So back to the original post (sorry I didn't see this earlier Phil).

Looks like you have a big job ahead of you. Lets take a look at some of your bullets:

First, a removable tool kit. I've found no-one kit can really hold everything you need. I have a few boxes. First is a nice laid-out hand tool kit... then a separate bag with my impact drivers and adapters... and lastly a case with all the random extra junk. Keep your tool kit modular. This can make it easier to pack (and unpack). I wouldn't use a fancy drawer'd metal tool box, those things are already fairly heavy.

Your two aquatainers will be some of your biggest cargo. If you place them at the back of the seats, you will have to limit your drawer depths. Not a big deal, and you should be able to fit about four of them standing up side to side... so two should only take up half your width.

I've wondered if its possible to remove those pesky rear head rests... but never looked into it. You may want to see if you can remove them altogether. Big question here... do you need 3 rear seats? If not, maybe remove the single seat altogether, and retain the drivers side (wider) seats to fit your two rear passengers.

So you don't want any permanent structures above the level of your rear glass. Makes logical sense to me. That space is normally used to fill with cases or soft equipment like camp chairs anyways. I don't think you'll have a problem keeping your setup low.

Retaining use of your lower cargo compartment will be tricky, especially if you have a full-width setup. I had originally considered a full width, and had drawn up the plans with a hole in the bottom of the drawer enclosure. The top would be kept off of the tub storage compartment, and could only be accessed by removing one of the drawers entirely from the enclosure.

Mount your fridge above a drawer if possible. You're less likely to pack too much on top of your fridge, so having it higher with storage space below it seems to make sense.

As for strapping the enclosure down, my setup is not secured down, however wedges itself in. It stays fine and maybe shifts an inch or so when on extended trips off road. However, a better alternative is to remove your tie-downs altogether from the rear of your vehicle and obtain a longer bolt to use in the same hole. Just bolt your enclosure directly do your rear floor.

An inverter doesn't take up much space... they are fairly thin. You may be able to mount it under your rear seats even. If nothing else, mount it in the void space between the seats and the drawers.



A kitchen counter will be tricky, and will need to be determined by your situation. Its a fun idea, but I fear it may be more trouble than it's worth. I'd prefer to carry a roll up table or two instead, which allows you more versatility. However if you don't need much space, you could have a simple drawer-type counter that rolls out. or even a covered drawer that can be used as a counter. Make sure it's at an appropriate height.

Good luck finding void room for someone to sit back there. With as much stuff as you want to stick in there... have your extra passenger sit on the bumper.

What space between pillars and windows? I thought this was interesting use of closet shelving to create more storage space:



The rear seat void is very useful, and you should certainly plan to use it. Place items that don't need a lot of access, but would be nice to easily service.

Trash bags can be hung anywhere if you get the kind with a built in draw string. However, a good method that I have heard of (but have not used personally) is using a metal wire hanger, and bending it into a circle. It holds the bag open while allowing you to hang it off your vehicle while at camp.

Anyways...

Thanks everyone for your input! And James, it's fine, we can't expect you to do everything for us!

I saw that setup with the shelving, and thought about it while I was at Target.... I'd have to mount it on the sides, since the headliner isn't useful for supporting anything, and I'd like to not alter the roof. It does look like an awesome idea though. That, combined with a cargo net mounted on the liftgate should give me some nice supplemental space. And gotta remember to put an LED work light up there for cooking.

I did think about using the existing tie-down holes, and will almost certainly try that approach, since I'm all about using existing holes rather than creating new ones. I'll probably be creating my supports around the hole locations now, so more precise measuring is needed I suppose (or just a lot of cardboard for mockups).

As far as the tool situation goes... I'm currently using one toolbox for all my tools, but it's near its limit. I'm with you on the metal toolbox, and I think I'll just be using the plastic one I currently have for sockets, wrenches, and common tools like screwdrivers, hammers, and electrical things. I'll probably put the other stuff in another toolbox, since it's not used nearly as often, and it's almost exclusive to automotive use (gear pullers and the like).

In regards to rear seating, I was simply referring to being able to sit and chill in the back when stopped and not completely unpacked. I'm thinking I'll use two small drawers on each side for holding the small stuff, and then have a removable shelf in the center or simply use it for my aquatainer storage, since those are easy to remove and put back (though they're pretty heavy). That'll also solve the floor storage access problem, even if I end up having to modify the lid for clearance or remove it completely.

