Simple storage solutions

[60seriesguy]

One of my biggest obsessions is to have gear that is:

1. Properly/safely stowed
2. Within easy reach of the pilot/co-pilot
3. A compromise between the absolutely necessary and the "nice to have"

My Cruiserhead buddies always make fun of the fact that I put a LOT of thought on the location of my gear, but that's because I've spent too much time hunting around in the dark, or in the cold, or in wet weather, for gear that I was *sure* I knew where I stashed just a few days earlier. Keeping a laminated list helps, but it's nice to have stuff within reach.

I'm currently working on the design of a cargo barrier with quick pull-pins that allow it to hinge backwards (from the top) to give me access to the cargo area from inside the truck. This is important to me because I have a rear bumper with dual swingouts and I just got cargo drawers made. I'd like be able to grab stuff from the back without having to get out of the truck. Part of the frame that holds cargo barrier in place will allow me to mount a nylon cargo mesh across the top, so I can stow jackets, blankets and other light/soft gear. The net that came stock with my wife's 4Runner happens to be the perfect size.

I'm curious to see what others have done to keep their cargo safely stowed and within easy reach.

Cheers!

[Scott Brady]

Part of the frame that holds cargo barrier in place will allow me to mount a nylon cargo mesh across the top, so I can stow jackets, blankets and other light/soft gear. The net that came stock with my wife's 4Runner happens to be the perfect size.


You sound like a man who has spent a few nights in the bush... It is funny how everyone starts off in the hobby worried about lift inches, and ends up focusing on the things that really matter... like storage and accessibility.

I really like your cargo mesh idea. I had considered the idea many years ago in one of my first Jeeps, having seen it in practice on the Camel Trophy. I forgot all about it until your suggestion here.

I do use netting to secure items on top of my drawer system.

http://www.expeditionswest.com/equipment/tacoma/install_review/platform.jpg

Sorry that I do not have a more detailed shot of the drawers. I have yet to work on the installation article for it.

For the bed of the truck (under the roof tent platform), I use these Stormcase units from Pangaea:
http://www.expeditionswest.com/temp1/stormcases.JPG

[gjackson]

One of my biggest obsessions is to have gear that is:

1. Properly/safely stowed
2. Within easy reach of the pilot/co-pilot
3. A compromise between the absolutely necessary and the "nice to have"

Oh yeah, there are others like me out there! ;-)

My wife was actually the one who built our rear storage solution. She took a heavy duty filing cabinet and made 4 drawers in the rear cargo area of the Defender. Lower two are for tools and spares. Upper two are for food and cooking gear. There is a long stowage compartment beside each set of drawers. And, yes, you can fit a bunch of tools and spares in those 2 drawers. (See pics!) In the food drawer we have a set of plastic containers to further subdivide. The silver thing on top of the drawers is a table with folding legs, also made by my wife. It latches down to the deck to stop it from moving around. We have a storage net in the ceiling of the load bay for light, daily use items like jackets. The drawers do not go the full depth of the load bed, so we have room in front for more storage. Next to the drawers are two long top loading boxes for clothes and chairs and other gear.

I like to keep as much as possible out of the way and out of sight and well tied down. Washboard can make a real mess if everything isn't tied down!

That's the rear part of our storage solution. Sorry about the poor quality of the pics.

cheers

Graham
www.africaoverland.org

[Scott Brady]

Great pictures Graham... I am off to Florida in a few minutes, but should be able to check in and provide a better reply in a day or so :D

[pangaea]

Gear organization is definitelt on my "top ten" of useful modifications. Being the pesismist that I am, I secure all of my heavy, not needed on the road gear behind a dog guard in my vehicle, and then in front of it put the stuff that I'll need on the go, ie fridge, camera gear, maps, laptop, etc.

In the attached picture, I keep tools and recovery gear in the right drawer, camping gear in the left drawer. The green case has spares and fluids; the black case has a stove and dry foods; and the orange case is a first aid kit. What isn't in this pic, but is usually hiding behind the black case is a jerry can and a power tank....

http://www.pangaea-expeditions.com/images/productimages/africanoutback/disco1drawersdusty.jpg

[MaddBaggins]

Graham, I've been kickin around some ideas in my head for some kinda drawer system. You sir have inspired me to take a few more measurements and see if I can make the file cabinet system work. :bowdown:

[offroad_nomad]

I've got some write-ups bookmarked on building some rear cargo drawers I've been gathering in developing something for the 4Runner, you might find these useful (hopefully they are new to you):

FJ60 Heavy Duty Roll Out Drawer (http://home.off-road.com/~cruiserhead/drawer/tlcbox.html) By Jim Brantley.
A nice design with 6 pages of drawings in a PDF file about halfway down the site.

