in a vehicle a few times when camping and never enjoyed it. As such, I opted for more storage.
Started the build last Sunday and feel like we made good progress for one full day of work. We're planning a second work day this coming weekend. Pic of progress thus far...
With the exception of the main drawer, much of what you see above is set in for effect only. I'm trying to decide whether the fridge is set to high. I have a little room to lower the fridge and still fit a drawer beneath it that is useful. I thought about completely eliminating the drawer under the fridge. I'd really like to have the additional storage for smaller items that can possibly double as a food prep area. Any thoughts here would be appreciated.
I'm still contemplating how to secure the entire system in the cargo area. I've read many will use the 3rd row seat anchoring brackets with u-bolts. I'm considering using the 4 D-rings in the corners of the cargo area and securing the drawers with adjustable anchor bolts. Seems access to the D-rings if I ever need to remove the drawers will be easier than having to remove the drawers from the slides to access the seat brackets (drawer slides do not separate and I have to unbolt the drawer from the slide to access the area behind the drawer). Any thoughts here would also be appreciated.
I'm also planning for an insert to have a flat surface across the entire cargo area with the fridge removed (request from Mrs. Bloomer for family weekend trips that do not involve camping or any other outdoor activities in the land cruiser that she will not be attending....some of you that attended HiH4 will understand what I'm getting at). Still thinking through how to safely secure this insert so it doesn't become a dangerous flying object in the vehicle and how to keep from rattling.
I know there are many others here on the forum with more experience than me in building drawers. Any suggestions are appreciated.
More to come......
With the exception of these drawers, all of the modifications to my 100 series have been purchased. Front and rear bumpers, sliders, suspension/shocks, roof rack, etc... Sure, it's all been installed in my garage and driveway at home and I've learned a lot (and saved some $$$) doing the installs myself. But, everything thus far has been unpacked from shipping boxes and bolted on. A drawer build seemed like a good opportunity to (at least try to) take on something that was not prebuilt and shipped to my door. For full transparency, I'll admit I have "0"/ZERO carpentry skills so have help from someone who can at least cut a straight line. And, I've done a ton of research on IH8MUD and have used many of the threads here for ideas on design and materials. There's also been a few friends and members here I've reached out to through PM while trying to decide whether to build or purchase and with questions on materials and build advice. Thank you to all who have directly or indirectly helped!!!
I've been collecting materials for and researching/designing the drawers over the past several months. I'm using 3/4" birch plywood wood and handles and slides from Allegis Corporation. The slides for the drawer and fridge are heavy duty 36" full extension lock-in/lock-out (these will be full length drawers encompassing the majority of rear cargo area of the land cruiser). I'm planning for a smaller drawer beneath the fridge slide using 30" full extension lock-in/lock-out slides. I'm still contemplating hinges for the sidewings. Will likely just source them from one of the big box stores, just haven't decided yet.
Basic prep for the cargo area prior to the build. Removed carpet and used it as a template to cut some Jute fabric. I had originally planned for a full sound deadening project prior to the build. I wasn't particularly unhappy with the noise level so just opted to reinstall the OEM carpet with a Jute overlay. Also didn't want to contend with any clearance issues with the drawers and thought the OEM carpet/padding and extra Jute would provide sufficient rise to clear the tail gate.
Here's a pic of the Jute installed.
I have a general plan for the build but am to some extent making adjustments as we go. The height of the drawers was an interesting dilemma to start with. I wasn't sure if it would be best to set the height of the drawers to create a level sleeping platform with the second row of seats folded down, or allow for a taller set of drawers for more storage. I've only slept in a vehicle a few times when camping and never enjoyed it. As such, I opted for more storage.
Started the build last Sunday and feel like we made good progress for one full day of work. We're planning a second work day this coming weekend. Pic of progress thus far...
With the exception of the main drawer, much of what you see above is set in for effect only. I'm trying to decide whether the fridge is set to high. I have a little room to lower the fridge and still fit a drawer beneath it that is useful. I thought about completely eliminating the drawer under the fridge. I'd really like to have the additional storage for smaller items that can possibly double as a food prep area. Any thoughts here would be appreciated.
I'm still contemplating how to secure the entire system in the cargo area. I've read many will use the 3rd row seat anchoring brackets with u-bolts. I'm considering using the 4 D-rings in the corners of the cargo area and securing the drawers with adjustable anchor bolts. Seems access to the D-rings if I ever need to remove the drawers will be easier than having to remove the drawers from the slides to access the seat brackets (drawer slides do not separate and I have to unbolt the drawer from the slide to access the area behind the drawer). Any thoughts here would also be appreciated.
I'm also planning for an insert to have a flat surface across the entire cargo area with the fridge removed (request from Mrs. Bloomer for family weekend trips that do not involve camping or any other outdoor activities in the land cruiser that she will not be attending....some of you that attended HiH4 will understand what I'm getting at). Still thinking through how to safely secure this insert so it doesn't become a dangerous flying object in the vehicle and how to keep from rattling.
I know there are many others here on the forum with more experience than me in building drawers. Any suggestions are appreciated.
More to come......
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