ARB Drawer Owners...... I Have Some Questions for You.

[KLF]

Ya, actually you have to start by taking them apart. Then you get to assemble the multiple sets of instructions into something that makes sense.

It took me longer to read and understand the instructions than it did to actually get them installed. Absolutely LOVE them now that I have them!

 

[JZelnick]

Just put mine in two weeks ago and I almost lost it. The instructions are still abysmal. It's common sense how to put the drawers together, but the instructions will really mess you up. There are multiple models of drawers (fixed top and roller) and cruisers (GX vs. VX etc) on the same set of instructions. Also the wording is piss poor and there are steps that are just wrong. Stuff like this shouldn't be acceptable for a high dollar product from a world wide manufacturer. They could have an intern write up better instructions on a slow Friday.


Case of beer is required for this install

 

[dwai]

So looks like the side trim is coming in late. Should I wait for that to arrive or is it pretty easy to add after the drawers r installed?

 

[JZelnick]

So looks like the side trim is coming in late. Should I wait for that to arrive or is it pretty easy to add after the drawers r installed?

You'll be fine installing the fit kit afterwards.

 

[M1911]

Ya, actually you have to start by taking them apart. Then you get to assemble the multiple sets of instructions into something that makes sense.

It took me longer to read and understand the instructions than it did to actually get them installed. Absolutely LOVE them now that I have them!

How long did it take for you to install them?

 

[Fisher23]

I took 2 of us about 2 hours. Mostly because of trying figuring out the directions. Better off not even using them.
The lower cross brace I needed to move so that the front mounting bolt lined up.
There was no need to cut the carpeting, and after you bolt the drawers together they just use 2 bolts each to hold them in place using existing bolt holes. You can push the carpet back so the bolt fits in the hole.
It would have only took about 45 minutes if I had done it before.

The fit kit (side trim) can be installed later, but you need to remove the drawer to do it, which takes 3 to 10 minutes. 3 if you have the roller top, and 10 if not.

Some tips:
If you have a roller top ... do not remove the roller top, only remove the drawer to assemble.
If it does not have a roller top then remove the top (8 hex bolts) then then the drawer.
To remove the drawers .. you need to remove the 4 screws holding the "stops" 2 on each side near the back of the drawers. Observer the position of the plastic stop. Then take the sliding drawer out.
6 or 8 small nuts and screws holed the drawer frames together.
Then 4 bolts hold the drawer frames to the body using existing bolt holes. Here you may need to adjust the lower brace position so the front bolt fits in place.
At this point install the fit kit (trim sides)
Then you put the drawers and top/s back together.

Hope that helps,

 

[KLF]

How long did it take for you to install them?

Geez I can't remember, it was over a year ago. Maybe 4-5 hours, because of reading the terrible instructions over and over. I don't think I had to even move the cross bars. I was working by myself, so it was awkward to get into the truck, I think I had to bolt them together inside. Yeah, with 2 people you're much better off bolting them together out on a bench, then lift them into the truck as a unit.

Lemme know when you want to install a set, I'll come give you a hand. Want your running boards back? I took them back off the other day.

 

[Recon Aircrew]

How long did it take for you to install them?

What have you done to your 200 Series this week?

Nice. Is that battery powered? If so, any idea how long it would run on a single battery? The National Lunas wire into the 12V system. No batteries of their own. Fantastic lights with three levels of brightness for both red and white modes. Also has a low-voltage sensor in case you forget...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[dwai]

good lord.....it looks like this instruction manual was originally written in Chinese and they just ran it thru google translate lol!!!!

 

[Markuson]

For what it’s worth...I will add here m, that it is entirely possible to install the drawers fully-assembled minus the roll-top wood floor panels and other wood pieces...and get them into place.

I know...because I both took them out fully assembled (minus the wood pieces and drawers out, of course) ...and then put them back in fully assembled (adding wood top pieces & sliding drawers in, etc.).

