ARB drawers with top slides vs. ADGU, Goose Gear, Trekkboxx, etc.,

[Artie]

I have the ADGU drawers and I like them but don't love them. I got in before their prices went bananas and when they offered the ability to just do a platform and choice of drawers. I went with the platform, single drawer and 60% sleeper. They have rattled and squeaked since day one. Have tried numerous remedies and even reached out to them for a fix. None of their recommendations actually solved the problem. It bugged me early on but since I have just gotten accustomed to the noises even though they are advertised as squeak and rattle "free". I had it installed at their shop and they seem like nice enough dudes but don't really have the time or want to to drive to them for a fix. For the price I paid I'm happy with them especially since I only wanted a single drawer. I really liked the flexibility and customization that they offered at the time but now they only offer just more standard units. There are also some fit and finish issues as well. For instance my folding wings don't actually line up exactly straight or flush with the main unit. It's not a big deal but just something to note.

Again this was back when they were a smaller operation and seemed like a great "semi-DIY" unit for a reasonable price. I felt good about supporting a few dudes and their "mom and pop" business. They have grown in operation and price since then. For the prices they are asking now I would hope that they have fixed their QC issues and offer a more professional product. Every Goose Gear or Trekboxx unit has felt better than my ADGU unit.

Just my 2cents.

Thanks for this info. We’re debating on these vs ARB right be for our LX but are leaning towards these b cause of the sliding drawer and drawer fridge option. We have ARB in our Cruiser and they have been great, silent and sturdy… no complaints. We had thought of the ADGU as a upgrade, now I’m not so sure.

 

[Boston Mangler]

I've had my ARB fixed drawer system in my 2020 LC200 HE (no third seat) for over 4 years with no issues. Second seat set slide back all the way. Fit and finish is perfect. No squeaks, no drawer issues. The drawer system acts as a perfect for an Exped mattress. We've slept on it a numerous times wuth no squeaking. I sometimes load one drawer completely full with ammunition and the other with firearms. The store system is definitely worth the money. Lots of imitators but only one ARB system.

View attachment 4026398

View attachment 4026399

View attachment 4026400

@7000ft are you happy with the stainless slide out thing?

I’ve seen them online and think it would be useful, but haven’t seen one in person

Does it easily mount to the standard sliding drawer?

 

[7000ft]

@7000ft are you happy with the stainless slide out thing?

I’ve seen them online and think it would be useful, but haven’t seen one in person

Does it easily mount to the standard sliding drawer?

I'm glad I got it. I use it to load magazines while at the range. Instructions were for adequate to install it. Not a big job

 

[slipkid13]

I bought these about 4 years ago through a group buy/US introduction here on mud. Toyota Land Cruiser 200/Lexus LX570 Twin Drawer System - By Big Countr – Rugged Bound Supply Co.

It's unfortunate they have more than doubled in price compared to what I have paid because they are great system. They are quiet, squeak/rattle free , the install was super easy and hold a ton of stuff. The group buy came with the flip up work surface, two drop in containers and 4 dividers. I am not sure how much the ARB stuff goes for but the ADGU stuff seems insanely priced now. I looked at them before I got these and they seemed 1/2 baked at the time.

I never had a need for a slider so not sure how one would perform with the drawers...

 

[ToySldr]

Here is a system I've been working on for the past few weeks. The wood color is just a place holder, I'm currently in the welding process of the frame, but it's been one hell of a project. I've taken bits and pieces of the various drawer systems and what I liked/disliked and come up with this so far. The design plan isn't 100% done, but I feel like I'm 90% there. On the other side I have the redarc systems and will have a about 10 liters of water in the cubby on the top with a tube connected to a dometic water pump. I have the ADGU system and liked it but I wanted something a bit more custom for my liking.

 

[Boston Mangler]

Here is a system I've been working on for the past few weeks. The wood color is just a place holder, I'm currently in the welding process of the frame, but it's been one hell of a project. I've taken bits and pieces of the various drawer systems and what I liked/disliked and come up with this so far. The design plan isn't 100% done, but I feel like I'm 90% there. On the other side I have the redarc systems and will have a about 10 liters of water in the cubby on the top with a tube connected to a dometic water pump. I have the ADGU system and liked it but I wanted something a bit more custom for my liking.
View attachment 4056533

Excellent idea

REALLY like the top access hatch and wish this was the normal with most systems

 

[ElJayBird]

I’ve got the ARB drawers and then I added a Tembo fridge slide to the roller drawer and built a custom cargo slide on the other side. The cargo slide is for 4 Wolf Pack (Front Runner) boxes when on trips and for whatever other times.

 

[rlynch356]

one thing with the top slides on the drawers, the fridge will still be at the same height so no easier to access height wise. If that's important, Alu-Cab tilt slide works great and weighs way less than anything else out there that drops down.

I have goose gear, the system is lighter than most of the ones out there (again if that's important to you), the drawers do have a wood bottom so not meant for super heavy loads, like tools and jacks and such. It is modular 2 drawers, stacked drawers on one side, drawer fridges or a fridge cabinet like I have with a drawer under it. Anyway some ideas there.

I am going to build a prototype of a 2nd row delete system with a single seat on the drivers side which is not for driving so no seat belt provisions. mainly to accommodate a 13 gallon water bladder, a lot of storage and a seat/dog bed behind the driver since that is the side I Exit bed from, it gives you a place to put your shoes on, change, etc..

