New DIY Drawer System Coming for 5th Gen

[diy_overlanders]

Hey there everyone,
Just wanted to share something I've been working on for the 5th Gen 4Runner. Its a DIY Drawer System Kit that maximizes utilization of the the space in the cargo area while allowing people that want to keep their cargo tray fully functional (so you maintain access to the cubby behind the rear seats)... and don't have to gut the cargo area. Take a look and let me know what you think. Kit uses all CNC Machined components and would come pre-drilled/finished, ready for assembly with just a few hand tools and a drill.

So far the initial specs on the drawer system are:

- Drawer System Exterior Dimensions: 42.5"Wide x 33.5"Long x 8"Tall
- Drawer Interior Dimensions: 16.8"Wide x 31.5"Long x 6.8"Tall
- 300lbs Lock-In/Lock-Out Drawer Slides
- Weight: ~125lbs
- Mounts directly to Rear Cargo Tray


Feel free to take a look at my 3rd Gen version in the classified section to get an idea of the finished product.

 

[4Runner&Airstream]

What would you keep in there?

 

[Mutant138]

What would you keep in there?

Dumb questions.

 

[Whippersnapper02]

I definitely need some kind of storage in the back.

 

[msp]

Hey there everyone,
Just wanted to share something I've been working on for the 5th Gen 4Runner. Its a DIY Drawer System Kit that maximizes utilization of the the space in the cargo area while allowing people that want to keep their cargo tray fully functional (so you maintain access to the cubby behind the rear seats)... and don't have to gut the cargo area. Take a look and let me know what you think. Kit uses all CNC Machined components and would come pre-drilled/finished, ready for assembly with just a few hand tools and a drill.

So far the initial specs on the drawer system are:

- Drawer System Exterior Dimensions: 42.5"Wide x 33.5"Long x 8"Tall
- Drawer Interior Dimensions: 16.8"Wide x 31.5"Long x 6.8"Tall
- 300lbs Lock-In/Lock-Out Drawer Slides
- Weight: ~125lbs
- Mounts directly to Rear Cargo Tray


Feel free to take a look at my 3rd Gen version in the classified section to get an idea of the finished product.

subscribed...

 

[itr1275]

What would you keep in there?

Eh, body parts.

Seriously though it's a great idea if you don't mind loosing some height. 4runners are notoriously insecure so you can use it for small items, jumper cables, tools, gloves, chains, whatever you would normally have floating around the back of your truck.

Looks like good stuff.

 

[MikeyMTBs]

Nice. Will you offer a non-tray slider version?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rheosibal]

Nice design, but based on the dimensions, it just sits atop of the cargo tray and storage box? Are you not able to access the storage box with the drawers in place?

Is it utilizing 80/20 rails? How heavy is it?

 

[diy_overlanders]

Nice design, but based on the dimensions, it just sits atop of the cargo tray and storage box? Are you not able to access the storage box with the drawers in place?

Is it utilizing 80/20 rails? How heavy is it?

Hey [MENTION=175801]rheosibal[/MENTION],
It will be secured on to the top of the cargo tray with 7, 1/4" bolts along the Left, Right and Rear perimeter of the tray (requiring a 5/16" hole to be drilled into the cargo tray). The strength of the 8020 Extruded Aluminum frame will allow the rear of the Drawer System to extend past the rear cargo tray approximately 4.5". This design would allow maximum use the rear cargo space without interfering with the OEM design. Then access to the rear storage box is achieved by simply sliding the tray forward. The idea here is to provide a solid storage solution while also limiting the amount of necessary alterations to the interior of the 4Runner.

The unit is designed using 8020 extruded aluminum for the frame, Baltic Birch for Drawer Boxes & Top Panels, HDPE side panels and Stainless Steel hardware. Estimated weight is approximately 125lbs (This weight is based of my 3rd gen drawer system which is slightly 'bigger' in volume).

