JK fridge slide vs cargo slide

[NatersXJ6]

So, the arrival of my new tubing bender has me on a mission to fab some cargo area storage upgrades for my JKUR.

I started out thinking fridge slide with storage above and beside, but I've recently been wondering if a full sliding cargo area tray would be better.

I'll start with Pros and Cons, and everyone can weigh in?

The pro I see to a fridge slide is you can stand next to it to load. The pro to full cargo area would be less space consumed by slides and access to the cubby from the other side.

Other thoughts?

Nate

 

[NatersXJ6]

I can also see a pro to the full cargo slide in that the fridge can be removed and the slide remains functional for other duties without unbolting?

Realistically, I don't know how often the fridge would come out though? I have a truck for hauling stuff.

 

[rubicon91]

I just got a 50 Qt and have been pondering the same thing. I would like a full cargo area slide however with it slide out my only concern is how would I use the tailgate table I plan to get. If you do not have one of those or want one then I guess may not matter which way. I think at the end of the day I am leaning towards a fridge slide. But I am still a few weeks away from ordering one so who knows.

 

[jaxs1984]

I have an 09 2DR and went the route of ARB's slide.

 

[tarditi]

If you make a cargo slide, you will need to reach around either other stuff on the cargo platform or the tailgate itself to get to the fridge, assuming it's on the tailgate hinge/passenger side

My $.02

 

[NatersXJ6]

Those types of reach considerations are the things I'm looking to figure out prior to building.

Currently the Fridge is on the drivers side, but I just realized that the latch for the tailgate will require me to move it over a few inches at least.

I have no tailgate table, and don't really plan one, but I did think about a pull out table storage under the full cargo slide.

I'm about to wish I still had solid works...

 

[mmaattppoo]

I went the route of mounting my ARB 37 qt fridge to a cargo slide and a sliding cutting board under the slide. I looked at the 50 qt model and it really only fits on the passenger side...an issue for me since my electrical panel is on the driver's side.

The height of the cargo slide off the floor (~3.5") combined with the rearward rake of the rear seats and my cargo barrier reduced the available clearance for the 37 qt fridge to a bear minimum, but it all fits without rubbing or blocking the fridge's fan vents.

A separate sliding frame may be added down the road if I can't live with my current setup but clearance might be an issue with the additional height of a dedicated fridge slide.

A pro for the full cargo slide mount is that there is a continuous level floor the width of the cargo area.

A con for the full cargo slide is that all gear placed on the slide must be secured and fit between the sides of the tailgate or fall off everytime you pullout / push in the slide.

 

[moto-treks]

I went with a sliding frig with storage under on the driver side

and a drawer on the passenger side

which works with the tailgate shelf too

 

[Flyfishjeep]

I just went with the Front Runner cargo slide and am very happy with it. Either way (slide or full tray) you really cannot access the floor storage due to both covering the lid. I found it better to access stuff behind and to the side of the fridge with the full slide. If the access to the floor storage was accessible with the slide in I might have gone that way, but I think now that I have had the full floor slide I like it better. I also went with the tailgate table and then I just added the Front Runner JK shelf..I have it installed, but haven't used it for packing on a trip yet.

 

[moto-treks]

Either way (slide or full tray) you really cannot access the floor storage due to both covering the lid.

The solution from Adveture Trailers allows access to the floor storage.

 

[crusaderJK]

The solution is to remove the lid.

 

[m(a)ce]

I thought with Front Runner slide you could access the cubby?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hwyKPTChxa0

Flyfishjeep I'd love to see some pics of your setup. :beer:

 

[NatersXJ6]

Settled?

So, I've pretty much settled on building a full cargo area slide. I haven't seen anything out there commercially that didn't compromise somewhere important to me.

Essentially, I'm pretty sure they all do a great job of meeting their design intents and putting out quality product, but I have a few custom touches of my own that I think I want.

I kicked off a "practice" project to make a grill / fire pan / dutch over cook stand today and got about halfway through before family obligations dragged me back to the world. I"ll toss up a thread about it someday. It has been a long time since I welded thin wall tubing, and it might not be the prettiest thing in the world. I'm glad I decided to practice before the main project!

Wish me luck!