Post up your drawer/storage system

[hidesertwheelin]

Here is the one I just built for my Suburban this weekend. Question for those that painted their platforms, what kind of paint did you use?

We started off with by making a raised platform to the drawers would clear the tailgate.

Then we added the frame for the drawers and storage areas.

Next we added some bracing to it

We used casters instead of drawer slides. It works pretty well for being cheap as all hell.

Here it is completely build.

A third battery is going to be mounted in the wheel well, and then the false floor will mount the inverter and blue sea fuse block.

Needed to add a few inches to my feet didn't hang off the end. So we came up with this. A small panel that flips out and extends the sleeping area.

Complete with all the storage cubbies open.

Some under platform storage also.

 

[hidesertwheelin]

Question for those of you who painted your platforms? What kind of paint did you use?

 

[Maxcustody]

Here is the one I just built for my Suburban this weekend.

looks great! Very nice work............

 

[irongun324]

Here is the one I just built for my Suburban this weekend. Question for those that painted their platforms, what kind of paint did you use?

I need to post my build on here, but suffice it to say we had some similar ideas, mine just looks a lot more rough. I also wanted/needed to be able to remove it. I think 2.0 might be a bit shorter to make that necessary less often.

Here's a few sample shots. The rest of it is in the photobucket album or http://www.gmc4x4.com/topic/3540-1988-suburban-family-camping/

 

[hidesertwheelin]

I need to post my build on here, but suffice it to say we had some similar ideas, mine just looks a lot more rough. I also wanted/needed to be able to remove it. I think 2.0 might be a bit shorter to make that necessary less often.

Here's a few sample shots. The rest of it is in the photobucket album or http://www.gmc4x4.com/topic/3540-1988-suburban-family-camping/

I can remove mine, but it would take about 30 minutes. The lower frame is not attached to the upper frame. I would have to undo about 30 or so screws and it would come in 2 pieces plus the drawers. Not optimal, but workable.

 

[Herbie]

We used casters instead of drawer slides. It works pretty well for being cheap as all hell.

Very cool. I bet the amount of storage volume you lost with the caster and support bar above it was offset by the volume you gained by being able to make the drawers full width instead of having to leave room for slides down the sides. Depending on length, you might have actually gained volume.

 

[irongun324]

I wonder what a good way to support the drawers at full extension would be without a tailgate. I have barn doors.

 

[rayra]

A well built box around the drawers will do the job. And make the interior / back end of the drawer almost the full height of the interior such that with the drawer well extended that back portion of the drawer wedges against the ceiling of the box. It would also help if the heaviest stuff is towards the back of the drawer.

 

[MagicMtnDan]

I wonder what a good way to support the drawers at full extension would be without a tailgate. I have barn doors.

A well built box around the drawers will do the job. And make the interior / back end of the drawer almost the full height of the interior such that with the drawer well extended that back portion of the drawer wedges against the ceiling of the box. It would also help if the heaviest stuff is towards the back of the drawer.

If you make the drawer unit heavy enough, use drawer slides with enough capacity AND you tie down the drawer unit into your vehicle it shouldn't be an issue.

 

[rayra]

drawer box bolted into the stock tie-down and 3rd row seat mount bracket locations in my Suburban's cargo area. No slides. Split / two drawer design, like a rollaway toolbox, don't open everything at once. /lol

/I need to get busy and build the damned thing as proof of concept. Spending too much time & effort describing it.

 

[hidesertwheelin]

A well built box around the drawers will do the job. And make the interior / back end of the drawer almost the full height of the interior such that with the drawer well extended that back portion of the drawer wedges against the ceiling of the box. It would also help if the heaviest stuff is towards the back of the drawer.

Yep, we were going to install some stops just like that. A smalls strip of wood that would requite lifting the the front of the drawer up to remove it. We ended up not doing it because of the tailgate being there.

 

[rayra]

You mentioned the tailgate interference, is it because the tailgate doesn't go all the way flat / horizontal? Could you fabricate longer wire supports for the tailgate so that it lays even with the cargo deck? What's your plan for the narrow space under your drawers, stuff stuff up in there, like ropes, straps etc?

 

[hidesertwheelin]

You mentioned the tailgate interference, is it because the tailgate doesn't go all the way flat / horizontal? Could you fabricate longer wire supports for the tailgate so that it lays even with the cargo deck? What's your plan for the narrow space under your drawers, stuff stuff up in there, like ropes, straps etc?

The tailgate is extra thick because it has the rear window in it. There is also a trim panel that I could remove, but it will only give 3/4" extra room. Yes, I plan to store ropes/straps/etc. under the drawers.

 

[rayra]

ah. didn't realize that stuff protruded into the cargo area / sat higher than the cargo deck when the tailgate was open. Thought the tailgate just didn't open far enough.

 

[hammerg26]

How much extra weight did you add? Those 2x6 can be HEAVY...


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