Truck bed drawers...

So I have been experimenting with building sliding drawers or trays for use in my short bed. I wanted something that fits under the rolling cover and maintains most of the usable space. This is the latest version made from a combination of 8020 aluminum t-slot parts and UHM inserts. No modifications to the truck bed as it is glued in place using VHB 3M tape. I havent done a load test with them but I can shake the whole truck with them. Only lost about 3/4" of vertical space. Drawer on the left has the aluminum on the drawer, version on right has aluminum in the bed. The right version is easier to install and both ride at the same height.

I've been using the Packout boxes for most of my gear with as they can lock into the bottom of the drawers and easily swap out. I've got a different set of boxes for tools, recovery, mountain biking... easy to switch.

What do you think?

 

Nicely done.

 

I had never seen the UHM inserts before and that made me look at the 8020 website. A short look through their products shows a flat 1” by .5” channel, is there a reason you didn’t use that product.?

 

Good work but I would never do it. I actually haul stuff like logs, brush, rock, etc. When I am going on an adventure, I just put my shit in a crate and throw it back there. Carrying all that extra weight back there, losing several inches of storage, losing the sides before the wheelwell? Eh, not for me and, I'm a woodworker that could probably craft some beautiful drawers.

 

@Toycoma2021 the short 1/2" x 1" extrusion is the version on the left... I've played around with both sizes. The 1" fits in between the grooves and gives just enough clearance to clear the tailgate without spacers.

 

So you added a .5” spacer of some material to the bed on the left side to match heights and to be able to slide the drawer over the open tailgate, correct? How many of the UHMW inserts have you used. I noticed they are only about 2” long, or did I miss longer ones on the website. Imagine there was a bit of a problem aligning it all up to where the drawers slide without binding. I guess you are using the closed tailgate as a drawer lock and not the notched UHMW inserts. I will take a look at my own truck later, but did you consider lengthening the two tailgate cable at bit or does the interference come at the hinge side? This might enable the use of the .5” by 1” rail without a spacer. I imagine not all trucks are exactly the same in regard to how much the tailgate opens.

 

Looks good! I couldn’t sacrifice all that bed space but I’m glad it works for ya. Looks like you did a very solid build.