\\ MITZENFAUKER's // Custom Drawer System & Sleeping Extension Build [5th Gen]

[e60ral]

I haven't taken it out on anything crazy for off-roading and would assume if I get into any heavy off-roading I would need to bolt this thing down to the body for maximum security.

Definitely trying to line up some trips though. I will keep you posted from my findings if I do, or if I find any rough backroads I can test this sucker on. So far absolutely no movement whatsoever which is great. And yeah its a major plus I can keep my seats in and use that sleeping extension whenever we go out.

you really want it tied down for on-road driving, unless you are in major off-camber situations where sudden weight shift can cause problems, on-road is the main reason you want your gear strapped down.

its tough to move your large drawers, but if you are in an accident on the interstate at 70-80mph and start to roll or something it will work its way free and can become deadly to occupants in the car. at the very least install some turnbuckles and connect to the factory tie-downs, but getting bolts in is something you should do.

 

[TacoRunner_]

Always secure your gear, you never know when that tissue box is going to be coming at you at 70mph

 

[mitzenfauker]

you really want it tied down for on-road driving, unless you are in major off-camber situations where sudden weight shift can cause problems, on-road is the main reason you want your gear strapped down.

its tough to move your large drawers, but if you are in an accident on the interstate at 70-80mph and start to roll or something it will work its way free and can become deadly to occupants in the car. at the very least install some turnbuckles and connect to the factory tie-downs, but getting bolts in is something you should do.

Always secure your gear, you never know when that tissue box is going to be coming at you at 70mph

Wow, not sure how I missed thinking of that. Thanks for the heads up on that. Definitley something that could happen if that giant box in the back came flying around the car.

Any suggestions on what would be best to use. Throw them my way. Would love to hear any that people may have. I've seen a few options on the web with a sort of cable tie down, but don't know the specific name for that. Anyone out there know?

 

[Capt.Canuck]

Wow, not sure how I missed thinking of that. Thanks for the heads up on that. Definitley something that could happen if that giant box in the back came flying around the car.

Any suggestions on what would be best to use. Throw them my way. Would love to hear any that people may have. I've seen a few options on the web with a sort of cable tie down, but don't know the specific name for that. Anyone out there know?

I think turnbuckles are what many people are using, attached to the tie-down points.

 

[mitzenfauker]

I think turnbuckles are what many people are using, attached to the tie-down points.

Exactly what I was looking for. Couldn't figure out the names for those! Thanks Capt.Canuck!

 

[mitzenfauker]

UPDATE ON THE BUILD.

So...the drawers are working great. Still absolutely love them and have got some great use out of them on some camping trips and just daily use.

Since the making of them, the drawer slides now have been worked in and are getting looser and smoother. Because of that, it was causing the drawers to slowly open during stop and go drives. Luckily for the most part, the drawers are pretty close to the back with those handles on there and fit farely snug back there.

But to battle that, I ended up installing these awesome paddle latches...and they work like a charm!
They are inset and flush with the drawer and have a small corner brace I added on the inside as the catch so that they wouldn't open.

Give them a look below.

 

[themuffinman619]

Nice build! I'm in San Diego as well. I'll have to pick your brain whenever I get around to building some drawers.

 

[jrob]

Nice work dude, I like the stain.

 

[mitzenfauker]

Nice build! I'm in San Diego as well. I'll have to pick your brain whenever I get around to building some drawers.

Thanks! Happy to help anytime you have questions. Definitely learned a ton on the way but really happy with how it all turned out.

If you are looking to not spend the time on one and just want to buy one, shoot me a PM.

I am offering up to make a few if anyone is interested. First come, first serve basis and charging $900 for the entire build and materials.

Would be exact same build and you are more than welcome to check it out before you buy if you would like as well!

 

[mitzenfauker]

Nice work dude, I like the stain.

Thanks. Debated it for awhile if I was going to carpet it or stain it. Definitely happy I went with the stain. Love the color that turned out on it.

