Thread: Disco Drawer and fridge slide

Drifta. Lightest drawer setup. Can easily pull out drawer to get access to spare wheel winch. I put a 3/8 socket on winder (with bolt to hold it in) and 3/8 to 1/4 adapter. Use a 1/4 drive socket to lower and raise spare. I have also removed 3rd row seats to save weight and to have place to store recovery gear and tools. Drifter Drawer and slide and fridge box is about same weight as 3rd row seats. I also got second drawer from Drifta that can go on fridge slide with extra top section to turn whole system into a 2 drawer side by side if I want. I also got integrated 35 litre water tank built into front of drawer system. Save carrying jerry's when remote. Dropdown fridge slides are too heavy.

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If you’re doing a lot of touring you may be able to justify one of these. I have the same Touring unit in my D2 and they’re fantastic.
Touring Unit | Fourby Fitouts | 4wd Drawer Storage Systems | Modular Removable

Thanks for the info, I am interested in the option of a drop down fridge slide on top of a single drawer.
There appears not to be many choices for a disco single drawer as the max length with a cargo barrier is 900 mm. Most systems appear for the Jap stuff.
Briar, how do you get to stuff under the drawer system when all is loaded and how do you get the rear seats out?
Thanks Lindsay

I got my drawers from Drifta as well. Customised just how you want. Teflon slides so nothing rattling loose. Have a table under the fridge. Very handy. Thought about a drop down fridge slide. Not only expensive but very heavy.

Originally Posted by oldyella 76

Thanks for the info, I am interested in the option of a drop down fridge slide on top of a single drawer.
There appears not to be many choices for a disco single drawer as the max length with a cargo barrier is 900 mm. Most systems appear for the Jap stuff.
Briar, how do you get to stuff under the drawer system when all is loaded and how do you get the rear seats out?
Thanks Lindsay

Lindsay, you have asked 2 questions. I'll answer the second one first.
To remove the 3rd row of seats is not too hard, just awkward. There are some threads on doing this. Firstly, you have to undo the 4 tie-down points in the rear with an Allen Key. You then have to raise up the rear seats a little. You also have to remove the slide cover that allows the seat squab to lift. You then pull up on the side covers adjacent to the seats (where you just removed the tie-downs). They are just held in with clips. The rear seats are held in with 8 x T50 Torx bolts. Undo these. Lower seats back to flat surface. You will need someone to help you lift the 2 seats as one unit and twist to get out. Remove seats and re-attach side covers, tie-downs and small cover. The whole drawer system is held down by 4 turnbuckles that attach to factory tie down points.

What I did was to create an extra box section support that went underneath the edge of the side covers. I created a cardboard template and then jigsawed out the profile in 12mm marine ply to support the edge. I created a piece linking these at the front of the rear seat area just behind the footwell. I did the same at the tailgate end but here I created a right angled piece that I covered in Marine carpet. I the used angled timber bracing on all 4 corners of the box section. Even though Drifta do make a support to hold up the drawers (where I had removed the seat) it is in the centre of the whole unit. I wanted to ensure that all 4 sides of the Drifta drawer would have support after I had removed the seats. The reason I used marine ply covered with marine carpet for the rearmost section was that I was concerned that the drawer unit might not fully cover the cavity created where the seats were removed. I'm glad I did this because if I hadn't I would have had about a 1/2 cm gap visible at the bottom of the drawer unit. As it is not the gap is covered perfectly which keeps wife happy. She hates things not having a finished appearance.

First Question, second. The drawer has a simple latch that when pulled down allows the drawer to be pulled fully out. There are 3 cutouts in the base section of the Drifta Drawers. One under the drawer, one under fridge slide and a small one above the spare wheel winch. I can access the whole under- drawer area (where the seat was) easily through the cutout under the drawer.

This shows drawer pulled out. Note latch on drawer and cutouts visible where drawer goes.
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Close up of cutout. Snatch strap visible in cutout and also showing small 1/4 drive socket I use in small cutout for spare.
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Underneath drawer showing profiled 12mm ply that supports side covers.
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Centre support for drawers added by Drifta.

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Originally Posted by Briar

This shows drawer pulled out. Note latch on drawer and cutouts visible where drawer goes.
IMG_6973.jpg

Close up of cutout. Snatch strap visible in cutout and also showing small 1/4 drive socket I use in small cutout for spare.
IMG_6974.jpg

Great minds think alike. That’s where I store my recovery gear as well.

Consider your drop down fridge slide carefully as they are very expensive and heavy

Originally Posted by oldyella 76

We are wanting to put a single drawer and fridge slide in a 2012 Disco. It must clear the drive that lowers the spare wheel, so am limited a drawer to something like 500mm X 900 mm long. We have looked at a couple of brands and are trying to decide on whether to place them side by side of the fridge slide on top of the drawer utilising a drop down fridge slide. Wanting comments on good or bad on either setup.
P.S. Not interested in making drawer.
Thanks Lindsay.

I have a set of drawers that meet the criteria (in that you dont have to make them yourself!), and at a fraction of the price. I made them based on plans that were posted on this site out of marine ply, so its all good good for spare tyre etc. They bolt down to the cargo hooks with stainless steel turn buckles. I also have a very expensive, hardly used drop down fridge slide that would come with the drawers. The slider had my 40 litre Engel but I think it can take a bigger fridge.

I made them for my D4 that I sadly dont have anymore and was holding onto them as I do intend on getting another D4 at some stage (or D5 or Defender). I live in the outer Nth Eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

While im sure that the drifter setup will be lighter and probably better, they will also cost you an arm and a leg. Also, I have a major OCD issue with rattles, and the marine ply is dead quiet as there are no moving parts.

Having said all that, I have changed my view about drawers. Having done a few longish trips, they are very handy when on the road, but for longer stay camps, I found that having the fridge in the car was a bit inconvenient. Whenever I went off to play, explore or collect wood, everyone else would be without a fridge.

I think im getting old and grumpy with camping and have started looking around for a 2nd hand Cub off road camper.