Installing DFG Slide on cargo tray and/or removing cargo tray?

[benhalleniii]

Hello all. I have a 2017 TRD Off Road with the rear cargo tray. The cargo tray doesn't work for me and makes more problems than it solves for the way I use the truck.

I want to install the DFG Off Road fridge slide for my Dometic CF-50 in the rear cargo area. What I'm wondering is, can I mount the slide directly to the cargo tray or should I plan on removing the tray and replacing it with something else first? Is the tray solid enough to hold down the slide and the fridge?

If not, what can I replace it with? Do I need to build a deck to bolt into place or does Toyota make a deck that would've been there had my truck not come with the cargo tray?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Best,

b
e
n

 

[SpeedyKevin]

Hello all. I have a 2017 TRD Off Road with the rear cargo tray. The cargo tray doesn't work for me and makes more problems than it solves for the way I use the truck.

I want to install the DFG Off Road fridge slide for my Dometic CF-50 in the rear cargo area. What I'm wondering is, can I mount the slide directly to the cargo tray or should I plan on removing the tray and replacing it with something else first? Is the tray solid enough to hold down the slide and the fridge?

If not, what can I replace it with? Do I need to build a deck to bolt into place or does Toyota make a deck that would've been there had my truck not come with the cargo tray?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Best,

b
e
n

Not a popular vendor around here (probably for good reasons) but AJC has this product out that might work for you. Just look around though for reviews on the company before purchasing

AJC Gear Plate for 5th Gen 4Runner with Sliding Cargo Tray – Aiden James Customs

 

[benhalleniii]

Cheers for the suggestion.

b
e
n

 

[benhalleniii]

But damn $350 for a piece of painted plywood is rich!

 

[rheosibal]

If you want to ditch the cargo tray, you could sell it, use the funds for a "gear plate" (replaces OEM tray) and still have $ left over.

AJC (suggested above) make gear plates to replace the cargo tray as well. Pretty much a replica of the Goose Gear tray.

No experience with AJC, but I sold my cargo tray and went the Goose Gear route. Definitely worth the upgrade without too much trouble.

 

[NW.OH.T4R]

Often you will be able to find someone interested in converting to the cargo tray. I believe shipping costs are outrageous though, so it's best to be a local sale.
If you were closer, it's something I would be interested in. I actually reached out to AJC to see if they had any plans to fabricate anything like the OEM cargo tray, but slightly lower profile.

 

[Chilow]

Is there a reason you want to add a fridge slide if you already have the cargo tray? Wouldn't you be able to save a few hundred dollars if you strapped it down to the existing cargo tray?

 

[benhalleniii]

Yep. So I camp a lot with my wife and two kids. We have a lot of gear and luggage that lives in the rear cargo area. When you pull the tray out, all of the stuff collapses into the space behind the cargo tray and now you've got to dig it out before you can slide tray back in. So I'd like to have the slide so I can just pull the fridge out when I need it and everything else stays in place.

b
e
n

Is there a reason you want to add a fridge slide if you already have the cargo tray? Wouldn't you be able to save a few hundred dollars if you strapped it down to the existing cargo tray?

 

[llDemonll]

Get rid of the sliding tray if you're not going to use it. You're losing 3-4" if you keep it in.

 

[CocoDoodle]

The cargo tray did not function well as a fridge slide for me. At full extension, I was not able to fully open the top of my fridge. Also, extending the tray with a fridge and additional gear on it was not ideal.

I was able to diy a gear plate for my DFG fridge slide. Used AJC Gear Plate - A Modular Cargo Plate for 5th Gen 4Runner - Review as a reference.

Cut 3/4 birch plywood to same size as fridge slide. Bolted fridge slide to plywood using 1/4″-20 thread bolts and t-nuts (6 total). Removed two of the cargo tray bolts/washers. Secured plywood to cargo tray with bolts (M10 x 95mm, I think). The bolts didn't need to be recessed like the AJC plate, as the fridge slide functions fine as is.

It worked fine on recent trip with full fridge. Now, it's much easier to access items in my fridge. It's also easier to pull out the baskets in the fridge. There is some flex, but not enough for me to add another bolt through the cargo tray. Also, I can easily remove the plate/slide and have an intact cargo tray.

 

[ncflyer]

Seen where a couple folks have built a platform just high enough to fit over the tray. You could use that for gear, the fridge and then have a slide out table it needed. Shouldn't be an issue with the fridge unless you plan on getting the tilt slide.

Tried to find pic of what I was referring to (no luck) but check out Peak to Peak offroad. They have shelf as well. Little cheaper