Once the metal structure is together...this CAN be done...because I’ve done done it twice.

 

[KLF]

The worst part about the instructions was there are 3 sets to read, with the vehicle specific stuff scattered around here and there. I first started reading about measuring and drilling holes, but eventually realized they were talking about the non-US trucks, so no drilling is required. None. But there are also contradictions, for instance what about that plastic strip that hangs down at the bottom, under the drawers? One set says leave it on, they other said cut it off. I ended up leaving mine on, seems fine.

 

[empty80]

I had installed some in a 4Runner previously, so I had a little experience tracing the instructions between drawer assembly and vehicle specific instructions. I would recommend separating the vehicle specific instructions for your truck from the rest of them. I got my page flipped over a time or two, and was momentarily confused.

 

[dwai]

Here's my write up
I used these instructions http://www.sleeoffroad.com/installation/arb_drawer_installation.pdf as well as the manual provided with the drawers
1. Since mine came preassembled, I had to remove the top rolling slide and the drawer unit. This means, 2 screws for each side of the sliders, and 4 bolts inside the drawer to remove the stoppers. As poor as the instructions are, this shouldn't be confusing.
2. Once you have the frames exposed, u can just bolt them together. Instruction is pretty clear here. I think it was 6 bolts and two support beams
3. Identify the mounting holes

4. U can cut the carpet and use a dremal to remove the plastic piece blocking the bolt. This is just the way I did it. Not saying u have to cut anything if u don't want to.

5. Remove four bolts total on the rear seat mount. This should remove the small black bars that lock the seat in. only need to remove the ones closer to the second row.
6. Throw the drawer frame into the truck
7. Read the manual on the slee website provided above to see what spacer size u need under each mounting point. It's just a bunch of plastic blocks u can stack.
8. Put them under the mounting points. The bolts should line up with the holes without much issues. The only thing I had to add were washers since the bolt heads are too small.

9. Install the drawer unit. Slide it in pass the second bearing before installing the stopper.
10. Install the top roller. Slide the roller in pass the initial resistance point then install the stopper.
step 9 and 10 might require some fiddling. I used a screw driver bit and pliers help screw in the stopper screws.

Still waiting on the side trims. Once I get them, I'll see if I can find some time to add to this write up. I picked the wrong day to install....insane amount of pollen and I couldn't stop sneezing. Now I feel like dying.....fml...

P.S I know this writeup is kinda crappy but hope it helps a bit.

 

[Fisher23]

Just FYI ... where you have that bolt with just a flat washer .. ARB provided large rectangular washers with some black foam on one side. The flat rectangular washer/backing plate sits on that cross brace, then the bolt goes through the rectangular washer and the cross brace and into the hole in the floor.

 

[empty80]

Just FYI ... where you have that bolt with just a flat washer .. ARB provided large rectangular washers with some black foam on one side. The flat rectangular washer/backing plate sits on that cross brace, then the bolt goes through the rectangular washer and the cross brace and into the hole in the floor.

The instructions reference an “oblong washer.”

 

[Fisher23]

Like this ... also notice the cross brace has the small brace inside it.

 

[dwai]

If I find motivation I’ll switch them out when I do the side trim lol. Thanks for the info

 

[dwai]

Found motivation to swap out washers closer to the 2nd row. Took 5 min lol. Front ones will have to wait until I do the side trims. Thanks for pointing it out.

 

[dwai]

Found a cheap drawer organizer solution from amazon. I got 2 sets for both sides. The biggest cubby is large enough to fit 2 ARB straps stacked on each other.
Sodynee SCD6SBL Foldable Cloth Storage Box Closet Dresser Organizer Cube

 

[Rinat]

Hi, guys. Just bought used drawers in very strange configuration. Price is very nice and it came with trims. What do you think about to use 2 x rolling floor instead of normal drawer ? This add separation, but also add some weight and steal some space. (sliding part of lower drawer couldn't be used)