DIY Drawer System help

[NJ Rodz]

Hello everyone,

I’m in the process of brainstorming to build my own drawer system, for two reasons: #1 they are very expensive, #2 I’m in Japan and most manufacturers don’t ship to my FPO, AP address.

My question is, since I don’t have a garage, what are some basic tools that I could buy that can get the job done but I wouldn’t need a garage to house them. I do have a small backyard which is where I intend to build it. Also can you guys share some pics of your drawer system to get some ideas! Thanks!

 

[reaver]

Most home improvement stores can cut wood for you. If you come up with your design, you could just have them do the cuts, and then you put it together.

Here's mine for some inspiration.

 

[NJ Rodz]

Most home improvement stores can cut wood for you. If you come up with your design, you could just have them do the cuts, and then you put it together.

Here's mine for some inspiration.

Do you have a fridge? What is a good size for the back without taking too much space? I need left over space for two Huskies.

 

[reaver]

Do you have a fridge? What is a good size for the back without taking too much space? I need left over space for two Huskies.

No. I have two. Normally in the X, I have a setpower AJ30. My 37qt can house everything I need for about 5 days. We keep a 45qt in the trailer as well.

How big of a fridge you need will depend on what you wanna bring, and how long you want to be out.

 

[M Rose]

Tools needed are a skill saw, drill with screwdriver bits and a drill bit for pilot holes for screws, and tape measure. A jig saw is handy, but not required.

I built a boat deck with just a skill saw, tape measure, and electric drill. Just as an example of what can be done with minimal tools.

 

[NJ Rodz]

Do you have a fridge? What is a good size for the back without taking too much space? I need left over space for two Huskies.

No. I have two. Normally in the X, I have a setpower AJ30. My 37qt can house everything I need for about 5 days. We keep a 45qt in the trailer as well.

How big of a fridge you need will depend on what you wanna bring, and how long you want to be out.

I don’t stay in the same place more than 3 days, after that I move to another prefecture (state), I have two daughters and two dogs. I think a 45L should be fine.

 

[NJ Rodz]

Tools needed are a skill saw, drill with screwdriver bits and a drill bit for pilot holes for screws, and tape measure. A jig saw is handy, but not required.

I built a boat deck with just a skill saw, tape measure, and electric drill. Just as an example of what can be done with minimal tools.

View attachment 261609

Hell yeah! Thanks for this info!! That’s a good start!!

 

[M Rose]

Hell yeah! Thanks for this info!! That’s a good start!!

You’re welcome.

 

[El-Dracho]

Maybe one more tip that can help you. If you have measured everything and you think you know how you want to build it, then you can first build a simple model from old and no longer needed cardboard and see how it looks like and whether you can get everything stowed.

If the drawers are heavily loaded but still need to be easy to slide in and out, there are so-called heavy-duty pull-outs. Here in Europe, for example, you can get them in camping equipment stores or workshop supplies.

Enjoy building your own equipment. That´s supercool.

 

[NJ Rodz]

Maybe one more tip that can help you. If you have measured everything and you think you know how you want to build it, then you can first build a simple model from old and no longer needed cardboard and see how it looks like and whether you can get everything stowed.

If the drawers are heavily loaded but still need to be easy to slide in and out, there are so-called heavy-duty pull-outs. Here in Europe, for example, you can get them in camping equipment stores or workshop supplies.

Enjoy building your own equipment. That´s supercool.

I might try that, that would be simple and quick to know how it feels! Thanks!

 

[El-Dracho]

@Michael has made some really good YouTube videos on his drawer system in his 80series. Have a look at the OB YouTube Channel.

Part 1 here:

 

[NJ Rodz]

@Michael has made some really good YouTube videos on his drawer system in his 80series. Have a look at the OB YouTube Channel.

Part 1 here:

Thanks! I’ll definitely check it out!

 

[smritte]

I'll second building it out of cardboard first. Almost everything I build, starts with a cardboard mock up. Once done, you have templates.
Fridge size more depends on you. I run a 25 qt in the back of my Cruiser. I keep the perishables to a minimum and leave room for a few drinks. Even being a small fridge, it still takes up a bit of space.

 

[NJ Rodz]

I'll second building it out of cardboard first. Almost everything I build, starts with a cardboard mock up. Once done, you have templates.
Fridge size more depends on you. I run a 25 qt in the back of my Cruiser. I keep the perishables to a minimum and leave room for a few drinks. Even being a small fridge, it still takes up a bit of space.

I been looking at a 45L, it doesn’t seem too big but I might go with the 35L, because like you said they take a significant amount of space. I think about putting the fridge at the bottom of the platform, left side and build a storage space on top of it.

 

[El-Dracho]

As some others already said, the size of the fridge depends a lot on personal requirements. Available space? What is your power supply like? Do you like chilled drinks? Do you have food that needs to be refrigerated for several days? Do you also need to carry medicines in the fridge? Do you need a freezer option? And more.

Look here in this thread you might find some ideas:

Fridge Sizes - Let me see yours!

I'm projecting out down the road to eventually having a portable fridge/freezer for my truck. I'll be limited by size in that I will be strapping it into the back seat of my four door Ranger. I'm currently considering a Costway 55 qt unit. It would be helpful to see what you guys are rocking...

www.overlandbound.com

 

[grubworm]

i did a long drawer setup so we could sleep on top of it, but its essentially the same thing if you shorten it and make it taller, etc
@M Rose is right about the tools. if you go with cordless tools, you can even take them with you on trips. i usually take a cordless drill and sawzall with me and i also have lights, fans, and radio that use the same battery pack, so its a bonus if you go that route. a drill and circular saw will be plenty enough for this.
as far as design, @reaver has a good set up and its modular. maybe do a short base with drawers and then have 2 separate units on top so you can remove one and add a fridge or just be able to change up things easily if needs be. no matter how great your set up is today...chances are you will want to change things down the road, so making it modular is really nice. plus if you need the back room for something, its easier to move and store it if its in several smaller pieces

 

[smritte]

What vehicle do you have?

 

[NJ Rodz]

What vehicle do you have?

94’ 80 Series Landcruiser

 

[NJ Rodz]

i did a long drawer setup so we could sleep on top of it, but its essentially the same thing if you shorten it and make it taller, etc
@M Rose is right about the tools. if you go with cordless tools, you can even take them with you on trips. i usually take a cordless drill and sawzall with me and i also have lights, fans, and radio that use the same battery pack, so its a bonus if you go that route. a drill and circular saw will be plenty enough for this.
as far as design, @reaver has a good set up and its modular. maybe do a short base with drawers and then have 2 separate units on top so you can remove one and add a fridge or just be able to change up things easily if needs be. no matter how great your set up is today...chances are you will want to change things down the road, so making it modular is really nice. plus if you need the back room for something, its easier to move and store it if its in several smaller pieces


View attachment 261619

Never thought of a modular system, but that makes a lot of sense. I do like making constant changes to my gear. Thanks man I’m soaking all this information, and I’m sure I’ll make something decent (hopefully ).

 

[smritte]

Cool.
I never watched to video that was linked above, I built mine way before. I'll try to remember to take some pictures of what I did to give you some ideas. Have you found IH8MUD? Its a landcruiser tech forum. Go to the 80's section and search drawer systems. A few people posted their builds.