Dusty's Custom Cargo Drawers: Version 2.0

[A10GAC]

If you're worried about the MDF soaking up tons of paint you could seal it with a coat of dewaxed shellac. Zinsser Bulls Eye Seal Coat is one brand, a solvent based sealer will dry pretty fast and won't cause the wood fibers to swell. I've also had pretty good luck using drywall compound to seal the cut edges prior to painting. You can put it on pretty thin with a finger and then just knock it off with a sanding block when dry.

 

[zopperman]

That box looks great! Yeah, MDF gets heavy in large quantities surprised no one makes them out of aluminum or fiberglass or something...

A little unrelated, but could we get some detail pics of your cargo net set-up? I remember a while ago someone said they were working on something like that for the 4Runner, but they never updated..

I've toyed with the idea of something similar with fiberglass... then I think back to how much I hate doing fiberglass work and how bad I am at it.

These are great, Dusty. My only concern would also be the weight. But they look so good

The GERM-X is clutch too

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

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.

Sorry I haven't gotten these pictures taken/posted yet. It just so happens that I have been slammed ever since I completed this build. Every time I get in the 4Runner I think about it, but I'd have to empty the box and remove it to get the pics you want and I haven't made time to do it. I'll try and get these taken this weekend and post them early next week.

If you're worried about the MDF soaking up tons of paint you could seal it with a coat of dewaxed shellac. Zinsser Bulls Eye Seal Coat is one brand, a solvent based sealer will dry pretty fast and won't cause the wood fibers to swell. I've also had pretty good luck using drywall compound to seal the cut edges prior to painting. You can put it on pretty thin with a finger and then just knock it off with a sanding block when dry.

Good idea, thanks for the suggestions, I'll look into that next time I'm at the Depot

I've toyed with the idea of something similar with fiberglass... then I think back to how much I hate doing fiberglass work and how bad I am at it.

These are great, Dusty. My only concern would also be the weight. But they look so good

The GERM-X is clutch too

The weight isn't really a concern. its not heavy enough to make the back sag or cause any problems and it stays in place pretty much all the time so I never really have to move it.
I've thought about glassing over the mdf, but it just seems like too much work when I can just spray paint the thing with bed liner. Looks like that is the route I'm going to take for the areas that are exposed, but I may try to be artsy and do something creative for the inside of the drawers and other areas that don't see a ton of abuse.

the GERM-X is very handy!

 

[hrt4me]

if you do decide to build version 3.0, then I would be willing to buy your version 2.0 and bribe you with a few cases of Yuengling as well, especially given that my family is in Missouri fairly close to StL anyway...

 

[Red]

Sorry I haven't gotten these pictures taken/posted yet. It just so happens that I have been slammed ever since I completed this build. Every time I get in the 4Runner I think about it, but I'd have to empty the box and remove it to get the pics you want and I haven't made time to do it. I'll try and get these taken this weekend and post them early next week.



Good idea, thanks for the suggestions, I'll look into that next time I'm at the Depot



The weight isn't really a concern. its not heavy enough to make the back sag or cause any problems and it stays in place pretty much all the time so I never really have to move it.
I've thought about glassing over the mdf, but it just seems like too much work when I can just spray paint the thing with bed liner. Looks like that is the route I'm going to take for the areas that are exposed, but I may try to be artsy and do something creative for the inside of the drawers and other areas that don't see a ton of abuse.

the GERM-X is very handy!

I think a good wrap in outdoor carpeting would be the best way to finish off your drawers. just a suggestion.

looks awesome, one thing I don't like about the rear of the 4Runner is I have no where to store anything.

 

[dpav02]

Dude, Yuengling is very common around here (Pittsburgh, PA)

That's a super sweet build! If St Louis wasn't a crazy drive (like 9 hours) I'd totally risk breaking numerous laws and bringing a few cases your way for my own non-double decker version!

LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Especially the maglite holder!

This makes me want to attempt my own. I bought a 'heavy duty' fold up bag thingy from amazon and, it sucks lol

I mean it's okay, but its super flimsy and is already falling about after a year and 1/2 of use.

The thing you built would be amazing! I'm going to attempt my own version!

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

Dude, Yuengling is very common around here (Pittsburgh, PA)

That's a super sweet build! If St Louis wasn't a crazy drive (like 9 hours) I'd totally risk breaking numerous laws and bringing a few cases your way for my own non-double decker version!

LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Especially the maglite holder!

This makes me want to attempt my own. I bought a 'heavy duty' fold up bag thingy from amazon and, it sucks lol

I mean it's okay, but its super flimsy and is already falling about after a year and 1/2 of use.

The thing you built would be amazing! I'm going to attempt my own version!

Thanks for the kind words. I certainly wish Yuengling/PA were closer. That way, I could help you with your project, while enjoying some cold ones!

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

I finally had a chance to finish up my cargo box over the extended weekend. I'll try to get some pictures posted in the next couple days, but it is finally done!
:trophy:

 

[Lewis&Clark]

I finally had a chance to finish up my cargo box over the extended weekend. I'll try to get some pictures posted in the next couple days, but it is finally done!
:trophy:

Dusty,

This is a masterpiece. The construction quality is amazingly beautiful and the attention to detail and thought that went into the design is obviously impeccable. And your choice in beer...props to you buddy, all around.

I just got my 2008 T4R V8 this summer, and have held off on any kind of mods. Part of that is because our son was born the day after I bought the truck. But a lot of it was so I could get used to the truck and learn what I liked and didn't like--and thus, figure out what I wanted to prioritize in terms of improvements. My #1 grip is the limited cargo storage in the rear and not having a good system for keeping things from rolling all over the place back there. I knew I wouldn't want to get one of those stupid "heavy duty" bag carriers that you can buy from any number of accessory companies. They're horrible, flimsy, and don't offer much more than a couple small compartments for miscellaneous stuff.

I'm not a carpenter, and frankly haven't a clue how it will turn out if I tried something like this. But it's worth it for me--this is a wonderful storage system you've designed.

As I too have an infant, I especially love your idea of the portable changing table. I hate changing out of the back of the truck with the shelf down since it's too low, at least for my 6'2" frame.

Unfortunately, I don't have a garage and with winter coming, I may need to wait until March or so to start trying to build something like this. But we'll see what I can start pulling together. This will be my first mod (unless there's a couple things like LED dome lights I can do easier in the winter), so thanks for the inspiration (and the measurements to get started with!).


I am curious about 3 things though...

1. It clearly fits perfectly underneath the shelf. Aside from the weight, did you design it to be relatively easy to remove so you can lower the shelf back down and put it on top of the lowered shelf and with the same amount of sturdiness/security? I imagine it wouldn't quite work since the shelf is a very different footprint than the actual cargo floor. Or can you pull it out entirely for times when you actually need the cargo space?

2. Weight...have you actually put it on a scale? Curious what it clocks in it at without stuff in it, and whether you've noticed any particular impact on gas mileage.

3. If you wanted to reduce the weight as much as possible without compromising the integrity of the craftsmanship or the sturdiness of the system, what would you do differently?


Dan

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

[MENTION=83981]lewis[/MENTION]&Clark
Dan,
Thanks for the kind words and encouragement. Also, congrats on your recent purchase and the new addition to your family. You'll find, as I did that they are even more amazing than people tell you they will be, even when they're being a PIA.
As for my cargo solutions, I started out with a cheap plastic trunk from Wal-Mart or somewhere, but it didn't really fit the way I wanted it to. Then, I built my first set of drawers. They were decent, and functional, but a fraction of the quality I knew I could produce. So, I set out to update the project and create (as close to) a perfect setup as I could. It took a lot of extra time and attention to detail this time around, but I'm very happy with the outcome.

1. It clearly fits perfectly underneath the shelf. Aside from the weight, did you design it to be relatively easy to remove so you can lower the shelf back down and put it on top of the lowered shelf and with the same amount of sturdiness/security? I imagine it wouldn't quite work since the shelf is a very different footprint than the actual cargo floor. Or can you pull it out entirely for times when you actually need the cargo space?

It is easy to install and remove by one person. I'm not sure my wife could do it on her own, but she is kind of tiny. However, I can (and you could) easily remove this unit alone. All you really need to do is unlock the DD shelf, prop it up, remove the drawers and slide it out. It is not bolted to the vehicle in any way. I wouldn't ever put it on top of the shelf for any reason, but I have removed it numerous times to move furniture, etc.
It stays in the car unless I need the space for something specific. Then, I take it out and put it back in when I'm finished with that particular task. However, if I were to put it on top of the shelf, I believe it would stay in place as intended due to the weight and size (it fits right between the wheel wells very very little if any wiggle room.)

