My budget storage solution build!

[Exploder-99]

I wanted something to keep the back of my truck clean. I was looking at buying something but all the cargo boxes were like $500+. And they just stuck out and didn't look proper. I wanted something for a good price and made to look like it was supposed to be there. I was going though the forums looking at what you guys have done for the cargo area of your trucks to keep them clean. Some of you made boxes to store the stuff in and I like it so I decided to make my own... on a budget.


Here is my basic design for the welded frame.

Then got the 3/8" metal corner, flat and square tubing. Started cutting and welding. Starting with the bottom, then top, then the sides.

And now to make sure it fits...

.... like a glove








Cut a piece of cardboard to shape around the top, traced it onto a piece of plywood, then cut that out.

Welded in the drawer slides and cut out the bottoms for the drawers.

Finished the remainder of the drawers.

Cut the top for the little secret cubby hole in the back.

Now I grabbed some automotive carpet from Canadian Tire. Wrapped the front of the drawers and the top of the box.

Grabbed some latches from a distributor through my work for $2 each. Put one on each drawer and the cubby to keep them from opening while driving.

Then installed some small d-rings, that I cut a section out of, for my factory cargo net.

Finished off by cleaning off all the saw dust, lining the drawers with a water resistant rubber matting. And getting it all settled in and filled up.

BTW I am no welder... or carpenter.. I feel like it was sort of luck it worked out this nicely and all my drawer open smooth lol. Hope to give others some ideas to work with.



COST (some of this stuff I got through work at cost):

Steel: $3.66 x 3, $2.58 x 2, $2.14 x 4
Wood: $16.55 x 1, $19.70 x 1
Drawer Slides: $7.99 x 2
Latches: $1.98 x 3
Carpet: $14.99 x 2
Rubber Liner: $13.99 x 1
D-Rings: $2.50 x 4
Hinge for the cubby: $6.50 x 1

Total: Just under $150

 

[PrerunnerManiac]

That looks good

 

[DjDom]

Canadian Tire Carpet..
Princess Auto recovery strap,
dude, where in Canada do you live?!

 

[Exploder-99]

That looks good

Thanks!

Canadian Tire Carpet..
Princess Auto recovery strap,
dude, where in Canada do you live?!

What... you dont have Can tire and P-auto out in Toronto lol.
I am out in Calgary.

 

[DjDom]

Thanks!





What... you dont have Can tire and P-auto out in Toronto lol.
I am out in Calgary.

Naw, I'm just saying that I recognize that stuff.
Was hoping you were closer.

 

[blakshukvw]

Why didn't you weld a tube down the middle at the top? Seems it would be to weak to support anything very heavy in the center, even some groceries.

 

[Exploder-99]

Why didn't you weld a tube down the middle at the top? Seems it would be to weak to support anything very heavy in the center, even some groceries.

I used 1/2" plywood on the top. I have had the socket set, and all my hockey (goalie) gear on top of it and never worried once about it breaking.






And it holds groceries fine...

 

[Maniak]

I didn't see a jack in the drawer pics..

Did I miss how you can get to the factory jack compartment or do you have another jack somewhere for changing a tire on the road?

I like the idea of the sliders.. Our old, and newer storage is using flip up tops which can be a pain when there is stuff on top of it.

~Mark

 

[Afboy143]

That's bad ass! Nice!

 

[Exploder-99]

I didn't see a jack in the drawer pics..

Did I miss how you can get to the factory jack compartment or do you have another jack somewhere for changing a tire on the road?

I like the idea of the sliders.. Our old, and newer storage is using flip up tops which can be a pain when there is stuff on top of it.

~Mark

The factory jack is pretty ****ty and I'm missing some of the pieces anyways. I don't need to get in that compartment. I have a farm jack and spare tire for the roof basket when out on the trails!

That's bad ass! Nice!

Thanks!

 

[2TimingTom]

Is gravity the only thing keeping it in place?

Nice work.

 

[Exploder-99]

Thanks. Yeah gravity and the fact that I made it a tad too wide so it is pressure fit in between the wheel well cut outs as well.

 

[Maniak]

Thanks. Yeah gravity and the fact that I made it a tad too wide so it is pressure fit in between the wheel well cut outs as well.

I ran gravity fit for a while and finally figured out I shouldn't do that...

If I hit a whoop hard enough the entire assembly lifted and came crashing down.

That told me that in an accident, whether on the road or on the trail, that I had a very big/heavy thing that may come flying forward. I know a normal little fender bender probably won't move it but if something more drastic happens you don't want that thing lifting and then coming forward..

I'm using four 1/2" bolts through the floor with large washers to hold this one down.

I'll probably add some L brackets for some extra strength which is actually all I used on the old setup (once I saw that it was lifting). I put the brackets on the outside and used that to help hold the sides down so the bottom piece wouldn't be holding all the weight. The new setup is using 2x6's and 5x8" plywood.

~Mark

 

[jimmyznutz]

Love it. Looks awesome and functional. I agree with having it secured though. How about some kind of quick disconnect bracket for the setup? You would still be able to take it out with little effort.

Something like this:

 

[Exploder-99]

Yeah I had a few ideas before about securing it. But this thing doesn't budge. I do a fair bit of wheeling and its never moved. The top of it is so tight that the box needs to be assembled in the truck. Then with the back seats angled and the hatch closed it is sandwiched and had no where to go.