internal storage ideas

[BigDaveZJ]

We were at the big Toys 4 Tots event today and saw a saawwweeeeeeeet Land Cruiser that had an awesome storage compartment custom made in the cargo area. They didn't cheap out on this thing at all. A LOT of custom work went into it. And of course it got me thinking about storage solutions for inside ZJ's.

I know Stan and Sandy both have some pretty sweet storage compartments in the back of their rigs, who else has got something cool?

I've been thinking about different designs for the back of Pam's ZJ and how we could make something work back there for both regular wheeling and expedition trips. So far what I'm thinking is have something around a 36"W x 24"D drawer divided up internally for easy organization kinda in the center of it all. It would be tall enough to hold a gallon of water/antifreeze/etc. Could also be two drawers, need to put the tape measure to the Jeep too to really find out what can be done. Since the moulding around the bottom of the rear cargo area sticks up a bit, the drawers would have to be spaced off the floor a bit. My thought here was to use the center as a cavity to fit our folding camping table. There would be legs on the side of that cavity to prop it up, and also most likely some side storage compartments with flip-open lids for access to those storage areas. That would also provide a place to bolt it to the floor, since there is no way this thing could be just left loose in the event of an accident or rollover. There would be another flip-open lid up against the seat, for some additional storage since I doubt the drawers will go all the way back that far.

The entire exterior of the box would be covered in carpet, kinda like a sub box. On the top all the handles and latches for the lids would be recessed, and there would also be recessed tie down loops as well.

I haven't decided what to do with the spare tire. Keeping it in its current location would make it a PITA to get out with the box in the way. Probably strap it to the top of the box as a temp solution until we build a rear bumper and tire carrier.

Means the dog would probably have to go in the backseat, but I think he'd like that better anyways since he can lean against the back of the seat to help him flying all over the place like he does hanging out in the cargo area.

So that's my idea that is very fluid at this point, anybody else planning something like this or already have something?

[BigDaveZJ]

Here's a pic of the storage system we saw today, forgot to take one with the drawers open.

[Jeeperoni91]

doesn't look terribly hard to make, just cut the wood and lay carpet over it like you would for a subwoofer box. looks about the same kinda carpet that my sub box has covering it.

just gotta figure out what configuration you want to make it

[BigDaveZJ]

just gotta figure out what configuration you want to make it

And keep the drawers shut! The little silver things on the face of the drawers were actually locks to keep the drawers shut, and they were keyed too for extra security, pretty kickass.

[BigDaveZJ]

Turns out it's actually a product Slee Off Road sells . . . . holy sticker shock

http://www.sleeoffroad.com/products/...awers_main.htm

[Jeeperoni91]

And keep the drawers shut! The little silver things on the face of the drawers were actually locks to keep the drawers shut, and they were keyed too for extra security, pretty kickass.

that does kick ass, holy hell $1500!

[TrojanMan]

Lol you could make that for like a hundred bucks.

[IndyZJ]

Lol you could make that for like a hundred bucks.

They must either charge $300 an hour for labor or use some super fancy carpet.

If I were to make it, I'd divide it roughly in half width-ways and make one big drawer for antifreeze, fluids, etc. on one side (maybe 10-12" wide) and divide the other side into 2-3 shorter drawers, because once you start putting all your stuff in really deep drawers the little things get lost fast. Keep the top level so you can still put stuff up there if you need to.

[CurtP]

It's formed and welded galvanized steel and rides on ball bearing rollers and anything that is wood is probably MDF or marine grade plywood. No way you'd be able to duplicate it for $100, but you could probably do better than their price. They don't have anything for a Grand anyway.

I'd like to build one out of aluminum with a carpeted MDF top plate across the whole assembly. I'd line the drawers with felt or carpet and use ball bearing slides. Removable compartment dividers for the drawers and a place to lock in spare axles, in front of the box behind the rear seat. I'd probably mount the tire on top of it. Build it tall, but not so tall that you couldn't see out the rearview mirror with the tire on top. A door on each side that opens from the back to make use of the dead space where the drawers don't fit. Integrate a refrigerator or have a place to strap down a cooler would be nice too, but at this point, where would all this fit?

