Build continues - 2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon storage system

[Aaron Lee]

I needed to get the bulk of our recovery gear safely stored down low and provide a place for our dog to ride when we’re on the road. As with anything, it will evolve as we use it but this is a start. Here’s what I came up with and the build along the way. Please note, I’m just learning how to do much of this type of woodworking so it’s far from perfect but should be functional.

Let me know if you have any design or use suggestions that I should consider.

Thanks,
Aaron

 

[Aaron Lee]

Here’s the rest of the pictures.

 

[Mambo]

Looks great, and that joinery on the drawers is excellent [emoji1303][emoji1591][emoji95]

 

[Aaron Lee]

Thanks! It was a ton of fun. I did a bunch of research and decided to go with that type of joint for simplicity and strength. I made a number of test pieces before I got it really figured out.

 

[persquank]

Looks good to me. I'm considering building something like this.

 

[Aaron Lee]

I was driving around at lunch and I have a new squeak so I’ll probably have to pull it out and do some sanding on the top and bottom edges. I may have it too snug against the walls of the wheel wells.

 

[RoarinRow]

Geez for someone just learning, you've got a lot of tools. Awesome job!

 

[Aaron Lee]

My dad was a home builder for almost 35 years so woodworking is kind of in my blood but furniture and cabinets are new to me. I’ve been fortunate over the years to find some good tools for a good price. Most of this was done with a good table saw and a circular saw with a new blade. I also used a hand router quite a bit but that’s about all that’s required.

I also found long ago that if I give myself a deadline, I won’t enjoy the process so this was all done as I had time and with no end date in mind.

I still have a few tweaks to make but I’m excited to be able to start using it now.

Thanks,
Aaron

 

[Aaron Lee]

It's been 6 months and I'm still happy with the design for the most part. One thing I'm still trying to decide is if I should hinge the front section so it can be locked somehow. I just put a soft top on the LJ for the summer and not sure I like having all the contents of that section easily pilfered. Besides that, I think the design is a keeper.

 

[Rolando]

This is pretty sweet. I wish I had those carpentry skills ...

 

[Aaron Lee]

Well the storage system has been in place now for just over 3 years and it’s still working great. New addition is an IceCo VL60Pro strapped to the top. We power it with the Jeep battery when we’re traveling or just overnight. If we’re staying longer than a day we power it off a Lion Energy Safari LT.