Heavy Duty Rollout Drawer for the 80 Series Land Cruiser (http://home.off-road.com/~cruiserhead/80drawer/80drawer.html)
http://home.off-road.com/~cruiserhead/80drawer/P5200117_THB.jpg

1997 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Rear Camping Storage Shelf (http://www.geocities.com/transalper/4runnerrearshelf.htm)
A simple, clean design for any type vehicle.
http://www.geocities.com/transalper/images/4runner/rearrack5.jpg

Another Rear Cargo Box (http://www.yankeetoys.org/lee/my_cargo_box.htm)

Drawer System w/Add Ons on MUD (http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=52538)
Several nice cargo boxes pictured on this thread with pics

Another MUD thread on Building Rear Cargo Boxes (http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=36037)

[Scott Brady]

Some of the work features by NoCalDoug is incredible. The finish and attention to detail is just awesome :bowdown:

I like the truck vault units (having seen them in person), but am just thrilled by the StormCases... It allows the storage to be more modular and better protected. I can switch and move things around, and still maintain a lower weight. It might not be the best solution for everyone, but It works great for me...

There is a little space I have between the top of the cases and the bottom of the tent platform (about 4"). It would be nice to run some long drawers there, suspended from the platform. They could hold lighter camping type equipment, etc.

[gjackson]

Graham, I've been kickin around some ideas in my head for some kinda drawer system. You sir have inspired me to take a few more measurements and see if I can make the file cabinet system work.

Yeah! Get out the nibbler start cutting!!

The real amazing person here is my wife. She took the nibbler to the filing cabinet and made it work. Total cost was $10 on fasteners since we already had the filing cabinet. Only thing I don't like are the gold drawer handles. Have to replace them with something a bit more black.

Works very well though. Thousands of miles of NASTY washboard and everything still rolls great.

cheers

Graham
www.africaoverland.org

[+ d]

great thread, some good ideas here.

Unfortunately i don't have brilliant ideas of my own in use; for now i just use about 9 clear homedepot storage tubs with the flip open tops. They lock themselves in pretty good and i skirt the perimeter w/ 1/16" solid neoprene to protect the interior from abrasion (i gotta keep this thing 'mall-rated' too)

However if i roll, it's all going everywhere :(

I've had http://www.americanvan.com/ bookmarked for a while. Their catalog is quite inspiring for this sort of thing.

They have some pretty beefy looking modular storage solutions...
http://www.americanvan.com/images/catalog/132_a.gif

http://www.americanvan.com/images/catalog/131.gif

http://www.americanvan.com/images/catalog/179.jpg

[BajaTaco]

I like the idea that 60seriesguy is working on. When you say cargo net across the top - I am picturing the net suspended horizontally, like a "gear loft" kind of thing. Is that what you mean? I am actually thinking about trying that out for my camper too. I have started adding some eyelets to the inside of my roof rack brackets, that can be used for some net hooks to fasten to. I thought it would be nice just for maybe a fleece jacket or hat, and some maps - to be able to easily grab them.

I really dig Graham's file cabinet drawers! Those are cool. My compliments to your wife.

Here is an article (http://www.bajataco.com/Camper1.html) on my storage setup. It is not accessible from the front seats though. I have an x-cab Toyota Tacoma, and behind the seats I have a fridge and a white plastic bin. The bin holds stuff like my road maps, a fire extinguisher, and things we want access to while on the road (books, snacks, neck pillow, etc.)

http://www.bajataco.com/camper08.jpg


Here is my friend Steve's setup for access to things behind the seats (http://bajataco.com/zr2steve/computerbay01.jpg) in his Tacoma X-cab (http://bajataco.com/zr2steve/ZR2Steve.html).



