Thought you might be interested to see some drawers that we (actually I am not at all the carpenter - a mate did all the planning and skilled stuff, I just helped with the execution!) made for my 7 seater Disco 2 in preparation for our trip around Aus.
All in all spent about $300 on materials for the unit.
Aluminium frame and ply from Bunnings (this was the most expensive part).
Plastic Qubelock joints from Bunnings.
Aluminium brackets, misc screws/bolts, etc. from Economy Nuts and Bolts Moorabbin and Bunnings.
Marine carpet $18 per metre Bunnings.
Containers $16 a pop Officeworks.
Fridge "slide" is just a piece of ply with some laminated chipboard strips tacked to each side to allow for smooth motion.
There is a compartment to slide in a camping table under the shelves.
We utilised the cargo barrier bolts to bolt it to the floor, to save drilling through the floor anymore than necessary.
When we are back from our trip, it will be easy to pull everything out and sell the car on as a 7 seater again - nothing has been damaged or wasted...even the dual battery disconnects if required.
Can't think of anything else, but if anyone has any questions or comments feel free!
Nice work! You'll be able to fit a 20 ltr jerry can for water beside that cabinet where the old seat was, thats where I sit mine. Looking at the pics it would make sense to rig up a small hose & tap so you don't have to lift it out all the time.
This has given me some ideas for a similar set up that I am planning. I'm in the collecting phase with the next item needed to be installed is the cargo barrier. Are you looking at leaving the set up permanently in the vehicle or does it need to transform back to a 7 seater for taxi duty?
Which anchor points did you use for to fix the base to the floor of the cargo area?
As a layout did you work out what you needed to store inside the vehicle and then plan around that, or installed what you could fit and then work out how to fit the rest later?
Have you used it in anger yet and what would you change if you had your time again?
Nice and tidy job.
It is incredible the difference in space with the Disco I. I was unable to fit the Waeco like you done it. In my Disco I have to fit the Waeco 50 Lts cross ways.
Also the battery box similar to yours does not fit in that space. I have to mount it in a shelve.
Cheers
Thanks very much for the feedback. I was thinking jerry can in the well where the seat used to go - I like the idea of a hose too..., a built in water dispenser would be pretty handy!
Here are some answers to other questions:
How did you bolt the draws to the floor ?
I had the Milford cargo barrier installed at local 4x4 place, and they drilled down through the floor at two points to secure the barrier (it actually has two locations - but I am only using the "behind 2nd row" place). We used these holes to secure the base plate of the unit to the floor - this saved drilling any more holes. Just some longer bolts were needed that Milford supplied due to the added height of the ply base.
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Are you looking at leaving the set up permanently in the vehicle or does it need to transform back to a 7 seater for taxi duty?
I'm off on a big trip soon - when we come back it may come out, then again I actually prefer it like this and dont have kids to haul around (just happened on a 7 seater that was in good nick!). Certainly wont be up for selling anytime in the next 6 months til we are back anyway. I did spot a Disco 2 cargo barrier on Ebay a few weeks back, not sure if it sold....also Milford are quite expensive (I paid around $700 fitted I think).
Which anchor points did you use for to fix the base to the floor of the cargo area?
See above.
As a layout did you work out what you needed to store inside the vehicle and then plan around that, or installed what you could fit and then work out how to fit the rest later?
The cargo unit was worked out first with sketches, etc, but a few mods were needed here and there when it went in. We decided on Officeworks boxes first as the mate that did the build already had some for his camper and they seem fairly rugged for the price - so we could use them for measuring, etc. Also knew that we wanted the table easily accessible for roadside lunch stops, etc.
Have you used it in anger yet and what would you change if you had your time again?
Not used in anger (or at all really!) yet, so not sure, I'll definitely be posting during/after our big trip, if not before, so will let you know. Something I might have done different is the battery and fridge all being on one side - I am a bit worried about the weight all being on the left, but then again with the car fully loaded and me on the front right side it should all balance out!
I got the battery install done at the same place as the cargo barrier, but wasn't very happy with the first job they did (after being pointed at what was wrong) so got them to do it again. After that I still did some mods myself (with help as usual) as they installed it with the plastic trim out, we decided it would look much better in, and personally I think we have done a neater job!
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