Thread: Drawers for D1,D2,D3 and Defender $950

Originally Posted by kram

Ok well finally got some pics - Jim from Best off Road in Vic did a great job. I added the front panel with some legs on hinges so that we could sleep in the back if needed - was one of the most comfortable sleeps we have had in a long time.

The draw is great and the panels on the side provide room for maps and books etc - also the gap to alllow for the drawer openning/ door hinge is great to store the jack, fishing rods, rope and extra tools!

here are some pics - Thanks again to Jim!

Looks great mate. I've got a few questions for you if you don't mind and will also send Jim an email with some more questions..

By the look of it you have removed the rear seats from your Defender?

I'm looking at purchasing a new Defender and a set of drawers to go with it. Like yours, I'd like an extendable section on top of the drawers so I could sleep in the back on the odd occasion. Have you ever had the rear seats in with your drawer system in place? Is it possible to get an extendable section that covers the rear seats when they are folded down so you have a flat base to sleep on?

Cheers and the the best,
Rob

Originally Posted by fishobob

Looks great mate. I've got a few questions for you if you don't mind and will also send Jim an email with some more questions..

By the look of it you have removed the rear seats from your Defender?

I'm looking at purchasing a new Defender and a set of drawers to go with it. Like yours, I'd like an extendable section on top of the drawers so I could sleep in the back on the odd occasion. Have you ever had the rear seats in with your drawer system in place? Is it possible to get an extendable section that covers the rear seats when they are folded down so you have a flat base to sleep on?

Cheers and the the best,
Rob

Hi Rob,

Yeah I removed the rear seats, mainly for extra storage for when we went away - we didnt need them in at all.

The wings next to the draw section are really good an hold quite a few things - as they are raised off the wheel arches by about 40mm or so I have put maps, books etc etc in there and in the gap that is on one side i put tools, jack, fishing rods etc etc - it will hold quite a bit of stuff.

There is one trick, when we put the drawers in we discovered that the tie down points for the seatbelts are just under the edge of the draw. At the time as I didnt need the seats I took the seat belts out as well.

Jim gave me a piece of marine ply and covered it with carpet. I put a couple of hinges to the edge of the drawer and then made some legs to support when flat. I hinged the legs and put a piece of velco on them so that when we needed to get stuff out from underneath we lifted up and the legs folded out of the way and stuck to the under side of the front panel. I can take some photos if you like.

Since returning I have taken the front panel out and I am hopefully going to put the seats back in on the weekend. I would say that the panel would be able to folded up when the seats are in (but you wont be able to see out the back window)

In my 1997 TDI the seats do not fold completely flat so that is why I took them out - not sure how the new model defenders rear seats fold - so you may be able to keep them in.

If you are close to jim and Best off Road you should perhaps drop in so that he may take some measurements (if it is a newer defender)

Let me know if there is anything else - p.s. it is really quite comfortable sleeping in the back when you need to pull over at a rest stop somewhere overnight! We had an oztrail double 4x4 mattress and it was really comfortable.

Cheers
Mark

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

We have a half cargo barrier in our D1. Does that make any difference to the measurements compared with a full barrier?
Also, would there be enough depth and width in either side section to install a battery? Removing the fold up seat would obviously make a difference. Would the battery be covered by an extension of the drawers?
Are these drawers easily removed? Sometimes we need the extra seats, so I'm wondering if I could easily put the drawers in when needed and leave them out when we need the seats.
Sorry about all the Qs.

Hi Mick,

I guess it depends on how often you need to put the seats in and out - if it is only a few times a year then it shouldnt be too much of a problem. bbasically you remove the drawer and unscrew about four bolts that go through the floor.

Re the battery - the depth in mine from memory is about 220mm (thats the standard) but i will have to check.


Hope this helps