Here is mine finished. It has been in use for about 3 years and is now for sale here: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/156819-Feeler-(for-sale)-Custom-Tacoma-sleep-platform-with-AT-Overland-birch-drawers
I lucked out and found a full set of ARB Outback Solutions drawers with a side fit kit about an hour from my house. I'm not sure what model truck the fit kit was originally designed for, but I had to trim the side upper panels by 3cm on each outer side for a proper fit in my '12 short bed Tacoma. I peeled the carpet back on the panels (which was a chore), trimmed them on the table saw, and then reapplied the carpet with HD contact cement. The back panels were trimmed 4cm for roughly half of their length to clear the rear storage bins (where I stash my bungee cords and ratchet straps). I could have left them be, but my desire was to create a custom look and tailor the panels to the Tacoma's bed. All in all, I'm happy with the setup and it cost me 1/3 of a new drawer system shipped from ARB. Some of the plastic trim pieces need to be replaced, but it's no big deal; I'm sure ARB can supply those when the time comes. I left about ~4-5" of space between the back of the drawers and the front of the bed. Eventually as custom water tank will fill that void. These drawers are cavernous and the side storage bins are a huge plus.
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The drawers after I purchased them and mocked and everything up:
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The finished product:
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latest storage modification... A fridge enclosure.
This enclosure accomplishes a few things. 1. It keeps people out of the fridge when the top is off. Obviously it's wood so we're just keeping honest people honest. 2. Allows me to store my camp stove above the fridge and take advantage of that space. 3. It keeps items that are stacked up from falling behind the fridge when the fridge is pulled out. (most important)
Photo of the Coleman stove on top of the enclosure. I'll bungee it down.
I drilled out some 2" vent holes so the fridge can properly breath. I'll be installing gutter mesh on the inside to keep debris (dog hair) from getting sucked into the fridge.
The glue is currently curing, but in the end the enclosure will sanded and finished in the same BEHR Deck Over paint at the box. This stuff is extremely tuff. The enclosure attaches to the slider using 6 1/4x20 T nuts and still allows me perfect access to the trap door so I can reach anything stored in the factory cubby under the drawer. Also the power cord will be attached via bungee so that it retracts when the fridge is pushed in.
Finally, I'll be fabricating a drawer that goes in the space under the fridge slider. This drawer will be nice and long, should hold plates, silverware and any cooking utensils I'll need.
Alas, I can finally contribute! I just got my storage/sleep system functional. Just got back from two nights at the beach. Much better than my old system!
Made with 1/2" and 3/4" Birch.
Padre Island North Shore.
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custom made storage slide for my truck f150 from S.Korea
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thanks for watching ~~
Nice!
Nice!