And here is the forum's very own Viking Vince's storage setup in his Tacoma (http://www.bajataco.com/vikingvince/Vince_FlipPac/index.htm). I don't think I have any pics of behind his seats inside the cab (note to self: "take pics of Vince's cab in November")

http://www.bajataco.com/vikingvince/Vince_FlipPac/L_vince05_07.jpg

[GeoRoss]

Due to me not using the same vehicle for everything (I sometimes have to take out a motor pool 4WD), I am leaning toward a more modular approach. The other thing is that I carry the spare inside and until I can come up with way to store it verticle or the money for a rear bumper, I have alot of floor space occupied by the spare. I am going with the molded plastic equivalent of ammo boxes that are larger. Those pangea boxes look interesting too. My other problem is water, still looking for a better solution for that.

Ross

[MaddBaggins]

I have a subwoofer box in the rear with 2 8" woofers in it, so my drawer system will have to be my own to accomadate that box. File cabs might work for me.

[gjackson]

Bajataco, that system looks a lot like what the South Africans use. African Outback makes a pretty nice drawer system for the bed of a Toyota that can include water tanks, a bed, a roll out fridge etc. Some friends rented one in Africa -- see attached pics.

I think Nathan also sells those:
http://www.pangaea-expeditions.com/africanoutback/index.html

Pretty rugged stuff.

cheers

Graham
www.africaoverland.org

[BajaTaco]

Bajataco, that system looks a lot like what the South Africans use. -- see attached pics.

Very nice!! Seeing those screens reminds me that I bought some screen that I need to get made into full-length removeable screens for my windoors. Not as much of a worry now that summer is over.

Nathan has some super top-notch stuff. I am going to try to talk Scott into letting me play with one of his Storm cases to determine which size I might like to get. I want to get one (or two) for the roof rack.

[pangaea]

Very nice!! Seeing those screens reminds me that I bought some screen that I need to get made into full-length removeable screens for my windoors. Not as much of a worry now that summer is over.

Nathan has some super top-notch stuff. I am going to try to talk Scott into letting me play with one of his Storm cases to determine which size I might like to get. I want to get one (or two) for the roof rack.

If there any sizes in particular that you're looking at, let me know. I've got piles of different sizes that I use for my rig depending on the outing. And since my wife isn't going to be able to make it either, I've got plenty of spare room in the vehicle to throw a couple in.

[The BN Guy]

Are the Pangaea Stormcases waterproof? Bit pricey but looks to offer good protection for expensive items - camera's etc. How do they compare with the ARB Space case?

[pangaea]

Are the Pangaea Stormcases waterproof? Bit pricey but looks to offer good protection for expensive items - camera's etc. How do they compare with the ARB Space case?

Not familiar with the ARB Space case, but yes the Storms are waterproof... Of course, my favorite feature about them is the lifetime guarantee, since I tend to be pretty rough on my gear.

[gjackson]

Are the Pangaea Stormcases waterproof? Bit pricey but looks to offer good protection for expensive items - camera's etc. How do they compare with the ARB Space case?

Dunno about the ARB case either. Best comparison is with the Pelican case. I like the Storm better because of the locking latch and the full length hinge. Certainly waterproof. Has a pressure valve, so I would assume airtight as well. Though I have never submerged mine for a water test.

cheers

Graham
www.africaoverland.org

[BajaTaco]

If there any sizes in particular that you're looking at, let me know. I've got piles of different sizes that I use for my rig depending on the outing. And since my wife isn't going to be able to make it either, I've got plenty of spare room in the vehicle to throw a couple in.

Dang, sorry to hear she cannot make it. Thank you for the offer. I will mull over my stuff and try to figure out what sizes might work the best.

[Brian McVickers]

So here is the second prototype.
I made it for about $5 using discounted not-so-perfect wood from Home Depot. The trick there is that if you don't need the entire 4x8 sheet you can just cut off the not-so-perfect part! And the carpet and 1" of padding were taken from a big scrap piece left over from a home remodel down the street!

It's just a platform with about 7" of space underneath. Enought space to put two plastic storage boxes filled with tools, recovery gear and a change of clothes. And a bit of extra space for a rope and air compressor.

This gives me a place to keep those boxes while still having a padded floor for Oliver the dog to ride or a functional cargo area for trips to Costco.

