KISS Drawers (Keep It Simple Storage) For 100 Series

[od4x4]

@od4x4 Can't wait to see your install either! I'll email you on that fitment and maybe bring another piece for you, shouldn't require any trimming. We have 6 KISS Drawer owners confirmed for HIH, and then a 7th receiving a free Solo drawer, making 8 of us. If anyone has not confirmed they'll be at HIH and would like to attend the 'KISS My Drawers' shindig please let me know, am on the fence about brining bottles of beer vs a 1/6th keg...

Dave, let me clarify.... the issue is not with the drawers but with the plastic panels in the Land Cruiser being slightly warped. There were two missing clips and some scuff marks which makes me think that the PO took that panel off at some point.

 

[guerasfj60]

I decided to keep my drawers and try my luck with a fridge. I went with a temporary 1/2 inch sheet of birch plywood to try and keep as much of the design's structural integrity. If I change my mind, 30 min. and it's back to original.
I decided to attached to the fridge drawer slides front to back (buying extra piece of slide) so that they support it 100% open to close (avoid deflection) and completely stabilize when driving.

 

[guerasfj60]

I added a bolt to the ends since the 1/2 (actual .475) in seemed like it would curl after a while.
Since the drawer hasn't bowed under 90 lbs (2 weeks so far), I will attach it by drilling a hole and a longer bolt (using the thread that holds the foot pad) for a clean look. Another thought is using drawer slides and moving the fridge to the far left and creating more usable side storage to the drawer (I didn't do that so the weight would be centered). I will find out if this all works well after a 3 week road trip this month and if successful, I will properly cut a 5/8" birch top. Wings are cut at bracket for opening without moving seats.

 

[BillZ260]

That looks interesting guerasfj60! Got any pics with the drawer open. I think i'm getting closer to ordering a full kit. All these great installs look so good! This got me to thinking, could you pretty easily add another extrusion channel and have two narrow slide outs on the one side? I'm thinking fridge up top and a drawer beneath it?

I really would like to do 100% DIY but I'm leaning towards getting the kit, building it and living with it until i figure out what my needs are, it does seem like a great starter, and honestly I am better and re-configuring stuff than designing from scratch anyhow.

 

[guerasfj60]

BillZ260, I'll take a pic tomorrow. Regarding dual tops. I do like the way the fridge drawer rests flush on the tailgate when fully extended.
Not sure if I'd like all that weight fully suspended off the plastic guides.
I have planned that if my current set up is compromised, I will use drawer sliders with a "cutting board" slider underneath. My goal is to keep the fridge as low as possible regardless.

I highly recommend the KISS drawers. Especially over DIY on same configuration. Light weight, pre-cut, easy to assemble and ability to customize.

 

[guerasfj60]

I will add a divider behind the fridge, leaving enough room for air circulation, that will house my first aid kit (or lightweight stuff). Also, I will be adding a ledge on the right and rear of the fridge.

 

[elk]

I'm getting really stoked seeing all of these drawer pictures. My KISS order is sitting at a Fed Ex shipping station back home waiting for me. I should have everything installed and ready to go for HIH, but it's getting down to the wire.

 

[csw266]

just opted in. Gonna be a long wait to September

 

[cruzerDave]

I'm getting really stoked seeing all of these drawer pictures. My KISS order is sitting at a Fed Ex shipping station back home waiting for me. I should have everything installed and ready to go for HIH, but it's getting down to the wire.

Hope you can drop by Friday at 8 for the KISS My Drawers get-together, even if you didn't get a chance to install them

just opted in. Gonna be a long wait to September

If you're at HIH enter the raffle, I'm giving away a Solo drawer which could tide you over

 

[csw266]

If you're at HIH enter the raffle, I'm giving away a Solo drawer which could tide you over

unfortunately i didnt have the LC in time to sign up for HIH! next year.

 

[abuck99]

Dave where are you camped at HIH? Can't find ya

 

[cruzerDave]

Still

Dave where are you camped at HIH? Can't find ya

Still on the road, day job kept me, the late tonight. See you tomorrow at the KISS Drawers get-together, taste a little Black Butte 29?

 

[KINGER]

Signed for my drawers this AM. Dave, thanks for fitting me into the July run last minute. You're the man!

To the people with hairy dogs who have installed carpet or marine Polymat: what is the hair retention situation? Would you do it again or go for a harder rubber surface that doesn't collect fur? We have two Goldens so I've been considering diamond rubber mat but I like the idea of offering them a softer gripping surface. I don't mind cleaning it, as long as it isn't overly time consuming and doesn't grab everything like velcro.

 

[abuck99]

Dave

Nice to meet you at HIH-

Sorry I didn't get a chance to visit more- but you looked busy and glad you had lots of interest in your drawer kits and the new Ramora product.

 

[guerasfj60]

Nothing like a place for everything and everything in its place.

Pyramid of the Sun, Teotihuacan

 

[Enigma]

How might these mount for us JDM 80 owners who don't have the 3rd row seating brackets? I do have 4 threaded holes in the cargo area floor that my existing JDM dealer installed camping kit bolts to.

 

[cruzerDave]

How might these mount for us JDM 80 owners who don't have the 3rd row seating brackets? I do have 4 threaded holes in the cargo area floor that my existing JDM dealer installed camping kit bolts to.

AFAIK the 2 JDM owners each cobbled together something that worked for them, but am not certain if it either hit upon the 'best' solution, and I'm not sure how much variation exists out there. I'd check the 80 thread and ask them there:
KISS Drawers (Keep It Simple Storage) for 80s

 

[cruzerDave]

Nothing like a place for everything and everything in its place.

Pyramid of the Sun, Teotihuacan

View attachment 1508257

I've been wanting to comment on your photo since I saw it at HIH - JUST. WOW. I am sooooo jealous, I would love to go there, and great job on the photo!

How is it working out with a fridge in the drawer??

 

[smithytailor]

Can someone who has built these help me out? I got my drawer package and am trying to build these (hopefully by the end of today) but keep running in to issues. Dave didn't respond yesterday so I'm checking here.

When nailing in the slides to the drawers, there are no guide holes (step 12). Do the slides line up with the bottom of the drawer side? Or is there a space between where the slide sits and the bottom of the drawer? Also, how far from the front/back do the slides sit on the drawer?

Are there obvious differences between the long aluminum pieces (besides length)? The instructions say that the ones with red tabs (step 19) are "rounded" to allow the slides to move undamaged over them, but I don't see any difference between any of edges on this or the other aluminum pieces. Maybe all of the aluminum pieces have rounded edges? I can get a picture of the aluminum pieces if this doesn't make sense.

 

[BreakerMark]

My dad and I ran into issues with the slides as well, we did not find the guide holes until later steps and had to back track. They are very small, possibly still appear to be sealed.

The aluminum slides with red are supposed to be rounded, I definitely noticed rounded front edges (the ends that face the tailgate) on my set.