Fridge slide which lowers? D4

[Lukeis]

For those with fridge slides in the boot, has anyone engineered one which lowers down?

You see a lot of utes with one which comes down off the side and sits at a much more practical height for use, then easily lifts/slides back up and onto the tray.

For the discovery the rear tailgate prevents this type from operating unless it sat on another slide first to get it clear of the tailgate, is this possible? Pics would be great

[rocket rod]

There's quite a few available from;

4x4 Fridge Drop Slide For Sale (https://msa4x4.com.au/fridges/)
CLEARVIEW EASY SLIDE - FRIDGE LOWERING FRIDGE SLIDE (http://www.clearviewmirrors.com.au/13394/EASY-SLIDE/)

[Lukeis]

Thanks Rod but neither of them will work, they would get clear of the tailgate in order to lower. It will need to have a longer reach

[loanrangie]

Thanks Rod but neither of them will work, they would get clear of the tailgate in order to lower. It will need to have a longer reachThink you would need to put a drop down slide onto other slides to clear the tail gate, I find access mode is sufficient.

[Arapiles]

Have a look at these setups - one vehicle has two drop-down fridges:

L/R DISCOVERY 3 & 4 - STORAGE DRAWER PACKAGE $1575 - Drifta Camping & 4WD (https://www.drifta.com.au/landrover-discovery-3and4-storage-drawer-package/)

But if you want it to project out past the tailgate and then drop down - why? Even a shortish adult would be able to use one of the fridges at tailgate height.

If height really is an issue consider a drawer fridge - they'd be only about 20cm higher than the tailgate.

[rocket rod]

Thanks Rod but neither of them will work, they would get clear of the tailgate in order to lower. It will need to have a longer reach

Yep agreed. You would have to put on top of a drawer but then you need to think of the overall height so the fridge doesn't bang into the roof.

[Birdboy]

I’ve had a drop down slide like the ones linked in my Prado for over 15 years and love it. But when I get a disco I will be looking at simpler options to slide just from floor height I think due to the tailgate. They are quite heavy. Mine must be in excess of 30kg. So they’re great if you need it but a lot of extra weight and cost etc if you don’t .

[loanrangie]

If you have the slide on the right hand side the shape of the lower tailgate lets you get close enough to a fridge.

[rocket rod]

Getting back to the original question as to why the fridge has to be low. Is it because you are short (no offence meant). I currently have a 70l Snowmaster from Opposite Lock and it's quite a tall fridge and I can still get into it easily, I'm 6 foot. There would be two things that would help access if you end up using a normal flat fridge slide; mount it on the passenger side of the car so you can stand in the recessed part of the tailgate and lower the car to access height when you stop at camp. If that fails then carry a fold out stool to stand on.

[scarry]

If you have the slide on the right hand side the shape of the lower tailgate lets you get close enough to a fridge.

Our Engle sits on the right hand side,as well,with tailgate shut,easy to use,no slide needed.

But i suppose its whatever you want.

[Lukeis]

Hmm.. I’m actually 6’1 so unless you are all 7’ I don’t think my height is the issue.

Perhaps it’s becayse I have a caravan so I’m most commonly using the fridge when I’m parked on a beach for the day instead and thus at off-road height with my feet sinking in the sand.

i think the the other problem is I don’t currently have a slide at all so I just assumed that bringing it out to the tailgate wouldn’t be enough, this could be where I’m going wrong given everyone else seems so happy with it.

Ill build a slide and start with that, thanks!

[Birdboy]

Hmm.. I’m actually 6’1 so unless you are all 7’ I don’t think my height is the issue.

Perhaps it’s becayse I have a caravan so I’m most commonly using the fridge when I’m parked on a beach for the day instead and thus at off-road height with my feet sinking in the sand.

i think the the other problem is I don’t currently have a slide at all so I just assumed that bringing it out to the tailgate wouldn’t be enough, this could be where I’m going wrong given everyone else seems so happy with it.

Ill build a slide and start with that, thanks!

I’m only 5’6”[emoji23]
Yes bringing it out so you can stand next to it will make a big difference.

