Cargo Drawer

[okefenokeefzj80]

I've been planning on building a cargo drawer to go in the back of the 80 for some time now. I have just now gotten rid of my 3rd row seats and gotten serious. After reading all the threads on everyone's cargo drawers I have one more question. What is the usual height of the box or of the total drawer system? I am guessing around 12-18 inches, but am curious as to what each individual has done.

SJ

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Pretty sure most people build them so the "wings" of the top platform rest on the wheel wells for support. As with many things, the constraints of the truck will dictate how you design it. I suppose if that's not tall enough you could add blocks under the wings to sit on the wheel wells though.

 

[jfz80]

im shooting for 11''-12'' where it will rest on the wheel wells (using 3rd row brackets as tie down for unit) but ultimately guided by the height of the 2nd row seats. When second row is folded but not tumbled foward the back edge sits 10'' above the floor and the leading edge (at shoulder, not headrest) is about 14'' above the floor(with no weigh down). My design w/ be for storage as well as a sleeping platform so that weighed heavily in the design. but id stay as low as possible because 12'' platform, 8'' queen mattress = 20'' of 40''..... i dont suffer from clausterphobia but i wouldnt want to sleep in much less space than that.

 

[GXO]

I built one and measured to where you are indicating...works great. I built wings with piano hinges to cover the wheel wells and a queen size fits in wonderfully.

on a special note, I used 3/4" plywood and 2x6 lumber for the box and two sheets plywood (top and bottom) with the 2x6 in the middle vertically fit on the nose.

If you build the opening in the rear with 19.5" drawer openings with a 2x6 in the center, there are under bed storage bins with wheels that fit perfectly that are made by rubbermaid and sold at Lowe's.

 

[okefenokeefzj80]

I built one and measured to where you are indicating...works great. I built wings with piano hinges to cover the wheel wells and a queen size fits in wonderfully.

on a special note, I used 3/4" plywood and 2x6 lumber for the box and two sheets plywood (top and bottom) with the 2x6 in the middle vertically fit on the nose.

If you build the opening in the rear with 19.5" drawer openings with a 2x6 in the center, there are under bed storage bins with wheels that fit perfectly that are made by rubbermaid and sold at Lowe's.

Do the wings rest on top of the wheelwells or are there additional supports?

SJ

I've searched and can't a pic of your cargo drawers. Any links??

 

[jfz80]

dan--- i was really diggin your setup up on the bald; if i was bein picky i might use a combo of 1/2 and 3/4 and some lighter shelving boards i found at lowes....
but then again weight isnt one of your concerns there is it
seriously though i liked how i came together and the slide out containers were hot. one ? though, how do you keep them retained while wheelin? just a lip or strap across the front, or are they tight enough to be wiggle free w/ the gate up?

 

[Bluetribal]

I don't understand why people build it to the top of the 2nd row seats. They do not lay flat and they don't seam to have any support on the back surface. I would feel that the leather would rib on the back of the seat. But I guess if you put a queen batress back there that would solve most of the problem but you would loose a ton of cargo space. You could only pack on top of the matress and that load would bounce all over the place. I would want to use my 1" thick hicking air matress but with those I would think you could feel the frame of the folded down seats and possibly rip the leather as I already have mentioned.

 

[Zane]

I made mine as tall as the top of the third row seat bracket, that is on top of the rear wheel wells. This gave a resting point for the top deck of the drawer system and was perfect height for when you fold down your second row seats to put a queen size air mattress back there. Very happy with my set up.

Here is a link to my rear storage solution build up: https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=111868

Good luck.. and have fun...

Zane

 

[Hayes]

Mine is several inches taller than the wheel wells--about and inch or two higher than zjz4476's box (above). It doesn't match with the folded second row seats, but I don't really sleep in my Cruiser all that much. Almost never, really. On the rare cases that I do, I just pile some soft stuff in the small step, and put my sleeping pad and blankets on top--not queen matress sleeping--but I don't see myself packing a matress, ever.

Cargo capacity was the priority for me, and I thought the extra few inches of drawer height made quite a difference in what/how much I could carry in the box.

Hayes

 

[alia176]

The height may depend on tall dogs, if you got any!

 

[ed97fzj80]

It's good you mentioned that Alia; I'm presently designing to accommodate a German Shepherd and a Lab/mutt cross. My wings will rest directly on top of the wheel wells so as to give the pups some headroom.

 

[GXO]

I have my wings resting on the top of the wheel well, since it is 3/4 ply and using a long piano hinge I have no issues with support.

To answer the question on the drawers...they stay in with friction alone. I can park up a steep hill and they don't slide out. I have a bungee across just in case.

I guess I could take some pics and actually make this a bit more informative

I have them to the top of the second row folded because of the level surface for sleeping (queen size air matress). I simply unlatch the bottom, lean it forward, fold, and re-seat. No issues with rubbing, etc.

 

[alia176]

I would've liked to have a taller drawer but my tall Rotty wouldn't be able to stand up straight. This brings me to another point; the elevated dogs are now prone to become projectiles in the event of a sudden braking or collision. So keep that in mind and setup the cargo area accordingly!

Cheers,

Ali

 

[okefenokeefzj80]

Thanks for the great info guys. I believe that I will leave in the bracket for the 3rd row seats and use that as the top point for the cargo drawer. You guys have been helpful as always.

Thanks,

SJ

 

[GXO]

I took the bracket out, the ply sits on top of the bolting plate for the bracket.

 

[jfz80]

But I guess if you put a queen batress back there that would solve most of the problem but you would loose a ton of cargo space. You could only pack on top of the matress and that load would bounce all over the place.

oops should've clarified w/ air mattress. deflated for daytime and traveling, rearranged and aired up for the night. fits in a shoe box when folded up.

 

[GXO]

yep, air matress for sure.

Only issue I have found is the one I bought leaks when it gets cold (seals shrink).

 

[Bluetribal]

OK that makes more sense. I have totally given up on the thick air matresses they hardly last 3 uses. I have some killer backpacking ones from REI that are 1" thick and have foam inside so it takes only like three puffs to air them up. Easier to air up than a baloon! But I would defiinately put a board across the back of the folded down second row seats to prevent tears and to rid pressure points from the seat frame.

 

[GXO]

I am getting a new one with a different pump design so I am not sitting on my duff by midnight in the middle of the cold woods