2. Weight...have you actually put it on a scale? Curious what it clocks in it at without stuff in it, and whether you've noticed any particular impact on gas mileage.

I have not put it on an actual scale, so I'm not sure what the whole things weighs. However, even though taking it in and out is a 1-man job, you have to remove the drawers, sliding lid and rear lid to do so, which seriously cuts down on the weight. I have not experienced any difference in gas mileage from either of my drawer systems, and the rear end does not sag at all.

3. If you wanted to reduce the weight as much as possible without compromising the integrity of the craftsmanship or the sturdiness of the system, what would you do differently?

Honestly, the only thing I would even consider doing differently is using a harder wood, like baltic birch or the like. But, that really has noting to do with weight, I think a hardwood would look even nicer than the MDF. Honestly, I don't think weight is a major factor with this at all as I'm guessing the whole thing weighs less than 200 LBs even when it is totally loaded up.

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

I finally had a chance to finish up my cargo box over the extended weekend. I'll try to get some pictures posted in the next couple days, but it is finally done!
:trophy:

Ok, without further adieu, here are the pictures of the "finished" product. I chose to use flat rattle can black on most of the areas but chose to over-coat the front of the drawers, flip up lid and sliding lid with the spray-on bed liner. I think it turned out really well. One note, I had some black semi-gloss spray paint left over from another project, which I also tried, and it looked like crap, so I painted over that with the flat black.
Here are the pictures...










As you can see, I've already been putting this thing to work and getting it dirty. Luckily, the spray-on bed liner created a harder coating and any dirt just wipes right off with a wet cloth. You'll also notice that I lost one of the little rubber feet for the flip up lid. I guess the sticky back didn't adhere too well to the painted MDF, so I put a dab of hot glue in there and pressed the pad in there. I think its pretty secure now, and not going anywhere.
Thanks for looking, let me know if you have any questions,
Jeff

 

[gshadow325]

my wood skills suck. i need you to come to philadelphia so we can trade off expertise. i can do a remote starter for you in lieu of one of these awesome looking boxes

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

my wood skills suck. i need you to come to philadelphia so we can trade off expertise. i can do a remote starter for you in lieu of one of these awesome looking boxes

Too bad you don't live closer, I'd definitely take you up on that offer!

 

[Lewis&Clark]

As you can see, I've already been putting this thing to work and getting it dirty. Luckily, the spray-on bed liner created a harder coating and any dirt just wipes right off with a wet cloth. You'll also notice that I lost one of the little rubber feet for the flip up lid. I guess the sticky back didn't adhere too well to the painted MDF, so I put a dab of hot glue in there and pressed the pad in there. I think its pretty secure now, and not going anywhere.

Where would one get spray-on bed liner? Is this something I can order directly from a Toyota dealer?

Any chance they come in colors that match the internal color options on the 4Runner's?

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

Where would one get spray-on bed liner? Is this something I can order directly from a Toyota dealer?

Any chance they come in colors that match the internal color options on the 4Runner's?

The spray-on bed liner is available at any hardware store. I bought the can I used at Home Depot for around $8/can. That said, the application is textured, so you may be able to lay a few coats of that down, then cover it with your desired color, but don't quote me on that

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Awesome

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

Well, after looking at this thing painted for a couple weeks, I love the way it came out. At first, I was concerned that spray paint & bed liner wouldn't do it justice, but I really like the way it ended up looking. Every time I open the hatch, it brings a little smile to my face

 

[hrt4me]

Too bad you don't live closer, I'd definitely take you up on that offer!

would you be willing to fab a similar box to my specifications?

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

would you be willing to fab a similar box to my specifications?

Maybe, it kind of depends on what you're looking for and what its worth to you. The box project does take a significant amount of time to build when done right, especially if you're piecing it together in "spare" time.
I'm sure it would go much more quickly if I were a cabinet maker or carpenter, but I'm not that skilled. I'm a marketing Guy that just likes to play with power tools. :wow:

 

[Lewis&Clark]

...but I'm not that skilled...

All evidence to the contrary ;-)