How good is access to cooler/fridge on a drawer system? Any real-world examples of how accessible your cooler is on an ARB Drawer System or similar?
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I’ve flipped the fridge 180 so that the fridge can be accessed from the right side instead of the left. Was a bit cramped with the tire swing out.
I suppose you could fab something up to put another drawer on the driver side on top of the other one. That’s a lot of stuff
Girl dad here. I get it.
Maybe something similar to this could work unless you need three drawers. In which case, a standalone mounted to the typical side-by-side would work.
If you have a fridge mounted on top of a drawer, the tilt is a must. It works perfect in my 80, but if it didn't tilt, I would need a step stool each time I wanted something out of it. Something like below, you may be able to get by without any tilt (and may not really have an option to tilt with a tailgate).
I just realized I didn't have enough coffee by the time I responded back to you earlier this morning and was a bit selective in my response...
I DO like the drawers. I like them a lot. The drop-in bins make it a breeze to grab a bin of like items (recovery gear for example) to just pull the bin out and rock and roll for whatever task. I use the flip-up work surface all the time.
Only "complaint" is I wish the drawer lock-out system (not the locks themselves, but the mechanism used to keep the drawer in an extended position) was a bit more robust. Don't get me wrong, it totally works. It just feels a bit "meh" for what it is. Certainly a function-over-form scenario. Fit and finish is great and I've had zero issues. They've been installed for probably four years? I'm considering another set for our 200 even though it's just a glorified Mom Mobile. Big Country makes a good product.
I DO like the drawers. I like them a lot. The drop-in bins make it a breeze to grab a bin of like items (recovery gear for example) to just pull the bin out and rock and roll for whatever task. I use the flip-up work surface all the time.
Only "complaint" is I wish the drawer lock-out system (not the locks themselves, but the mechanism used to keep the drawer in an extended position) was a bit more robust. Don't get me wrong, it totally works. It just feels a bit "meh" for what it is. Certainly a function-over-form scenario. Fit and finish is great and I've had zero issues. They've been installed for probably four years? I'm considering another set for our 200 even though it's just a glorified Mom Mobile. Big Country makes a good product.
I went with an MSA drop slide for our setup.
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your question is an excellent one, and the answer is directly tied to your height and your vehicle's lift
Additionally, if your partner is shorter stature, that's a huge consideration that you need to take into account. The pic below is from my 4runner cargo buildout process, and i got lucky when I found out i can use the rear hatch to hold the lid open
The second pic is from the 80 where the fridge lives in the second row and uses no slides. When I was dating a 5'5" lady, she needed the step stool to grab/see inside the fridge. When I was dating a 5'8" lady, she had no issues but now I might be dating a 5'3" so guess I'll find out on our first camping trip
Enjoy the research!
I got this setup, rests on the tailgait and my fridge opens about 95%, hits the glass at the top but the glass holds it open so it's works well enough. I could probably get longer slides and play with the geometry a bit to get it out further, but good enough for now. My National Luna fridge is very deep, other fridges would clear no problem.
shwoffroad.com
100 Series Land Cruiser/LX470 Expedition Series Drawer System | SHW Offroad
The ultimate overland drawer system for your 100 Series (1998-2007) Toyota Landcruiser/LX470.
shwoffroad.com
Something from TemboTusk.
You need some half doors for that little truck. IMHO.
I had half doors. They are cool, but I find a tailgate far more useful.
I meant the front doors. I do like that tailgate though, definitely better than the little barn doors. Also it's been a long while since
I have been on your site. Just getting a new NL 40L Drawer fridge from SA in a month or so. Really impressed to see you sell components
to drawer systems so people can go there own way as well. Impressed, thank you! J
I have drawers and looked at slides and found them to be too bulky. Also the fridge is too high and compressors run better when level. My solution was to take the passenger side seat out in my 200. My NL50 fits in there perfectly. The power pack for it sits in the foot well. Access is easy.
After some real world testing, I hate this set up. The angle makes the compressor kick on, which can't be great for it, the lid hitting the glass and not opening all the way is a problem, and I have to pull out an additional basket when I pull out the one inside of it bc the outer one slides into that spot. I'll be ditching this part of my drawers kit for a fridge drop down system.I got this setup, rests on the tailgait and my fridge opens about 95%, hits the glass at the top but the glass holds it open so it's works well enough. I could probably get longer slides and play with the geometry a bit to get it out further, but good enough for now. My National Luna fridge is very deep, other fridges would clear no problem.
100 Series Land Cruiser/LX470 Expedition Series Drawer System | SHW Offroad
The ultimate overland drawer system for your 100 Series (1998-2007) Toyota Landcruiser/LX470.
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