i built these drawers from 3/4" ply and have several thousand miles on the now and so far worked out well. No tracks or rollers to take up space. Built them so they'd be flush with back seats folded down for sleeping.
Drawers
- Thread starter toyogi
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i built these drawers from 3/4" ply and have several thousand miles on the now and so far worked out well. No tracks or rollers to take up space. Built them so they'd be flush with back seats folded down for sleeping.
I had thought about doing this too: sleeping platform on folded down seats. Sweet to see it works! You've also sold me on the foxwing.
Sweet setup!
Sweet setup!
- Thread starter
- #3
It's a very basic set up. I found that with the drawers of this size, rollers are not needed. I've had them both fully loaded with provisions (driver side) and tools, spares, etc (passenger side) and all I use for a drawer pull is a 3/4" piece of marine dock line (I have a bunch laying around) run through a hole and a stopper knot. The drawer boxes are coated with linseed oil which allows them to slide easily. The box is secured to tie downs but I also have a heavy duty cargo net over top of it when I have gear stored on top.
Regarding the FoxWing, Great coverage when set up. It's very difficult to set up in windy conditions by yourself but with a little ingenuity, and the use of straps to hold the poles taught, it can be done. With the added and optional zipper attachments you get a huge coverage area. I've used it in rain, wind on the beach and blazing sun and it offers great protection. I ordered mine through hhttp://www.autoanything.com/shop/foxwing along with an optional attachment (worth it) and they threw in a "free" OzTent camp chair (huge) and applied a 20% discount coupon and free shipping. My rack is a FrontRunner Slimline and works perfect.
nice setup!
any closeups of where the drawer box meets the folded seats for the sleeper setup? and how often do you reapply the oil to the drawers to keep them sliding easily?
any closeups of where the drawer box meets the folded seats for the sleeper setup? and how often do you reapply the oil to the drawers to keep them sliding easily?
Care to share any pix of your tie down install too? I've seen one other home made drawer system that used the floor cargo net tiedowns to anchor the drawer, seemed like a good idea. I'd love to see what you did.
More and more, I think a drawer system will be my winter project this year.
Does the linseed oil stain the carpet? I'm surprised it pulls easily with a bunch of weight in there. (I was going to ask.) I had planned on going extra heavy duty McMaster style for drawer slides: using rollers on wood, bar stock or square extrusion. If it slides nicely on a little bit of a skid without ruining the carpet, so much the better as it makes for a more simple design. If the oil can stain the carpet, maybe a teflon strip on the drawer skid or maybe some other applied finish to make it smooth and slick.
The rubbed oil finish sure makes the plywood look pretty!
More and more, I think a drawer system will be my winter project this year.
Does the linseed oil stain the carpet? I'm surprised it pulls easily with a bunch of weight in there. (I was going to ask.) I had planned on going extra heavy duty McMaster style for drawer slides: using rollers on wood, bar stock or square extrusion. If it slides nicely on a little bit of a skid without ruining the carpet, so much the better as it makes for a more simple design. If the oil can stain the carpet, maybe a teflon strip on the drawer skid or maybe some other applied finish to make it smooth and slick.
The rubbed oil finish sure makes the plywood look pretty!
- Thread starter
- #6
I'll see about some close ups soon. The linseed oil hardens. It's only on the inside of the box where the drawer slides and applies on the exterior or the drawer inserts. I've only oiled it twice. My teen daughter can pull the drawer fully open when full of tools spares and equipment. I use an air mattress that fits perfectly. I sleep back there just as comfy as in my bed at home. I have back issues and camping over a 16 day period, didn't have any back pain!!
I had been putting this project off for a few years and finally did it. Wonder now how I got along with out all that extra storage. The tie downs are simple "D" rings that I used para cord wrapped through the D-ring on the floor and box. The para cord is wrapped six loops then a truckers hitch and secured. I installed that several months ago and have not had to make any adjustments.
The space between the box and back seat is just enough that I can store the poles for the FoxWing and I also keep my pair of trekking poles and spare antenna there.
- Thread starter
- #7
Here's the air mattress I use. Fit is just like it was made for the back. http://www.rei.com/product/868745/alps-mountaineering-rechargeable-air-bed-twin-special-buy
I don't know much about linseed oil, but it sounds like I should do some research. I'm getting a little excited to get started on this.
We use the 3rd row several times a year when family travels to visit us or we have extra friends along. Easy install and removal will be important. Most of the time we really only use 1 of the rumble seats, but having a drawer next to the rumble seat will be handy. I'm hoping to figure out a way to make a modular 1 or 2 drawer system that is still secure with only 1 drawer in place. Maybe I'll have to add some extra D-rings to the floor of the cargo area and use some kind of easy release tie down.
We use the 3rd row several times a year when family travels to visit us or we have extra friends along. Easy install and removal will be important. Most of the time we really only use 1 of the rumble seats, but having a drawer next to the rumble seat will be handy. I'm hoping to figure out a way to make a modular 1 or 2 drawer system that is still secure with only 1 drawer in place. Maybe I'll have to add some extra D-rings to the floor of the cargo area and use some kind of easy release tie down.
- Thread starter
- #9
Very nice! Thanks for the pics. I intend to build my own and this is the direction I was wanting to go.
I was thinking of installing a power inverter on the side of the drawer box and install some outlets in the gap between the box and the side panel.
I really like your seat covers as well. They look heavy duty. What brand are they?
I was thinking of installing a power inverter on the side of the drawer box and install some outlets in the gap between the box and the side panel.
I really like your seat covers as well. They look heavy duty. What brand are they?