Rear drawer systems

[Brian894x4]

I think my first major purchase is going to be a set of rear drawers. I could try to make some of my own, but I really have no time and I want a quality set up. I'm looking at Slees stuff. I think that's the direction I'm going, but I was wonder if there are any others out there I should look at.

Also any tips or suggestions from those who have these drawers would be appreciated.

I really like the finished look of their top of the line African Outback set up, but it's hard to justify an extra $500 just for the side panels and indepedent drawers verses the Touring version.

Also, I see the sleep deck mentioned, but I don't see any pictures and I'm not quite sure how that works or where it stores? Any photos?

I open to all suggestions and info. Thanks much!

[Sgt Grunt]

The African Outback drawers are by far the best mod I have done to my 80. You will not regret getting them. I have not heard about the touring version, but it may not be the best set up if you plan on sleeping on it.

I built the bed extenders myself, because I tend to remove the backseats and place the fridge in the center just behind the front seats (easy access while on the road) I made 2 extenders, one for each side of the fridge that I can store gear under plus flip them up to access underneath or flip them toward the rear and they lay flat on the deck of the drawers. I am 6' 1" and 210 and my wife is 5' 1" so we sleep ok, a little bit cramped for me. You could make the same thing just leave one seat in folded up when using it as a bed, I think you mentioned that you have a child. So spliting it may work.

Just a thought, and sorry I don't have any pictures.

[adventureduo]

I just bought my African Outback drawers too. I love them. A little pricey.. but a great investment for the trail. All my tools are always in the rig and locked up ready to go. Here are some pics of my install almost a month ago..

http://rides.webshots.com/album/557682360yfxdyN

[Brian894x4]

I'd love to see your pics, but the link didn't work.

Am I reading Slee's site correctly that there's something like $200 difference between two models just because of the color?

I assume these have to be shipped by freight? I've never had anything freight shipped. Can they freight to a residental address?

I'm leaning towards the full meal deal. I REALLY like the clean set up.

[adventureduo]

Perfect timing.....

"Webshots will be down for about an hour while we update the site for the new daylight-saving times. We're keeping your photos and videos safe during this time."

LOL

yeah Christo sends it by freight truck and i picked it up at the dock.
I think he only has or HAD gray in stock. They might all be sold. I remember he had 4 coming in and 3 were sold (including mine). So you might want to jump on it quick dude.

As far as brown costing more... i guess, cause nobody orders brown so he has to pay more for 1 unit to get to USA? i dont know on that one.

I don't know if they can do a residential drop off for freight.. im sure its just more $... and then they'll need a lift gate on their rig.

[Mlachica]

I'd love to see your pics, but the link didn't work.

Am I reading Slee's site correctly that there's something like $200 difference between two models just because of the color?

I assume these have to be shipped by freight? I've never had anything freight shipped. Can they freight to a residental address?

I'm leaning towards the full meal deal. I REALLY like the clean set up.

The tan costs more because they have to redo the fabric, from african outback it comes in the standard charcoal marine grade fabric. I have the tan interior but went with the darker color to hide dirt. But I think you have the gray interior anyways?

Yes they have to be shipped by freight, I'm picking mine up at the dock as well. They can ship to residential under certain circumstances, the truck has to be able to get there and somebody has to help him unload it. Talk to Slee, they can tell you which docks you can pick it up at. It's also an additional 100 bucks (at least) to deliver residential.

They had one in stock, and I took it. I'm not sure if they had anymore available.

I went with the whole enchilada because of it's craftsmanship and for the fridge slide. I think accessing the fridge on the touring drawers would be difficult, still difficult if you add engel's fridge slide because it will make the fridge even taller.

[Bighead]

I just bought my African Outback drawers too. I love them. A little pricey.. but a great investment for the trail. All my tools are always in the rig and locked up ready to go. Here are some pics of my install almost a month ago..

http://rides.webshots.com/album/557682360yfxdyN
The one pic that stuck out at me was where you had the fridge door open and it was hitting the rear hatch window. With the additional shelf height, have you had any fridge accessibility issues?

[adventureduo]

Lance, i have no problems opening it up. That was a test shot. I think i pushed it back a tad before i mounted it up.

[adventureduo]

They had one in stock, and I took it. I'm not sure if they had anymore available.


That was probably the last one cause i bought mine right before you. They go quick.

Also, watch out how Slee ships the thing. I could have saved on shipping. I found out through the shipping guys that mine was shipped express or some crap. I don't know if this is normal or not.. but if you dont need it in a hurry they told me it will get there almost the same amount of time regardless. Just a thought.

[Brian894x4]

Thanks for all the info guys. If they have one available, I think I'm going to jump on it.

[Bighead]

Lance, i have no problems opening it up. That was a test shot. I think i pushed it back a tad before i mounted it up.
Cool...thanks.

[Skillet]

Maybe a little late but I am traveling in Chile...pics of mine from a gentleman out of northern cal...less than th AOB and I really, reall like them.
More room too. Plus, no metal to rattle in the future. Not that AOB rattle.

[Mlachica]

Brian,

I just finished installing the African Outback drawers and am very pleased. It's solid, clean and quiet. I don't regret the purchase one bit. I should have pictures in my thread shortly...

