Outback Solutions (ARB) Drawer Install and Review 2011 (1 Viewer)

[Odyseuss]

Thanks for the information and advice. I just called ARB and they are going to send me a set of the drawer locks.

 

[cboyd]

Yup, ARB has great Cust service. They once sent me a new cover for free foran RTT that was two years old when I wanted to buy it

To an earlier question, you will have problems opening and accessing the fridge if you don't have a slide. You still can, but the lid won't be able to open as far. My daughter is 5'4" and is able to access the fridge fine on my slide using the tailgate. Without that she would have to stick her head in the back with a lid open only part way.

3 years with my ARB drawers and I am still very happy with them

I find it easier to pull the fridge lid off if I'm doing stuff that requires the lid up... i have the 37qt and most of the time, just peek in from the front, but if I'm digging around, just pop the lid off. ARB made this very easy!

also, I don't know if they planned it this way, but if you turn your fridge off and want to let it vent, the latch flips over and then the lid comes down on it to leave an air gap. saw Kurt Williams do this on a E7 truck, and thought "what a good way to do it". keep the fridge from getting funky.

 

[hoser]

I would like to hear from anyone that has just one drawer. Any issues other than hard corners to bang body parts on? Does it feel rock solid? Or is there some play that a second drawer would eliminate?

I run just one ARB drawer (w/ one finishing wing) and have been happy with it. Feels solid. I need the versatility and extra free space of one drawer. I can install one 3rd seat when needed. I also prefer my fridge at trunk-floor level.

I haven't broken any stop tabs. I figure I could install Accuride full extension, locking slides in place of the ball bearing slides but it hasn't been an issue yet. I like the one handed operation of the slam shut latches and appreciate the little "finger saver" gap on top of the drawers. They are also convenient for throwing small items in the drawer w/o actually having to open it.

 

[RobRed]

Hoser - you could stack 2 drawers if you needed extra space.

Curious how you would install different slides?

 

[hoser]

To install different slides, I would just remove the existing "skateboard wheel" bearings. Accuride 9307 slides are 0.75" wide by 3" tall slides... and it looks like there is enough room to install on the upper half of the fixed top drawers. There may not be enough room on the roller top ARB drawer though.

The lower half has the existing horizontal bar/slide that I'd leave in place. Would need to trim a little plastic and metal on the drawer face. Basically would look like the SoCal TearDrop drawers in the 2nd pic.

Pic copied from Post #1...

 

[sdnative]

Those look sharp ("visually appealing" sharp not "capable of slicing off your finger" sharp, although there is some of that also).

 

[cruiseroutfit]

...also, I don't know if they planned it this way, but if you turn your fridge off and want to let it vent, the latch flips over and then the lid comes down on it to leave an air gap. saw Kurt Williams do this on a E7 truck, and thought "what a good way to do it". keep the fridge from getting funky.

Stinky fridge... no bueno. We store all our rental fridges this way too. A dry fridge is a clean fridge. They are not bad when they are running and moisture builds up... but once they get hot, they can make a stomach turn We had some oranges that made the trip from Australia to Africa in the fridge. Yikes!

 

[hoser]

Ah, tried the lid tip and it does indeed keep the lid closed just enough to turn the interior light off! Thx.

Another tip for calibrating the display is to hold both "+ and -" down until it flashes. I had to go -8 on mine and now 36 degrees is actually 36 degrees! The dairy shelf is roughly 10 degrees higher.

 

[sdnative]

Thanks for all the help. I ordered a fixed/roller floor combo with fit kit. Can't wait to get it installed!

Couple of questions:

Does the roller floor drawer come with some form of fridge tie-down? I will most likely go with a set of L-track like in the SoCal Teardrop picture above, but need something short term. I am planning on using the drawer top nutserts with longer bolts to secure the track as I don't want to drill any new holes yet. Are these a strong enough mounting point?

What is everyone doing to keep gear from blocking the fridge side vents? I realize there are vents in the rear, but when I block the side vents the fan seems to work harder.

 

[Romer]

It does not have the tie downs. I bought some and installed them myself.

 

[Odyseuss]

I received my slide locks from ARB and installed them so I thought that I would post a couple pictures here in case it help anyone in the future.

These are the locks that hold the slide in the open position.
These first ones are the new units.

In order to replace them, you will need to remove the panel from the top of the drawer, commonly referred to as the floor.
You will also need access to 2 10mm bolts in the back of the inside of the drawer. Here is where they sit on the outside of the drawer.

Here are the bolts.

And finally the old broken stop lock compared to a new one.

 

[sdnative]

I ordered a couple extra of those as I know they are prone to breaking.

 

[RobRed]

I keep spares as well. they need a redesign. Even when they work it takes so little pressure to close them... I'm working out a PIN on the slide part of the drawer to hold the thing open. What do you want for nearly 2 grand?

 

[sdnative]

I also use the ARB tie-downs, but i have aircraft track down the length of the drawer on both sides of the fridge and also on the far drawer

How did you attach the aircraft track to the drawer top? I bought a few strips but the holes aren't even close to lining up with the nutserts. I can drill new holes in the rails but the countersink drill bit won't fit in the narrow sections so my drill locations are limited. I could use button head screws but that means I wouldn't be able to use an anchor in that position, no biggie I guess..

Would love to see how others mounted tie down track as I am in a bit of a dilemma.

 

[Odyseuss]

I just used a drill bit and a counter sink bit to line up with the holes in the floor. I did use a die grinder to cut off the tabs where my bits wouldn't fit. I only had to cut a few tabs. I still have plenty of anchor positions. You can see pictures in my build thread.

 

[sdnative]

I got it figured out. I ended up drilling new holes so that I could countersink the two outer ones. The middle ones happened to be in a narrow section so the countersink bit wouldn't fit. I used a regular button head screw for those positions. Just means I can't use an anchor in two positions per rail. Not a problem as there are plenty of others.

 

[sdnative]

I have had these installed for a few weeks now with a long road trip and I am liking them a lot.

I have one issue though. I am getting a loud sqeeking from the removable cover on the DS fit kit when driving. I can reproduce it by pressing down on this cover. It's fine as long as I put some weight on it, but without anything on top it sqeeks. Is this normal? Anyone else with this issue? How did you deal with it? I can't imagine this is normal.

 

[cboyd]

I've not noticed this issue, but I keep a fair amount of stuff on the wing next to my fridge. I'd stick a piece of the soft-side of velcro in between the wing and the car trim, if that's where it's coming from. if it's coming from the side with the drawer, perhaps it's coming from one of the wing support brackets attached to the drawer sides. i'd make sure they're completely tight -- which is a pita, because you'll have to pull the drawer lid off.

 

[redman333]

Is there any way to install a cage around the fridge with the load spotter on like this setup? Or has anyone done this? This pic shows why you would want an enclosure so that the stuff next to the fridge doesn't fall behind the fridge when the fridge is pulled out.

 

[Odyseuss]

I use bungee cargo nets. They are cheap and easy to find in a variety of sizes. It's easier if you don't need a cage IMO.