Storage Box

[MTNRAT]

Finally got around to making a storage box today. Here are some pics of what I came up with to fit my needs. I gleaned ideas from many of the others storage boxes, but Hayes cargo box (see FAQ) got me going, and I stole much of his design. I have not applied finish to the wood or installed the hardware.

Pic1- full view
Pic2- rear hatch open
Pic3- side hatch open

 

[MTNRAT]

Pic4- drawer pulled out
Pic5- passenger door access
Pic6- both hatches open

 

[MTNRAT]

Pic7- all hatches open
Pic8- sleeping platform
Cheers,
Sean

 

[Boston Mangler]

Very Nice! Simple and Clean! Nice work!

 

[fuelgeddes]

Thats really nice. Make sure you post again once painted. How deep is the finished box ?

 

[MTNRAT]

The drawer is 10 1/4" deep. Is that what you meant by deep? The whole thing is 40" long. I do not think I will paint it. I figure a few coats of water based varathane.
Thanks,
Sean

 

[FirstToy]

Sean,
That's cool. I like how it lines up w/ the folded seat so you can sleep in it.
I recommend carpeting it. I did a cargo box and varathane'd it and it looked really dapper. ( Alvaro recommended carpet but I liked the wood look)

After using it, carpet is really the way to go imo.

it looks awesome Sean!

 

[Dr Gonzo]

Man, that is an awesome design. Good stuff.

 

[T Y L E R]

I love it man!! Like was said .. simple and clean, with the added benefit of still being able to drive 5 drunks home from the bar

Do you have plans you could post, or email?






TY

 

[MTNRAT]

I could do up some plans if you want. I just kind of winged it. I started with a cardboard cutout of the bottom.
I found the second row seat could be used with a 40" length and a 12" total height.
I scribed the cardboard around the wheel well and then cut it so the PS 3rd row seat could be used.
I then put on the two sides. One toward the third row seat and the other just inside the wheel well.
That gave me how big the back piece of the box was.
I then used another piece of cardboard to make the entire top.
Cut that piece.
I then marked the DS edge of the drawer box and cut off the side hatch.
I then cut the top into 3 pieces for the hatches on the drawer.
Then I cut piano hinges to the needed lengths and put the top together.
I did notch out the side piece to accept the piano hinge so the piece was pretty flush to the rest of the top.
I put a 1"x 2" for the side piece to rest on, however I may need to add a gusset or two. Then installed the top.
Now I had my box.
I then measued how big I would need the floor of the drawer, cut it and made sure it fit ok.
Then cut the back, sides and front of the drawer, put together, and pre fit them.
Then added a full width front piece.
Voila.

I used 3/4" G1S fir plywood for all parts.
I countersunk and pre drilled all screw holes and used #8x2" screws, except I used #6x1 1/4" screws on the 1x2 and the drawer front, and #6x3/4" screws on the piano hinges. TY you are from Canada so be sure to use Robertson heads.
I glued all of the pieces together with PL400 adhesive.
I also presanded most of the pieces with 80-120 grit on the belt sander and gave it a good sanding after and rounded off the sharp edges.
It was pretty quick and dirty. My table saw was locked in my neighbours garage who is out of town, so clamping a straight edge and using the circular saw added a lot of time. A belt sander is good to hide some of the imperfections.

Now I need to get hardware. Pretty tough in this small town.
Hope that is not too incomprehensible.
Pretty much just a box inside a box with an appendage on the DS for the side hatch.
Sean

 

[T Y L E R]

Hope that is not too incomprehensible.
Sean

No, thats a great play by play.


Just too bad we don't have identical trucks, cause measurements would rock.



TY - *bolting*

 

[barrypt5]

You did not use drawer slides did you? Any reason why not...i guess i am kind of assuming this b/c the pic of the top view of your box the drawer and outside box are really close!
barrypt5

 

[Brentbba]

Beautiful work!

 

[MTNRAT]

I did not use drawer slides. Could not get them to town before I leave for Moab. It will be alittle stiff pulling it in and out, but it will be wet sanded very, very fine and waxed. I hope that keeps the friction to a minimum. At a shop I used to work at the tool drawers were plywood on plywood and were full of steel so I figure this will work. If it doesn't I will build another drawer or router in a slot for slides.
Cheers,
Sean

 

[apcoleman]

You did a great job. I need to get off my butt and get something in the back of mine.

 

[NorCalDoug]

The box looks fantastic Sean!

Good work!

 

[reffug]

Very nice work.

I do think however in the long run with recovery gear weight you will want drawer slides at some point. Just 02.

 

[MTNRAT]

Very nice work.

I do think however in the long run with recovery gear weight you will want drawer slides at some point. Just 02.

I have been trying it full and it is a little stiff. I might just get tired of the stiffness as I age.
Cheers,
Sean

 

[REZARF]

just for fun, instead of slides you can get nylon strips from Master Carr and stick them to the bottom of the drawer and the floor of the box, 4 strips or so and they would really glide well.

I really like your design.

Rezarf <><

 

[CDN_Cruiser]

Sean:

Looks good, I too built one that is only one one side. I find it works very well as I often have 'things' that fill the other side (both the seats are now out, but I can use it with one seat down).

PS, I bought my sliders from Lee Valley - very good quality. I can't imagine opening mine without the sliders.

Cheers, Hugh