rear drawer question

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obnauticus

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Joined
Jul 22, 2025
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Location
seattle wa
Hi Everyone,

I am looking for a simple drawer solution for the back of my 200 series. I've seen a few mega threads, but they don't quite address some of the questions and needs that I have.

I like the idea of the landshark outfitters rear drawers. I like that fact that they are relatively simple in design and that they're made of wood and I could easily modify them if I wanted. Unfortunately it looks like they're no longer selling them drawers since 2021 :(, otherwise I'd just buy them.

What I'm looking for is the following:
  1. Simple drawers that i won't feel bad modifying - some wood with no carpeting would actually be ideal for this.
  2. Side wings that I can fit electrical _stuff_ into. That stuff includes victron gear, and a LiFePO4 battery (or two). This is my biggest concern as nobody gives me specs for the side compartment dimensions.
  3. If possible, a cutlist that I can send to send cut send to get these cut myself? Someone has to have done this already...
Thank you!
 
There are many DIY drawer threads that may have dimensions for you. These are in addition to the mega threads on commercial systems. Use this search term in Google: diy rear drawer 200 Land Cruiser ih8mud

You’ll get lots of threads with ideas and likely some plans and dimensions.
 
Using Google search for what you want followed by “ih8mud” is the way….
 
Understood that you can find results googling stuff - I am looking for something specific with CAD drawings and dimensions provided since I am somewhat assuming other people have the same feelings I do about the options available.

Most stuff I've seen in this category are priced to compete with the ARB-style drawers. Ofc the surface finishes are nice-ish, but over $1k is a lot for a pile of 5/8" baltic birch flatpack, some drawer slides, and with poly coating is a bit much. If I'm going to pay that much for something (which is less "refined" than commercial options) then I might as well get it custom fab'd myself and tailor it to my specific setup. I was hoping someone else had gone through a similar process.
 
I have. I only did a single drawer though. I didn’t do it in cad, just on grab paper. I can’t recall if I took a pic, but I can try to find it. There are photos in the Truckasaurus build thread… if it’s something you like LMK and I’m happy to give you whatever info I can. Ultimately it was I think mainly two sheets of Baltic birch, some 8020 and T-nuts and 6mm hex bolts, plus 180* hinges for the wing. With carpet and all the fixings it was maybe around $400… again the parts list is in the thread.

The drawer is easy. 42” deep, 10.5-11” tall, and IIRC 20”’wide. If I did it again I’d use locking drawer slides since the UHMW sucks when the drawer is full of tools. The wings honestly it’s easiest to fab with a piece of cardboard, then trace and use a jigsaw. TBH I enjoyed needing to figure out the precise dimensions as I went along, but I’m not normal, I know.
 
obnauticus said:
Understood that you can find results googling stuff - I am looking for something specific with CAD drawings and dimensions provided since I am somewhat assuming other people have the same feelings I do about the options available.

Most stuff I've seen in this category are priced to compete with the ARB-style drawers. Ofc the surface finishes are nice-ish, but over $1k is a lot for a pile of 5/8" baltic birch flatpack, some drawer slides, and with poly coating is a bit much. If I'm going to pay that much for something (which is less "refined" than commercial options) then I might as well get it custom fab'd myself and tailor it to my specific setup. I was hoping someone else had gone through a similar process.
Click to expand...
Here’s a thread I found using the search term I suggested for searching ih8mud. If you scroll down to post 10, you’ll see dimensional drawings for drawers, including what seem to be dimensions for the wings. Hardware photos are in the thread too. If you can’t do the work yourself, I would think a carpenter could work with this along with some ground-truthing of measurements in your truck for modifications you might want.

nvrfollow

Thread '200 Series Bamboo Fridge Ready Drawer System Build'

Description

Here is the drawer system I have been working on for the past 2 years. The zebra stripe drawers (Neopolitan Bamboo) have been in service for the past 14 months or so. The goal was to create a fridge ready drawer system to fit any lifestyle. The drawers have basically become my “go bag” for any expedition big or small in the mountains on the highway or around town. Recovery equipment, expensive gear and the essentials all go in the drawers and long items like tripods, trekking poles and the electric chain saw stow well in the side compartments.

