Lets see cargo area storage mods

[cruiserdude80]

Thank you for mentioning this,I am definitely going to looking into doing this as being there is nothing wrong with a couple extra inches of reclining room.

One other thing I did was to get 6 long eye bolts to replace the factory upright bolts. I use the eyes to attach bungee cords to to hold down bulky items like sleeping bags, back packs, and coats, etc. The bottom of the the bolts hang down a little farther than I like, but I have not got around to trimming them a little shorter.

 

[Bob Freda]

Here is my storage setup..



It includes a removable sleeping section





I built it myself with help from the "Storage Solutions" section.

 

[Deleted member 48574]

I like that set up, Bob.

For those wondering why bother with drawer systems and the cost -- here's an anecdote for you.

2 weeks ago I was camping near Salem, Oregon while also attending a business conference. I parked at 1:00, and went into a meeting. At 5:00 I returned to my vehicle, which was in an allegedly secure conference centre parkade (there were even police cars parked there!), my rear passenger window was smashed and over 5 thousand dollars worth of my belongings had been stolen. All of my camping gear was previously stored in watertight bags -- not totes like someone had suggested but near enough -- and the thieves made off with all of my camping gear as well as some work-related stuff (suit, dress pants, etc.).

Lockable drawers would have mitigated that loss a great deal. Insurance will kick in for some, but I'll be out of pocket about 1400 bucks (not including my time and inconvenience) due to this little mishap.

That's how I found this thread. I'm building drawers before I get new gear!



Obviously this is less of a problem in the outback, but if you need to travel or stop near any populated areas (as many of us often do) this is a major consideration.

 

[calledtocreation]

I like that set up, Bob.

For those wondering why bother with drawer systems and the cost -- here's an anecdote for you.

2 weeks ago I was camping near Salem, Oregon while also attending a business conference. I parked at 1:00, and went into a meeting. At 5:00 I returned to my vehicle, which was in an allegedly secure conference centre parkade (there were even police cars parked there!), my rear passenger window was smashed and over 5 thousand dollars worth of my belongings had been stolen. All of my camping gear was previously stored in watertight bags -- not totes like someone had suggested but near enough -- and the thieves made off with all of my camping gear as well as some work-related stuff (suit, dress pants, etc.).

Lockable drawers would have mitigated that loss a great deal. Insurance will kick in for some, but I'll be out of pocket about 1400 bucks (not including my time and inconvenience) due to this little mishap.

That's how I found this thread. I'm building drawers before I get new gear!

Obviously this is less of a problem in the outback, but if you need to travel or stop near any populated areas (as many of us often do) this is a major consideration.

Sorry to hear

 

[Deleted member 48574]

Sorry to hear

Thanks -- Could be worse. Life and limb are intact, and I sure hope there's someone staying warm tonight because my Mountain Hardware bag was of more use to him than me! And where previously I was totally propane-based, I can now sit back and re-think my rig as I lost my shower, cooking gear, etc. and decide if I want to move away from Propane in general (it doesn't flow well in the cold and where I live, winter exploration is a must or your season gets awful short!)

 

[Bob Freda]

I like that set up, Bob.

For those wondering why bother with drawer systems and the cost -- here's an anecdote for you.

2 weeks ago I was camping near Salem, Oregon while also attending a business conference. I parked at 1:00, and went into a meeting. At 5:00 I returned to my vehicle, which was in an allegedly secure conference centre parkade (there were even police cars parked there!), my rear passenger window was smashed and over 5 thousand dollars worth of my belongings had been stolen. All of my camping gear was previously stored in watertight bags -- not totes like someone had suggested but near enough -- and the thieves made off with all of my camping gear as well as some work-related stuff (suit, dress pants, etc.).

Lockable drawers would have mitigated that loss a great deal. Insurance will kick in for some, but I'll be out of pocket about 1400 bucks (not including my time and inconvenience) due to this little mishap.

That's how I found this thread. I'm building drawers before I get new gear!