The two empty spaces to either side of the platform are where the two jumpseats used to be. They never get used so I took them out and now put two 5 gallon water jugs on the left side and a cooler and backpack of gear on the right side.

The 3rd prototype will most likely include a droor system of some sort.

[60seriesguy]

I like the idea that 60seriesguy is working on. When you say cargo net across the top - I am picturing the net suspended horizontally, like a "gear loft" kind of thing. Is that what you mean? I am actually thinking about trying that out for my camper too. I have started adding some eyelets to the inside of my roof rack brackets, that can be used for some net hooks to fasten to. I thought it would be nice just for maybe a fleece jacket or hat, and some maps - to be able to easily grab them.


Exactly! I designed an external vertical hoop (see picture) with another hoop inside, hinged at the top. This vertical hoop will be held in place by two horizontal runners that go parallel to the roof, above the rear side windows, then come down the D pillar and bolt to the inside of the body, right above the cargo panels. This will enable me to swing the cargo barrier backwards towards the ***-end of the truck to reach cargo from inside if I need to (though most of the time it will be pinned securely into place).

The net will be suspended horizontally between the two horizontal runners, and will create a space of about 4-6" between it and the headliner, which will be perfect to carry jackets, blankets, and pillows out of the way and within easy reach. I did some preliminary testing and it shouldn't impede the rear visibility too bad, not any worse than the spare tire and freezer/fridge, anyway!

[BajaTaco]

Very nice :cool: Be sure to post a couple more pics when you have the barrier and net in place.


McVick, looks great ;) I like the price tag.

[gjackson]

mcvick,

Nice set up. Pretty cool what can be done for $5!

cheers

[datrupr]

I am planning on building something like this for the Trooper, but with a removeable front module that I can use when the back seats are folded, and removed for when I need the seats. I am concerned about the weight of the wood though. Do you think it would be too heavy? Or should I use a different material?

[Brian McVickers]

Thanks for the kind words!

datrupr
I don't think the wood will be too heavy, I don't think you need to use much thicker than 1/2 inch.
Also another option on materials is a product called StarBoard, you can find it in marine shops. Its very durable and easy to work with but expensive for what it is.

[gjackson]

Hmm. Advantage of wood is it is easy to work with. But the weight can be a problem. I guess it depends on how extensive a system you are planning. I don't think a couple of drawers in wood would be too bad. Friends of ours made a removable double drawer system for the back of a Defender110. It took 2 people to get in and out, but was great otherwise.

cheers

[DaktariEd]

I just finished a set of drawers for my FJ40. It is a 3/4" maple ply carcase, and 9 mm baltic birch ply drawers. I trimmed the ends (exposed plywood) with white oak for both looks and durability. I have a total of 10 ring tiedowns: 3 on each side, 2 on the front end and 2 on top. I also have a map pocket on the front end (centered between the seats) so I can have all my folded maps and guidebooks (if any) in a pocket just to my right side.

The drawer slides are rated at 400# and 150#. The left side is 36" long. The right drawer is shorter at 24" because I have a battery compartment & Optima Yellow Top on the right side (behind the passenger seat). The short drawer has dividers that I can remove if desired. The drawer pulls are cast metal and recessed flush with the drawer faces.

Very heavy...a two person lift unless disassembled. They're pretty nice, but not exactly what you might call simple. I tried them out on a weekend trip last weekend, and will be at the Expedition Trophy Fall Forum Gathering on Nov. 11th.

http://www.geocities.com/daktaried/drawers1.jpg

I could have done it simpler, but woodworking is another hobby I enjoy, so I just HAD to do it more elaborate. :elkgrin:

Ed :D

[Scott Brady]

Beautiful job Ed. Using the harder wood was wise. Looking forward to seeing it in person on the trail :D

[BajaTaco]

Ed, that is gorgeous! I am definitely looking forward to seeing your LC. It's a very photogenic machine.

I think weight is definitely an issue for those of us who end up having to push GVWR to satisfy our plans. My cargo system is done with wood, but still fairly light since I use plastic drawers and bins and don't have any ball-bearing roller hardware. I also used very light plywood but since I don't have any substantial spans that are unsupported, it is very sturdy. The result is something that looks not quite so "beautiful" (that's for sure) but luckily it has taken a beating for almost 8 years worth of trips without failing.