I have a different prototype system installed in my Defender 90 (classic one) which is a drawer system without sliders and well drawers.. it uses 2x2 rows of drawer cargo bags from a company in Australia - Crashpod - https://crashpadgear.com/products/crashpods?variant=31198232641617
I use the same bags in the LC200 so everything just transfers from one truck to the next without unpacking anything, just move the bags. They fit pretty much all standard LC200 drawer systems. (I don't sell them just buy them direct from Crash pad). I may redesign the rear system as well to something similar as it would allow the fridge to push over to the left pretty far and allow some other items to move into better positions for space utilization as well as being a lot lighter.

Pic or else its useless
I sleep on the drawer side with a good 27" of room side to side at the narrowest point, I use a Hest 25" wide full length mattress. The fridge cabinet has a drawer below and room for 2 soft storage boxes above (tied down)... And there is a Koan shelf above it all, and one of my custom cabinets in front of the fridge which still allows for the rear seats to recline for daily driving duties.

This also shows a bit of my next production product prototype as well... which will probably interest anyone who camps with a 200..

 

[bicycleagent003]

I’ve got the ARB drawers and then I added a Tembo fridge slide to the roller drawer and built a custom cargo slide on the other side. The cargo slide is for 4 Wolf Pack (Front Runner) boxes when on trips and for whatever other times.

View attachment 4057546Cool setup. Can you share with us why you added a fridge slide on top of the rolltop drawer? Most people seem to use the rolltop itself as the fridge slide, which would seem to save weight and complexity. I'm thinking of doing just that myself. Thanks.

 

[Air Down Gear Up]

I have the ADGU drawers and I like them but don't love them. I got in before their prices went bananas and when they offered the ability to just do a platform and choice of drawers. I went with the platform, single drawer and 60% sleeper. They have rattled and squeaked since day one. Have tried numerous remedies and even reached out to them for a fix. None of their recommendations actually solved the problem. It bugged me early on but since I have just gotten accustomed to the noises even though they are advertised as squeak and rattle "free". I had it installed at their shop and they seem like nice enough dudes but don't really have the time or want to to drive to them for a fix. For the price I paid I'm happy with them especially since I only wanted a single drawer. I really liked the flexibility and customization that they offered at the time but now they only offer just more standard units. There are also some fit and finish issues as well. For instance my folding wings don't actually line up exactly straight or flush with the main unit. It's not a big deal but just something to note.

Again this was back when they were a smaller operation and seemed like a great "semi-DIY" unit for a reasonable price. I felt good about supporting a few dudes and their "mom and pop" business. They have grown in operation and price since then. For the prices they are asking now I would hope that they have fixed their QC issues and offer a more professional product. Every Goose Gear or Trekboxx unit has felt better than my ADGU unit.

Just my 2cents.

Hello!

Opening this reponse with a very heart felt thank you for purchasing a system in our early days of our developing company! Our MUD base really allowed the company to be born at all, and the honest, real-world feed back has helped evolve the product to it's current level of performance. We genuninely appreciate that you took the chance on us with your system nearly 5 years ago.

In the time since, our product has evolved MASSIVELY. For some context, this went from an $1600 product (2021) to its current $4500 largely to address all of these concerns. Highlighting a few differences in the system between then/now:

• Fundamentally different structure and anchoring: The system now has a fully boxed, all aluminum extrusion frame. This is massive overkill for what we are asking the drawers/sleeping platform to do, but provides the foundation needed for a truly noise free system. The anchoring has evolved from a humble turnbuckle to a machined solid aluminum anchor bar that bolts directly to the vehicle body. The combination of the fully boxed frame paired with the dual anchor bar attachement (both front and rear anchoring is now an anchor bar) makes the system DRAMATICALLY more stable and eliminates and squeaking/creaking from the mounting.
  
  
  
  
  
• Single piece drawer top-panel: The old design was two halves that were joined together with a set of hardware/plates etc, which introduced potential for more movement/sound, etc. This was a carryover from before we shipped 100% pre-assembled systems via freight: we had to have the product break down small enough to ship ground.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Noise mitigation on the sleeping platform: We have since added rubber bumpers between the drawer-tops and the sleeping platform, ensuring that the sleeper doesn't make any 'clacking' sounds while stowed. The below picture is even a bit out-dated - we have newer softer bumpers in use now.
  
  
• Integrated 'Cargo Dividers': we have upgraded the dividing panel between the 'under wing storage' and the drawer to a design that is now bolted in with proprietary ADGU bracketry and isolated from the frame itself, eliminating a potential for noise. (GX550 shown, but same design for 200)
  
  
• Drawer handle: all our drawers now feature a tighter-fit drawer face (improves aesthitics) and the additional handle helps make single handed drawer opeation easier.
  
  
• All new finishes: The systme now utilizes higher end materials which create for an all-black appearance with subtle metallic highlights. We call it 'industiral chique'

All of this is to say the system is now VERY different than it was in 2021. Over the years, we elected to build this product to a standard that we haven't seen anywhere else in the market, and the price has moved with that. The pricing also reflects the difference between a part-time hobby/garage shop and a proper company with a team of full-time employees with PTO, etc... I would challenge that a current ADGU system does not have an equal on the market in terms of 'feel', durability, noise, etc.

And again, I want to reiterate as much as possible that we are eternally grateful for your purchase in the early days and we are always comitted to continous improvement on our product. If you're interested, we could certainly evaluate what we can retrofit to your 2021 system to get it closer to the current builds.

We have a bunch of additional media on our site, as well as a detailed overview of the current 200 system

SS1 System 200 Series Land Cruiser | Air Down Gear Up

Upgrade your 200 series land cruiser with the SS1 System for superior handling and comfort. Don’t wait. Shop now at Air Down Gear Up!

airdowngearup.com

Kyle