Neo Bambo image 1.png


The...
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Sandroad said:
Here’s a thread I found using the search term I suggested for searching ih8mud. If you scroll down to post 10, you’ll see dimensional drawings for drawers, including what seem to be dimensions for the wings. Hardware photos are in the thread too. If you can’t do the work yourself, I would think a carpenter could work with this along with some ground-truthing of measurements in your truck for modifications you might want.

nvrfollow

Thread '200 Series Bamboo Fridge Ready Drawer System Build'

Description

Here is the drawer system I have been working on for the past 2 years. The zebra stripe drawers (Neopolitan Bamboo) have been in service for the past 14 months or so. The goal was to create a fridge ready drawer system to fit any lifestyle. The drawers have basically become my “go bag” for any expedition big or small in the mountains on the highway or around town. Recovery equipment, expensive gear and the essentials all go in the drawers and long items like tripods, trekking poles and the electric chain saw stow well in the side compartments.

Neo Bambo image 1.png


The...
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Click to expand...
Ah yes, I did find this link too. This post is a real tease.

While the major dimensions are labeled and
Material is called out, i don’t find the documentation to be complete enough to be actually reproducible. The user notes they have a CNC but has not even shared complete 2D drawings.

With respect to “ground truth” for my truck. I feel like the tolerance stack isn’t so wide that you can’t design for variance between trucks. After all this is what aftermarket companies do - they are not tailoring their drawers for each customer’s car.
 
A CNC isn’t required unless you’re trying to build these commercially. I used a fine tooth blade in a circular saw and a jigsaw. Measure, mark, clamp a 2x4 as a fence, and just use a little 220 grit to smooth out the edges by hand.
 
I built a very basic very functional set of drawers for a few hundred bucks. I prefer the removable totes for a lot of reasons, and the side wing areas are great for stuff you use a lot. For us one side has first aid kit, latrine trowel, hatchet, and a bunch of cam straps. The other side is usually jackets etc.
TimCFJ40

Thread 'Easy DIY “Poor Man’s” drawer system'

After 20+ days this summer traveling and camping with my DIY drawer system, I wanted to share it in more depth with the group as it has been a game changer for our family road trips. We’re not quite to “a place for everything and everything in it’s place”, but we can quickly access everything we need without barfing half of the contents of the back of the truck out in the parking lot. A view of the finished system here:
A1F2B652-30A9-4FB1-A478-18FDBC96951A.jpeg

It’s based around three Orbis FP32 totes. These are just the right size to fill the back of the truck, and I like the lids so the totes can be closed when...
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As for CAD, for these things I usually rely on heavily CAD (Cardboard Aided Design). Get some large cardboard, cut to fit, then use as a template for your wood cutting. No need for a router, just a jigsaw, circular saw, and take your time.
 
As far as getting CAD files or drawings, you're probably going to be SOL. Those doing that much engineering are going to be making these to sell commercially and most likely not giving that info out. Those, like me, doing a one off for my own vehicle, are writing measurements on napkins with half eaten crayons.

I do agree with @TimCFJ40 that drawers aren't all they are advertised to be. My wife's GX has the ADGU system and we ended up removing one of the two drawers. They eat up a LOT of space. I prefer to run totes with specific stuff in each tote. The totes can then be pulled out and used elsewhere.

I have a link to the ones I made for my LX in my signature line below. I can provide some measurements of mine if you want to make something similar. ADGU uses the same extruded aluminum in their systems that I used in mine. Meaning that I could easily make some drawers, buy some slides, and install them in what I've made. While I do have the skills to make the drawers, I just don't find them useful for my situation.
 
jlm43 said:
As far as getting CAD files or drawings, you're probably going to be SOL. Those doing that much engineering are going to be making these to sell commercially and most likely not giving that info out. Those, like me, doing a one off for my own vehicle, are writing measurements on napkins with half eaten crayons.

I do agree with @TimCFJ40 that drawers aren't all they are advertised to be. My wife's GX has the ADGU system and we ended up removing one of the two drawers. They eat up a LOT of space. I prefer to run totes with specific stuff in each tote. The totes can then be pulled out and used elsewhere.

