Builds Bear, My 200 Series Newbie Build

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I'm interested to see how the lock out on the 9308 fits with the drawer facing.
 
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Excellent work right there! I am in the Bay Area too so if you need an extra hand (to hand you the cold bear) do give me a shout!
Haha - Definitely Milkman! What plans do you have for your 2013? Let's definitely get out there some time.
 
Haha - Definitely Milkman! What plans do you have for your 2013? Let's definitely get out there some time.

After having done so much work to my previous 2008 200, I am mostly gonna keep this one stock -just getting tires (nitto trail grapplers -). I think I shall concentrate my urge to modify on an old range rover classic that I picked up off craigs!
 
After having done so much work to my previous 2008 200, I am mostly gonna keep this one stock -just getting tires (nitto trail grapplers -). I think I shall concentrate my urge to modify on an old range rover classic that I picked up off craigs!

Understand... well looking forward to seeing how the classic turns out.
 
In-between the move and getting back-on-track with the drawers, I found some time to get a much-needed item checked off the list. OME lift with 440lbs springs all-around, Spidertrax spacers, and 305/65R18 KO2's. There was a lot of back and forth between the Duratracs and KO2's, I finally decided on the KO2's as there are an overwhelming number of people that swear by these tires.

Unfortunately, I do not have the tools to actually get in and do this hugely important mod myself, so here in the Bay Area, I was relegated to 4WheelParts. Extremely nervous going into it have 4WP do the install but they did an overall good job. I mentioned my concern with the KDSS system to them and they did have an issue finding out how to reset the sway bars after the lift but got it figured out in due time... and hey they did give me this as a parting gift...

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Anyway, here are before and afters of how she looks. Drives like a dream!

Before:
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After:
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Before:
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After:

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I know I know, not the best before and after pics...
 
Test fit...looking good.

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After I mounted the slides to the carcass of the drawer system I started building the drawers themselves. Glued/Screwed and Countersunk the screws in the front.

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From there I cut the top to measurement, countersunk, and testfit with only a few screws. You can see I also used cardboard to make some templates for the driver side and passenger 'faceplates'. I also mounted the 36" Accuride slides inside the driver side drawer. I will be building a drawer within a drawer for a few reasons.

1) The left side will primarily be kitchen and housekeeping items. I will use the upper drawer as a home for my Partner Steel 22" stove, hoses, silverware and some utensils. The bottom drawer will act as spice storage, an extra 1lb propane or two and odds and ends.

2) I plan to place 1/4" Richlite cutting boards running the length of both the upper and lower drawers - to place the Partner Stove on the lower for cooking and use the upper for prep, etc. Any advise on the cutting boards you use/have used that have worked out well?

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Then drew them onto 3/4" Birch and cut them out.

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I then built and mount the 3rd inside driver side drawer. Though I do not have all the right tools (did not want to spend $300-400 on a table saw, etc.), and some of the lines are by no means straight or pretty, I think it's turning out pretty well - happy with it.

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Next up, drawer faces and wings...
 
Drawers are looking awesome. great work. lift came out great too! way to go.
 
So I worked pretty well into the night and was able to complete the drawer fronts and fitment of them in the carcass and the truck. Have to admit I am a perfectionist and not too happy with the unevenness but that will be slightly taken care of later and evened out as best possible. I see a table saw purchase coming in the next couple of years. Would have been A LOT easier and cleaner rips if I had bit the bullet...oh well.

Test Fit:
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Templates for wings:
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Fitment, fitment, fitment:

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Trying to catch this thread up as much as I can. :)

After spending a lot of time fitting, many light cuts/trimming, and sanding, it started coming together.

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This is where having a table saw would have helped with the drawer fronts, straight cuts and face fitment. It will come together with this but my perfectionist side was frustrated with how the drawer faces looked at this point, and the many cuts I had to make with the jig saw and circular saw for fitment...oh well.
 
what are your plans for covering? carpet/vinyl/linex?
beautiful wood you used, but I would guess things would slide around quite a bit...:D
 
what are your plans for covering? carpet/vinyl/linex?
beautiful wood you used, but I would guess things would slide around quite a bit...:D

Great question, and thank you! I mulled this over for weeks. I went back and forth between carpet, rubber mat, heavy duty carpet, paint, carpet, liner, carpet, liner, blah blah.. Hate to keep you hanging, but you will see what I decided on shortly ;).
 
Continuing with rapid fire:

I ended giving David a call at Trekboxx, link to his site in a previous post, for some guidance and questions. David helped solve a debate I was having with myself regarding the Chassis Saver and Monstaliner.

I used Bondo to fill all the holes and some gaps from my not so straight cuts. then sanded and we were ready for applying the Chassis Saver.

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