Building draws for the back of my 80 series landcruiser.

waka · Post by **waka** » Mon May 13, 2013 1:42 pm

Does anyone know where i get get some draws built for the back of my 80 series landcruiser? im wanting them so i can store things in and also put a mattress on top of so i can sleep in the back. Any suggestions or ideas or photos if you have done this yourself. Cheers.

Mattman · Post by **Mattman** » Mon May 13, 2013 10:04 pm

I searched ih8mud and the Aussie 4wd forum and looked at what everyone else had done and then drew up some plans for my own set to go into my Isuzu.

I went with two drawers and a rear compartment. The unit is as high as the rear seats folded down so I still have a flat load area. Could put a matress on top and sleep in there if necesary.

They are about 900x900 and I have a set of wings that bolt on to the sides so they go the full width of the truck so about 1300x900. The wings have to be bolt on as the rear door opening is tapered and wouldn't be able to fit them through otherwise.

I used 17mm C/D treated construction ply, screws and glue and angle brackets to put it together and provide additional corner strength. The drawers have 45kg ball bearing runners with large metal slam latches to open/shut and lockout latches to hold them fully extended. The runners allow the draws to be easily lifted out.

The top has four ties downs fitted so I can still secure additional stuff on top of the drawers. The rear compartment uses leather straps for handles so the are flush and standard cupboard latches to hold them closed.

I have four d rings one at each corner of the unit and use turnbuckles to secure the unit to the factory tie downs in the back of the truck. Takes about 10 mins to lift the drawers in, tighten turnbuckles and bolt on the side wings.

I am going to line the drawers and the top with either rubber or carpet to provide a non slip surface and stop gear rattling etc. All up I think the total weight is about 50kg.

I used two sheets of ply and laid them on top of each other so when I cut one piece I got two. Ensured that everything was the same size. I just used the skill saw and a large metal level and two clamps to make sure my cuts were straight.

Plan to leave spare parts in rear compartment and one drawer for tools and the other for recovery gear.

Took me about two weeks working here and there to get them built. Total cost will be about $450 once they are lined and finished. Will post some pics up if anyone is interested.

Matt.

Mattman · Post by **Mattman** » Mon May 13, 2013 10:24 pm

OK no one showed interest but here are pics anyway :-)

I don't have any with the wings bolted on and haven't covered or lined the drawers yet.

Any questions just ask.

Matt.

waka · Post by **waka** » Tue May 14, 2013 10:52 am

Wow great job Mattman looks awesome. I'm looking at building flush to the side of the vehicle over the wheel arches so the mattress can sit on top without leaking down the sides. This will probably be that the bits to the side of the truck will only be small storage compartments. Is yours easy to take out fully if you want to Mattman? as when im not camping or using it i would like to be able to easily take it out.

wjw · Post by **wjw** » Tue May 14, 2013 12:04 pm

been trying to build a template for the wheel arches, have done one side, so if anyone makes any let me know :-)

cruiser80 · Post by **cruiser80** » Tue May 14, 2013 8:16 pm

I have drawers that fit between the wheel arches and separate boxes that are mounted on top of the wheel arches, they are really usefull as they stay there when the drawers are out the boxes are where I keep tools etc

Martin

Mattman · Post by **Mattman** » Wed May 15, 2013 8:18 am

My drawers just touch the wheel arches and have cover panels that go over the top so they are full width. I will take some pics with the panels in place so its a bit easier to understand.

Only takes about 10 minutes tops to remove. Remove the drawers then undo the 6 bolts holding the top side panels on and remove those, the undo the four turnbuckles holding the enclosure in and then lift it out.

If I make another set again I would make the drawers out of 10mm to save some weight and use flush mount tie downs on the top.

Edit - updated with a better pic.

Matt

Ant · Post by **Ant** » Wed May 15, 2013 10:09 am

http://www.winch.co.nz/categories/mcc-d ... ixed-top-2

Mattman · Post by **Mattman** » Wed May 15, 2013 10:19 am

That's why I built my own set. Those commercial units are excellent but at 3x the cost I could never justify purchasing a set!

Anyone on here have a commercial set from Arb or similar? When I did my research I was surprised that I couldn't find much info on home made sets in NZ.

Matt.

waka · Post by **waka** » Wed May 15, 2013 10:48 am

Bill if you cant build them no one can

i agree mattman i can not justify paying $1400 for the draws either a lot of money so if any one has plans or pics of there draws please put up so we can view and get some ideas.

wjw · Post by **wjw** » Wed May 15, 2013 11:39 am

waka wrote:Bill if you cant build them no one can i agree mattman i can not justify paying $1400 for the draws either a lot of money so if any one has plans or pics of there draws please put up so we can view and get some ideas.

