rear storage drawer system build

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so I've already planned out a build for a rear storage drawer system for my FJ, with most of my gear going up top in storage cases I figured I could use the drawers for all the heavily used camp gear (bug spray utensils, camp kitchen gear etc)

Was wondering if anybody has experience building one like this themselves, and any suggestions/ideas/pictures would be appreciated!
FJ-Cruiser-Storage-Drawers02.jpg
 
I just completed my build for my 4Runner. There's plenty of DIY write up's out there but as with any project, take your time and measure carefully. My system was built out of 90% scrap/leftover wood and parts I found in the garage and basement so they weren't perfectly flat or straight so there was a lot of sanding and minuscule adjustments to get everything properly aligned.

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Thats a really sanitary build! Thanks! I like the idea of split drawers. Im getting most of the materials from home as well, going to cover the top flat portion in non-slip rubberized shop flooring, and the rest of the system is going to be metal framed plywood im covering up with some heavy duty carpeting. Thanks for the insight on that, I'm starting mine right now. Day off well spent.
 
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so I've already planned out a build for a rear storage drawer system for my FJ, with most of my gear going up top in storage cases I figured I could use the drawers for all the heavily used camp gear (bug spray utensils, camp kitchen..
View attachment 36681

WOW, that looks great! Super clean yet functional. The only other addition I would like is a slot on the bottom to slide a folded Lifetime table into. REALLY like the look of yours & totally agree with the idea of rubberized material on top-possibly with some T-Track for securing things.
 
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I've gone through a few home built setups... but I've finally settled with my current iteration.

I removed the rear seats. There's one full length drawer on the drivers side. On the passenger ide I have my fridge on a slide out and a small kitchen drawer under the fridge. Behind the fridge is where house my fuse panel, 1000w inverter and some camera/drone battery chargers.

IMG_0918.JPG
IMG_1047.JPG

Video tour.
 
I have built several of these. I like the one drawer setup for weekend trips and fitting in the errands around-town. The two drawer worked well while traveling on long trips to keep the dry food organized and camp gear separated. I finally nailed the design fit. It fits an ARB fridge, bolts to factory mounts, and with the rear seat up. I’m building now to sell.
807f8be7740c4d42b9a5cbc8e66a9bff.jpg
1f0fc6dfca1f099d0fd56813b9c707d4.jpg



Sent from my iPad using OB Talk
 
I have built several of these. I like the one drawer setup for weekend trips and fitting in the errands around-town. The two drawer worked well while traveling on long trips to keep the dry food organized and camp gear separated. I finally nailed the design fit. It fits an ARB fridge, bolts to factory mounts, and with the rear seat up. I’m building now to sell.
807f8be7740c4d42b9a5cbc8e66a9bff.jpg
1f0fc6dfca1f099d0fd56813b9c707d4.jpg



Sent from my iPad using OB Talk
Cool!
 
I've gone through a few home built setups... but I've finally settled with my current iteration.

I removed the rear seats. There's one full length drawer on the drivers side. On the passenger ide I have my fridge on a slide out and a small kitchen drawer under the fridge. Behind the fridge is where house my fuse panel, 1000w inverter and some camera/drone battery chargers.

View attachment 37418
View attachment 37419

Video tour.
Cool!
 
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I have built several of these. I like the one drawer setup for weekend trips and fitting in the errands around-town. The two drawer worked well while traveling on long trips to keep the dry food organized and camp gear separated. I finally nailed the design fit. It fits an ARB fridge, bolts to factory mounts, and with the rear seat up. I’m building now to sell.
807f8be7740c4d42b9a5cbc8e66a9bff.jpg
1f0fc6dfca1f099d0fd56813b9c707d4.jpg



Sent from my iPad using OB Talk
Awesome job - anything you would do differently? I'm planning my own design now.
 
1f659649f887b57944e9440ea710f197.jpg

I found a dometic fridge slide on amazon that fit my edgestar fridge with enough room to store a couple 1 gallon water jugs and a few other things. I’m thinking about building a cabinet to surround it with storage above it to maximize useful space since I want to keep the rest of the bed open.


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Okay so here's the current progress on my first prototype. I opted for one large drawer (which i cut a small hole into to access my power outlet) that I'm thinking of adding some organizing dividers into, with a slide out 26 inch "table" up top that I topped with a durable linoleum kind of material, and I braced it so stays level when fully extended so i can run my camp stove on it. I kept the left side open for storing backpacks, muddy shoes and stuff, that also fits my small fold up camp table, and carpeted every surface so there isn't visible wood, metal etc except on the sides of the drawers. There's also a small gap behind the box that I built in small space intentionally for putting valuables and such out of sight that can be accessed by folding the back seats down. I'm starting to weld up t track rails for keeping an ice chest in place up top, and adding some D rings for a cargo net/tie downs etc. once I have it topped with a rubberized mat. Next comes handles after I find ones with the right look. Just got back from a trip out to Fordyce trail with it loaded up, and it held up well on the rocks and stuff with no rattling around. drawer.JPG drawer 2.JPG
 
Last edited:
Okay so here's the current progress on my first prototype. I opted for one large drawer (which i cut a small hole into to access my power outlet) that I'm thinking of adding some organizing dividers into, with a slide out 26 inch "table" up top that I topped with a durable linoleum kind of material, and I braced it so stays level when fully extended so i can run my camp stove on it. I kept the left side open for storing backpacks, muddy shoes and stuff, that also fits my small fold up camp table, and carpeted every surface so there isn't visible wood, metal etc except on the sides of the drawers. There's also a small gap behind the box that I built in small space intentionally for putting valuables and such out of sight that can be accessed by folding the back seats down. I'm starting to weld up t track rails for keeping an ice chest in place up top, and adding some D rings for a cargo net/tie downs etc. once I have it topped with a rubberized mat. Next comes handles after I find ones with the right look. Just got back from a trip out to Fordyce trail with it loaded up, and it held up well on the rocks and stuff with no rattling around. View attachment 38028 View attachment 38029
looking good
 
I am not a carpenter, however I do have a tiny bit of experience with measuring and cutting things. So, occasionally I do build things. As with most all our gear we subscribe to the "keep it simple stupid" methodology, which is a safe bet that we choose utilitarian function over form. Excessive weight is also a consideration as we already scale out at 8,000 lbs +/-. Cabinet grade plywood? Nope. Drawer sliders ? Nope. I just didn't see the need. Carpeting? Nope. All told, I'm pretty shure I spent $100 give or take, on the entire project. AAAnd,,, It's been holding up as I expected, 4 years, 40,000 miles, and lots of off pavement driving here in the east as well as out west. The extinguuiser has since been moved to a handier location just behind the drivers seat as we are planning to build a pull out shelf on sliders, for easy access to the front hatch before our next trip. photo 4.jpg DSC00102.JPG DSC00100.JPG