Rear seats need to stay the way they are, since I have nowhere to put a spare rear seat, and I'm not going to sell or toss it, since I want to be able to return the truck to mostly stock at least. That, and the solo rear seat covers up and stores my pump and hoses for my water system at the moment.

I'll look into removing those rear head rests though. My passengers never like using them anyways, so they're just useless...

The only thing I'm worried about with the inverter is adequate cooling. I'm probably not going to end up using it too much, but I'm all-too-aware how hot it can get on desert trips (hot enough to overheat inverters in normal cabin areas).

My kitchen counter may necessitate a "mini hitchgate" that mounts inside the cargo area just between the drawers and liftgate, but I've also thought of a novel way that uses a hinged panel under each drawer which can be unfolded and secured by cables w/turnbuckles... I'll have to see how that pans out, and may have to go with only one drawer on each side and possibly increase the height of the whole unit. Come to think of it, I'll have to increase the height for the aquatainers anyways, unless I want to make a cutout for them... hmmm decisions decisions...

As far as the second level, it's definitely for the soft stuff, like chairs, tents, sleeping bags, etc. This may change when I get the roof rack, but I'll probably keep the sleeping stuff in the truck so it stays dry for sure. It'll all be held down with those wonderful ratchet straps, hooking into a plethora of hooks on top of the drawer assembly. I'll also be installing a cargo divider mounted to the roof and to the drawer assy. to keep the cargo out of the passenger compartment and to keep my curious German Shepherd out of the cargo compartment

I think I'm going to heed your advice and mount the fridge on top of the driver-side drawer. Then, I can mount the action-packer on the passenger side. Center is for whatever else/laptop bag. Now I have to measure things and crunch numbers to make it all fit


And as far as gun laws, if it's stored anywhere out of sight either loaded or right next to its ammo, it's a concealed weapon... 's okay though, cuz I'm getting my CCW permit as soon as our new sheriff is elected. Then it'll just be a Service Springfield XD45

I'm not very CAD savvy, but I have come up with some preliminary designs. Looks like I and going to be building a box on each side to go over my fender wells. Each will house one subwoofer. I low box(6" or so) will be constructed to fill out the rest of the rear floor, with a removable cutout in the middle to access the stock cargo area. Half of the top will be a flip up lid with two separate removable compartments within for recovery equipment and replacement parts. The other half will have a removable rack to hold removable tool kits. This will leave plenty of space for additional storage. As of right now, I am still deciding whether or not to incorporate a fridge into the rear design, or just to use a plug in unit to throw into the back seat for trips. Camping gear will also be stowed wherever there is room when I need it.

No need to be CAD savvy... just download Google Sketchup 7 and watch about 20-30 mins of tutorial videos. It's like using paint in 3d, and so simple anybody who knows how to use a mouse and keyboard can use it. I highly recommend and I'd be using it except for the ubuntu linux issue... gotta get windows working on it again. I hadn't planned on incorporating subs into the rear, since I'm planning on using dual 8" subs in the doors if I go that route. How are you planning on getting the fit over the fender wells right? cardboard mockup? I don't like designing around curves.

What I actually plan to do is bring the boxes to the edge of the wells so I can bring the cover straight across. The relief will be cut at 90deg angles but will be kept out of sight. When the storage box in the middle slides in, everything will end up flush.

So, this is what I ended up doing for the time being. This will hold everything I need until the point I build a trailer in the fashion of what Teebes bought.
It takes up the complete rear storage area now but can be resized at any point if needed.
I constructed a list of essentials from different threads, mostly Roadies, and have 90% of the list on hand.

I think I am going to encorporate several ideas to to make mine; isn't that what we're all here for anyway?

I'm still going to use my basic design based off of James'. Then I am going to add a pet barrier, this will keep dirty animals off the seats as well as give me a place to attach those closet shelving units.

I've also pondered the possibility of pulling out that carpet and replacing with rhino liner or something similar. This would give me a place to put dirty/muddy/wet stuff without haveing to worry about the carpet. I thought about this while hunting the other day, "where will I put a something if I kill it?" and thats when I decided that a liner would be very beneficial.

We've used the Safari Rack before

Well damn Randy! I'm impressed! What's the plan for above the storage box? Do you have tiedowns or a retainer net to keep things from falling forward into the rear seats?

Didn't you also have plans for a refrigerator?

