Plans for a slide out tray system in the back of the Jeep

[lysol]

The wife and I have a newer generation Jeep Grand Cherokee. So I'm not trying to get too specific on the design yet but the only thing I need to mount in the back of the Jeep is an ARB fridge. The spare tire is inside the vehicle under the rear floor and will need to be accessible somewhat.

The wife wants it to not be over the top so I think drawers are out of the question. She wants to be able to head to the drive in theater and be able to lay down in the back area (we fold the rear seats down and lay out watching out the back hatch). If I installed a 6" drawer setup or something low like that, there would be a 6" drop off in the front area of the vehicle that would be uncomfortable to lay down. We don't plan on sleeping in the Jeep so it would only be a rare occasion.

Also, anything I put in the back would have to either slide out the back enough to be able to access the spare tire under it. Don't have any other ideas other than removing the entire setup in an emergency which doesn't sound fun.

I had originally thought of a "tray slide" like those on the new 4-runners. Once it slides out, the only thing sticking up would be the slide rails so that would be the only thing uncomfortable. I could have the tray slide out the back and then a false panel would be under it hiding the tire. That would give us something to lay our feet/legs on.

I went through a lot of threads over the past few days and every time I want to get a taller drawer system, I forget that it needs to be low-profile as per the wifey's request.

The tray would also be nice for everyday use. The plan is to bolt the refrigerator to the tray itself.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[lysol]

I think I'm looking for a truck bed slide that is low profile yet strong and will be custom built for the back of the cherokee.

I contacted Extendobed in Idaho. Will post up what they respond with. I think I have a good idea of what I want. Shouldn't cost too much compared to all the drawer systems since it's just a tray essentially.

Here's a video I found of what I'm looking for:

Any thoughts?

 

[Xterabl]

Whoa. That is pretty cool. But the name kind of sounds like that for a viagra knock-off product.
This could also be a foundation for adding additional drawers, storage, mini-kitchen, etc., on top of.
Nice find, fer sure.

 

[lysol]

Whoa. That is pretty cool. But the name kind of sounds like that for a viagra knock-off product.
This could also be a foundation for adding additional drawers, storage, mini-kitchen, etc., on top of.
Nice find, fer sure.

I'm sure it costs a lot... Looks like they do a lot of work with the fire departments and police.

 

[Jr_Explorer]

You present and interesting design problem. Check out the over center lift design that PrayforSurf came up with for raising a bed mounted RTT here: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/75222-A-new-twist-on-bed-mounted-RTT-s

So you build a drawer platform in the back (behind the rear seats). Oops. You get a flat and need the spare. Fold the seats down. Push the whole drawer box up and forward. This would raise it AND move it forward approximately half the length of the cargo area and would have to be designed to go "over-center" a bit and then lean on the back of the front seats. So it would stay in that raised position on its own allowing access to the spare.

For the drive-in viewing just throw a couple bean chairs on top of the folded down from seats to get you up to drawer platform height!

Seems like that would be pretty sweet!

 

[lysol]

Well how about that.... That is an interesting design Jr. Thanks for posting it. That might be a possibility for any cabinet. As long as it lifts up and forward enough and the mounting hardware isn't blocking access to the spare after the cabinet is lifted, it might work. Now granted, I'll be mounting a fridge to the top, but that would be the only thing I would have to remove. Hmmm. You got the gears turning again.

Here is a few pics showing my situation:

 

[Jr_Explorer]

Holy no fixed floor Batman! Is there ANY fixed floor on either side of that monster hatch?!? All it would probably take is an inch or so but I'm not sure I'm seeing that from those photos (maybe on the left side but on the right...?). Can you snap a photo with the hatch up/out? I'd like to see what is under there. You may have to "narrow" the hatch to provide some real estate to mount a rail on each side.

 

[bobDog]

Put your spare on a swing out rear gate with a nice rear bumper. I will never have my spare inside a vehicle again. some where, but I can't find it, I have a pic of everything I had in the car outside the car on a freeway pull off while I changed the flat. then I had to reload the dirty tire and all my stuff.....it was raining. Had to do it again at the tire store. It was funny because I was young, but not funny enough to do it twice. I'm not young now. Note to self ...... don't leave the only jack you have under the rear seat either!
Now do what ever you want inside.....you actually have a drivein that you go to often enough to set the 4X4 up to watch?

 

[lysol]

Holy no fixed floor Batman! Is there ANY fixed floor on either side of that monster hatch?!? All it would probably take is an inch or so but I'm not sure I'm seeing that from those photos (maybe on the left side but on the right...?). Can you snap a photo with the hatch up/out? I'd like to see what is under there. You may have to "narrow" the hatch to provide some real estate to mount a rail on each side.

Yea tell me about it. The only option I've seen 2 guys do is cut out a new false floor the same shape, drill holes in the middle, and use ratchet straps to loop through the holes and through the spare tire which is bolted down.

While I love this Jeep, I just cannot understand why they are doing the things they are doing to these Grand Cherokees.

Put your spare on a swing out rear gate with a nice rear bumper. I will never have my spare inside a vehicle again. some where, but I can't find it, I have a pic of everything I had in the car outside the car on a freeway pull off while I changed the flat. then I had to reload the dirty tire and all my stuff.....it was raining. Had to do it again at the tire store. It was funny because I was young, but not funny enough to do it twice. I'm not young now. Note to self ...... don't leave the only jack you have under the rear seat either!
Now do what ever you want inside.....you actually have a drivein that you go to often enough to set the 4X4 up to watch?

I think I'm going to ditch being able to convert the cargo area to a "drive-in" vehicle. Too much to worry about. I would love to put a swing away bumper on there. Unfortunately, there hasn't been a lot of attention towards the WK2's in regards to aftermarket parts. Hell, the first true front bumper (bull bar) is being fit tested by an Australian company (Uneek 4x4) in 2 days and it's not ARB. They've been designing it for a few months now.

The only options I have in regards to a rear tire carrier is to use a hitch mounted swing away which isn't a bad thing but it's not a "great" option. I do know that when I can get that tire out of the floor there, I'll have over 200aH worth of batteries mounted in there. My plan right now is to mount a 100aH battery inside the spare 18" rim.