Looking for more info on ARB Outback drawer system

Also waiting to hear more about these...

 

Please be sure and post up some pics. I'm a ARB fan but can't afford it on E6 retired pay...lmao Looks like you have a nice rig. Post some pics.
Zim

 

Opinions on ARB vs Truckvault?

 

I have a truckvault with cargo slide in my work truck, an F350. It is some heavy duty gear. Either one of those items alone must weigh more than anything I keep in the truck. Personally, I would not put a truckvault in my Taco because of the weight. My gas 350 weighs in at 9k lbs.

 

That is a heavy truck man! I imagine the tacoma truckvault version is somewhat lighter though? I agree that the stock suspension on a Tacoma would not be happy with either (or really any significant payload) but I think an upgraded rear suspension should be able to handle it no problem

 

I'm sure the smaller truck vaults weigh less. I think the cargo slide actually weighs more. It is a 1500XL model. Anyway, you could upgrade your suspension for the weight, but now you have to subtract the weight of the truckvault from your cargo capacity, and we are already pretty limited in that regard. I know lots of people go well over the GVWR, but I like to observe it. My 350 is still 1500lbs below GVWR and the brakes instantly fade in a panic stop.

 

Not a Third Gen, but I installed a pair w/ a modified Hilux (I think) fit kit in my 2012 DCSB when I owned it. Cavernous storage in both the drawers and the side compartments created by the fit kit. It was nice to have 95% of my camping gear, recovery gear, tools, etc. loaded in the bed and easily accessible. I like a clean, uncluttered, and unobstructed cab. ARB’s products are expensive, but they stand behind them and their customer service is top-notch, IMO.

I ran this set-up for about 2 years, IIRC and probably put 50k-60k miles on the truck with the drawers installed. No interference with the TC bed stiffeners I installed to compensate for the Snugtop + RTT. Once the drawers are bolted together and then through the bottom of the bed (I used 6x Grade #8 bolts and large Grade #8 flat washers, IIRC) they are planted to the vehicle.

To echo @nartmot, my only complaint with the ARB design is drawer stops that latch the unit open once extended; they have a tendency to break due to a design flaw. You have to be very careful not to slam them open to prevent this part from breaking. Otherwise a replacement set is around $20-30. ARB sent me four stoppers for free when I emailed them about the issue. Once you break the muscle memory of opening the drawer and letting it ride out full speed to fully extend, it’s not really an issue. You just have to make an effort to gently catch and slightly pull the drawer to full extension until it clicks. Otherwise, no complaints with ARB’s drawer line-up.

Pics:

 

Sorry this took so long mate.

I'm not very good at this sort of stuff (and Tacoma World only allows uploads of one photo at a time so this took over an hour to upload), but here go's....

So my wife and I installed the drawers in August of 2019 and they have been now been on several Muti-week off road / overland trips including Baja Mexico. So far so good.

The install is straightforward to anyone with basic skills and patience - it took us about 6 hours to complete the installation.
In terms of drilling into your bed - only 2 holes need to be drilled in the bed, the system relies on existing holes for all other anchor points.

We bought the drawers from 4 Wheel Parts (they had a no tax, no shipping promo). We ordered the full length, deep drawers with slides on the top - so we could easily extract heavy gear and save our spines!
The exact model no. for the Tacoma short bed (5ft) is : ARBRDRF1355
ARB Outback Solutions Roller Drawer with Roller Floor - RDRF1355

We also wanted the ARB Side Panel kit to finish off the install and have usable 'storage bins' in the space lost due to the wheel arches. We had to contact 4 Wheel Parts Customer Service directly to order this as it was not listed on their website.
The model no. is: TACODRAWKIT.
The drawers arrived in a box each and the Side Panel Kit in a third box.

You will need:
Metric socket set
Torx T55 for the bed fasteners (THIS IS A MUST HAVE)
Drill and some small HSS drill bits
Cold Beer
Help in the form of a patient partner (wife in my case)
Band Aids

the ARB kit is modular for different vehicles, but is fairly straightforward to follow the instructions - make sure you READ THE SIDE PANEL KIT INSTRUCTIONS FIRST!
It will save you time and pain and make the installation easier - the instruction for the drawers are generic BUT the instruction oof the side panel kit ARE FOR THE TACOMA and cover the complete installation.
The kit comes with a massive fixtures pack - enough o cover every type of vehicle.
The drawers come pre-assembled - you need to take these apart and join the two frames together. Fix the two anchors (drill 2 holes and use supplies waterproof fasteners, and use existing anchor points for others.
Mount the frames for both drawers. I have a topper and The trickiest part is installing the side panel kit as you have climb over and lay on the drawer frames. The side panel kit bolts to the drawer frames and has nice catches on the panels to access the 'cubbies' down the side and back.

