Cargo Drawer / Luggage area dimensions

[T34]

I knew that there was something I forgot to do this weekend

Was going to measure the cargo area so that I could start on a design for some cargo drawers. But after searching and searching, I cannot find anything here, or in google either. RAVE also does not seem to list anything. Only thing I managed to find is a cargo area volume - which is not really any good to me.

Anyone know the distance from the rear of the seat to the tailgate, and the width between the rear panels? Or can point me to somewhere that might list it? I'm too impatient to wait until next weekend.

The reason is that I've found a modular aluminium building system that looks like it could be perfect for making some cargo drawers out of. It's the same stuff that's used to make shop display systems and custom furniture. I've received a catalogue and the prices look pretty reasonable. Just need to plan out a design and price it up (hence the need for the dimensions).

If anyone can help me out with some dimensions (even if not millimetre perfect), it would be muchly appreciated.

Cheers.

Mick.

[Hoges]

A measuring tape is your friend!

[Rushy]

What about your spare tire,

[p38arover]

Don't forget that anything that has drawers has to be off the floor to clear the tailgate finisher. Also, don't forget you need to access the spare wheel.

I used two lengths of Uni-Strut to which the drawers were bolted. One was bolted to the floor using the rearmost tiedown both holes. The front length has a welded flange at each end. The flange is drilled horizontally and the Uni-Strut is bolted through the wheel well. I have a nut welded to a plate and that plate is pop riveted to the wheel well.

My spare wheel is on an external wheel carrier. I made up a new wheel well floor with an access door to gain access to the space under the floor.

I'll try to post some pics of the set up later.

[p38arover]

Have a look here: Index of /rover/p38a/drawers

[PaulP38a]

Very nice work Ron. Thanks for sharing.

Just as well you don't use the dodgy CD stacker any more. In fact, I reckon you could lose that whole LHS waste of space of "sub and stacker" and turn it in to something useful... I dunno what, but I'm sure you'd come up with something cool.... hang on, a humidor or wine cooler/warmer maybe?

Cheers
Paul.

[p38arover]

The stacker was still accessible. I'm not just a pretty face. The LH space was used for an umbrella, camera tripod, etc.

I didn't make the drawers. I bought them from a bloke who'd upgraded his Pathfinder to a D3. I had to make a new top and side pod for them as well as the new access floor.

The drawers were later sold on to Steinzy as they weren't exactly what I wanted.

[T34]

Hogues, I'm out of town until the weekend, and I'm not sure that SWMBO can be trusted with a tape measure. I could wait until i get back, but I'm simply too impatient

Ron, thanks for the great pics, nice to be able to actually see one in place. It's made me realise that the idea I had for a taller set of drawers might not be such a good idea with the fridge sitting on top of it. Good point about the clearance for the tailgate trim too.

The spare wheel is a bit of a concern - but I intend to make the whole unit removable. It will be fitted for trips away, and then removed and stored out of the vehicle for day to day use. The reason I'm doing this is only for some family camping trips.

I'm also planning to fit a roof rack with a tent and an additional spare on it, so hopefully will never need to get at the spare under the load area. If I do need to get at it, I guess I will simply need to unpack everything. Ultimately the whole shebang is only for family trips away, and not (initially) full off-road adventures, so fingers crossed the extra spare on the roof is all we will ever need. If we get a bit more adventurous, we might need to consider carrying an additional spare on top.

After some googling, my initial idea was something long the lines of a Drifta type removable kitchen plus a cargo drawer. The removable kitchen will please SWMBO, plus I like the idea of being able to get everything set up relatively quickly when making camp (more time to spend amusing the kids).

Whilst I like the Drifta kitchens, I've also been looking at some of the stainless trailer kitchens that can also be used as a removable 4x4 kitchen, with the idea of building a lightweight frame to house it, along side a cargo drawer. Most of these seem to be about 1000mm long - a tad longer then the Drifta units (which are 980mm).

The modular material I found for the drawers is similar to this stuff - Aluminium Modular Furniture from Ullrich Aluminium you can buy it with a variety of different fittings, and in a variety of different profiles. You can also get a plain steel version too Perfect for making a cargo drawers from - quick and easy to use, and lightweight and strong. I can also use the same stuff to fab up a frame to house it all in, although I may simply use ali angle for this. The price I got for this stuff is between $12-15 / metre, depending on material and profile, with the fittings at about $7 a pop. A lot cheaper than a full cargo drawer system. I can't find the actual website at the mo, and left the catalogue at home, but will post some more info up if anyone is interested.

All I need now are some cargo area measurements

[T34]

here we go...

Display and Storage Systems

They're in Marlestone SA

[Hoges]

The stuff is call qubelock anmd is manufactured by Capral aluminium. you can purchase it from Bunnings... may help to shop around...but the prices seem to be within a $ or 2 for a 1.8m length. Very effective and strong if braced with plywood.
cheers