blight1234
New member
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?
Drawer System
- Thread starter blight1234
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
MONTYMTB
New member
RunnerAK
New member
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 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).
swapmeet
New member
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.
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.
Travtaz997
New member
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
.
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
.
HokieRunner
New member
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.
OVERLAND IN TX
New member
Option 1: learn how to work with wood. :nod:
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.
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.
MStudt
official vendor
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.
chmura
New member
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
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!
swapmeet
New member
I had considered making a metal one and keeping my ammo can on one side and fab a drawer on the other.
810moto
New member
Installed photo??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.
Travtaz997
New member
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 ...
Attachments
Last edited:
BlackWorksInc
New member
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.
I think I want one of those just to have... :wow2:
swapmeet
New member
LOL not really "installed" but its in there.
Attachments
macgyver_ga
New member
Hit me up, I see you're in Atlanta. I can make a nice wood one for you if you want wood. Woodwork/cabinetry is a hobby of mine. I have a whole woodshop setup in my garage (tablesaw, bandsaw, jointer, planer, router table, dust collection, etc)
810moto
New member
45 and a 12g makes it even better.
Thanks for putting up the pictures because it puts it into perspective the size compared to the area of the back of the truck
piccrazy30
New member
I built my own with no and I mean no woodworking skills whatsoever. I measured a lot before I bought anything. Lowes cuts wood for .25 a cut after the first two cuts!! They aren't perfect but did the job for me. I used 3/4 in plywood/hardwood to fit the entire cargo space. It measures 41 wide..36 deep..12 tall
I'm sure its not the best looking box out there but it turned out better than I thought it would. One side carries tools, jumper cables, oil, etc. The other side has clothes, food, first aid kit, maps, emergency blankets, etc.
I'm sure its not the best looking box out there but it turned out better than I thought it would. One side carries tools, jumper cables, oil, etc. The other side has clothes, food, first aid kit, maps, emergency blankets, etc.
Attachments
swapmeet
New member
Was there any rhyme or reason to the height you made yours?
piccrazy30
New member
Not really. I wanted to make it with one drawer at 16 in and one at 8 in tall, to put a fridge on the 8 in side, but after figuring that was out of league. I felt 8 in wasn't enough and 16 in was too much.
I am looking at it from the perspective of I'd rather have more than enough space for everything I wanted to carry with me all the time.
Maybe there was a little, a tall water bottle and an average size cleaning bottle like windex which I keep in there stand up and fit perfectly.
