Dusty's Custom Cargo Drawers: Version 2.0

Dusty Driftwood said:
You're right, it got pretty heavy pretty quickly, I would have used other materials for this project but I'm all thumbs when it comes to anything but wood.
I'm happy to take extra pics of the cargo net, just let me know what you're looking for. I already have a couple rear view pics in my build thread cause someone else was asking if it created blind spots. I can get a couple attachment pics over the next few days if that helps. Just let me know what you're looking for.
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Mostly looking at how you secured the net, it looks pretty solid. My concern is that it's not as sturdy as it appears, I never really stressed the handles out but I am not sure they are that loadbearing. They're anchored into the roof with plastic expansion anchors if I remember right, only reason I bring it up is because I figure you're using the net to arrest cargo in the event of a sudden stop and/or accident.
 
this is the best set up I have seen by far. Awesome work, looks great. I need to make somethin asap. I hate having things rolling around.
 
jimmied said:
Can i offer to buy and ship a large shipment of yeungling in exchange for a similar box? Plenty around here in NJ outside of Philly!!!
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I will do almost anything for Yuengling! I know it doesn't mean much to you guys that can get it whenever they want, but since it is like the forbidden fruit here in MO, I just want it more. Since I cracked the one in the picture, I finished my last 12 pack and told my wife we need to take another road trip to Nashville, since that is the closest place to get more...

Antman said:
That looks awesome Jeff! Lots of thoughtful details and great craftmanship. Congratulations!

One thought about the final finish- My box is MDF as well and I sprayed it with Rustoleum Truck Bed Liner (can get it at Home Depot). It has held up VERY WELL. Despite dragging stuff across it over and over it still looks new and it actually seems to make the MDF stronger- kind of like a thin plastic shell coating type thingy...:confused:

Anyway, keep it up. Look forward to the finished product. You have me re-thinking my box now. Dammit!
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Thank you! I think I used some of that bed liner stuff on my last box and it worked great as protection. I have been debating with myself on weather to try and stain it and risk messing it up, or just go with what I know and paint it black again.
Re-thinking the plan is easy, its changing and re-building that gets complicated and expensive. I spent more time with pencil and paper than I did with wood and saws on this build. Last time I just kind of went at it willy nilly and didn't really think it through as well as I did this time. Anyway, if I can get any other measurements that would help, let me know.

BlackWorksInc said:
Mostly looking at how you secured the net, it looks pretty solid. My concern is that it's not as sturdy as it appears, I never really stressed the handles out but I am not sure they are that loadbearing. They're anchored into the roof with plastic expansion anchors if I remember right, only reason I bring it up is because I figure you're using the net to arrest cargo in the event of a sudden stop and/or accident.
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The net is secured to the handles. Which are not load bearing. However, in my opinion, it is very secure and I'm not worried about it failing in a worst case scenario.
Keep in mind that the net is fluid, not rigid like the metal grates. So, if something does hit it, it will give a little and catch the object instead of just rejecting it like a ball hitting a wall if that makes sense.
I actually got the net because we have an infant in a rear facing car seat and the fire department recommended getting a barrier or tying everything done that goes in and out of the cargo area. Anyone that has young kids knows that time is a premium and it isn't always practical to take the time to tie everything down. So, I figured the barrier was the way to go. I hope we never have to put it to the test, but for the price I figured we were better safe than sorry

duckTURTLE said:
this is the best set up I have seen by far. Awesome work, looks great. I need to make somethin asap. I hate having things rolling around.
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Thanks, that's why I build mine. I was sick of stuff rolling around and having a mess back there. This is a very practical solution to the open cargo area that SUV drivers have to deal with.
 
So, just a quick little update.
I am loving the new box, it is completely silent back there. I think the fleece lining, drawer slides and locking pins are responsible for that.

Now if I could just figure out how I want to coat this thing, I'd be golden :confused:
 
Another question, if you don't mind. I don't have the double decker system. How well do you think a box with your dimensions would stay in place without that system? I'm trying to figure out if I just want to build it and set it in there, or if I should take and cut a piece of plywood like that cargo area and attach it to that. Any insight would be greatly appreciated
 
AfroWookie said:
Another question, if you don't mind. I don't have the double decker system. How well do you think a box with your dimensions would stay in place without that system? I'm trying to figure out if I just want to build it and set it in there, or if I should take and cut a piece of plywood like that cargo area and attach it to that. Any insight would be greatly appreciated
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That is an interesting question. I considered both removing the cargo shelf and just leaving it down and bolting to it, as you mentioned. But, I didn't really like either idea. I finally decided on rebuilding another version that fits under the shelf.

As far as movement is concerned, it really doesn't move much. It is the exact width of the cargo area, so it doesn't have room to move left to right and there is really only an inch, maybe inch and a half between the end of the box and tailgate, so that isn't a big concern either. It kind of depends on what you're planning on keeping in there. The heavier it is, the less it will move.

