As mentioned in other threads, I am on the Quest to build a good drawer system for my 2017 GX. Many of you have posted up your amazing setups that look really great, but I thought I would show my progress on my own interpretation based on our needs. I'm not typically doing weeklong overlanding trips (maybe someday), but more the day or two of running mountain/high desert roads/trails, Christmas tree hunting or rough fishing access "roads", target practicing, kayaking, camping or just hauling construction materials or going to home depot.
Here is a list of considerations that will go into it.
1) Approx 8"-9" of drawer height (to match the height of the rear seats folded down)
2) Flat heavy duty carpeted deck surface (for ice chest, dog bed, dump runs, home depot, etc)
3) Tie downs (thinking recessed track with moveable d rings) *need to keep those groceries from spilling
4) Open space on either side of deck from the wheel wells back (approx 6" on left and right side to access Jack, inverter and store extra oil, paper towels, etc). Could use some removeable covers
5) Locking drawers with nice quality hardware (HD drawer slides - soft close)
6) Wood Drawer Fronts with good tough coating, recessed back enough to allow for fold down table on rear door
7) Slide out work surface in one of the drawers
8) Bottle opener?
9) Storage wall part way up left (drivers side) or possibly Molle attachment panel (likely items attached here are a roll of paper towels, snow shovel, Ice scraper/brush, first aid kit, fire extinguisher with clamp mount, and hat holder
10) Hidden storage in front of drawers for long items (accessible behind back seats). This worked well for me in the 470, but I would like to improve it if I can.
I tended to use my old system in this way;
Left Drawer - tools/repair kits, jumper cables, recovery gear, small compressor, epoxy mixing, duct tape, electrical repair, tie down straps, bungees, spray oil, leather gloves, etc
Right Drawer - misc camping supplies (stove/cooking, drill/driver/battery, towing items, hatchet, hammer, tarp, bivy bag, fire starting,
Left Side by Jack Storage - paper towels, spare oil, window cleaner, gas additive,
Right Side Storage - two small backpacking chairs, fire extinguisher, Ham antenna when off
In storage bin on left - Bag of emergency survival supplies, Freeze dried food
Hidden Storage in front - CB antenna, long items (fishing rod, etc)
old drawer system...
On my previous GX470, I built my drawer system without seeing too many other builds yet and did some things I liked and then wished I would have done other things.
Things I liked;
The new drawers in the GX460 will take a while to plan out and I still need to remove the 3rd row seats, but can't wait to get drawers in. It may have been my favorite thing (ok maybe tied with the lifted suspension/bigger tires/ trail lights and the Ham radio). But I am constantly whining about not having drawers... I really hate being somewhere and find myself needing something and remember "Crap, I don't have that in this rig yet".
Once I get the seats out I will have to measure the width for the box (so I can order the drawer boxes). If anyone has any measurements of side to side between wheel wells with the rear seats removed, let me know and it will give me something to use for planning purposes. I will post up pictures on progress as I go and hopefully this helps others looking to tackle this same project.
Onward we go...Wish me luck
Here is a list of considerations that will go into it.
1) Approx 8"-9" of drawer height (to match the height of the rear seats folded down)
2) Flat heavy duty carpeted deck surface (for ice chest, dog bed, dump runs, home depot, etc)
3) Tie downs (thinking recessed track with moveable d rings) *need to keep those groceries from spilling
4) Open space on either side of deck from the wheel wells back (approx 6" on left and right side to access Jack, inverter and store extra oil, paper towels, etc). Could use some removeable covers
5) Locking drawers with nice quality hardware (HD drawer slides - soft close)
6) Wood Drawer Fronts with good tough coating, recessed back enough to allow for fold down table on rear door
7) Slide out work surface in one of the drawers
8) Bottle opener?
9) Storage wall part way up left (drivers side) or possibly Molle attachment panel (likely items attached here are a roll of paper towels, snow shovel, Ice scraper/brush, first aid kit, fire extinguisher with clamp mount, and hat holder
10) Hidden storage in front of drawers for long items (accessible behind back seats). This worked well for me in the 470, but I would like to improve it if I can.
I tended to use my old system in this way;
Left Drawer - tools/repair kits, jumper cables, recovery gear, small compressor, epoxy mixing, duct tape, electrical repair, tie down straps, bungees, spray oil, leather gloves, etc
Right Drawer - misc camping supplies (stove/cooking, drill/driver/battery, towing items, hatchet, hammer, tarp, bivy bag, fire starting,
Left Side by Jack Storage - paper towels, spare oil, window cleaner, gas additive,
Right Side Storage - two small backpacking chairs, fire extinguisher, Ham antenna when off
In storage bin on left - Bag of emergency survival supplies, Freeze dried food
Hidden Storage in front - CB antenna, long items (fishing rod, etc)
old drawer system...
On my previous GX470, I built my drawer system without seeing too many other builds yet and did some things I liked and then wished I would have done other things.
Things I liked;
- plenty of height in the drawers
- soft close HD sliders
- carpeted top matched up with seats when folded down (great for lumber or large item hauling)
- room on sides for misc items and access to Jack
- hidden storage in front (behind rear seats)
- drawers did not have lock or handles (with the drawer loaded it sometimes opened and banged against the back door when accelerating or going up a hill)
- drawer fronts were not finished
- no tie downs (refilling propane cylinders is one thing that just doesn't travel well without a tiedown)
- no work surface (either a slide out in the drawer or above the drawer)
- needs an additional area to cook or prep things (probably a rear door fold down table would solve)
The new drawers in the GX460 will take a while to plan out and I still need to remove the 3rd row seats, but can't wait to get drawers in. It may have been my favorite thing (ok maybe tied with the lifted suspension/bigger tires/ trail lights and the Ham radio). But I am constantly whining about not having drawers... I really hate being somewhere and find myself needing something and remember "Crap, I don't have that in this rig yet".
Once I get the seats out I will have to measure the width for the box (so I can order the drawer boxes). If anyone has any measurements of side to side between wheel wells with the rear seats removed, let me know and it will give me something to use for planning purposes. I will post up pictures on progress as I go and hopefully this helps others looking to tackle this same project.
Onward we go...Wish me luck
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