JK Storage Questions

[schmugboy]

I have an 09' JK, that I want to start taking the family on off-road camping trips next year.
I bought a Tuffy security deck that I like. But can't figure out if I can fit a fridge in there (I've seen the picture, but it doesn't look like you can open the top). Has anyone accomplished this? Can i use the slide out bracket option.
Also, I looked through the storage posts, and bought a plastic storage box, but it doesn't fit to well with the deck, anyone solved this problem yet.

Thanks for the help, this is a valuable resource for me (I don't have to think so much).

DD

[TemboTusk]

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Schmugboy,

What size fridge are you planning on using? Do you have a picture of your setup?

..

[96discoXD]

I'm still in the planning stages with my JK, but my plan is to build a custom 3/4" plywood storage system to carry all my gear. I probably won't go with a fridge for now, but I'll leave room for it. I think the most efficient way to use the available space is always going to be a custom setup. Make sure to post pics of whatever you come up with.

[Colorado Jeeper]

Adventure Trailer makes a nice sliding unit for a fridge. Not sure if the entire setup will fit under your rack but it's worth checking into.

http://www.adventuretrailers.com/images/jkhabitat/jkrearstovefridgeopen.jpg

[Vector OffRoad]

I don't think a fridge will fit under the tuffy security deck. The vehicles I've seen with the tuffy deck mount the fridge on top of the deck and use a fridge slide. This of course puts your fridge up pretty high. You could look at using the slide and drop style fridge slides.

[schmugboy]

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Schmugboy,

What size fridge are you planning on using? Do you have a picture of your setup?

..

I was looking at the 40-50Qt ARB/Engel.
Even though this is not my jeep (Tuffy Pix) it is what mine looks like.
http://www.tuffyproducts.com/images/product/medium/255_2_.jpg
I was hoping someone had done the legwork for me, because I am not very original, and good at building things. As evidenced by my recent attempts at building storage cabinets at home.
I would like to keep the deck as it keeps things beneath it somewhat secure when I go topless, but if I put the fridge on the top I might not be able to get in it, especially if I have the top on.
i'll keep thinking and hope someone smarter than me gets an idea.

Thanks

[TemboTusk]

,
Schmugboy,

With the Engel 40/50 liter fridge; if you have at least 23.5 inch from the deck of the storage system to the edge of the top, you can use a LoadSpotter (http://tembotusk.com) slide to bring the fridge out and down. In other words, the the slide will pull out and drop the fridge approximately 12 inches. This will allow you better access to the fridge. Do you know how tall the drawer system is?

The slide website is: www.tembotusk.com

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[leman]

also just in general, if you havent already remove the sub i was suprised at how much more room i had.

also i got a safaristraps cargo net that can be used as a barrier behind the back seat or cargo net. you can also put it over the back seat attatched to the rollbar as a "stuff it" area for jackets and such

[schmugboy]

So I went out and did some measuring. Top of deck lip to bottom of hardtop is 19". The 50qt ARB is 20" It then drops down 2", but you still have to negotiate the lip. It is 25"L and 37"W so no problems there.
If I wanted to stick it on the bottom. Those dimensions are 15"Hx36"W (w/sub,41"w/o sub)x28"L
So if I want to keep the deck in place I'll have to find a smaller cooler or go topless all the time (I don't mind, but the wife doesn't like the wind and rain). Or remove the top part of the deck and install something else, or but in a drawer system. Hopefully one of these JK builds comes up with some good ideas.

I like that drop down bracket (TLC), but I already get flak for the price of the ARB fridge, but I put it on my list.

Yeah, I was planning to remove the sub when I started to go camping (Can't disrupt my pounding dance mix when I hit the malls to jump curbs). But I realized I'll have to almost remove the whole deck to get it out now. So I am waiting until summer.

Thanks for the help, I am open to any ideas.

Also, was thinking of starting my own JK build thread, but it might take a decade considering my constrained budget.

[ryanhewitt]

I had a similar situation when I bought my fridge this summer. With my Tuffy drawer in place, I wouldn't be able to open the fridge all the way in my TJ. I did some measuring and even with the slide, it still wouldn't open to complete vertical. The fridge I was looking to purchase was the new ARB style, and found out that the lid can be completely removed by simply "cracking it open". The hinge is really robust and people have reported no problems using this method. Just a thought.

[Timgco]

Well, it looks like you'll have to loose the Tuffy deck to make this work.

What are your thoughts on using a Truck Vault drawer to secure/ lock the valuables up in and than mounting your fidge to that. That will leave you pleanty of room to open that fridge up..add the slides to it and you're set.

Otherwise custom drawers would be your best bet.

fwiw- have used Truck Vault products in 3 of mpast rigs and they held up well. The fact they are carpeted is nice so when you do anchor stuff down, they're not banging around all the time. I picked up some d rings with mounts off of ebat for tiedown on top and than made dividers inside for 1 shotgun/ amo on one side and than the other side was divided to hold tool wraps, medical supplies, etc. And it was all locked up!!

[Voodoo11]

anyone know of any good JK specific custom drawer dealers?

[thetanningman]

http://adventuretrailers.com/page/vehicles/jk_habitat/ Click on the storage tab down the left hand side. Made a pitstop at their shop this summer and El Coyote showed off his FlipPac among other cool goods. Great guys!
Cheers,
p

[Gary Franks]

I have the Tuffy deck installed and I recently purchased a National Luna Weekender Twin 50 refrigerator (http://nationalluna.com/weekender50.htm). Before I purchased the refrigerator, I measured every which way several times and still had no idea how, or if, it would fit and if it may be usable once it was in. So, you may need to borrow a refrigerator like the one you wish to purchase and try it – it will be the only way to know.

