Built Aluminium tubing framed drawer system - part 1

[pradokit Find all posts View Profile Close pradokit]

After reading the magnificent posts by many previous pradokit members I decided to tackle it myself. Someone mentioned aluminium square tubing and I checked this out at Bunnings. I bought 3 lengths(2.0m) of 25mm square tubing along with the appropriate platic connectors to suit my design. It proved to be flexible and enabled me to do the detail after I had got the basic shape correct.

Step1 was remove the third row seats. These weigh 40kg and I estimate my finished drawers are just under that, so a small nett gain, which I swalowed up by all the “junk” I have put in the drawers!

The following pictures explain most of the process.

slide 1.


slide 2


slide 3


slide 4


see part 2 for more

[pradokit Find all posts View Profile Close pradokit]

Built Aluminium tubing framed drawer system - part 2

Now the drawers had to be built. They were 16mm marine ply, 5 panels screwed together with the help of metal angle iron. it was that thin stuff that is used by plasterers to join walls together or something. it holds the draw together well.

I changed my original slides (off an IT cabinet) to good locking drawer slides from outbackgearforu (on ebay).

slide 5.


slide 6


slide 7


slide 8


see part 3 for more

[pradokit Find all posts View Profile Close pradokit]

Built Aluminium tubing framed drawer system - part 3

Finishing touches!
slide 9

slide 10

slide 11

slide 12


Hope this helps others in a similar way to all the help I have received from this forum,
thanks,
pradokit

[vscorsa Member Find all posts View Profile Close vscorsa]

Wow, absolutely brilliant mate!!

I like the concept of being able to lay everything flat utilising the second row of seats.

[Ozpat Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ozpat]

Well designed and put together, mate. Are you taking orders?

Jim

[pradokit Find all posts View Profile Close pradokit]

Sorry Ozpat, I'd be divorced very quickly if I spent any more time on drawer systems for 4WDs!

Glad you like it. Give it a go.

It's been an interesting project. I've used nearly all my power tools that I possess plus I bought a router($60) to do the holes for the T handles. I used my battery drill, power saw, sander, planer, jig saw, mains elctric drill, grinder and welder. Many trips to the hardware store and ebay for the slides and T handles. It's cost about $625. Hate to think the no. of hours planning and doing, but very satisfying finishing it and knowing it is just how I wanted it.

[Johno Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Johno]

Pradokit,

Top job well done.

Johno

[Wazza2 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wazza2]

Great job Pradokit. Very well thought out and great use of the space.

Don't put your tools away yet though. Your table is undersized and I think I hear you planning a DIY trektable for the rear door . That would be a quick job by comparison to what you have done here. Well done!

[pradokit Find all posts View Profile Close pradokit]

Good idea Wazza2. Does anyone use the compartment in the back door (that I think is used for emergency gear in Europe) for anything useful. It seems like a bit of space going begging for a good use.

[Guest Close Guest]

Are the rear door compartments deep enough for recovery straps?

[Matty80 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Matty80]

Nicely done mate, looks very professional!

[alternative Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close alternative]

Looking good ! Awesome job.

Just a question on the alu frame: Have you used other fasteners to join the frame together ?

[pradokit Find all posts View Profile Close pradokit]

The plastic connectors into the tubing are a tight fit. they needed to be hammered home, but likewise they can also be hammered apart, which is good when you make mistakes!
One could add self tappers thru the tubing and into the connectors but I'm sure it is not necessary.

The top cover is self tapped into the tubing (and some connectors near corners) and the brackets that hold the side panels are bolted. The brackets cross two tubes in places which adds to rigidity. I intend putting a plywood back on with self tappers which would also add extra strength, may also put ply wood on the sides to stop stuff fouling the drawers.

[Wazza2 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wazza2]

The rear door compartment will fit my snatch strap in. It's a squeeze but it does fit.

I think I'll mount some hand sanitiser in there now though and use it more for other things you want when the table is being used. Maybe a spice rack

[wooley Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close wooley]

The rear door compartment will fit my snatch strap in. It's a squeeze but it does fit.

I think I'll mount some hand sanitiser in there now though and use it more for other things you want when the table is being used. Maybe a spice rack

That's what I was planning on doing, have a little table that folds down and have a marinade/spice station.