Easily removable floor sliders/drawer systems -- Swapping for seats and back again. (1 Viewer)

[CBdeJ]

Was curious what the collective knowledge of the 100 series forum says about drawer systems and floor slides especially when it comes to ease of instillation and removal.

I use my truck both for ferrying around the family as well as camping so I frequently need/use the third row seats. Is there a drawer system or sliders or combination of both (available in the US) that's easy to remove and/or reinstall. Call it 15 minutes to swap seats for drawers (or back again).

I like the ARB 1045 floor sliders. low profile and two side by side would make loading and unloading a breeze. However they don't look like they come out easy or fast.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[od4x4]

Easy is relative I am sure.... 15 minutes probably not unless just a single side. If you don’t need both 3rd row you could use a single drawer. Highly recommend @cruzerDave ’s KISS system and you could possibly modify it to make quicker to remove with some permanently mounted brackets that the drawer frame could slide in and out of to remove. I have thought about that at first, but mine are installed 24/7.

Land Shark Outfitters

Absolutely love them and when we are not traveling they are a perfect place for extra extra cloths, snacks, etc for the little guy.

 

[Skidoo]

Tuffy at one time made a metal drawer unit for one of the jeeps, don't see it in catalog now. I welded on some brackets that clip in to 3rd row mounts, then two big bolts at back end of unit. Undo the two bolts and it comes out.

 

[fireball]

Your best bet would likely be to build something narrow enough to fit in b/w the 3rd row seats when they are folded up.

You should be able to use some turnbuckles to secure the box to the 4 OEM tie down rings.

 

[ChuckB]

I'm in the same boat. We have three kids who usually sit 3-wide in the 2nd row (still in car seats). I would like some drawers to stay organized and clutter free. But, we do use the 3rd row fairly regularly.

Some good ideas here to think about.

 

[hoser]

I would do something like Jeff Kaufman's drawers except without any of the side compartments. Drawers in general are quite heavy, especially loaded up with gear. But if you could break it down into parts, it would be manageable. The drawers shown don't use roller sliders but rather HDPE runners. That way each drawer can be removed easily. The drawers also have handles for carrying. Then just secure the main box down using turnbuckles or maybe a couple ratchet straps. <15 minute swap should be doable.

60, 80, & 100 Series Cargo Drawers from Jeff Kaufman

 

[oakback]

Are there large plastic drawers that are sturdy enough to stack things on top of? I'm ok with not tying them down, and I don't need a perfectly smooth surface on top. But it sure would be nice to have some basic off-the-shelf storage drawers that I could put things on top of, and easily remove when needed.

 

[hoser]

^^^ Build or buy a platform (aka False Floor). Store plastic containers below.

Storage System 1: Group Buy and Tech Discussion

 

[cruzerDave]

Easy is relative I am sure.... 15 minutes probably not unless just a single side. If you don’t need both 3rd row you could use a single drawer. Highly recommend @cruzerDave ’s KISS system and you could possibly modify it to make quicker to remove with some permanently mounted brackets that the drawer frame could slide in and out of to remove. I have thought about that at first, but mine are installed 24/7.

Land Shark Outfitters

Absolutely love them and when we are not traveling they are a perfect place for extra extra cloths, snacks, etc for the little guy.

Thanks @od4x4

@CBdeJ the drawers take me about 10 minutes to remove now that i have done it a dozen times - half of that for the u-bolts that secure them into the truck, and half the wings. You could speed that up by not installing the wings at all and going to turnbuckles, literally in the 5-6 minute range then. I didn't design around turnbuckles because I dislike how they waste space on the sides, but maybe that is a compromise that would better fit your need... either way you're not talking about a lot of time here and the KISS Drawers are designed to be flexible and customizable for tweaks just like this. Let me know if I can answer any questions.

 

[TXLX100]

Your best bet would likely be to build something narrow enough to fit in b/w the 3rd row seats when they are folded up.