I think your issue would be with it "jumping" as you go over bumps, etc. Its not a big deal, but one of my goals was to eliminate the sound of things shifting back there as I drove.

I'm sure some would have you believe that you need to secure it in case of an accident/rollover, etc. Which, fundamentally is true, but in reality, I think this thing is way too big to become a projectile in a situation like that. If I didn't have the cargo shelf, I would probably cut a piece of 3/4" plywood the size of the whole cargo area and use the left and right tie downs to bolt it in place, then secure the box to the plywood to avoid drilling into the cargo floor.

You'd be "wasting" your only two tie downs, but you can bolt as many as you like to your box. Or, you could just put the box back there and run a ratchet strap from left to right over the front of the box, but that would eliminate the possibility of a flip up lid, unless you wanted to undo/redo the ratchet strap every time you wanted to get in there.

Sorry for the long winded response, just thinking out loud
 
Love it! That's the same idea I had basically, I was wondering ow you had access to that rear cubby until I saw the picture. I'm going to be building something similar so thank you a ton for the dimensions! The only thing I may add is a power outlet on the side and have the wiring hidden coming up from under the carpet, not sure how that would work with drawers...but it's an idea of mine since I run a business outta the back of the truck. Was that out of one sheet of MDF?

Thanks and it looks great!
 
macoyle said:
Love it! That's the same idea I had basically, I was wondering ow you had access to that rear cubby until I saw the picture. I'm going to be building something similar so thank you a ton for the dimensions! The only thing I may add is a power outlet on the side and have the wiring hidden coming up from under the carpet, not sure how that would work with drawers...but it's an idea of mine since I run a business outta the back of the truck. Was that out of one sheet of MDF?

Thanks and it looks great!
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Thanks, glad you like it.
I used 2 standard sized sheets of MDF, one in 1/2" and the other in 3/4"
I also have a 400W power inverter with two plugs that I haven't mounted yet because I am still trying to figure out how to coat this thing (paint or stain) I'll probably end up mounting it to the right side of the outer shell. If you use drawer slides, like I did, there is about an inch of space between the outer shell and inner drawer to run wires.
 
Sweet, ill have the drawers so I may just make custom stud power points or something. I would do a bed liner, or carpet the outside of it for an OEM look if it was me
 
Yeah, I'm thinking a combination of bed liner and spray paint will probably be the best direction for me.
I've considered carpet, but with the rear cubby and flip up lid, that can get a bit complicated and I want the finished product to look as good as possible.
 
Dusty Driftwood said:
If I didn't have the cargo shelf, I would probably cut a piece of 3/4" plywood the size of the whole cargo area and use the left and right tie downs to bolt it in place, then secure the box to the plywood to avoid drilling into the cargo floor.

You'd be "wasting" your only two tie downs, but you can bolt as many as you like to your box.
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I appreciate the response! I think with your dimensions, like you said, movement would be at a minimal. But I'd probably do what you said above, mainly for my own peace of mind. I dont really use my factory tie downs anyway, I mainly throw golf clubs back there. Thanks for the help! Whenever I get a chance to start on this, I may mesage you from time to time for advice, if you dont mind
 
Your left to right movement is pretty much non existent isn't it? I just measured my cargo area, and at 41 3/8", which came from your dimensions, that is going to be a very, very snug fit. I'm guessing that's what you were going for?
 
AfroWookie said:
Your left to right movement is pretty much non existent isn't it? I just measured my cargo area, and at 41 3/8", which came from your dimensions, that is going to be a very, very snug fit. I'm guessing that's what you were going for?
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Correct. It's not tight, but it is snug & definitely not going anywhere, which was one of my goals.
 
I gotta tell ya dusty, this thread made me get off my ass and start my build lol, so I appreciate it. Mine is a little different but ill make my own thread once I'm done in a week or two. Free bump for ya and thanks for the motivation!
 
macoyle said:
I gotta tell ya dusty, this thread made me get off my ass and start my build lol, so I appreciate it. Mine is a little different but ill make my own thread once I'm done in a week or two. Free bump for ya and thanks for the motivation!
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Sweet, can't wait to see it.
 
Did a little more work on the drawers today. My old box had a ledge around the edge of the lid which came in really hand keeping things (especially 12 pks) in place between the store and home. So, I added one to this box as well. The pics aren't the best because thy were taken at night, but you get the general idea thanks to my PFran LED swap.




 
AfroWookie said:
I like that idea a lot. Have you decided on how to coat it yet?
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Thanks, I'm still going back and forth in my head. I'd like to try and stain it, but I'm just not that confident in how stain will turn out with the MDF. Most likely, I'll end up painting it with spray paint and bed liner.

Although, I did have another idea, which I'm researching. I might be able to fiberglass the outer shell and drawer faces and just paint the insides. But, this would be my first fiberglass project, so I'd have to do quite a few test pieces before actually tackling the box.
 
Got a couple better pics of the rail system as well as mounted the maglight today and installed some survival gear
Corner joint


Maglight

Survival Gear
 
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