Recommendation for: Rear Storage / Organizers / Cargo tote

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It may be a little ghetto, but I have a couple of milk crates tied down to the floor D-rings. They work great, and double as a non-OSHA-approved stepladder when I am trying to get things on/off of my roof.

Also, I got them in matching orange, so it makes it really classy.
 
I searched for a while, and ended up going with this from Harbor Freight. It's great and colds down when not in use, which was one of my requirements. It does NOT slide around at all (I have the sliding cargo deck), and seems really well made. The only downside is that it stunk for a couple of days (rubber smell or something). For the price, it cannot be beat.

http://www.harborfreight.com/trunk-organizer-65178.html
 
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KRcrjOg.jpg


This is it. Stepstool dual function really should not be understated.
 
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I've found the perfect thing at Lowes. I'll grab a photo and post it here. Basically 1' by 3' by 16" high or so. So it runs from back seat to gate along the side. Covered too. Black, heavy duty, isn't impacted by cold weather either... Seems like they were $45 ea. Will look when I get home. I searched for a couple weeks everywhere.
 
More hidden storage needed in T4R

Orchard Supply Hardware, OSH has one of these on sale this weekend for about $30 (25% off). I may pick one up.
In just a few weeks of ownership I can say there's a big need for this storage box/bag in the 4Runner. In my old Jeep I had a spare tire cover that hid from view a lot of the gear I normally carry in my vehicle. It's stuff that might tempt a thief to break your window and is mostly unsightly inexpensive tools and hiking stuff I keep in the car but don't want to see every time I open the tailgate. It's stuff we all carry: a tow strap, jumper cables, rope, tubular webbing, bungee chords, flares, paper towels, TP, sunscreen lotion, a map book for LA, occasionally a spare cylinder jack, water jugs and more. Right now it's all displayed on the cargo floor and rear trays and looks crumby.
I don't want to place a duffle bag that might attract a thief and can be lifted quickly. It needs to be semi-hidden and look like a lump of coal in the back. Whatever I do I will be covering it with a dark blanket or something that makes it disappear from prying eyes when seen from the outside. I didn't want the Toyota cargo cover because it gets in the way if the seats are down and is difficult to close with one hand.
BTW, those milk crates are stolen. No one gives them away. They're expensive to make but recycle thieves steal them from loading docks just for the recycle value. I have 3 of them from many years ago, before I realized how they were acquired and what they were worth to the grocers. Mine are so old I can't return them to the dairy that owned them. I resist the urge to use them at all, knowing the whole story now. I suggest not accepting milk crates, no matter where or how they might have been acquired. :couch2:
 
TrkyMfns said:
I searched for a while, and ended up going with this from Harbor Freight. It's great and colds down when not in use, which was one of my requirements. It does NOT slide around at all (I have the sliding cargo deck), and seems really well made. The only downside is that it stunk for a couple of days (rubber smell or something). For the price, it cannot be beat.

Trunk Organizer
Click to expand...

Everything from Harbor Freight smells like that. I call it the "Made in China smell". :twitch:

I have a heat gun I bought there over a month ago. It's on the bottom shelf of my work bench in the garage. I still get a whiff of it every now and then.
 
DesertCanyons said:
BTW, those milk crates are stolen. No one gives them away. They're expensive to make but recycle thieves steal them from loading docks just for the recycle value. I have 3 of them from many years ago, before I realized how they were acquired and what they were worth to the grocers. Mine are so old I can't return them to the dairy that owned them. I resist the urge to use them at all, knowing the whole story now. I suggest not accepting milk crates, no matter where or how they might have been acquired.
Click to expand...

I am 100% certain that they were not stolen. Bought from Amazon, from a US manufacturer brand new. I resent the implication that I am a thief.

Amazon

Also, if you want the super-tough ones (mine are only medium weight) that they sell to dairies/etc, you can buy them from the manufacturer: Melmart.com

The More You Know™
 
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Jumper cables are tucked into the right storage compartment and a small bag of tools, a tarp, and odds and ends are tucked between the folded down third row and the second row. There's a nice little space there that is completely hidden, but easily accessible from the rear passenger doors. Nothing visible when looking into the 4Runner from outside which is important when you're parking in Oakland.
 