 

[SickRunner17]

How did you secure the completed drawer unit to the floor of the trunk area?

 

[Jake0807]

Nice work man. Really well done. Gettin ready to tackle one of these myself. Only problem is there's so many different configurations that would be helpful to build I'm not sure which route to go. Good problem to have I guess. haha

 

[steph.l.wain]

this is awesome!

 

[dderienzo]

Question

I see you did the build so that the front of the sleeping platform is lower than the second row seats (when folded forward). I have seen others designed where the sleep platform comes on top of the seat bottoms. The problem with these "high builds" is that there is no headroom.

My question to you is whether you can fit a normal sized air mattress in there when the platform is below the top of the folded seats? Is there enough room to stretch out or are you sleeping diagonally/curled up?

 

[mitzenfauker]

Nice work man. Really well done. Gettin ready to tackle one of these myself. Only problem is there's so many different configurations that would be helpful to build I'm not sure which route to go. Good problem to have I guess. haha

Thanks! Yeah there are so many options out there. Took me forever looking through them all to nail down what I wanted to go with.

Definitely really about what functionality you want to have in the end. I stayed fairly small no the height because I wanted to be able to sit up in the back still. yet still have enough room for storage. Definitely have plenty of storage with 8" high though.

 

[mitzenfauker]

this is awesome!

Thank you very much on that. Definitely loved how it how turned out.

 

[mitzenfauker]

I see you did the build so that the front of the sleeping platform is lower than the second row seats (when folded forward). I have seen others designed where the sleep platform comes on top of the seat bottoms. The problem with these "high builds" is that there is no headroom.

My question to you is whether you can fit a normal sized air mattress in there when the platform is below the top of the folded seats? Is there enough room to stretch out or are you sleeping diagonally/curled up?

Yeah it took me awhile to decide on the heigh I wanted. I actually measured gathered objects that I had in my garage and tried to get it to as close as the height that I wanted of the drawers so I could estimate what it would feel like sitting on top of the platform. Definitely wanted to make sure I still had room to sit up so ended up going with 8" high in total I believe. I'm 5'7" and it was just the right height. My head touches the top but still is comfortable and not too high. Typically we just use 2 of the REI 2.5" thick sleeping pads and stick those side by side with a blanket on top of those...then our 2 sleeping bags on top of that.

The height of the box almost ends up being flush with the top of the wheel well bumps inside the trunk. I think the one concern with the air mattess would be width. Like I said, im 5'7" so when I am laying down back there, I am touching pretty much both sides (the undersides of the seats folded up and the tailgate door). I have a little bit of space and I typically sleep curled up anyways so it works. I typically always camp with my wife so no sleeping diagonally really haha. But she is 5'1" so she fits very comfortably, and us together really isn't that bad at all.

You could always toss the air mattress in there though and see if it fits.
I'll measure it out today what the length in total of my platform is and can let you know.

 

[moshie]

Hey! I was wondering if you have the dimensions on the build? I am looking to create this exact one. I LOVE THIS!

 

[mitzenfauker]

Hey! I was wondering if you have the dimensions on the build? I am looking to create this exact one. I LOVE THIS!

Just shot you a PM back but if you don't get to those. Here are the dimensions.
I just measured these again super quickly downstairs. Unfortunately my wife threw away my plans when I was finished because she was cleaning up in the garage. So bummed when she did that because I wanted to get it all written out in digital to post on here...guess that's not happening haha.

But yeah, those numbers should be very very close to what the box turned out to be.


MAIN BOX
(stays in my car permanently)

40 7/8" WIDE
34" LONG
8 1/8" tall

The 3/4 ply helped on the bottom too because it gave just enough clearance for my flush drawers faces to slide out and be above the lip of the trunk.


EXTENSION

30 1/4 long
40 7/8 wide

If you have any other questions though feel free to shoot em over.

 

[Hawaiano]

Love your set up man. I am going to build this to head to overland expo. What drawer slides did you go with?