I have a link to the ones I made for my LX in my signature line below. I can provide some measurements of mine if you want to make something similar. ADGU uses the same extruded aluminum in their systems that I used in mine. Meaning that I could easily make some drawers, buy some slides, and install them in what I've made. While I do have the skills to make the drawers, I just don't find them useful for my situation.
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Yeah unfortunately this seems to be the direction most people are going.

I think I’m going to buy a lidar scanner and Design some in cad. I’ll share the drawings here if/when I ever get around to it.

It’s really something that I have no interest in making commercially since it’s such a grind. Would rather give something to the community to improve and hopefully commoditize a design for everyone to benefit.
 
obnauticus said:
Yeah unfortunately this seems to be the direction most people are going.

I think I’m going to buy a lidar scanner and Design some in cad. I’ll share the drawings here if/when I ever get around to it.

It’s really something that I have no interest in making commercially since it’s such a grind. Would rather give something to the community to improve and hopefully commoditize a design for everyone to benefit.
Click to expand...
That sounds like a good place to start. There's a very wide range of uses for these platforms / drawers so making a "one size fits all" is tough. I've been able to stuff so much stuff in the corners of mine that I really appreciate the open-ness underneath the platform. I came up with a couple wing designs when I started making the setup for my LX but it just didn't add much functionality for my uses. If you make your own, feel free to PM and I can share some ideas and measurements.
 
I will say, I love that I can take the bin/drawer system out completely in a matter of minutes. It makes it much more useful for me personally. I also have a Tacoma for truck duties, but still find myself needing the utility of the cruiser without the drawers and even put back in the 3rd row occasionally.
 
Here's how mine looks most days through the summer months. My wife and I both have our own totes with our mountain bike gear in it. Those are grab and go depending on the car we take that day. Not having the drawers in the way, allows me to put two folding camp chairs per side or two up front against the back of the 2nd row seats.

I'm not trying advocate one way or the other. I just wanted to share some insight to what I've found works for me after having long term daily use on 3 different systems.

I will say that I'd have drawers in mine if I wanted a dedicated pull out kitchen.

IMG_4788.webp
IMG_4785.webp
 
This is all great info!

The reason I need the scanner is two fold:
1. Relative Bolt hole locations for the rear seats to secure panels into the vehicle.
2. Curvy geometry around the trim panels.

If anyone has done reverse engineering around these curves and bolt hole locations then that should work for me to publish some designs.
 
hoser said:
It's only a two dimensional shape for the trim panels. A pencil will be faster than a scanner, no?
Click to expand...
Yes but then I don’t have an excuse to buy the scanner. Plus, I’d rather just have a full model and not worry about one off measurements in the future :).
 
jlm43 said:
Here's how mine looks most days through the summer months. My wife and I both have our own totes with our mountain bike gear in it. Those are grab and go depending on the car we take that day. Not having the drawers in the way, allows me to put two folding camp chairs per side or two up front against the back of the 2nd row seats.

I'm not trying advocate one way or the other. I just wanted to share some insight to what I've found works for me after having long term daily use on 3 different systems.

I will say that I'd have drawers in mine if I wanted a dedicated pull out kitchen.

View attachment 4108673View attachment 4108674
Click to expand...
Is that 3030 extruded aluminum?
 
obnauticus said:
Yes but then I don’t have an excuse to buy the scanner. Plus, I’d rather just have a full model and not worry about one off measurements in the future :).
Click to expand...

As as I always tell @TeCKis300 its for safety

If you get the scanner you will have a more accurate representation of exactly what you need to build

If you eyeball it, your final product may not fit 100% and may cause gaps or uneven things to catch loose clothing on.

Example: you’re loading your skis, but your jacket gets caught on a jagged edge because of poor unscanned design, you slip, fall, hit your head on the ice, but no one is around, so you bleed out and freeze to death. Leaving wife and kids alone to fend for themselves.

All because you didn’t buy a scanner to get proper fitment. What’s that scanner worth now?

Follow me for more safety justification tips
 
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