We then installed a Dometic Fridge on a DFG Tilt Slide Fridge Mount - works really well and overall very happy with it. Also an Outer Limits First Aid Kit to the left of the fridge.

This is a solid, well engineered drawer system from ARB Australia - its designed for off road and long overland trails. The carpet covering is really high quality and repel moisture and keeps itself looking clean and neat.
The down side is, it is heavy - I'd say around 140-150 pounds.
IMO you need upgraded leaf springs - I have a CRX Topper with a Baja Rack and a Simple Outdoors hard shell RTT. I initially upgraded to the ARB Old Man Emu Dakars 600 pound springs but just upgraded again, to the Deaver 1000 pound expedition leaf pack.

I've posted the photos in order of installation - happy to answer questions!

Cheers, Nev

 

great install! That dometic is the cherry on top

PS which tailgate insert is that? Mountain hatch?

 

Really really nice. I imagine they are expensive but ARB makes top of the line equipment and accessories. Congrats on a nice buy.
Zim

EDIT: Why are there two guys sitting on the wall while a beautiful woman does the install? Asking for my better half...ahahahahahahha

 

Agreed, really nice install. Very pro install. This is a set up that will take you far (and keep you comfortable while doing it)

DOMETIC
mobile living made easy
shop.dometic.com
Use promo code TacomaW20 for $25 off your order of $75+

 

Yes mate - Mountain Hatch Tailgate cover. Its not the cheapest for a chunk of plastic but it is very high quality and it makes a massive difference to making a coffee, food prep, or just sitting have a beer on the tailgate - compared to the factory 'ribbed' insert !!! Well worth the money and a must-have for longer overland trips.

 

Thanks mate!

A few places like 4WP do have some great deals from time to time - we bought ours with no sales tax, free shipping and I think a further 5% or 10% off.

As for those guys - haha - well, the photos were taken at my mates house where we all got together and had a day of doing work & mod's on everyones trucks, so they were probably taking a break from whatever mod's they were messing around with there was lots of DAMMIT, SH*T, and WHO"S TAKEN MY 10mm SOCKET???!! being yelled that day!

 

Sold my Mountain Hatch only after a week of having it and got one of these:

https://aloffroadusa.com/collections/all-products/products/toyota-tacoma-trailgate-panel-2nd-3rd-gen

The quality is much better and actually has some useable cup holders. And the tailgate assist still works (the Mountain Hatch is heavier so the tailgate tends to just drop down and not slowly like with this or the factory panel). My Mountain Hatch also twisted in the heat and pulled out several of the front screws. Was not impressed at all. Much happier with this panel which obviously was designed better than the Mountain Hatch although I’ve heard they are now including longer screws for the front but that won’t prevent it from twisting and bending out of shape and pulling the screws and plastic inserts that the screws screw into right out.

Lots of threads with people having problems with the Mountain Hatch panels so I would do your research before you purchase one of those.

 

so this looks like it comes out quite far, maybe not compatible with a bed stiffener?

 

Hi. Nice build. Really appreciate all of the pics. I'm looking to do something similar in my Taco.

Question: Are you able to fully extend the ARB roller floor and then extend the DFG slide and tilt the fridge down? Just wondering if you've found that doing so places too much stress on the ARB roller floor.

BTW: Which model of Dometic fridge do you have?

Thanks

 

I'm strongly considering this setup and I'm wondering how you're liking the fridge up there. I've got a CFX50, and I don't think I'll have enough clearance with my Leer shell. Would you minding taking a quick measurement from the floor of the bed to the top of the fridge?

 

@Airbornsquaddie good day! awesome setup you have! im looking at the same drawer system but my worries is clearance for the fridge as well. may i ask which model dometic you have?

 

It wont fit by 1/2” i think sadly. I have platform, that about 1.5” lower than arb drawers and my cfx 50 has 1/2” clearance on top. Needs shell with opening like GFC has.

 

I have the Tacoma Floor Kit 1355 (5ft) on order & currently have the TC bed stiffeners installed on my 2021 OffRoad.
Little worried that in the 3rd Gen it's going to be pretty tight/close fitment.
Curious if there is anyone with a 3rd Gen & Stiffener setup that can confirm fitment?

Would the floor kit be easily able to cut if needing to make some adjustments? I'm assuming it's all aluminum framing?