I wouldn't want to give up the back seat though. It isn't uncommon for me to have 2 or 3 people with me when we go driving on the beaches.

[dangerousdave]

The land rover design is sweet but $1500.... i agree with steel and ball bearing drawers being the nicest way to go but weight would be a small issue the same is true for any wood over 1/2".

A lock on a wood drawer is just going to be a joke for theft protection. It would be more for the safety of passengers in a roll or flop. It would be nice to have a clean look in the back of the jeep though. A place for all the tools and oils would be a big plus.

[nate]

I have plans to build soemthing like that for my ZJ only all the way to the front seats. Would be able to put the spare tire in there along with trail gear so I'd have the top for the doggie and also for me to sleep on.

[geesaw]

I have also considered building a similar storage compartment to this, and as a former cabinet builder I gotta point out that the slides for the drawers will be the biggest hang-up.

For usability, you will want a full-extension drawer guide (or slide if you prefer). This gets the drawer box out of the cabinet far enough to access everything in the drawer. These can get pricey, especially when you want a fairly long drawer.

Then consider what duty glide you need, you could easily cram a couple hundred pounds of spare parts and fluids etc. in there, this also brings the price of the glides up.

When if first researched it, the only glides I could find that fit my parameters were in the $300 range, and that was for one drawer, I also wanted two. Damn, that's enough to buy alot of other 4x4 parts I want first.

Not trying to discourage anyone, as I truly would like to find a good solution to this problem, home built glides anyone?

[BigDaveZJ]

McMaster Carr has some decent ones that are around 100lbs rating for < $30.

Since you're a former cabinet maker, you might be able to answer this for me too. The slides are usually rated per pair. Let's say the drawer is 12-14" high, would it not be possible to have 2 pairs of slides to double the weight rating?

[nate]

I wasn't even goign to waste my time with drawer slides and fancy stuff like that. Just make a lid on top to open to pull the shit out. Maybe $100 in materials all said and done

[geesaw]

Yes, you can run doubles or triples, as long as they are a style that does not require the drawer to tip in for installation, full or three-quarter extension side mount styles like the ones that are found in better tool boxes would certainly work this way, as long as they are installed parallel.

I see what you're saying Nate, but what Dave and I were thinking is to have some storage you could access with out unloading all the sleeping bags and coolers and duffelbags out onto the trail to get at your wrench set or spare U-joints.

[AgitatedPancake]

I wasn't even goign to waste my time with drawer slides and fancy stuff like that. Just make a lid on top to open to pull the shit out. Maybe $100 in materials all said and done

your concept is easier to be cheap because everyone else has a tire going on top, not inside =P

[geesaw]

I may have posted too soon, originally I was thing of making a drawer that went all the way to the back of the front seat on one side of the split rear, and only to the rear of the back seat on the other. It was finding a five foot glide that was rated for a few hundred pounds that was so spendy.

[nate]

True but how often would you need to get in there anyhow? The Rubermaid bin I have in the Jeep now I open up maybe one or twice a year.

Yes, you can run doubles or triples, as long as they are a style that does not require the drawer to tip in for installation, full or three-quarter extension side mount styles like the ones that are found in better tool boxes would certainly work this way, as long as they are installed parallel.

I see what you're saying Nate, but what Dave and I were thinking is to have some storage you could access with out unloading all the sleeping bags and coolers and duffelbags out onto the trail to get at your wrench set or spare U-joints.

[Ted_Z]

Don't over look the storage space under the rear seats. Once you get rid of the factory amp and bottle jack (worthless once you're lifted) there is actualy quite a bit of room under there. I imagine you could go crazy and even cut/customize the floor a bit to maximize that space.