You should be able to use some turnbuckles to secure the box to the 4 OEM tie down rings.

This is the way to go for quick install and removal. You could drill out bottom of some wood drawers to use 3rd tow seat mounts, but you'd have to reinstall the seat strikes to use the seats. I use turn buckles to install drawers in my 4runner, no issues and quick removal.

 

[Manhattan]

I've struggled with this too. I'm surprised how many guy are willing to devote 80% of the cargo space for drawers, fridge, etc. My assumption is that those trucks are not DDs and/or they've got another SUV/truck in the fleet. My 100 serves as primary family truckster - dogs, family trips/luggage, Home Depot runs, etc.

I built a box the full width of the cargo area, about 1/2 the depth (front to back) of the spaced beyond the 2nd row, about 18" tall. The box is painted gray, and top is covered with gray carpet. The box is not secured - just wedged and well below the seat back. The tops (two, split even with the 60/40 back seats) are secured/locked.

The box gets move in and out pretty often... currently out - about to hit the road.

Not ideal 'cause I still want some of the contents all the time - jumper cables, tow strap, basic tools - when the box is out. But, it beats (for me) a permanent drawer system

 

[yeti in ga]

I have a combo approach and use an ARB roller floor drawer on one side which lets me still use one third row seat. The ARB is removable but would be a little bit of a pain. However a low profile drawer holds all the needed everyday items and tools... I cant image not having it.. Then I have a roller under the bed bin to keep other items and depending on time of year. I then add the sleeper (2 mins) on the driver side when going solo or leave it for loading items.. At this time I love the set up and I think I have finally figure out what I needed. I also have a frig and carry that often so the roller floor is used to secure that , 60 qt frig is big.. My LC is a DD do everything rig..

 

[Newps]

I've struggled with this too. I'm surprised how many guy are willing to devote 80% of the cargo space for drawers, fridge, etc. My assumption is that those trucks are not DDs and/or they've got another SUV/truck in the fleet. My 100 serves as primary family truckster - dogs, family trips/luggage, Home Depot runs, etc.

I built a box the full width of the cargo area, about 1/2 the depth (front to back) of the spaced beyond the 2nd row, about 18" tall. The box is painted gray, and top is covered with gray carpet. The box is not secured - just wedged and well below the seat back. The tops (two, split even with the 60/40 back seats) are secured/locked.

The box gets move in and out pretty often... currently out - about to hit the road.

Not ideal 'cause I still want some of the contents all the time - jumper cables, tow strap, basic tools - when the box is out. But, it beats (for me) a permanent drawer system

This is super dangerous for your family. In the event of a high speed rollover all those objects in the back become lethal. Anything besides pillows needs to be strapped down, especially tools. This is the whole idea behind drawer systems. Yes they make getting to your tools convenient but more importantly secure.

Not trying to single you out but this is a forum. Others many read this and not think about the dangers of unsecured items.

 

[jfrench]

I built a wood base out of 3/4" birch plywood that bolts to the OEM tie down locations. The wood has cutouts over the locations where the seats latch to the floor so that they can be used with the base left in place. I put some t-nuts in the wood base that allow me to easily bolt and unbolt a drawer, in my case the same one that @yeti in ga referenced above. I use the the cargo space and seats way more than the drawer/fridge slide. I can also use 1 3rd row seat with the drawer and fridge in place. Thinking about getting a single KISS Drawer from @cruzerDave for the side that doesn't have the drawer slide to increase drawer storage capabilities and give me a good spot for a single sleeping platform. My single ARB drawer goes in and out as fast as you can install/remove 4 bolts, just a couple minutes.

I can snap some pics later if you're interested in seeing it.

To get an idea of what I'm talking about, check out Goose Gear. They make a similar plate but it doesn't allow for use of the 3rd row seats:
Land Cruiser Plate Systems

 

[cruzerDave]

This is super dangerous for your family. In the event of a high speed rollover all those objects in the back become lethal. Anything besides pillows needs to be strapped down, especially tools. This is the whole idea behind drawer systems. Yes they make getting to your tools convenient but more importantly secure.

