building storage/drawers into an SUV

[jeeper]

I am planning to build a set of drawers with storage areas in the back of our WJ. Real similar to what Kurt has on the first page here:
http://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.php?97743-Packing-for-a-week-on-the-trail-Overview&highlight=

Our spare will still be stored under the drawers, so I have to have the drawers and a portion of the top platform removable.

I would love to see some photos, or get ideas from those of you who have made them!

Metal frame? Wood frame? lots of small pockets? large open pockets? make it very item specific (straps go here, wrenches go here, etc) or more universal??

Thanks!

 

[Rot Box]

I debated doing drawers but I ended up going the simple route while also keeping the weight and cost down. I have a family of 6 (including my full size Golden retriever and Husky) so building a platform was a great idea. It's laughable compared to others out there but it gets the job done. I keep my spare CV's, tools, air compressor, jumpers, recovery gear etc towards the front in heavy duty bags and boxes. These are the items I hope to not need on an outing so I make them least accessible. If I do end up needing them I can simply fold the rear seats forward for access but getting to them from the back isn't bad either. I keep my food, dry goods, cooking stuff etc in totes towards the rear. With the fridge on top (and now placed over the fender well) there is still plenty of room for my two dogs to lie down. I used 3/4" plywood, 2x8's, turn buckles to keep it solid and in place along with rubber backed carpet on top (the ugly blue color because it was dirt cheap ). All of my factory storage compartments are still accessible. On a side note I also added the stainless steel sheet to my tail gate which replaced the carpet. It makes a great prep table and cleans easily.

Something to think about: Drawers are awesome don't take this the wrong way if I could afford or had the ability to build a nice set I would have gone that route. The totes are dirt cheap and they slide out easily. You can remove them and place your cooking stuff on a picnic table for instance. They come in hundreds of different lengths, heights and widths with or without lids.

 

[Tonkaman]

It's so simple, it's brilliant

 

[blznnp]

If you did a metal frame set up, you could easily put a hinge on the back side so that it will pivot up, not sure if that would give you enough room though to get the spare tire out, to hold it up you might be able to find some heavy duty rear glass shocks (course not so sure they would hold up the weight). I just did a setup in my blazer but my spare tire is either going to sit on top of the box or will probably go on a rear tire carrier whenever I get around to building one off my bumper.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Rot Box, that's pretty much what I have been looking at doing, I just need to measure and see if my spare will still fit if I raise it up a bit.

 

[Pike2350]

I debated doing drawers but I ended up going the simple route while also keeping the weight and cost down. I have a family of 6 (including my full size Golden retriever and Husky) so building a platform was a great idea. It's laughable compared to others out there but it gets the job done. I keep my spare CV's, tools, air compressor, jumpers, recovery gear etc towards the front in heavy duty bags and boxes. These are the items I hope to not need on an outing so I make them least accessible. If I do end up needing them I can simply fold the rear seats forward for access but getting to them from the back isn't bad either. I keep my food, dry goods, cooking stuff etc in totes towards the rear. With the fridge on top (and now placed over the fender well) there is still plenty of room for my two dogs to lie down. I used 3/4" plywood, 2x8's, turn buckles to keep it solid and in place along with rubber backed carpet on top (the ugly blue color because it was dirt cheap ). All of my factory storage compartments are still accessible. On a side note I also added the stainless steel sheet to my tail gate which replaced the carpet. It makes a great prep table and cleans easily.

Something to think about: Drawers are awesome don't take this the wrong way if I could afford or had the ability to build a nice set I would have gone that route. The totes are dirt cheap and they slide out easily. You can remove them and place your cooking stuff on a picnic table for instance. They come in hundreds of different lengths, heights and widths with or without lids.

This is basically what I did for mine as well. I used 1X8's to make 3 uprights, then some 1/2" ply for a platform (with a piece that hinges to create a flat bed to sleep on....then in the 2 compartments I used "under bed storage" bins that pull out. Actually, now 1 side just has stuff stuck in there (straps, recovery gear, bungees, etc) while the one with the drawer holds my tools. I even covered it in the same carpet. I had the pics on Webshots from years ago..but I guess all the free users accounts got deleted from there...so I have no pics but could get some.

 

[Kevin B.]

I'm gonna go against the grain here, and wonder what's wrong with action packers and milk crates. I looked at putting in a set of drawers or cargo compartments, but it seems to me like that's a lot of cubic inches to eat up with dead space. I need all the space I can get back there.

 

[Rot Box]

what's wrong with action packers and milk crates.

I'm a fan of both however the platform was needed because of my two full size dogs. With the cargo now under the platform and the fridge now hovering over the fender well (instead of next to it) there is much more room for the two poochies to ride. With this setup I feel like I have twice as much room although it looks the opposite.

 

[jeeper]

I'm gonna go against the grain here, and wonder what's wrong with action packers and milk crates.