ArmedBear said:
I am 100% certain that they were not stolen. Bought from Amazon, from a US manufacturer brand new. I resent the implication that I am a thief.

Amazon ...
Click to expand...

Thanks for the correction. I was implying that I was a thief many years ago, when I didn't know any better. I carefully didn't mention anyone by name and I'm still not. I only recently read how thieves steal milk crates from grocery stores for the miniscule recycle value. The grocery stores are now very careful about keeping crates and plastic pallets locked up inside the stock room. I don't remember how I got mine. I didn't take them from a grocery store but if I could I'd return them today.

So why pay $27 for an open crate when you can buy a closed box with a lockable lid for the same price? Keeps the dust out better and it hides all the clutter. I have two of these boxes for camping and a couple more in the garage for stuff I don't want to get dusty. Hmmm... Maybe that's what I need to put in my cargo space. Thanks for sparking the idea.

Edit: A lot of photos have popped up since I posted above. For some reason, I didn't see [MENTION=129673]ArmedBear[/MENTION] 's photo of the crates until now. Lots of good ideas here.
 
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I like the simple crates in that I can just chuck stuff in them through the rear window without undoing a latch or zipper, and they have a boatload of tie-down points.

That said, I wouldn't fill them with tools or anything heavy while offroading, but I normally pack differently for those types of trips.

Pricing was for a set of 2, so not breaking the bank, and I can stand on them when I am getting my snowboard off of the roof in the Winter.
 
Dude said:
Link please!
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, Lowes no longer carries them.

Contico SUV TuffBin Here they are at Amazon

It's 35x14x13. Basically they are a perfect fit between the rear seat and the lift gate. I use two of them, one down the pass side, and one down drivers side. Leaves a nice spot in the middle for taller items.

One I keep a jack, tie downs, recovery strap, jumper cables. Another I keep all of my cycling gear in -- helmets, shoes, etc.

One could put a 3rd one down the middle if they like.

Contico makes one that is 37x21x22, but that is too big, as the top of the seat leans back (without being reclined)

One thing to note on my recommended box, I always pull it out 2 inches to open it so the lid doesn't scrape the back of the seat.
 
I've been making things like this for the Tacoma for a few years now.

Shop ? KB Voodoo Fabrications

Since I have a 4Runner now, my next project is a cargo "basket" that will mount over the rear wheel wells.

It will be black powder coated steel, and be designed to match the style of the 4Runner.
 
ArmedBear said:
I am 100% certain that they were not stolen. Bought from Amazon, from a US manufacturer brand new. I resent the implication that I am a thief.

Amazon

Also, if you want the super-tough ones (mine are only medium weight) that they sell to dairies/etc, you can buy them from the manufacturer: Melmart.com

The More You Know™
Click to expand...

Or here. I even found a place last year that allowed you to order yours with custom labelling. I love them for their versatility and stack ability.

MILK CRATES | Buy Direct & Save Big. 100% Made in USA

Farmplast - Authentic milk crates directly from factory
 
KB Voodoo said:
I've been making things like this for the Tacoma for a few years now.



Shop ? KB Voodoo Fabrications



Since I have a 4Runner now, my next project is a cargo "basket" that will mount over the rear wheel wells.



It will be black powder coated steel, and be designed to match the style of the 4Runner.
Click to expand...


Ooh I'd buy that. I need the space in the middle for my dogs too often to want to put anything else there, but storage just above the wells would be perfect.
 
BenKen said:
Ooh I'd buy that. I need the space in the middle for my dogs too often to want to put anything else there, but storage just above the wells would be perfect.
Click to expand...

We have two dogs as well, so I don't want milk crates or anything in the cargo area.

The area above the wheel wells is totally unused space right now, so this basket will get use out of that space and keep the cargo area open.

The basket will also have grocery bag hooks.
 
KB Voodoo said:
We have two dogs as well, so I don't want milk crates or anything in the cargo area.

The area above the wheel wells is totally unused space right now, so this basket will get use out of that space and keep the cargo area open.

The basket will also have grocery bag hooks.
Click to expand...
This sounds perfect to me, do you have an eta on the design?
 
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