I want to put a drawer system in the back of my runner. i saw ARB makes one and it looks really good. I have seen guys build their own but I dont have the space or tools to be building my own. Any suggestions?

I've wanted one of these for a long time, but never pulled the trigger:
SUV Cargo Caddy by EPI

I looked at those plastic cargo caddies, but they don't have real drawer slides, and had bad reviews on Amazon (doesn't look like they're even sold there anymore).

I did some research and nearly bought one of these aluminum cargo drawers (link), but they wanted several hundred dollars to ship to AK. The price is very reasonable (if you live in the lower 48) compared to other metal drawers, and they will fit into the 4th gen cargo area nearly perfect width-wise, but are a bit short length-wise. I was going to use a sheet of plywood across the top to create a flat cargo surface from the rear seatbacks to the back hatch.

We ended up just buying some heavy duty drawer slides and building our own out of birch plywood (with the help of my stepdad who has the skills and a woodshop).

I've been debating about building one or just buying one. I think I'd use the hell out of it.

Currently I have one of these.


Ammo can link

Fits just about perfect under the shelf. I kinda want to put it on a slide of some sort, but I don't think I have the room to give vertically. That's how well it fits.

You could put two side by side and have some room in the middle.

Sometime last year I bought an ARB Roller Drawer 37.20"L x 19.88"W x 11.02"H from Sierra Expeditions.

Honestly, besides the price, I love it. I'm an IT Guy - I support computer, network and Point of Sale systems for many local companies. As such, I have a lot (and I mean a lot..) of equipment that I'm always needing. I use my drawer for my most commonly used items that I always want to have with me. Most of those things are expensive and wouldn't take a second thought to smash my window to grab it so I needed something to conceal it.

Yes they are pretty expensive and you can make your own for a lot less - these drawers are high quality and I don't foresee needing to replace it anytime soon. If anything I'll buy another .

Depending on how much you want to spend, another route is to have a cabinetry builder make a box for your truck. Best part about that is it would be built to exactly what you need. I've seen a few folks on the expedition oriented forums employ woodworkers for their boxes with excellent results.

Option 1: learn how to work with wood.

Option 2: purchase drawers that are not vehicle specific and work with them.

Option 3: purchase drawers from another member that has already built them and has decided to sell.

Option 4: mentioned above, find a wood carpenter and get fancy.

Does anyone who has built their own drawers/platform have the plans or diagram of what they built?

I would make a suggestion, and that would be not using wood. If you have access to a welded then use metal. I used 1/2" 1/2" box tubing for my entire rear cargo area, the frame weighs 18lbs, and with wood 24lbs. It's a lot stronger, close to the same weight, and about the same cost.

Can you post pics of the ARB drawer?

The ARB USA website lists a bunch of drawers but no pictures. Just dimensions. These things are pricy like you said and not seeing them installed in the actual vehicle is a deal breaker for me.

Please post up some pictures if you can!

I had considered making a metal one and keeping my ammo can on one side and fab a drawer on the other.

Installed photo??

This is what I have right now. If you want something specific just let me know!

For mounting, I took a piece of plywood and cut it to the general shape of the cargo area. Then i glued down some indoor/outdoor carpet and drilled mounting holes in it that lined up with the boxes holes. I can remove the drawer from my 4runner by just pulling out the piece of wood.

EDIT: And my drawer is actually the 29.33"L one - not the 37.20"L I posted above. Same thing, just shorter. I don't think you can get a 37" one in there ...

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I think I want one of those just to have...

LOL not really "installed" but its in there.

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