We have been using 5 gallon buckets and tool bags. They work really well actually. The issue we have is that when we try to throw in a bunch of life jackets, or a large grocery run, or kids bicycles, it gets real tight. If our normal gear (first aid, straps, blankets, tools) were under a platform we would be utilizing the space much more efficiently. Additionally it keeps whatever we have out of sight for thieving eyes.

And it gives us 2 expo points

 

[Pike2350]

I'm gonna go against the grain here, and wonder what's wrong with action packers and milk crates. I looked at putting in a set of drawers or cargo compartments, but it seems to me like that's a lot of cubic inches to eat up with dead space. I need all the space I can get back there.

It's not dead space really, pretty much every inch (other then the frame of the platform) can be used...and in some ways even more efficiently then action packers and crates. The nicest part for me is that I can access tools and recovery equipment without having to unpack other stuff. This is nice if you are going camping and have your gear loaded in....usually that means that you have your gear stacked on top of the tool (to keep from squishing your gear) Plus it allows you to always have access to the stuff no matter what's stacked on top.

I helped a buddy put a set in his 4Runner quite a few years ago....on other thing he liked was that with the tailgate up and a plate on the front side it basically created a locked storage area for his stuff when the top was off. He had his amp in there so he didn't have to worry about it getting stolen....so I think they can even be more beneficial for vehicles that have removable tops on them.

 

[Dazrin]

I am planning to build a set of drawers with storage areas in the back of our WJ. Real similar to what Kurt has on the first page here:
http://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.php?97743-Packing-for-a-week-on-the-trail-Overview&highlight=

I just found my way here from that thread...

I debated doing drawers but I ended up going the simple route while also keeping the weight and cost down. I have a family of 6 (including my full size Golden retriever and Husky) so building a platform was a great idea. It's laughable compared to others out there but it gets the job done. I keep my spare CV's, tools, air compressor, jumpers, recovery gear etc towards the front in heavy duty bags and boxes. These are the items I hope to not need on an outing so I make them least accessible. If I do end up needing them I can simply fold the rear seats forward for access but getting to them from the back isn't bad either. I keep my food, dry goods, cooking stuff etc in totes towards the rear. With the fridge on top (and now placed over the fender well) there is still plenty of room for my two dogs to lie down. I used 3/4" plywood, 2x8's, turn buckles to keep it solid and in place along with rubber backed carpet on top (the ugly blue color because it was dirt cheap ). All of my factory storage compartments are still accessible. On a side note I also added the stainless steel sheet to my tail gate which replaced the carpet. It makes a great prep table and cleans easily.

Something to think about: Drawers are awesome don't take this the wrong way if I could afford or had the ability to build a nice set I would have gone that route. The totes are dirt cheap and they slide out easily. You can remove them and place your cooking stuff on a picnic table for instance. They come in hundreds of different lengths, heights and widths with or without lids.

I took a very similar route with mine. I found some heavy duty stacking containers that are just the right height to fit under my platform and can fit 2 side by side. One has mesh sides to allow me to see into it easier for finding things, the other is solid and contains all my trail spare liquids. These are the ones I have, but there are LOTS of other options out there. http://www.zorotools.com/g/Heavy-Duty Stacking Containers/00052448/ Also in red: http://www.zorotools.com/g/Stacking Containers/00115113/

Jeeper: I would suggest taking a look at this thread for some very good ideas. With your need to keep the spare inside and accessible you may need to get very creative. Normally platforms are bolted down to keep them in place which will complicate getting to the spare quickly. Whatever you do will need to be secure for safety and removable quickly.

 

[jeeper]

I spent some time today and got mine built. I've got 3 1'x3' drawers, and a sturdy platform. On the edges I still have room to stuff things, probably my jack, some ammo, etc. I feel like it turned out well. My wife is also happy with it.

 

[jeeper]

 

[Kiel]

looks good

 

[Tonkaman]

That turned out pretty slick

 

[bryson]

Way cool... I'm needing to do this in my Cruiser in the very near future. I love the rope handles. How do the drawers slide on the carpet?

 

[Rot Box]

Looks great Love the bumper dumper!

 

[jeeper]

Way cool... I'm needing to do this in my Cruiser in the very near future. I love the rope handles. How do the drawers slide on the carpet?

They do pretty well. It's not like a cabinet with rollers by any means, but It doesn't seem to be a problem at all.. only the future will tell how well it works though.

That turned out pretty slick

looks good

Thanks Guys!

Looks great Love the bumper dumper!

That dumper is one of the greatest things I own. It's amazing how handy it is with little girls on board..

 

[jeeper]

I am LOVING these drawers. This is more stuff than we usually take, and there is still room available! We usually have to pull everything out to find anything. Aside from coats being on the chairs, I can access anything in here without touching anything else!

 

[jeeper]

Just did 300 miles/13 hours. The storage was awesome!
Not only did it pack faster and easier, but it unpacked in minutes!