4th Gen Custom Cargo Container

[Dusty Driftwood]

So, there are a few threads around here that relate to rear cargo containers. Since I hate stuff rolling around and shifting, I decided to make a custom cargo box for my 4th Gen T4R. I had some criteria, which I'll outline below.
1) Had to work in conjunction with the double decker cargo shelf
2) Had to be able to be accessed from the back window (outside the car)
3) Maintain some additional room on either side for small stuff like ice scrapers, etc.
4) Be silent & stay still while driving, turning, etc.
5) Be easily installed or removed by one person.
6) Not look like part of the stereo system (encourage break-ins)

EDIT: UPDATED REBUILD FOUND HERE

So, here is what I designed/built. I decided to use 1/2" & 3/4" MDF because it was cheap and easy to work with (for the most part).
With tail gate open

Up close

Shot from outside

Last shot

I used spray on truck liner for the inside of the drawers as well as the areas like drawer fronts & lid that will see the most abuse. The rest of it I just spray painted flat black with rattle can. The double decker lid is still in use and locked into place, which helps keep the box from moving while driving. So far, I have not heard even one squeak or shift from it while driving, but haven't taken it off-road yet.

Please let me know if you have any questions
Thanks for looking, Jeff

 

[gaterose]

Awesome box! I like the hinged access through the window, I never thought of that when building mine.

 

[CXS]

Nice job, well thought out! Any idea the weight?

 

[micosavo]

Erm...is this design copyrighted?

Nice woodwork Dusty Driftwood

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

Awesome box! I like the hinged access through the window, I never thought of that when building mine.

Thanks, that was a main priority since I open the window as much as the tail gate. It's really more for the quick grab items in the front of the box, like the flashlight, leatherman or a clif bar :hungry:

Nice job, well thought out! Any idea the weight?

Thanks, the empty box is maybe 75-100 LBs tops, that is only an estimate of course, but I couldn't imagine it being any more than that. Fully loaded it probably tops out at like 150 LBs. I have recently fueled up and reset my gas gauge, and I'm not seeing any decrease due to weight, but time will tell once I get more recovery gear that weighs more. I'm interested in building a sleeping platform too, but that will have to be a new design since the double decker shelf won't allow a connection between the 2 pieces.

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

Erm...is this design copyrighted?

Nice woodwork Dusty Driftwood

Thanks for the compliment, yes it is copyrighted, but I've posted measurements belowimp:

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Love the design, definitely like the ability to access through the window

 

[TheTuckerTaxi]

Edit: Pics are working now, and in his garage.

Nice shelves and good setup for your gear. Do you have any recovery gear or tow straps?

 

[Lexusbstrdchild]

Very nice design! I like it!

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

Edit: Pics are working now, and in his garage.

Nice shelves and good setup for your gear. Do you have any recovery gear or tow straps?

I do not have any recovery gear yet, but would like to pick up a few items such as a snatch strap, etc. Obviously there will be a few constants in the box, but a lot of the stuff will shift in and out due to seasonality and what I'm up to during that season.
Thanks again for the compliments.

 

[KPINKY7]

I was planning on building something just like this that's absolutely awesome do you think you could email me the specs? [email protected]

 

[snowbrdr033]

Wow, that's a super cool and functional box you built. I have the double decker system too and I haven't figured out if I love it or hate it. I never really use it and don't see much of a purpose to it other than issues fitting my weathertech mat in the trunk hahah. :bash:

Maybe if I made something like this, I'd find my double decker system to be more functional.

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

Wanna build me one? I don't have the double decker system tho

 

[gptoy96]

Very well done.

I like how you incorporated the double decker system, do you have any pics from the inside of the back seats if they were folded down? I don't think I've ever had my seats down with the cargo tray up, I'm curious how flat it might be for a sleeping platform.

Other than your trailer hitch cover :lol: it's all a job well done!

rep for you

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

I'll post the measurements here for everyone instead of mailing them. I have rough drawings too, but I'm not sure those would be much help to anyone but me since its all chicken scratch.

Outer Measurements
40" Wide
32.75" Deep
8.5" Tall
Drawer Measurements
17.25" Wide
30.75" Deep
7.25" Tall

Wow, that's a super cool and functional box you built. I have the double decker system too and I haven't figured out if I love it or hate it. I never really use it and don't see much of a purpose to it other than issues fitting my weathertech mat in the trunk hahah. :bash:

Maybe if I made something like this, I'd find my double decker system to be more functional.

When we were at the dealer, I thought the double decker system was one of the coolest things. Then, I realized that it's not all that practical or functional for the things that I carried on a regular basis. This was part of the motivation of this project. Now, the top shelf is more level, so the things I put up there don't slide off.

Very well done.

I like how you incorporated the double decker system, do you have any pics from the inside of the back seats if they were folded down? I don't think I've ever had my seats down with the cargo tray up, I'm curious how flat it might be for a sleeping platform.

Other than your trailer hitch cover :lol: it's all a job well done!

rep for you

Hardy Har funny guy, we'll see what Calgary can bring tomorrow night here in StL. So far you've done pretty well against us this year since Kipper is a Blues killer. Now that we have a better coach we might see a little something different.

Here are more pictures with the seats down and outside the vehicle

As I mentioned before, I'll need to build a separate unit if I want to incorporate a sleeping platform, or remove the double decker shelf system so I can tie them in together.
Drawers

Shell

Flip up lid

Side Detail

Thanks again for looking and for all the compliments!

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Sweet setup, I have been planning on a very similar box. I was going to make mine fit completely under the dd shelf, but really like your idea with the flip up lid. Too bad you're not a little closer, we could definitely work out a deal on the lift/box.

 

[gptoy96]

Hardy Har funny guy, we'll see what Calgary can bring tomorrow night here in StL. So far you've done pretty well against us this year since Kipper is a Blues killer. Now that we have a better coach we might see a little something different.

It's all about the Canucks for me, if we can find a team that wants to take an overpriced goalie off our hands we might have a chance for another run, till then will probably be a lot of heartache instead....


Thanks for the extra pics, I image a person could build something temporary, with hinges or something to level it all out for sleeping. I really like how this all came together, definately on my to-do list. I'll put your name on it when I'm done to avoid copyrights, lol.

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

Sweet setup, I have been planning on a very similar box. I was going to make mine fit completely under the dd shelf, but really like your idea with the flip up lid. Too bad you're not a little closer, we could definitely work out a deal on the lift/box.

What part of Arkansas do you live in? I have family in Little Rock and Fayetteville so you never know, I may be down that way sometime. Plus, my wife and I love to take road trips...

It's all about the Canucks for me, if we can find a team that wants to take an overpriced goalie off our hands we might have a chance for another run, till then will probably be a lot of heartache instead....

Yeah, I was pulling for you guys last year, but never had any confidence in Luongo to bring it home. Good luck unloading him. At least you've been to the dance, we can't even get an invitation to the POs.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Little Rock. Don't have a shop or a place to work, but if you're down this way and we had a shop/tools, it shouldn't be hard to get done. I've not done the rear, but I've done the front several times (front is the hardest part).

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

Now I wanna drive up there for it, tired of hearing SMACK when I go around a turn. :damnit: