Rear cargo box thread?
- Thread starter KAILUAZ
- Start date
SDmtnbkr
Member
Ok so I'm going to be attempting to build my rear cargo box and sleeping extensin over the next few days. I'm decent with metal but have never really worked with wood before. I wil, be using 3/4 birch plywood for the box and 1/2 birch ply for the drawers (might go with 3/4 if I feel the 1/2 isn't gonna cut it.
So what does everyone use to actually hold the box together? Nail gun or wood screws??? I know I need glue in addition to the nails/screws but I'm just not sure which is better. I'm borrowing my buddies tools and he has a 2" brand nailer and a finish nailer that I can use.
It just seams wrong to be drilling into the grain of plywood. Does it not split? And if I should be using wood screws, how long should my screws be for the 3/4 wood?
So what does everyone use to actually hold the box together? Nail gun or wood screws??? I know I need glue in addition to the nails/screws but I'm just not sure which is better. I'm borrowing my buddies tools and he has a 2" brand nailer and a finish nailer that I can use.
It just seams wrong to be drilling into the grain of plywood. Does it not split? And if I should be using wood screws, how long should my screws be for the 3/4 wood?
I've built two different cargo boxes out of 1/2" birch plywood and in both cases it has been more than strong enough. 3/4" would add a lot of extra weight.
For the joints I cut a 1/8" rabbit into one side and then attache the pieces using good wood glue and either 1 1/4" screws or 18g nails.
Here are pictures of mine, there is a write up on this site somewhere.
Blank Photos :: Storage Drawer
Here's one I have been building for a guy with a 4th gen.
Adam's 2005 4runner Modular Drawer System - Initial Planning & Build thread - Expedition Portal
More recent pictures are on his Instagram account. The fabrication is done, it just needs the finish applied.
https://www.instagram.com/theadventureindex/?hl=en
- Matt
For the joints I cut a 1/8" rabbit into one side and then attache the pieces using good wood glue and either 1 1/4" screws or 18g nails.
Here are pictures of mine, there is a write up on this site somewhere.
Blank Photos :: Storage Drawer
Here's one I have been building for a guy with a 4th gen.
Adam's 2005 4runner Modular Drawer System - Initial Planning & Build thread - Expedition Portal
More recent pictures are on his Instagram account. The fabrication is done, it just needs the finish applied.
https://www.instagram.com/theadventureindex/?hl=en
- Matt
SDmtnbkr
Member
Wow that box you did with the camp kitchen is just unreal! I'll post pics of mine soon, it's almost done.
Here is a photo of my box before it was destroyed in the accident. I'll make a few changes when I build version 2.0 but overall it worked great for our family.
Like others I used 1/2" a/c plywood, glue, and 1-1/2" cabinet screws to make it. Sturdy as heck. Never had any issues when off-road. Stayed tight and square. the stove and cooler drawers lock in and out. I used the stock tie-down points to bolt it in.
Like others I used 1/2" a/c plywood, glue, and 1-1/2" cabinet screws to make it. Sturdy as heck. Never had any issues when off-road. Stayed tight and square. the stove and cooler drawers lock in and out. I used the stock tie-down points to bolt it in.
I unfortunately did not weigh mine. I made it modular so I could install and remove it with ease by myself.
I did cut strategic holes in the cabinet to reduce weight.
However, by far the heaviest part of my cabinet were the sliders. Mine were full extension, locking slides rated for 500lbs. Probably overkill but worth it IMO.
If I had to guess cabinet weighed 75lbs total.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
97Run-Man
New member
I think I'm gonna try to make the frame out of aluminum that way it's very light. Save as much weight were I can. Now just to figure out how to make the drawers. Aluminum sheet bent to shape or wood.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Lindenwood
New member
I havent been able to find this info searching, so could somebody take some measurements for me?
1) The total height of the unmodified cargo area, just from the middle of the cargo floor to the roof (as if you were sleeping back there and sat up straight).
2) EITHER the height of the fender wells above the cargo floor, OR the height remaining between the top of the fender wells and the ceiling. Obviously, with the answer to measurement #1, either of these will allow me to derive the other
. My goal is to build storage drawers with a sliding, folding, or simply placeable platform that can be extended over the rear seats when they are folded down (to serve as a sleeping platform). I do, however, also need to be able to haul my largeish dogs in the back, which is why I need to figure out the available height.
Thanks!
*edit*
Obviously, I would measure it myself, but I won't be home for a while. However, I am putting together a parts and materials list for this project since I also have several others planned out as well.
Last edited:
stever1000
New member
I see the height varies a lot from platform to platform... what are people using for height when they also sleep on the platform? I'm trying to decide on the balance between comfort and storage space
SDmtnbkr
Member
I had this exact concern, I settled with 9" total height. I felt that it was the right amount to make the storage boxes useful and not feel too cramped while sleeping on it, although, I still can't situp in it.
I've already done a few road trips with it and one month long 5k mile road trip from SoCal to Banff, Alberta and can say that I am very happy with the height I chose.
Here's my box.
Unner
New member
I had this exact concern, I settled with 9" total height. I felt that it was the right amount to make the storage boxes useful and not feel too cramped while sleeping on it, although, I still can't situp in it.
I've already done a few road trips with it and one month long 5k mile road trip from SoCal to Banff, Alberta and can say that I am very happy with the height I chose.
Here's my box.
[MENTION=146283]SDmtnbkr[/MENTION]
Anymore pics of this box? Maybe some from the build process? Looks like it came out pretty clean!
SDmtnbkr
Member
Thanks! I have a million pics from the start to finish.
This was my first time every working with wood so I was really didn't know what I was doing. There's not really a good how to thread on them, so I was actually planning on making a thread on how to build one, but I've just been swapped with school and haven't gotten around to doing it yet. I think I'll have time next week, so I'll work on getting it up and then link the thread in this one incase you don't see it.
Unner
New member
Sounds good!
tvpierce
New member
I posted this a while back in another thread.
I bought two of these at Home Depot for $7 each.
HDX 12 Gallon Tough Tote
Not as nice as these custom set-ups, but they're inexpensive, quick/easy and removable. They're also quite strong... and fit perfectly between the wheel wells.
I bought two of these at Home Depot for $7 each.
HDX 12 Gallon Tough Tote
Not as nice as these custom set-ups, but they're inexpensive, quick/easy and removable. They're also quite strong... and fit perfectly between the wheel wells.
MrEMan
New member
Overall height on mine is 10.5". If it had been for me (my daughter drives this particular 4Runner now) I would've probably dropped that to 9" and cutout around the wheel well, but she didn't want to have the cutout. At that height, she's still able to sit up and move around comfortably. She loves it ...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
stever1000
New member
The wheel well looks like a pain to cutout instead of having the platform on top - why is 10.5" too high for you? I can't imagine there is a bit difference between 10.5 vs 9"?
MrEMan
New member
Depends on how tall you are ... at 5'6" my daughter has no problem with it, but at 6'1" I do. Depending on how tall someone is, 0.25" could make the difference ... platform height doesn't make a difference when you're not bumping your head, until suddenly you are. That line is a very narrow margin. To a certain extent I'd rather scribe around the wheel well a little rather than bump my head when sitting up (if possible). With that said, I didn't build this for my own use so I'm not really sure what height it would take to prevent me from bumping my head.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
