D1 rear storage unit.

**loanrangie** · 8th September 2015, 07:38 PM

Been wanting to build a storage unit for the back of the disco for ages, i picked up some alloy tube and connect-it joiners off gumtree as freebies last year and made a start on the weekend.
I have a cargo barrier and wanted the unit to fill as much space as possible and be a snug fit between the wheel arches, size i chose is 108cm wide by 65cm deep and 60cm high.
I made the frame into 2 almost even sized cubes with my 50ltr waeco on the left and space for 2 or 3 drawers on the right, most of the frame is from bunnings connect-it tube as it was free but tube from Capral at $25 for 6.5m is a lot cheaper - total tube value, bunnings about $110, Capral about $40.

Base made

Frame completed.

Fridge sitting in its hole.

I almost made it too short but luckily measure my fridge again and added 50mm to the height to give the fridge extra space, top will be carpeted plywood. I will be making a fridge slide from bearing roller slides and a steel tray.

It will be bolted thru the wheel arches with bolts and wing nuts so i can remove it easily and so it doent tip over when the fridge is slid out.

I will post up a materials list if anyone interested in replicating it.

**Robmacca** · 8th September 2015, 10:55 PM

Nice....

I've got a Cargo barrier in the back of my D1 & I've got a Engel 40ltr fridge. My fridge won't fit length ways only sideways.....

IS the Waceo fridges shorter in length than the Engels ?

**loanrangie** · 9th September 2015, 06:11 AM

Waeco's are taller and shorter than engel's , mine fits but i have to remove 1 handle and i cut the mesh out of the lower section of my barrier.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using AULRO mobile app

**Ace** · 9th September 2015, 09:57 AM

Looks awesome mate, i've been planning something similar.

**pop058** · 9th September 2015, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by Robmacca

Nice....

I've got a Cargo barrier in the back of my D1 & I've got a Engel 40ltr fridge. My fridge won't fit length ways only sideways.....

IS the Waceo fridges shorter in length than the Engels ?

Originally Posted by loanrangie

Waeco's are taller and shorter than engel's , mine fits but i have to remove 1 handle and i cut the mesh out of the lower section of my barrier.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using AULRO mobile app

Just for info, I have a 40lt Ironman (which I think is Waceo anyway) and it does not fit lengthways between the cargo barrier and the door either.

**loanrangie** · 9th September 2015, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by pop058

Just for info, I have a 40lt Ironman (which I think is Waceo anyway) and it does not fit lengthways between the cargo barrier and the door either.

I'm surprised its longer, most of the waeco's and copies are just taller with the capacity increase.
My next mod is to make swivel handles for the waeco so i can save that extra 100mm off the length.

**Rick1970** · 9th September 2015, 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by Robmacca

Nice....

I've got a Cargo barrier in the back of my D1 & I've got a Engel 40ltr fridge. My fridge won't fit length ways only sideways.....

IS the Waceo fridges shorter in length than the Engels ?

If you trim the mesh, it should fit. My 40L Engel fits length ways with its original handles and no barrier. its snug, but it fits. I did remove the rear door grab handle tho.

**loanrangie** · 9th September 2015, 06:22 PM

I out smarted myself a little , by adding height to clear the fridge the rear top of the frame now hits the barrier pushing it out so it wont clear the door

Couple of options , reduce the height and risk not enough space for slide , remove the pieces of tube under the fridge and reduce the height or put a step in the rear. Step is preferred as i keep space around fridge and i already have 2 connectors for the step.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using AULRO mobile app

**loanrangie** · 12th September 2015, 05:04 PM

Take 2, stepped the back about half the height and now it sits perfectly inside the door line and still gives me the length i wanted for the fridge slide to fit and not hit the door even with the locking levers protuding.

**Corgie Carrier** · 12th September 2015, 05:34 PM

Good job, Nick!

I was going to make mine the same but the only tube I can get here is bunnings and it was going to cost over $200. So I will be making mine out of steel tube for about $48. Same design as yours but to fit a 60l ARB fridge and 3 drawers on the right.

Are you going to do anything to protect the side windows from things sliding around on top of the drawer system? I have thought this might be a problem but have not come up with a solution yet.

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