[adventureduo]

Right awn, glad you got a set before they were sold out.

Did you have any problems with the plastic knobs coming off the locking pins? Mine come off when i pull the pin up. Christo was nice enough to send me a replacement set right away off his Sample model. He'll be sending mine back to African Outback for a look. I guess im the ony case of this ever happening.

[Mlachica]

Right awn, glad you got a set before they were sold out.

Did you have any problems with the plastic knobs coming off the locking pins? Mine come off when i pull the pin up. Christo was nice enough to send me a replacement set right away off his Sample model. He'll be sending mine back to African Outback for a look. I guess im the ony case of this ever happening.

This setup is sweet, I absolutely love it. My extremeaire fits perfectly in the side cubby hole as well.

Trick question for you...Of the four rear anchor point holes, how many did you use to secure the drawers down? Two or four?

[Brian894x4]

Slee is sold out of the top of the line African Outback set up, but still has the touring AO set up. I'm considering that set up. Anyone have one of these?

[adventureduo]

This setup is sweet, I absolutely love it. My extremeaire fits perfectly in the side cubby hole as well.

Trick question for you...Of the four rear anchor point holes, how many did you use to secure the drawers down? Two or four?

I used 4.

Did you read my question above regarding the pins?

[Mlachica]

I used 4.

Did you read my question above regarding the pins?

LOL, sorry, I intended on answering your question. So far, I've had no problems with the pins.

Regarding the four holes, only the two most forward holes matched with the cross bar. So I siliconed the two rear most holes...And each 15mm spacer only had one hole in it.

[adventureduo]

Interesting. I may have read your question incorrectly dude. I meant i used 2 in the rear and 2 in the front for the mounting positions. This i figured was enough mounting IMHO.

There was 4 in the back? I don't even remember that.. lol

[SOAZ]

Here is a cheap alternative. If I cant find a single drawer to start with and build off of I am going to buy one of these and then build the removable sleeping platform for it.
www.suvcargocaddy.com/
$199 isn't bad. Unless I can find a chest of drawers that I can rip apart from a thrift shop

[j_nigrelli]

http://www.americanvan.com/catalog/standard_vert_large_3.cfm?FamilyID=132

there's a bunch of stuff here that might be helpful. gotta figure your time is worth something.

[brittan]

I purchased a set for my Tacoma. Slee had 1 set of Hilux drawers...I think I have the only set in the US. I like the drawers and think they are well made but I am having issues with the locks. I haven't been able to determine what the issue is but I am not impressed. I will shy away from another set of African Outbakcs for my 80 and see if I can source a set of Black Widow (http://www.blackwidow4wdstorage.com/) from AU. Group buy anyone?
That's my $.02

[Mlachica]

What sort of lock issues are you having? You'd think for the price we pay that you'd get top notch quality.

[brittan]

For some reason the post that goes through the lock and secures the drawer is hard as hell to pull up. I find I have to turn it to get it to come up...and that takes a while. I've tried WD-40 but that doesn't seem to help. The locks are easily replaceable but I haven't found another solution that I like.
I was disappointed too...based on what I paid for the drawers.
To be fair to Slee...I haven't called him on it yet.

[Mlachica]

I was disappointed too...based on what I paid for the drawers.
To be fair to Slee...I haven't called him on it yet.

Based on what socalfj said, you should call slee.

I'm sure it's fixable if it can't be waranteed. You might be able to remove and open up the mech.

[sleeoffroad]

We have not seen the issue with the pins. The only reason they can be hard to pull is if there is an alignment issue with the pin and the nylon block under the front channel.

It is a catch 22. The pin needs to fit snug to ensure the drawer doesn't rattle, yet be easy to pull. Maybe check to see if it lines up and of not, loosen the two screws that attach the nylon block, insert the pin and tighten with the pin locating the nylon block.

I will forward these issues to African Outback and see what they have to say. African Outback bought the design from Outback drawers in Australia. I did see in the Australian magazines that they now use a different latch/lock in Australia. Not sure if AO is going to follow that.

[adventureduo]

Christo the new pins came in today to our old office... i'll go pick them up and i wanted to say thanks. I'll ship you my old ones as soon as i get the them off.

Mine seem super easy in and out. No force is used to lock the drawers with the pin.

[sleeoffroad]

I asked AO on the pins and here is the reply. Try this and let me know.


Pin problem

I assume this relates to the bolt mechanism on the drawer locks.

The drawer locks can be a bit sticky sometimes and a bit of silicone spray
helps a lot.. But more important is to use two hands : one hand on the handle, pushing the drawer in slightly and the other lifting the locking pin. This is necessary because there is an end-stop fitted to the drawer stop and this needs to be slightly compressed to release the pressure on the front locking pin.

[Boston Mangler]

see if I can source a set of Black Widow (http://www.blackwidow4wdstorage.com/) from AU. Group buy anyone?
That's my $.02

That is some good stuff there! I totally dig the tailgate table conversion and the water storage! Most Cool! Big $ though!

[j_nigrelli]

while maybe not rugged enough for hard core rock hounds... this might provoke thought... http://www.laboit.com/custom/index.php