Also, I put my spare axle shafts, tie rod and drive shafts right behind the front seats on the floor (tied down of course). This gives me more room in the way back, helps distribute the weight and is a perfect spot for long awkward shapes. The drawback is now you cant get to anything under the rear seat.

[grnd93]

I've been kicking around a couple ideas in my head for the last year or so. Basically a 6-8" deep drawer on bottom for tools, another 6-8" deep storage area on top of that for for fluids and such. I'll have compartments on each side (the tops will sit flush with the bottom of the windows. there will also be a shelf just behind the back seat to give a spot to mount a hi-lift. Under that should be room for a couple of bazooka tubes and an inverter. I plan to carpet everything to match the factory grey, but I may also Rhino-line the top of lid for the main storage compartment. The spare tire will probably go on top of that until I get a bumper with an exterior rack. Everything will be contoured to the interior plastic panels. Probably build it out of MDF and bolt it to the floor where the factory cargo area tie-downs are riveted in.

I can picture it in my mind, just need to get started building it. Maybe it will give me something to do this winter.

[nate]

Yeah see I would just go all the way to the 2 front seats. I do have the back seats but they are in storage and I never use them.

[ATL ZJ]

Good thread. I used to carry EVERYTHING with me on the trail, but over time I have shifted to become more minimalist. Just one medium toolbox for selected sockets, wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers. Another small box with things like fuses, RTV, zip ties, hose clamps. Last and heaviest, one sealed ammo can with spare ujoints, bolts, fuel line/filter, fittings, scrap steel, hoses, etc. Tow strap, jumper cables, and factory jack also fit very tightly under the passenger seat.

All of my fluids are stored underhood so I don't have to start searching through boxes and moving stuff around when I need them. I carry 2 quarts of motor oil, 2 quarts of p/s fluid, one quart of brake fluid, and one quart of gear oil... manual trans so I don't need ATF anymore. I correct myself- I do keep a gallon of clean, non-potable water under the passenger seat for the radiator.

Bottom line, the more tools you can carry, the more you WILL carry.. More unneeded tools means more weight you have to get up that nasty hill that gravity doesn't want you to climb. Divide the load up by a bunch of rigs and wheel much happier. Not to mention you'll finally find the stuff you're looking for.

[KDUB]

This is what I built to hold misc. "stuff" in the cargo area. Pretty straight forward. It's 3/8" plywood held together with 1/4" bolts, reinforced with the metal strap (angle iron) used to support garage door openers. The lid is reinforced with 1"X4" I painted the inside and carpeted the outside and bolted thru the wheel wells. http://www.mallcrawlin.com/forum//sh...489#post177489

[dangerousdave]

I kinda use my back seats for things i need in a hurry like straps and air down stuff. I think cam does bring up a good point about weight. But it think being able to organize the amount of shit i carry would be nice. Right now i keep 3 tool boxes im my car a rachet box (1/4-3/4 drive), wrenches, and a box of odds and end tools. Way to many tools. I also keep a gallon of rad fluid, oil, 2 quarts of trans fluid, and a quart of ps fluid.

Cam I wondered what you were doing in your buggy for stuff like that. i figured you just kept stuff in your tow rig.

[FortCollinsZJ]

Here's the storage box I built while staying home "sick" from school, It perfect for haluing groceries/ things from the mall I liked the idea of drawers at first, but it limited the amount of weight I could hold. drawer slides were expensice, and it also limited space. I like the flip top alot more. It used to be devided in half in the inside, but it is better as one big open space.

I built a cubby on the right wheel well for fluids, cables, flash light, things of that nature. the center section holds tools, cooking stuff for camping, and my blingbling MTX, also holds tow straps and d rings in the ammo cans, and the space over the left wheel well is so small that I made it only accesable after folding down the back seat. I also left a little space between the front of the box and the hatch to put a rifle, as not to be seen by those with sticky fingers.