Storage Drawers - Need Help, Advise & Thoughts...Long

[chimyz]

So after I took out my rear seats, I noticed there was a ton of space. This got me thinking...why not build storage drawers and mount them to the exsisting seat holes.

I started design a couple of days ago, and building today. My thought was to make it as light, but as strong as possible. I started by building a steel base to build from. I was going to add wood sides, front, back and top, with wood drawers.

After doing my trip to the local lumber yard, I am seriously discouraged. I'm thinking of maybe building the whole skeleton from steel and topping it with a wood plank.

I have done a bunch of searching on plenty of websites, and am now officially lost through about 25% of this build. Before I go any further, I was hoping some folks had input on how to go about building these drawers.

What I am sure of, I will either carpet or Line-X the exterior, and interior drawers. They will be no taller than 10" and about 41" wide by 38" deep. I will also build mounts so that it can easily be removed.

What I was going to use was steel skeleton base (built), pine structure, pine drawers, MDF top. I was going to use 100lb slides and mounting positions on top. The sides would be accessable with piano hinges.

Help. I need some tech advise and thoughts.

Cheers in advance!

 

[dtt255]

So after I took out my rear seats, I noticed there was a ton of space. This got me thinking...why not build storage drawers and mount them to the exsisting seat holes.

I started design a couple of days ago, and building today. My thought was to make it as light, but as strong as possible. I started by building a steel base to build from. I was going to add wood sides, front, back and top, with wood drawers.

After doing my trip to the local lumber yard, I am seriously discouraged. I'm thinking of maybe building the whole skeleton from steel and topping it with a wood plank.

I have done a bunch of searching on plenty of websites, and am now officially lost through about 25% of this build. Before I go any further, I was hoping some folks had input on how to go about building these drawers.

What I am sure of, I will either carpet or Line-X the exterior, and interior drawers. They will be no taller than 10" and about 41" wide by 38" deep. I will also build mounts so that it can easily be removed.

What I was going to use was steel skeleton base (built), pine structure, pine drawers, MDF top. I was going to use 100lb slides and mounting positions on top. The sides would be accessable with piano hinges.

Help. I need some tech advise and thoughts.

Cheers in advance!

GREAT idea...let me know how it goes......I would like something like that also....but I have to leave the third row in....

 

[Grolar]

Since you're also a 80 owner, there's been a bunch of threads about rear drawers i the 80 section, including mine. After putting together a quite heavy all plywood setup, I think that If I had the fab skills and money, I'd go for an aluminum frame.
Regarding the 200, I'd be very careful not to mess the rear of a $$$ truck (scratches on the panels, for example), but would love some pics of the fabbing process. Good luck.

 

[MutleyFJ62]

Check out Outback Draws for an idea of their setup.

 

[sleeoffroad]

Pull your carpet and see what is under there. There is a lot of AC ducting that runs from one side to the other. You need to work around this if you are going to do a drawer system.

 

[mark71]

AO may have drawers for 200...

i checked their website and they have a pic of a 200 with their system. Slee is getting in contact with them to get more info and find out how they got around the mounting situation.

because of shipping issues, more than just one needs to be ordered from AO. anyone else interested in purchasing one?

 

[dtt255]

i checked their website and they have a pic of a 200 with their system. Slee is getting in contact with them to get more info and find out how they got around the mounting situation.

because of shipping issues, more than just one needs to be ordered from AO. anyone else interested in purchasing one?

Do they have a half system? I have just recently worked it out where I only need on seat down in back. So I could remove one and put a half shelf system in there.

 

[yoter100]

Im not sure how tall your 2nd row seat are when half folded down, but i would make the drawers the same hight so the drawers and seats make a level surface. Great for putting an air mattress down makinga great sleeping area!

Thats worked out great for me....

Good luck!

 

[mark71]

Do they have a half system? I have just recently worked it out where I only need on seat down in back. So I could remove one and put a half shelf system in there.

dtt, i don't think AO's system will work for that, but you might want to check Adventure Trailers. they have some nice 20inch-wide drawer systems. if the AO system proves hard to get, this is likely the route i will go (with some home-fabbed top).

 

[Luke111]

Chimyz, your on the right path, I've been looking into this for a while and found a company in AU that was selling plans on Ebay for Land Cruisers. GunBarrel Drawers ......made in the same method as Outback and they had kits with all the bearings etc... So two days later went to the site and I'm sad to say the site is closed.
These drawer systems are very easy for any sheet metal company to fab and the bearings can be purchased anywhere... skateboard bearings are perfect.
Search in the !00 section, theres a thread on installing the OutBack Drawers with detail pictures, should help you with design details.
I'll keep you posted as I start my drawer system.

Lou

 

[dtt255]

Chimyz, your on the right path, I've been looking into this for a while and found a company in AU that was selling plans on Ebay for Land Cruisers. GunBarrel Drawers ......made in the same method as Outback and they had kits with all the bearings etc... So two days later went to the site and I'm sad to say the site is closed.
These drawer systems are very easy for any sheet metal company to fab and the bearings can be purchased anywhere... skateboard bearings are perfect.
Search in the !00 section, theres a thread on installing the OutBack Drawers with detail pictures, should help you with design details.
I'll keep you posted as I start my drawer system.

Lou

If you don't mind posting the link to you thread when you start yours, that would be great!

 

[Luke111]

Here's the link of the install, make sure to scroll to post #15 to see the steel frame.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/61746-african-outback-drawer-system-installed.html

Lou

 

[Luke111]

Some pictures of drawer details

 

[Luke111]

A few more

 

[macneill]

That's a hot build-up!

A few more

 

[macneill]

Nevermind! I checked the rest of your build which I didn't earlier...

 

[dtt255]

That is impressive! great job!

 

[Luke111]

Guys, these are not my drawers....its a collection of pictures off the net.
When I start my build the plan is to have it set up in CAD, send it out and have the whole thing cut, punched bent and welded up.
I plan on a standard length that will fit my 55 and should work in the 80, 100 & 200. the only change will be the side area's

Lou

 

[sleeoffroad]

AO has the drawers for the 200. We are looking to get a couple of sets in. Anyone interested please let me know.

 

[dtt255]

AO has the drawers for the 200. We are looking to get a couple of sets in. Anyone interested please let me know.

Christo,

Here is my question for you. Does it come as one piece or is it in two halves? The reason I ask is this.

I need to have one of the seats down in the back (the hazards of having 4 kids), But I have the ARB fridge on the other side of the rear.

So if it comes in two halves that would work great for me.

If it doesn't would there be a way of making it two halves? A little customization?

Thanks!