[ATH]

Never mind BB. I’m sure someone loves you anyway regardless. 😃
I have a 60ltr Engel on a slide fitted to the r/h side of the D4. I’d had the slide fitted in a Prado and it worked well but found with the D it was about 60mm too wide for the drawers/containers system I was building, to work properly.
So I chopped that amount out of the width, fitted it back together with a couple of plates connecting each side and fitted it to the falsefloor (falsefloor necessary to lift fridge/slide up a bit to clear lower half of door) and it works quite well. Fridge goes in and out easily and is just the right height for the Cook to get me a cold one......
It’s not fancy nor expensive looking but that was the point of the exercise, I don’t pay out for things I can make myself.
AlanH.

[Lukeis]

Thanks, out of curisoity, how did you secure it to the car? Foes it align ok to the anchor points?

[l00kin4]

Some good threads on fridge slides:

Mine [bigwhistle] Removable fridge slide setup (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-and-4-a/213330-removable-fridge-slide-setup.html)

and another good one D3 D4 rear fitouts (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-and-4-a/205055-d3-d4-rear-fitouts-post2217512.html)

David

[loanrangie]

Never mind BB. I’m sure someone loves you anyway regardless. 😃
I have a 60ltr Engel on a slide fitted to the r/h side of the D4. I’d had the slide fitted in a Prado and it worked well but found with the D it was about 60mm too wide for the drawers/containers system I was building, to work properly.
So I chopped that amount out of the width, fitted it back together with a couple of plates connecting each side and fitted it to the falsefloor (falsefloor necessary to lift fridge/slide up a bit to clear lower half of door) and it works quite well. Fridge goes in and out easily and is just the right height for the Cook to get me a cold one......
It’s not fancy nor expensive looking but that was the point of the exercise, I don’t pay out for things I can make myself.
AlanH.


I made a slide for my old D1 out of alloy qubelok and steel rod with ball bearing slides, about to make a frame for the D3 to fit this slide to.
Bonus is that the D3 is a lot longer so i can put a shelf behind the fridge to hold a 10ltr water container with a small electric pump and tap, got plenty of plywood to make a top and some drawers and possibly a floor so i lower the fridge as much as possible.
Should be only slightly higher than the plastic side trim, i alsos prefer to make stuff myself when possible.

[ATH]

Thanks, out of curisoity, how did you secure it to the car? Foes it align ok to the anchor points?

Yes it does. Base board bolted down to them then the sides are bolted to angle brackets, 2 shelves on the left of the fridge for containers and a shelf over the top just clearing the fridge top for camp seats and other light stuff. All covered in tough carpet stuff.
Nothing fancy but it's cheap as they used to say.
Actually I've done the same sort of thing with 3 Defenders, 1 Prado (OK I know I shouldn't say that sort of thing :) ) and now the D4 and t's always worked OK.
Good luck.
Alan H.

[Narangga]

Hmm.. I’m actually 6’1 so unless you are all 7’ I don’t think my height is the issue.

Perhaps it’s becayse I have a caravan so I’m most commonly using the fridge when I’m parked on a beach for the day instead and thus at off-road height with my feet sinking in the sand.

i think the the other problem is I don’t currently have a slide at all so I just assumed that bringing it out to the tailgate wouldn’t be enough, this could be where I’m going wrong given everyone else seems so happy with it.

Ill build a slide and start with that, thanks!

Both my wife and I are 5' 7" and we have little difficulty reaching/looking into our 60L Waeco (which is reasonable tall) when stopped for lunch on tour. I leave the vehicle at road height too as the camper trailer is attached.


Thanks, out of curisoity, how did you secure it to the car? Foes it align ok to the anchor points?

My effort is shown here

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-and-4-a/224901-swapping-sub-forums-4.html#post2582023

[BMKal]

I don't have any problems reaching into the fridge on mine, which can slide out of the vehicle with the tailgate in either the "up" or "down" position. My wife can also reach into the fridge in this position and she is a lot shorter than I am. The only thing that is a bit of a pain is that you can't raise the lid of the fridge right up and you either have to hold it open with one hand - or for loading / unloading I have a short occy strap that hooks onto the fridge lid and a small hook I have placed in the upper tailgate.151537151538151539