Truck Bed Storage System

fabjunkie

Observer
First of all, thanks to roadtripcrazed for the design idea posted here. I recently got a new work truck and wanted to go a different route than having the side tool boxes built into the topper. I spent way too many hours searching for a solution, way too many more drawing it all up in CAD, and even too many more putting the damn thing together. It's not perfect, but I'm happy with and I think it should last me several years.

The cabinet and top are 3/4" oak plywood, drawers are 1/2" oak ply. I did all the construction with a Kreg jig and went through I think 4-500 screws.

Excuse the mess in my shop. It's a work in progress yet as I finish up wiring and the walls.

I did the base out of a framework type setup instead of a full sheet of ply to help with weight and cut out the cost of an additional sheet.
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I made up a jig for repeatability drilling the holes for the bearings.
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I recessed the drawers on the left side to fit my toolbag, so some T-nuts were thrown in them mix.
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The cabinet together.
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This was my first big project with the Kreg jig. I really like it and if you question it being able to hold material I present you this.
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It felt wrong to cover that great wood grain with paint, but this is for a work truck and I didn't want to spend the extra time doing stain.
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Here is the construction on the top. It's basically two drawers with a single top.
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I sprayed the outside with Duplicolor Truck Bed Coating. I've used this stuff for years, it has a great finish and wears well. This is the first time I used it on wood, but I'm pleased with it.
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And in the truck.
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fabjunkie

Observer
Thanks guys.

I was kind of worried about the tubing and bearings holding the drawers at full extension since they are almost the full 8' long, but it hardly drops at all with them all the way out.
 

fabjunkie

Observer
what keeps the drawer from pulling out of the carcass altogether?

For now, just me. I've got some little stuff to do yet and a stop of some sort will more than likely be part of it. I'm also planning on building more onto it on at least one side once I run with it for a while and fine tune it. After working with it yesterday, I wish I had done this a long time ago.
 

MagicMtnDan

2020 JT Rubicon Launch Edition & 2021 F350 6.7L
Really nicely designed and executed - quite impressive!

I wonder how heavy it is with the 3/4" ply, bearings and steel tube but the utility, strength and durability make the weight (IMO) worth it.

I've only used a Kregg jig once but I plan on using it with my build. I hope you'll be willing to respond to some questions (I could use some suggestions for sure) on using it.
 

fabjunkie

Observer
Really nicely designed and executed - quite impressive!

I wonder how heavy it is with the 3/4" ply, bearings and steel tube but the utility, strength and durability make the weight (IMO) worth it.

I've only used a Kregg jig once but I plan on using it with my build. I hope you'll be willing to respond to some questions (I could use some suggestions for sure) on using it.

I would put the weight in around 500+ lbs. My 3/4 ton didn't really squat much with it, but I can tell the difference running down the road over dips, etc. I'll probably add air bags in the rear to help tame that a bit. I would probably try to lighten it some if I was building for an overland rig.

As for tips with the Kreg, do test pieces on scrap before drilling on your actual material. Other than that, pretty simple. I probably went overboard with the number of screws I used, but that's usually my MO. Oh, and use wood glue too. I used the Gorilla brand.

Did you bolt the entire cabinet to the bed? If so, any pics?

I just put some turnbuckles on the rear to the factory bed tie downs. The front of my bed jaunts out an inch or so at the top and the cabinet fits under that so I didn't put anything there. After a week the turnbuckles have loosened a little so that needs to be revisited. I think I'll try adding a couple to the front first to see if that takes care of it.
 
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Wilbah

Adventurer
After a week the turnbuckles have loosened a little so that needs to be revisited. I think I'll try adding a couple to the front first to see if that takes care of it.

You might try some blue Loctite too...dunno if it would work in that scenario but it might.
 

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