I can, just taking me ages, with all the other things going on and the curves on the wheel arches are a pain

Mattman · Post by **Mattman** » Wed May 15, 2013 1:41 pm

That's a great idea leaving the wheel arch sections in place 80cruiser. Currently I can't use the space under mine so I might make a couple of access hatches.

I used large sheets of cardboard to make the templates for the sides as there was a number of curves that were a hassle.

I obsessed about the precision of my work and made a few little errors along the way but its come out better than I expected.

I will probably get some 2mm angle to line the front top edge so that the timber doesn't get damaged loading things onto the top.

Matt.

Mattman · Post by **Mattman** » Wed May 15, 2013 2:30 pm

Couple more pics showing how the side wings bolt on and the slam latches and retention pin striker plates.

Matt

muskie · Post by **muskie** » Wed May 15, 2013 8:10 pm

very nice...

waka · Post by **waka** » Thu May 16, 2013 12:25 pm

TIDY JOB

skid · Post by **skid** » Sat May 18, 2013 11:30 pm

Been meaning to take some pics since this thread was started. :wink:

Finally did it today. :roll:

one day I plan to make a more professional looking set up with proper drawers etc, but in the meantime this rough set up had done me sweet for the last few years.........

its just plywood slapped together with plastic bins used for storage that easily slide in and out, but the best part is the padded sheets that go on top which zip together in the centre to stop them falling forwards when you lie on it. I just use a cheapie foam double matress and get a good sleep, the only thing I will point out in the 80 is the low roof and the need to sleep with the windows cracked (monsoons are awesome) or in summer just leave the back door open, otherwise your heat causes the inside to condensate really bad and you can wake up wet

Mattman · Post by **Mattman** » Sun Jul 07, 2013 9:12 pm

That's a good looking setup Skid. I like the sleeping arrangement. I have made mine the same height as the rear seats folded down so I can lay a mattress over the top as well.

Mattman · Post by **Mattman** » Sun Jul 07, 2013 9:18 pm

Finally finished my drawers a few weeks ago so thought I would post up some more pics of them finished and installed.

Pretty happy with them, few things I would do differently next time though but these will do for now! All up cost about $500 which is more than I originally wanted to spend but a lot less than the $1500-2000 you pay for bought ones.

Moved the tie downs on the top out onto the wings. Finished the wings with strong brackets with captive nuts that bolt through from the inside of the drawers.

Lined all the drawers and the top with 3mm rubber and fitted a 1.5mm metal angle across the top to protect the edge and then painted the front faces.

skid · Post by **skid** » Sun Jul 07, 2013 9:21 pm

faaaark dude they are awesome

Mattman · Post by **Mattman** » Sun Jul 07, 2013 10:37 pm

Thanks man. Put far too many hours into them!

madlux · Post by **madlux** » Mon Jul 08, 2013 1:31 pm

Worth the time though, wicked finish, good idea using rubber on the top too.

Mattman · Post by **Mattman** » Mon Jul 08, 2013 3:44 pm

Yeah the rubber is great. Bit of a mission gluing it all up and fitting the rubber properly, was a lot harder than I thought!.

icekayak · Post by **icekayak** » Sat Oct 26, 2013 8:39 pm

Hey these look awesome, going to attempt some for my van...
If you don't mind me asking where did you get the handles for the front from?

Building draws for the back of my 80 series landcruiser.

Building draws for the back of my 80 series landcruiser.

Re: Building draws for the back of my 80 series landcruiser.

Re: Building draws for the back of my 80 series landcruiser.

Re: Building draws for the back of my 80 series landcruiser.

Re: Building draws for the back of my 80 series landcruiser.

Re: Building draws for the back of my 80 series landcruiser.

Re: Building draws for the back of my 80 series landcruiser.

Re: Building draws for the back of my 80 series landcruiser.

Re: Building draws for the back of my 80 series landcruiser.

Re: Building draws for the back of my 80 series landcruiser.

Re: Building draws for the back of my 80 series landcruiser.

Re: Building draws for the back of my 80 series landcruiser.

Re: Building draws for the back of my 80 series landcruiser.

Re: Building draws for the back of my 80 series landcruiser.

Re: Building draws for the back of my 80 series landcruiser.

Re: Building draws for the back of my 80 series landcruiser.

Re: Building draws for the back of my 80 series landcruiser.

Re: Building draws for the back of my 80 series landcruiser.

Re: Building draws for the back of my 80 series landcruiser.

Re: Building draws for the back of my 80 series landcruiser.

Re: Building draws for the back of my 80 series landcruiser.

Re: Building draws for the back of my 80 series landcruiser.

Re: Building draws for the back of my 80 series landcruiser.