Here’s what I experienced with mine…

When I first received the refrigerator, the top was off of the Jeep. I put the fridge laterally on top of the deck flush against the rear edge of the deck (my fridge will not fit lengthwise within the inner level of the Tuffy deck). This position allowed for opening of the fridge, if the fridge sat closer to the front edge of the deck, the roll bar would keep the lid from opening. I did not use any mounting brackets (that would have made the fridge sit taller and would reduce the ability to open the lid. I secured the fridge with the handles strapped to cargo tie-downs that I added to the Tuffy deck.

Once I put the roof back on the Jeep for the winter, it was a whole new story. Getting the fridge in and out requires that I tip the fridge almost completely on its side to get it in through the rear, then I can turn it upright (this was a little difficult with a fully loaded fridge). Once in place, I could barely open the lid just far enough to reach my hand in and grab something, but not enough to be useful.

This was okay for my first winter trip since I planned to remove the fridge when we arrived and leave it in basecamp (using an auxiliary battery) while we were exploring the trails.

This coming weekend I may try a different configuration. I may remove the Tuffy deck and set the fridge in the regular cargo area. For me, the Tuffy deck is more important when I have the roof off than now when the roof is on (no need for the cargo security when the roof and doors are on). I will probably still remove the fridge and leave it in basecamp and just take a tiny cooler on the trail.

Bear in mind, the refrigerator blocks the rear view when sitting on top of the Tuffy cargo deck. When my roof was off, I could still see around it, but now that the roof is on the entire rear window is obscured. I happened to have a rear view camera so that wasn’t too big a deal for me.

I also considered the LoadSpotter Levitating Slide. I saw it demonstrated and concluded that it wouldn’t work for my situation – but what a cool gizmo!

You also asked about storage boxes… The 8-gallon sized Rubbermaid ActionPacker fits perfectly under the Tuffy deck. The 24-gallon sized ActionPacker fits perfectly on top of the Tuffy deck. It’s as though they were made for each other.

[dsy]

I have a custom deck similar in size to the tuffy and a 45qt engel fridge also. There was no way I could get the fridge to work out in the rear
so I removed the small seat in back and installed my fridge and second battery in that location. Not sure how big your family is but I can still
seat two kids in back with no problem.

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/5786/insidetank.jpg

Deck not installed in this pic, just showing placement
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/7628/pulpallmount.jpg

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/9832/insidetank2.jpg

[Vizoo]

I removed the small seat in back and installed my fridge and second battery in that location.

How about the noise?

I have decided for the Waeco CD-30 because of the form factor and the possibility to put the compressor up to 59 inches away from the container, I am seriously considering putting the compressor on the tool compartment and making some holes for airing it, that will mean 0,00db :-)

http://www.joa150.com.br/americas2011/options/800/15d.jpg

While I was researching I made a list of most of the available options, if anyone is interested just copy it here bellow:

http://www.joa150.com.br/americas2011/options/800/15c.jpg

:smiley_drive:

3 Americas 2011 (http://www.joa150.com.br/americas2011)

[dsy]

How about the noise?

I have decided for the Waeco CD-30 because of the form factor and the possibility to put the compressor up to 59 inches away from the container, I am seriously considering putting the compressor on the tool compartment and making some holes for airing it, that will mean 0,00db :-)



The noise is really not even noticeable with my fridge. Have had it there about three years continually now so probably just used to any noise there is.
That set up your going with looks interesting.

[Vizoo]

That set up your going with looks interesting.

There are two other things I've considered for opting on this one besides the freedom of placing the compressor away from the container: Size, 30 liters is big enough for the days beverage and a few days of fresh food. If you really intent to spend many days away from civilization you have to consider dry or canned food anyway. The horizontal layout allows you to use the space on top of the fridge to carry some stuff. The only downsize I figured is that the drawer will probably have to be facing the outside of the vehicle (i.e. the back or side door) and you will have to be outside to open it. But since most of the top opening fridges instalations I've seen are with sliders and also have to opened from outside, this is a minor detail.
I've made a corrugated paper box mock up and it fits very well in the trunk, even with the stock subwoofer (which I will take off).

[schmugboy]

I had a similar situation when I bought my fridge this summer. With my Tuffy drawer in place, I wouldn't be able to open the fridge all the way in my TJ. I did some measuring and even with the slide, it still wouldn't open to complete vertical. The fridge I was looking to purchase was the new ARB style, and found out that the lid can be completely removed by simply "cracking it open". The hinge is really robust and people have reported no problems using this method. Just a thought.

Yeah, I am sold on the ARB, but the Engel gets good ratings, too. I may end up just buying the smaller versions Engel is around 16.9"H and small ARB is around 17". I have tried to find the height of the slides to see how the tolerances stack up. I've got some time considering my budget, so someone may come up with a better idea, plus I don't need a big fridge for my small family and relatively short trips.

As for the drawer systems. I was sold on the Tuffy after seeing one in a co-workers jeep, but could not justify the bill to my wife and had to settle on the deck. Then I found this site and it really opened my eyes to new ideas and new mfgs' so maybe when my kids are older and we do longer trips, I might be able to convince the family of the need, although I might want to get some drawers for my Dakota.

Thanks for all the advice and information.

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: I keep my Engel in my trailer, but

I have a storage hint for all your light duty stuff--

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm83/jimbowby/PICT0183.jpg

Use Raingler net !!

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

[schmugboy]

Dsy,that's a cool setup I'll keep that in mind, right now running to car seats, and I won't be removing the seat. Never thought to put the extra battery there, but with the seat down I can put the fridge on it.
Jimbo, saw one of your posts with your nets, right now those don't fit in the budget, so my list gets longer.