Storage Options 2nd Gen Xterra

[bigskypylot]

Looking at DIY lockable storage for my Xterra Ala truck vault. I'm looking at one drawer most likely in case I wanted to keep a long arm in there locked up. Dimensions approximatelyou 10-12"Hx46"Wx33"D. Maybe build a slide-out tray on top with d-ring attachment points. The storage box would be anchored to the track system in back and also would like room to mount air compressor and a batteryear on one side and possibly inverter on the other or my Yeti 400. Lots to think about and would love everyone's opinion

I'm thinking a steel shell with plywood or steel drawers. My idea is 2-piece shell, with the bottom piece being just a plate with threaded studs around the perimeter on which the top frame would bolt onto. The bottom would mount solidly to the SUV floor. The top shell would then have no exposed fasteners accessible with the drawers locked. Here's a quick drawing of what I'm thinking for the shell:

 

[Dmski]

My friends have all built similar storage units but I have held off simply because I want to still be able to fold the seats down and sleep in the truck. But I'm still on the fence about it because ya much easier to put tools and other items away in the storage.

 

[bigskypylot]

My friends have all built similar storage units but I have held off simply because I want to still be able to fold the seats down and sleep in the truck. But I'm still on the fence about it because ya much easier to put tools and other items away in the storage.

I've thought about making a full length one since there's never any more than two people in the rig but there are exceptions. I do have an RTT to sleep in so I can use the back for storage

 

[JakeH]

What about a shorter long arm? My 44Mag Henry carbine is only 36 in long & fits under the back seat without anyone having a clue it's there.. Costs less than a drawer system too.

 

[Airmapper]

I'd eliminate the bottom plate, or keep it to a few cross straps. This would save weight and space while keeping the security feature.

Make the hardware mounting it to the floor only accessible from inside as you've said, and using drawer sliders that allow you to remove the drawer(s), you then insert them once it's fastened down. If you make the drawer lock, then you can't take it out unless you can get the drawer out.

I've thought about making a drawer for my Xterra, but I keep coming back to using up space and adding weight in order to store things that take up space and add weight, so I haven't gotten far with that idea.

One thing I thought about was keeping the footprint over the space between the track system rails, leaving the areas on the sides as places to throw odd sized items, or make the top plate extend over the edges to the sides of the cargo area, and just make access holes with covers on them to contain stuff under them. (I hate stuff rolling around loose in the vehicle...)

Biggest decision I guess is designing it for seats up or seats down. You can design for either, but it's going to be difficult to have a nice fit for both situations. Seats up will eat up any length you may want given the way they angle back making a big space eating, unusual shaped hole behind the drawers. Seats down will make your X permanently a 2 seater as long as the drawers are in.

Good luck, ambitious project, please show us how it turns out. I've always wondered if I'd like drawers in my Xterra or if it's more trouble than it's worth.

 

[bigskypylot]

This is what I found over on an Xterra page on FB. He's done a outstanding job, however, I don't need the electric actuator he has for his drawer. If I do one drawer, I'll be able to angle a shotgun in or an AR. I can just as easily break it down so I may just do two drawers.

 

[bigskypylot]

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[bigskypylot]

[video]https://www.facebook.com/Tsullivan002/videos/10154241741728047/[/video]