Need your input - would you buy a rear storage drawer "kit"

[cruzerDave]

Ok, so I'm wondering something I would appreciate your input on.

I'm an engineer by education, an entrepreneur and product designer by nature, and a gear head and wood worker for 40 years (since I could hold tools

I just 'sidegraded' from a FJ62 to my first 100 and have been designing and prototyping a drawer system for it. I am so pleased with how well it has come together that I am debating offering it as a flat-pack kit that a user would assemble, including the drawers since shipping cost is otherwise high and damage likely.

I know there will be a ton of questions which I will happily answer provided we clear this first hurdle - how much interest would there be in a low cost, basic drawer system? One that follows KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) to keep cost and weight down, but still store a ton of stuff. To be clear this is NOT designed to compete with Trekboxx or ARB's Africa-grade systems (which are fantastic, but they cost $$$$ and I'd rather have a basic drawer system, lift, and front & rear bumpers than just a super whammonite drawer system). So: a platform and two drawers - no fridge slides, multi-level drawers, cages, or integrated kitchen cutting boards here - those add cost fast - KISS right?

The system I have built is all baltic birch and aluminum, for camping/short expeditions/living duties, height-matched to the rear seats folded down for sleeping in the truck, would be assembled by the user with basic tools, and unfinished to allow customization in rhinoliner, paint, stain, speaker carpet or whatever matches the user's build vision for their rig. Cost would be affected by order quantities of course, but in the range of $550-$750, with shipping $50 west of the Mississippi and $100 east (roughly).

If you could answer the poll and provide thoughts and feedback in the thread it would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

 

[cruzerDave]

And if anyone is interested in being a beta tester let me know in the thread - you would receive the unit at cost in exchange for your assistance, input, field-testing, and sharing honest 'build threads' on here and expo.

 

[d5c5b]

i could build a drawer system myself but would love the opportunity to purchase a "kit" for an affordable price (free time is hard to find). I think youll find a bunch of interest here for such a product. count me in and Id be happy to be a beta tester

 

[Lowbudgetlc100]

in socal beta tester volunteer

 

[crimsonaudio]

Not to add complexity, but I'd likely be interested if it is possible to build the system in 'halves', whereby one could leave one rear seat in the truck while still using 1/2 of the drawer system.

 

[mrbigboy]

^What crimsonaudio wrote is where I'm at as well.
I'm very interested in an affordable "kit", and happy to beta test.

 

[LEX]

Also interested in 2 halves.

 

[bamabrock]

I'll betatest and put them to work.

 

[cruzerDave]

Thanks for feedback so far, keep it comin!

A 'half system' is interesting but yikes, some worms escaped the can right there. If there is much more interest in halves than a whole I guess I could look at that, but I prefer to recover some R&D dollars on the 'whole' system before embarking on a new R&D track if possible.

Consider it under consideration tho

 

[abuck99]

Flat pack DIY assembly for me, with a bare bones kit pricing options starting in the $300 range.

 

[TexasCrane]

Hi CruzerDave,
I'd be interested in beta testing your system. I've been looking at drawer systems but just haven't been able to pull the trigger on one. It something that it seems like I should be able to build myself, but with too many hobbies and a family, I just don't have time to do it.

I'm fine with assembling stuff and I'm ok with carpeting/painting/rhino-lining etc. But my only "woodworking" experience has been with plans that are very explicitly laid out. I'm not super comfortable creating something from scratch. What you're suggesting sounds right in my wheelhouse.

FWIW, here's my build thread Texascrane Build Thread

 

[bctlex]

A KISS drawer system would be awesome. I been contemplating how to build one because everything I see on the market are overkill for our purpose, and just out of my price range. We just need simple drawer system, nothing fancy.

A half system would be great. If it is a full system, ease of moving the entire system in and out would be a big plus. The LC is my wife dd, and occasionally we need to drive the kid with his buddies, which require installing the rear seat(s). Sorry this is probably another can of worms!

Also interested in the beta tester.

 

[e9999]

Always good to have some new hardware for 100s so I'll leave this thread here for now for the 100 community's perusal and tech feedback. Please be cognizant of the fact that if it crosses over too far into marketing and sales, it'll have to go to a more appropriate forum.

 

[cruzerDave]

@e9999 completely understood and I definitely respect/appreciate that line. My intention is solely to gauge interest and get feedback on whether I should devote my limited spare time to making these for others. At this price point profit is minimal and this is more about giving back than being a business ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[DanInDenver]

I will beta test the full system. I am in Eugene next week and Salem the weeks after. PM me and lets see if we can get it to me and installed by the time I go to HIH. Would be a great forum to get feedback on.

Any pics you can post?

 

[AimCOtaco]

There are a lot of pitfalls for the DIY drawer builder to fall into (been there done that) and the cost of a DIY can get pretty high pretty fast. I think you're onto something here if you can get a parts kit to come in with competitive pricing. If the customer could put in the labor and have a nice set for under ~$600 all in then I think you'd have a business on your hands.
I made a 2 drawer unit based on a lot of the TrexBox ideas (before he was offering them for sale) and keeping things fairly simple I think I still spent very close to $1000 and the time investment was insane. I always tell people that I'm very happy with my drawers but that if you want something fancy and finished you're better off with the commercial offerings but IF you can keep it simple then go ahead and DIY it. Giving folks a KISS DIY kit would be great if you can get the pricing right, good luck with it!

 

[fireball]

Do you have photos of the unit? I'm not a buyer as I've already built my own system and won't be needing another, but I'd have a hard time answering the poll if I don't know what the product looks like.

 

[Live to Ski]

^What crimsonaudio wrote is where I'm at as well.
I'm very interested in an affordable "kit"......split version desired.

On a side: Not sure on legality or idea protection, but how about a "purchase design plan" business model. Kinda like designs from the 50's. You buy a plan, build yourself. Maybe some kind of "self destruct" feature after x amount of time combined with water marks. Not sure how to keep unscrupulous customers from copying and giving/reselling....

 

[Nezzar]

Count me as an interested party. Pictures of the setup would be great to see what you have in mind. I am getting ready to tackle this exact project this weekend and hope to come up with a cheap solution. A flat pack system for a little more than I would have to spend would definitely be taken into consideration.

I would gladly volunteer to be a beta tester as well.

 

[cruzerDave]

@Live to Ski I learned long ago when working in/with China in the consumer electronics market that you can't stop copying, all you can do is get in early, sell, then plan the next product or to get out.

To comments about material costs - totally agreed, and my initial budget (next to nil) was what forced me to be creative in my designs and why I think I have something worth sharing I've benefited from my experience as a designer and engineer, as well as my brother's input who is a mechanical engineer and designs things all day long, so even though this is targeted as a low cost system it is NOT low quality: when you grab the front and try to wiggle it the entire truck moves, and there are zero rattles on trail. Final thought on costs- I saw a kickstarter that had "transparent pricing" where they showed exactly where all the money went, and thought it was a cool idea I would do here (assuming enough interest) so you can see for yourself what cost what.

For those offering to beta - can you say what year/type you would be installing into?

And if anyone has had several different year 100's can you comment if they changed the back side panels or rear seat bolt holes during the run? (stretch question I know)

Finally, any LX owners in or near Bend, OR that can help me measure/test fitment?