| Building a Custom Storage Box |
|
|
|
| After gathering a large amount of fluids and spare parts in my apartment and Jeep I decided it would be nice to have someplace to store them all. I wanted a cargo box in my Jeep that allowed me to still use the cargo area, have enough room to store everything safely and was easy to access. The design I came up with is a box containing two large sliding drawers accessed from the hatch. |
|
|
| These are the plans for the box. The box is made from 5/8" plywood, the drawing shows 3/4" so keep that in mind if using the dimensions.
It spans from wheel well to wheel well. The back is sloped to match the angle on the rear seat.
Runners are added to the bottom so that the drawers clear the plastic trim on the hatch opening.
|
|
|
|
|
I built the box first. Then built the drawers to fit inside. I got the drawer slides from Home Depot and they are rated at 100 lbs. each.
I wish I would have thought more about how the face of the drawers tucked into the box. Currently the don't. I also should have thought more about latches to keep the drawers closed. I currently have 2 roller cabinet latches on each drawer and the are not holding up well.
I covered the box with automotive carpeting I got at AutoZone. I used some grey vinyl I had to finish the back because I ran out of carpet. The color was a perfect match. I attached it with a staple gun.
|
|
|
| I have added handles to the drawers since this picture. You can see in the second picture that the box creates a false floor effect. If you didn't know it was there you would just think it was the floor of the cargo area. |
|
|
|
