My Own Rear Storage/Drawers (1 Viewer)

[VCCruzr]

I have to say that these look amazing! I am looking to build a set muself here soon (not quite as fancy) and i was wondering how you get the measuerment for the top towards the back where the sides move in towards the middle. I really want something that goeas all the way across but can't figure out a good way to measure/map that out. any suggestions? appreciate the help.

I made cardboard templates to get these curves right. I got it right on the second attempt. I set up a cardboard box sitting about 6 inches away from the curved interior plastic panel and made sure it was lined up with the metal strip that holds the carpet down. That way it is "square" to the interior panel. I then made a mark on the box every 1 inch on a line that was parallel to the interior panel. I then measured the distance between the box and the interior panel at each 1 inch mark I had made, then transferred these to a piece of carboard and cut a template. Hope this helps.

Derrick

 

[slackervn]

Any updates on securing the cargo tie downs?

 

[VCCruzr]

Any updates on securing the cargo tie downs?

No, I haven't gotten around to it yet as I have been busy doing other mods (sleeved LCA's, adjustable panhards, increased lift, ordered 37s.....) plus, I haven't gone on a trip yet that required reinforced tie downs. EDIT: (I don't have a fridge or anything heavy at this point that I strap down, only backpacks, sleeping bags, camp chairs and other lightweight objects).

Also, I ordered a full size 4" memory foam mattress topper and tried out the sleeping platform. It is so much nicer than sleeping in a tent. It was a real windy night in the high desert so it was nice to be in a hard sided vehicle.

I do intend to beef up the tie downs eventually and will update when I do.

Derrick

 

[Wheelingnoob]

Any rattles from the slides or drawers?

They turned out great!

 

[VCCruzr]

Any rattles from the slides or drawers?

They turned out great!

Thanks! For the first few outings, there were no rattles, but then the drawer stops moved a little from the heavy loads I keep in the drawers. For now my fix is to just fold a towel in half and place between the lower rear hatch and drawers. This puts enough pressure against them to stop the rattling. Over all I am extremely happy with the drawers. If I had a complaint, it would be the weight, they are heavy.

 

[2 E L O]

Thanks! For the first few outings, there were no rattles, but then the drawer stops moved a little from the heavy loads I keep in the drawers. For now my fix is to just fold a towel in half and place between the lower rear hatch and drawers. This puts enough pressure against them to stop the rattling. Over all I am extremely happy with the drawers. If I had a complaint, it would be the weight, they are heavy.

Any estimate on how much it actually weighs?

 

[VCCruzr]

Any estimate on how much it actually weighs?

Dry, it weighs at least 80lbs, maybe even 90lbs. It's the heavy duty drawer slides and the 3/4" birch plywood. But mostly, it is all the junk I fill it with, recovery gear, tools, spare parts, more tools,......20lb CO2 bottle, did I mention tools .

 

[2 E L O]

80-90 lbs is less than I expected for the enclosure iteself. Nice! But you probably add 200-300 lbs of junk in the drawers???

 

[Polar Bear]

Dry, it weighs at least 80lbs, maybe even 90lbs. It's the heavy duty drawer slides and the 3/4" birch plywood. But mostly, it is all the junk I fill it with, recovery gear, tools, spare parts, more tools,......20lb CO2 bottle, did I mention tools .

I think you may be surprised if you ever go to the trouble of removing and weighing the boxes. I'm in the middle of my budget build (with each drawer being a separate box) and each box weighs 65 lbs for a total of 130 before I even add the top for a sleeping platform. I used much lighter materials and slides than your project BTW.

 

[Wheelingnoob]

Wow the weights you guys are getting from the drawer systems is amazing. I'm looking at making the super structure of mine out of 14 gauge galvanized steel. I may still make the drawers them selves out of wood though.

 

[VCCruzr]

Maybe I am just so strong that 150lbs feels like 80 to 90, . They might be over a 100lbs. Next time I have them out I will weigh them and post up.

 

[VCCruzr]

To do the body work from my recent encounter with some rocks, I had to remove my drawers. While they were out I decided to weigh them. Man, was I way off on guessing the weight at about a hundred pounds. These things tip the scales at 165 pounds .

 

[Polar Bear]

LOL

Mine were 65lbs per drawer before I added a sleeping platform on top. I used a sheet of inch and an eighth plywood over them. It must have added a good 70 lbs to the package. Good news is that I can park a car on my drawers now lol.
Its total overkill, but I'm a great big fat guy and don't relish the idea of putting a knee through my drawer tops in the middle of the night. Works awesome for camping- I've logged 20 nights of wheeling trips since August and no squeaks or rattles.

 

[Stevesnj]

Where you get the latches from?

 

[VCCruzr]

Where you get the latches from?

They are Southco Latches:

64 - Paddle Latches | Southco

 

[Stevesnj]

They are Southco Latches:

64 - Paddle Latches | Southco

Thanks!

 

[tpham32]

Wow, that thing looks really good. Talk about time and dedication!

 

[TARTOOSH]

nice work

nice work well done i really like it ​

 

[VCCruzr]

nice work well done i really like it ​

Thanks!

 

[devildogcruiser25]

Just read through this whole thread! I can't believe how awesome these drawers are!

Do they fit into your newly bobbed rig? If not dibs!!!