Storage Systems

[maverick01]

I know there is probably 100000000s of topics about this and YES I have used the search button but cant find anything.

I have built storage systems for my previous patrols and also the current patrol but they have been built with plywood and with no roller bearings only polyurethane, Im thinking of changing it.

My problem is if I were to go down the same path and build another set, Is it easier to use ball bearings down the side or pre built roller slides. The other option I have is to buy a set but cant seem to justify the $2000 plus that some companies are asking.

The system I have been looking at is the fridge mate 3 drawer system from Offroad Systems. I like the idea of the fridge on the floor.

What has everyone else done.

( if possible could you post up pictures, not only will it help me but it may assist others in the future)

Thanks in advance

[Bird]

Have a look at www.bestoffroad.net.au... reasonsable prices and jim is a nice bloke


This is my home built jobby.. using roller bearings and channel for slides.


and table on back door

[GeeTee]

Hettich etc slides are handy but maybe stick to what you have done in the past as rollers sometimes give dramas with dust etc even when enclosed in a vehicle. Oh, and with the clearances required, many rattle. Your way, it's also easier to make the drawers/slides removable for packing/unpacking and/or when you don't need the weight. You're less likely to require a locking mechanism (eg for use on sloping terrain) with friction drawers.

Plus - no rollers saves $$!

Hope this helps

[Rumpig]

when i built my rear draw system i used ball bearings for the slides and have never had a problem with them, even though the rear doors let in some dust over the years. i made ply draws and screwed some steel angle iron to the sides of the draws which slid between the rollers (i looked at how my fridge slide was built by Engel to get the idea), i wondered for ages if the screws would hold into the ply over the corrugations over the years being the screws i had to use were so short (so they didn't come through the inside of the draw), but so far so good. i think if i ever did it again i'd bolt a box section of aluminium to the side of the draw instead of the angle though, that way i could hide the nut of the bolt inside the box section (just drill a bigger hole on the outside for socket access), be slightly better then short screws into the ply i now have.

[rodsswag]

Hettich etc slides are handy but maybe stick to what you have done in the past as rollers sometimes give dramas with dust etc even when enclosed in a vehicle. Oh, and with the clearances required, many rattle. Your way, it's also easier to make the drawers/slides removable for packing/unpacking and/or when you don't need the weight. You're less likely to require a locking mechanism (eg for use on sloping terrain) with friction drawers.

Plus - no rollers saves $$!

Hope this helps

GeeTee,
Thanks a nice looking tyre swing.
I like the idea of the BBQ.
You could almost have jerry can, tyre, BBQ gas bottle and sink in there.
I have been thinking about something for the Prado but as normal it will take a few months to think of it.
 

Rod.......

[maverick01]

Hi Lost,

When your free are you able to PM me some more detailed pictures of the roller setup. Sizes of the channel and bearings would also be greatly appreciated if possible. Is your storage unit designed for a 40 litre or bigger.

Can you still access the child restraint points.

Thanks

[GeeTee]

GeeTee,
Thanks a nice looking tyre swing.
I like the idea of the BBQ.
You could almost have jerry can, tyre, BBQ gas bottle and sink in there.
I have been thinking about something for the Prado but as normal it will take a few months to think of it.
 

Rod.......

hey thanks, it was the standard body-mounted Pathy wheel carrier. I added a simple drop-down tray to the inside of it - the stove simply sat on top. The rest of the fit-out was a weekend's work with some flooring ply, carpet, a second-hand fridge slide and two plastic under-bed storage boxes.

Like everything I do  it was simple, light, useful and durable.

[Wortho]

The other option is to use Aluminium box section (Qubelok) that knocks together. It comes in 6 metre lengths and cost around $25 a length when I bought it (10 years ago)
Its very sturdy and Mine has not budged in 10 years. I used Hettich slides which have been very good and rated at 100kg.
You can buy the stuff at Bunnings now but $$, so better going direct to someone like Capral Aluminium.
Cheers
Mark

[outbackogre]

Here's my setup.  In addition to Gee Tee's criteria, I would also add 'cheap'.  An MDF unit built on top a pine base, housing a fridge slide, and 4 plastic boxes that slide on timber rails which contain food, water (6 x 3 litre milk bottles), utensils, and recovery gear, with storage underneath for 6 x 10 litre jerries of diesel, and space on each side and above for soft gear.   It did a great job on the recent Simpson trip. 

[Bird]

When your free are you able to PM me some more detailed pictures of the roller setup. Sizes of the channel and bearings would also be greatly appreciated if possible. Is your storage unit designed for a 40 litre or bigger.

Can you still access the child restraint points.

Thanks

Yea mate, no stress - shoot me a PM and remind me.

40ltr Engel fits, but you cant fit anything bigger sadly... I'd love a 50 or 60 ltr.

Dont have young kids, but no you cant. You need a Crab bar for 99% of storage units across the top of the rear cargo area.

Whats best about my storage unit - its removeable - in under 5 minutes..

[GeeTee]

Let's make this a 'DIY wagon fit-outs' thread.. there's some good work and ideas going on here!   