Obviously this is less of a problem in the outback, but if you need to travel or stop near any populated areas (as many of us often do) this is a major consideration.

I probably should have gone with the locking version of my drawer pulls but having dark drawer units inside dark tinted windows keep things pretty much out of site. You are lucky that the whole vehicle wasn't taken.

 

[calledtocreation]

Thanks -- Could be worse. Life and limb are intact, and I sure hope there's someone staying warm tonight because my Mountain Hardware bag was of more use to him than me! And where previously I was totally propane-based, I can now sit back and re-think my rig as I lost my shower, cooking gear, etc. and decide if I want to move away from Propane in general (it doesn't flow well in the cold and where I live, winter exploration is a must or your season gets awful short!)

Butane would be better correct?

 

[libarata]

If it was a gated area, perhaps the remainder of what was not covered could be spotted by the conference center, especially if they used 'secure' anywhere in their advertisements.

 

[Deleted member 48574]

Butane would be better correct?

Potentially -- I was thinking liquid fuel instead. When everything is petroleum, it means that much simpler of a system as I can cook with the same stuff that goes into my engine.

If it was a gated area, perhaps the remainder of what was not covered could be spotted by the conference center, especially if they used 'secure' anywhere in their advertisements.

I had thought about that but no dice. And in fairness to the hotel, despite not staying there they were extremely accommodating when I needed to park for the rest of the conference -- they allowed me to park right out front in the valet area for free which I really appreciated.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Expedition Essentials]

Final version turned out awesome; really happy with it

 

[JCDriller]

Final version turned out awesome; really happy with it

This is very cool, can you post any more details or photos? Who made it, steel or aluminum? Price? Etc. Great job!

 

[Expedition Essentials]

This is very cool, can you post any more details or photos? Who made it, steel or aluminum? Price? Etc. Great job!

Thanks man: been a long road!
I made the original version: but have since been working closely with a local wa manufacturer to produce a consumer ready version. Finally in the final stages and really stoked about it.

It is made in the US, all aluminum with the exception of a couple of the important brackets: dual locking, hinges bolt to roll bar with factory bolts; lock catch plates bolt to inside of hardtop after installing nut serts. Will be ready for pre order by the end of the week with a lower introductory pre order price. Price 500 ish


Sent using a squirrel raised from birth by a flock of well trained carrier pigeons.

 

[JCDriller]

Do I see the soft top brackets being used? How much weight can it carry? What's its dimensions?

This is pretty cool!

 

[Expedition Essentials]

Do I see the soft top brackets being used? How much weight can it carry? What's its dimensions?

This is pretty cool!

No: it uses its own brackets/hinges, bolts to the roll bar using a factory bolt near the top of the bend on the JkU. It can comfortably carry 75-100 lbs, really depends on how much weight you want to lift into place. Locks are rated for 150lbs each with a max usable load of 340lbs each. Size is roughly 15x46x4.5" deep. Most people wouldn't dare carry that much weight in it though but it is built for it. Mainly to handle jarring motion from bouncing trails etc.


Sent using a squirrel raised from birth by a flock of well trained carrier pigeons.

 

[Shamus13]

Thanks man: been a long road!
I made the original version: but have since been working closely with a local wa manufacturer to produce a consumer ready version. Finally in the final stages and really stoked about it.

It is made in the US, all aluminum with the exception of a couple of the important brackets: dual locking, hinges bolt to roll bar with factory bolts; lock catch plates bolt to inside of hardtop after installing nut serts. Will be ready for pre order by the end of the week with a lower introductory pre order price. 495.00


Sent using a squirrel raised from birth by a flock of well trained carrier pigeons.

Can you post a picture from inside looking out the rear while the box is stowed away? Also can you show a picture of the catch plates? Is it lockable?
Obviously it won't work with a soft top so what's your estimated install / removal time for the seasonal top swap?

I think this is an awesome idea, thanks for sharing and your hard work.