3rd Gen Drawer System

 

[diy_overlanders]

Nice. Will you offer a non-tray slider version?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm looking into it, but its a little trickier since my preference is to limit the amount of alterations required to the interior.

 

[rheosibal]

The strength of the 8020 Extruded Aluminum frame will allow the rear of the Drawer System to extend past the rear cargo tray approximately 4.5". This design would allow maximum use the rear cargo space without interfering with the OEM design. Then access to the rear storage box is achieved by simply sliding the tray forward.

Right on, thanks for getting back to me. So accessing anything in the storage box will require you to slide the drawers out.

What about rear seat recline? Based on the height of the drawers and length over the storage box, are you still able to recline the rear seats?

 

[JAXJeremy]

this is great.

 

[diy_overlanders]

Right on, thanks for getting back to me. So accessing anything in the storage box will require you to slide the drawers out.

What about rear seat recline? Based on the height of the drawers and length over the storage box, are you still able to recline the rear seats?

You are correct, it will impact the degree to which the seats will be able to recline. As with most things related to offroad modifications, there's often a compromise that has to be made. Just curious though, how often do you recline the rear seats?

 

[mlnhtrang]

ive been looking to do something like it. but something that mounts directly to the existing holes for the tray sliding brackets on each side.

 

[Mudhorn]

Nice.
I think a version that just sits behind the single seat side or double would be cool down the road.
I like to throw down the double side and use that side for sleeping with max head space. The single side with the fridge on top is what I envision, but personal preference.
Guess I could DIY, but I’d rather support others skills.

 

[rheosibal]

You are correct, it will impact the degree to which the seats will be able to recline. As with most things related to offroad modifications, there's often a compromise that has to be made. Just curious though, how often do you recline the rear seats?

Not often, but it helps with those who have kids in booster seats. Keeping the upper parts reclined helps reduce head bob when sleeping.

 

[lulajean]

Side panel storage

Maybe for your next trick, you could invent some kind of storage that replaces the plastic rear side panel storage where the jack is hidden? Mine constantly comes open, and the little plastic door is worthless. I'd love to see some rear storage on the sides that is solid where the door is solid and locks. You can never have too many places to lock away tools, etc.

 

[Space King]

...Kit uses all CNC Machined components and would come pre-drilled/finished, ready for assembly with just a few hand tools and a drill.

So basically what you'd get if IKEA sold 4R drawer systems.
Ship it with most of the bolts, an extra alan key and call it the Mudflingä to complete the effect.:becky:

 

[docsnavely]

I built my setup with mostly 3/4" birch and probably very similar 400lb lock in/out sliders. It weighs about the same as your design after cutting out the void in the floor of the box. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't use such heavy duty slides. They added 50lbs to the overall weight. I would probably use a non-slider design, or a track system with locking latches to save weight.

My drawer build post.

 

[diy_overlanders]

I built my setup with mostly 3/4" birch and probably very similar 400lb lock in/out sliders. It weighs about the same as your design after cutting out the void in the floor of the box. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't use such heavy duty slides. They added 50lbs to the overall weight. I would probably use a non-slider design, or a track system with locking latches to save weight.

My drawer build post.

Very cool build post the [MENTION=126011]docsnavely[/MENTION]. My thoughts on the drawer slides is that they can make or break a system. Good slides (Accuride/Knape Vogt) that are in that "Heavy Duty" (300-500lbs) full extension category are expensive, then they get really expensive to add the Lock-In/Lock-out functionality.

Once you get over the sticker shock, as you mentioned they are heavy. However, I'd rather work on finding other ways to shed some weight (ie extruded aluminum frame) in order to be able to cleanly operate a weighted down drawer. The 'tool' drawer in my 3rd gen that's using these slides normally has about 80-100lbs of tools/compressor gear in it, but slides in and out with very little effort. I tried some of the slides in that lower price point but was just never happy with how they operated.