Lets see pics of everything in the drawers! Maybe you can give me ideas for my wishlist.

Wow... looks good, man. Great job.

That is quite the robust storage unit! Nice work

James, I thought of using these dowels from a wine rack, I tried to throw away three or fours times in the past, attaching them to the top of the box as a backstop all the way across box. May use this or some type of netting.

The refrigerator was going back there in the initial plan but fell short for the amount of space I needed to utilize. The frig, converter and air pump will go behind the rear seat and under the seat respectively, at a later date.

I doubt anything I already have in my possession James would give you any ideas that you haven't already thought of.

I've only put the articles in that I have readily available at my house at this point, much of the rest is buried in boxes at my shop.

In regards to the refrigerator placement. I will attach a housing to it and use a wedge style bracket to the front of the box for easy removal.
Now I ready to see what Philberto has come up with.

I'm a-coming, I'm a-coming... I was hoping to start construction once I get my weathertech cargo liner, so that I can use it to create the base template in CAD. Financial issues have prevented me from doing much more than researching, but i may break out the duct tape and the cardboard and start mockups with what I currently have in the vehicle. Nice storage unit, wolfpack! I'm loving the great ideas you have all put forward! So far, I have the following setup in mind:


Full-width platform extending across the cargo area, with small drawers on both sides, and a center cubby area for the aquatainers and the access to the underfloor storage. On top of the platform will be my portable toolbox, ActionPacker, and Edgestar fridge/freezer held down by ratchet straps. The tie-down hook placement will be custom-fit to this configuration.

The entire roof area should be covered with (2) cargo nets, each anchored at a total of six points, running horizontally from driver's side to passenger side... one for the front seats, one for the rear seats. In addition, there will be a cargo divider/pet guard separating the cargo area from the rear seat area. I also plan on adding a net to the rear liftgate that will allow more storage when the gate is lifted.

The front area will have a laptop mount a la RAM, with an attachment mount for my future phone (Motorola Droid) and a power inverter powering both devices. The center box will house my CB and 2M/70cm radios along with other switches for lights and things (hope to get my amateur license next year or whenever I have time). Antennae for these radios should be mounted either where James has his mounted (using the hoodmount on the rear sheet metal area) or on the rear bumper to allow for more antenna height. Planned antennae are a Firestik II 4' for the CB and a Comet 4' 5/8wave antennae for the 2m/70cm. A GPS/cell/wifi combo antenna will be installed on the roof as well, and the stock FM antenna will be laid down and tucked under the wiper cowl to keep it out of harm's way.

Still to be determined are the locations for the drinking water spout (chilled using a food-safe radiator of some kind in the rear AC box), the Superflow MV50 air compressor (to be routed to a 5-gal tank tucked between the frame rails), and the whole plumbing layout. I have also yet to determine a permanent location for the misting heads, which may end up on an awning when one is purchased. There is much more yet to be determined... but I'm grateful to everybody for their ideas which have helped me design this... I promise to have something more tangible for you as soon as I can sit at the desktop and bang out a design at least for the rear area. Hopefully I'll get some of the things I need for my birthday or Christmas

Sounds like your next Thread.

List what Santa can bring. Word is he's got a little helper down south from you or is he the Grinch?

Just for reference, I figured I'd post pics of my existing cargo storage situation:


Whole thing held down... (Not too pleased with how the ActionPacker deforms under the ratchet straps)



View of the toolbox and its ratchet strap:



My Aquatainers held in place with a ratchet strap (hose goes to pump)

I'm liking the idea... are you gonna mount a compressor to the storage compartment or not bother? For airing down on trails an air compressor will become very important, and is definatley one of my future mods.

I have a Superflow mv50 on my xmas list, but I'm not sure if I'm going to mount it in the rear or elsewhere. I may find an access hole that I'm planning on using to run plumbing through and use it for air hoses to an air tank underneath, or I may just try and mount the compressor in a box with a remote air filter, or maybe in the engine bay... One way or another, I am certainly going to be mounting a compressor in, on, or under the vehicle.

Okay, here's the first render of the rear drawer/tiedown unit. Bear in mind that the underfloor storage door will be narrowed so that it can be opened after removing one aquatainer.




What do you think? All measurements have been taken into account.

Is that a fridge on the upper left? Planning for it to be a slide out? The only issue I see is that it's going to be really high once you slide it out. Make sure you bring a stool to stand on!