Not trying to single you out but this is a forum. Others many read this and not think about the dangers of unsecured items.

+1 for this, I agree with you @Newps.

I would guess any drawer system will be better than bags and crates, but I know for sure that KISS Drawers got a real test when an owner hit some ice and rolled last winter (check the main thread). The loaded drawers kept everything in their place, and despite the side of the truck crumpling in the drawers were able to be removed and reinstalled in his new rig, operating fine today. He swapped out the u-bolts (you never know if a bolt that has been loaded like that can still be trusted) and replaced a bracket I think, but otherwise all good.

Our trucks are built tough to protect you from the outside. They do nothing on their own, however, from stuff on the inside, and the thought of a bag of shackles moving at 50 mph in the cab is scary... please secure things one way or another.

 

[jfrench]

Here's my junk. Not yet finished. Need to coat it in some bedliner and add the single KISS drawer on the passenger side with airline style tie-down tracks on it.

 

[yotasavg]

Sub'ing for ideas

 

[suprarx7nut]

This sort of thing is exactly what Kyle and I designed the SS1 for. Glad to see it linked already in the thread!

Storage System 1: Group Buy and Tech Discussion

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I don't use the third row much, but I do haul stuff in the cargo area that can't fit with a typical drawer install so I didn't want a traditional "drawer system". We designed something that comes out faster than anything else on the market, to my knowledge. It also functions as a better sleep platform than anything else I've seen, providing a perfectly flat, full length floor (if you opt for the sleeper addition).

We'll have to time it and post a video of real time removal. With two people I think it'll go from completely installed to completely removed in under 2 minutes with two people. Maybe 4 minutes with one person.

I've liked my setup without drawers and just used bins, but Kyle is running a prototype drawer that's working well. If you're interested in the system and drawers are a must have, let us know. That'll motivate us to move our butts and finish up the design/fabrication so the drawer add-on is officially "launched".

If you haul anything in the cargo area you really should have some kind of platform or at least straps holding everything down. Like others have said, loose stuff is dangerous in an accident.

 

[CBdeJ]

This sort of thing is exactly what Kyle and I designed the SS1 for. Glad to see it linked already in the thread!

Storage System 1: Group Buy and Tech Discussion

Home

edited for brevity.

From my research Front Runner uses basically the same attachment set up as you do. Four turnbuckles and rings to the stock mounting points. I like the plate idea and may look into that. Has anyone seen or own the slider from Landcruiser 200 sliding cargo tray. 0434744903 | Ezi Reach. Apparently they make one for the 100 series now.

 

[suprarx7nut]

From my research Front Runner uses basically the same attachment set up as you do. Four turnbuckles and rings to the stock mounting points. I like the plate idea and may look into that. Has anyone seen or own the slider from Landcruiser 200 sliding cargo tray. 0434744903 | Ezi Reach. Apparently they make one for the 100 series now.

They use turnbuckles for the anchors, but the wings are hard-mounted and must be removed prior to removal of the drawers. Their instructions estimate it at a 45 minute task out of the box, but I'm sure you could lessen that after a few tries. That said, I'd like to see them drop that 45 minute install time to under 4 miuntes like the SS1.

The frontrunner system and the other metal systems are awesome, but much more of a permanent install, IMO. It's 165 lbs of metal. That'll take a couple people to remove, maybe even 3. I also don't like that the wing supports are in the way of the OEM cubbies. You'd need a wrench to undo the support before you can get into the cubbies. That seems silly for a product designed to improve storage. It's also $1400 compared to the SS1 from Kyle and I (Air Down Gear Up) or Dave's system which come in at about half that price pending your configuration. Dave's is a little lighter and ours is way, way lighter. The SS1 starts around 30 lbs. One person can lift it in and out without a hernia.