GottaBe's rear cargo box build

[GottaBeTRD]

Hey guys, So, when I saw the rear cargo box's some of ya'll built i told myself that would be a nice thing to have but it wasn't gonna be a priority on my list of things I want to do to my 4runner. Well... don't know what changed, maybe it was after I saw some of the epic boxes some of you put together and I had to have it!

I have no skill what-so-ever cutting wood. I never took wood shop, (i was more of an auto shop rat) Until a couple weeks ago i was terrified of the skill saw so yeah... This is for anyone who is in the same boat as me with cutting skills. Yes my cuts are crooked but here we go.

I have to give credit to snowrunner's build for the inspiration. I'm hoping to have mine turn out as good as his. Here is his setup with some of the measurements I took. I would not rely on this though, my numbers changed a little after i made this

I first went to home depot and bought 2 4x8 sheets of plywood, not sure of the thickness but they have a little area where they have all the 4 by 8 sheets.
I also purchased two 24" heavy duty sliders as well and started the build

this back piece is where I'm gonna put this down-firing sub box

as well as a cargo hatch

added some supports,

 

[GottaBeTRD]

when i cut the pieces out for the drawer I used the skill saw to cut the groves for the bottom of the drawer.

then added the sliders

Putting the drawers together was a PITA! My clamps weren't big enough and getting everything to fit with my crappy cuts was an adventure! I finally got it to work and mounted the them to the box

thats all I've got so far. Next I'm gonna be adding the fronts of the drawers along with some paddle latches. Also I'll be getting some black carpet to wrap everything and a few other odds and ends. Stay tuned!

 

[farmerjon]

Great start so far!

I know, the drawers are the hardest part of the build... I did a sleeping platform/cargo box combo and opted to use some shallow, long plastic boxes in place of drawers. Hence I skipped that headache, but I still would love a set of good drawers...

Here's mine in rough form if you're interested... I've updated it since then as well.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...-introduction-build-thread-5.html#post1109276

 

[SCRunner12]

Nice work! This is something I want to start, but might have to wait till the honey-do list is shorter. How much has everything cost so far?

 

[SantaCruzRunner]

great job. been looking into making some to. just moved up the list a few spots:naughty:

 

[Stick Figure]

Perfect timing for this, I'm starting on my new sleeping platform tomorrow. So i'll be checking back to steal ideas as my project progresses.

 

[etc.]

For straight cuts, clamp a true piece of wood to the piece being cut...

 

[Doc2012]

For straight cuts, clamp a true piece of wood to the piece being cut...

Or a piece of angle steel from Home Depot. Just get the thinnest one they have to keep the cost down.

 

[GottaBeTRD]

Great start so far!

I know, the drawers are the hardest part of the build... I did a sleeping platform/cargo box combo and opted to use some shallow, long plastic boxes in place of drawers. Hence I skipped that headache, but I still would love a set of good drawers...

Here's mine in rough form if you're interested... I've updated it since then as well.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...-introduction-build-thread-5.html#post1109276

that looks good man! I was thinking on doing something on the lines of that myself. I think i'll eventually make an extension like you for sleeping platform. I was just trying to see how to connect the two. I like your idea with the turn latches though!

Nice work! This is something I want to start, but might have to wait till the honey-do list is shorter. How much has everything cost so far?

thanks man so far this is what iv'e spent
$40 for the wood
$45 for the skill saw
and around $35 for the sliders

Ill make a new list when i end up buying everything, but yeah I cant wait to have it done. I think I've finished the hard part so the rest is hopefully going to be easy

great job. been looking into making some to. just moved up the list a few spots:naughty:

thanks man, the best part about this is you can get the back of your rig back and still have all your gear and a sub if you wanted

Perfect timing for this, I'm starting on my new sleeping platform tomorrow. So i'll be checking back to steal ideas as my project progresses.

sounds good! Let me know if you have questions. I'll be adding an extension for a sleeping platform eventually, but for now its just gonna be the cargo part.

For straight cuts, clamp a true piece of wood to the piece being cut...

Or a piece of angle steel from Home Depot. Just get the thinnest one they have to keep the cost down.

haha this does work, but leave it to me to mess it up lol! I actually saw this on YouTube before i started my cuts. it went well for everything until i got to the drawers.

I didn't really have any sawhorse's so I improvised with some things I had in my garage. bad things happened on this day. My clamps came loose, the clamps got in the way of the saw, and i sawed into my "sawhorse" aka "tool box" Yeah all hell came down on me for that part lol. I'm not worried about it though, I'm gonna do some sanding and either cover it in carpet or plastidip, it shouldn't be that noticeable.

 

[sn0wrunner]

Looking good so far! Excited to see the finished product!

 

[GottaBeTRD]

thanks man! I hope to have it mostly done by the end of the month. I wish i had a little bit more money to work with so i could get it done quicker but ya gotta do what ya gotta do

 

[rickashay]

Looks great so far dude!

 

[GottaBeTRD]

thanks rick. gosh I want to just pull out the plastic so badly and buy everything else and get her done. But im making myself to be good. The anxiety is killing me lol!

 

[blcktpgsr]

Not bad man, not bad at all! I'm waiting til everythings painted/carpetted and the sub box integrated in as well.

 

[GottaBeTRD]

I will be ordering my paddle latches pretty soon. I almost got some carpet at Pep Boys today. It was pretty pricey compared to online.

So i'm going home for the holidays and my dad has a crap ton of cutting tools. I mocked up some side pieces i was thinking on putting in as some extra cargo areas. I'm just not really sure I dig the look. My box is a little taller than sn0wrunner's (first pic above) so the side pieces sit a little bit over the wheel wells. I dunno what do you guys think? remember the back will be flush with the rest of the box.

I may not even do the sides and use those for something else. I've seen some of you put the D cell Mag lights and fire extinguishers and other stuffs on the sides. Anyway I'm open to some ideas!

 

[Luke the Dog]

Looks good man...you need a friend with a table saw! A healthy fear of the Skilsaw is good, one slip with that sucker will ruin your day real quick. I've seen it happen on jobsites more than once...

 

[GottaBeTRD]

thanks man and yeah i agree with having some connections. I wish i did while building this but it's all about the experience! I think once i Carpet and sand it down, the imperfections wont even show. I hope...

 

[GottaBeTRD]

no takers ^^^??? anyway I think i'm not going to do the sides for now but here is a little update, nothing exciting yet but the good stuff should be coming soon

I added the fronts

on top of the wood glue and nails I added these to the front of the drawer since it will be taking the most abuse with the drawers being pulled on

The left drawer wasn't locked in so i kind of looks un-even. but they both close flush. I've got some pieces that cover the gaps too

Next I'm going to add some dowels to the bottoms of the drawer for extra support. After that i should have some paddle latches to install on the drawers and then the carpet and a few other things. I'm thinking/hoping the hard part is over!

 

[hrt4me]

it's coming together nicely

 

[Doc2012]

IDK what the distance between the sides and the box is, but you might be able to stick a couple of fuel cans in there. One on each side? The height of the box should make it so the don't tip over, but you can always run some kind of strap to hold it more tightly.