[Muckinhell]

designed mine up on the google sketch up over some months to suit my gomo storage boxes and my fridge slide.

added in rough item designs and sizes to see how they would fit and the like, then broke down all the components to single pieces and extrapalated with the program dimensions for everything and supplied to a local aluminium fab place who for $500 cut them out on there laser in 3mm alum sheet. then had a mate tig it all together.

[DannyG]

This old chestnut hey.....ok I'll participate again

[Dion]

designed mine up on the google sketch up over some months to suit my gomo storage boxes and my fridge slide.

added in rough item designs and sizes to see how they would fit and the like, then broke down all the components to single pieces and extrapalated with the program dimensions for everything and supplied to a local aluminium fab place who for $500 cut them out on there laser in 3mm alum sheet. then had a mate tig it all together.

That's a great approach!

Any hiccups with designing virtually and committing to the full build straight away (i.e. without a prototype) or did it all just go together smoothly in the end?

I want to redo my "brand name" bought storage setup which has been a huge disappointment due to poor build quality and your approach interests me a lot ...

[fisher]

Here's mine - home made job.  Left hand drawer holds the fridge when required, and is long enough to hold air compressor, tools, tyre repair kit and jumper leads.  RH drawer usually holds camping gear, but that will change now that I've got myself a camper.  Compartments either side of drawers hold recovery gear, ropes, various tools.  Compartment at the front hides the second battery.






Rollers


I decided to put the rollers on the drawers rather than frame for easy of access and maintenance.  Has done a couple of extended offroad trips without any problems.  Not as good as a bought one, but good fun to make and cheaper.

[Bird]

Mine is same as this - but I have the bearings exactly the same as this with some box section on the draws and the bearings on the box, not the draws..

[Muckinhell]

That's a great approach!

Any hiccups with designing virtually and committing to the full build straight away (i.e. without a prototype) or did it all just go together smoothly in the end?

I want to redo my "brand name" bought storage setup which has been a huge disappointment due to poor build quality and your approach interests me a lot ...

no it all went pretty smoothly, the worst bit was having a brainwave while trying to go to bed and then redesigning it wich is why i say it took couple of months. we had the fridge slide present while welding together so we got a snug fit and the rest just worked really well. its lite enoupgh for me to put in an out and i use the factory tie down hooks screw holes to secure with, so only takes 5 mins to install/remove.

the whole process was good learning the program and then adding in the fridge/tent/boxesjerry can etc to move about and see how they would fit

[Rumpig]

here's my set up i made in the back of the Cruiser....
all factory storage pockets in the sides are accessible as the shelves on both the left and right hand sides are removable, the factory child restraint on the passenger side is also in use. ignore the lead running down from the roof of vehicle from the solar panel, it's been rerouted and hidden away from view now

[Ynot]

The other option is to use Aluminium box section (Qubelok) that knocks together. It comes in 6 metre lengths and cost around $25 a length when I bought it (10 years ago)
Its very sturdy and Mine has not budged in 10 years. I used Hettich slides which have been very good and rated at 100kg.
You can buy the stuff at Bunnings now but $$, so better going direct to someone like Capral Aluminium.
Cheers
Mark

Also went for cubeloc.
Cheap and easy to work with. Some carpeted ply over the top and sides.
A mate did a stainless draw up for me that I mounted with some slides.

I never got around to doing the T latch on the drawer so still using a barrel bolt.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[ozbogwam]

Mine is a bit different, I just bought a filing cabinet off eBay for $2.50. Fits perfectly next to the fridge. I'll try and grab a pic.

Heaps of room inside, lockable, removable, waterproof, easy to clean and cheap

[Bird]

Have a look at www.bestoffroad.net.au... reasonsable prices and jim is a nice bloke


This is my home built jobby.. using roller bearings and channel for slides.


and table on back door

Had a few questions on how it is removable... This unit was originally fitted to mates GU that he wrote off But he did buy my GQ, and I bought his GU accessories!


Basically a template of the cargo area floor was made and then bolted down - using from memory 9mm marine ply.

Then into that some captive nuts were fitted to hold this unit down (photos to come of the floor 'plate')...

As you see in the photo on the inside corners some angle was fitted and drilled to match the captives... in the draw area and inside the fridge slide area.

that my friends = piss easy removable storage unit. and fully useable cargo area Mon - Friday.




The Draws don't use runners as you see the bearings, and on the sides of the draws =

[DannyG]

What stops the drawers coming all the way out on those ones Lost?

[Bird]

What stops the drawers coming all the way out on those ones Lost?

When you slide the draws in, you 'lock' one of these... it catches on a block mounted to the main storage box part of the thing..  as you slide draw open, it gets to the latch/lock thingy and stops.




Can sorta see it in the top right of photo.

[Rumpig]

What stops the drawers coming all the way out on those ones Lost?

when i made my set up i screwed small blocks of timber to the sides of the draws and another to the carcass that stops the draws coming right out. i had to screw the block to the draw once it was in place though (bit tricky to locate at first), so to remove the draw i need to remove the timber block i've screwed to it first. i don't have a locking sytem on my draws though (other then slam latch that holds them closed), never really needed one to tell the truth and draws have been in the vehicle for quite a few years now.

[DannyG]

Thanks gents. I gave mine to a young bloke with a Patrol and I want to make some more but not as big as my previous ones.
I have a heap of small bearings so I might try something like the ones in this thread.