[ramjet]

Hey

I have been driving around bris getting quotes for a drawer unit to sit in the back of my
SWB soft top sierra. The unit will be fairly weather proof and made from alloy.

Basic dimensions:
Height = 330mm
Width = 890mm
length = 850mm

Attached are some pics of two different configurations I had in mind.

So far I am getting quotes around $1000-$1500, sadly this is a bit too expensive considering the car is only worth 3-4k. Anyway, I am sort of limited to 600, 700max.

I am keen to hear other other ideas.

My only requirements be, I can put things in there with the soft top off, and lock all compartments. Has to be fairly weather proof as potentially the top surface could exposed to rain directly.

[4wheeljive]

have a go making some thing your self you can get the sliders from ebay and most of the other part you can get from bunnings you never know you could probably make some thing awesome

[Fatzook]

Yeah thats actually a fair price IMO.

I wouldn't make one for less By the time you bought all the materials, locks, latches, sliders, anchors, stoppers, seals etc you would be up around $600-$700 anyway.

[bohuler]

http://elraco.com.au/

This guy does some fairly good prices. The other mob to try for quality stuff is UES.
http://www.uesint.com/

But as Fatzook said, you will end up forking out a fair bit for hardware, but i wouldn't use cheap rubbish stuff imo.

[ramjet]

Yeah ok, that's what I thought. I'd be keen to make it myself, just limited by time and metal working tools. Might just use a prefab box.

[Fatzook]

Does it ALL have to be ally? Or can you live with a steel frame?

[ramjet]

Yeah my original idea was just an alloy frame to keep weight down and something like marine ply for surface panels and just carpet the whole thing, and I'll just have to keep my soft top on all the time.

[Fatzook]

What size frame were you hoping to use?

If you used 25 x 2 steel GALV for the frame, and sheet it in with ally it won't weigh much more than a full ally frame. You could sikaflex and rivit the ally sheet to the GALV steel frame, and its all good.

Probably save some money too cos aluminium extruded box section isn't cheap.

[ramjet]

That is a good idea, so something like this:

ebay

for the structural frame, where the outside dimensions would be the similar to the initial dimensions quoted. After that probably just some 1.6mm ally for the external panels, Then I suppose I could use Marine ply for the internal panels. Build up a frame for the drawer as well. Just need to get a welder.

[Fatzook]

ramjet wrote:

That is a good idea, so something like this:

ebay

for the structural frame, where the outside dimensions would be the similar to the initial dimensions quoted. After that probably just some 1.6mm ally for the external panels, Then I suppose I could use Marine ply for the internal panels. Build up a frame for the drawer as well. Just need to get a welder.

If you design it right, you could get the ally sheet guillo'd and folded so that you could assemple the drawers with nuts and bolts/ rivets etc. No ply or welding required.

And use 2.5mm for the top, so you can top load with heavy stuff or stand on it. 1.6 will require more bracing framework underneath, adding to the weight.

[PJ.zook]

Maybe even look at places which sell ally toolboxes for the back of utes n stuff, you may be able to bolt two together. But as others have said, the best option for you would be to make a frame them sikaflex and bolt/pop rivet the sheets on.

[ramjet]

Ended up getting one made up as I had some cash, and I am pretty happy with the result and build quality. I Couldn't have done it with out investing in some expensive gear. Check out my build here.

http://www.auszookers.com/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=306946#306946

$990 all up from ABC Toolboxes in 8 Mile Planes

[jonno_racing]

this thread has given me ideas to finish mine. thanks.

[ramjet]

Just so you all know, I went ahead with the sketch-up box design at the beginning of the thread. In costed $900 from MW tool box center: 754 Beaudesert Rd, Coopers Plains, QLD 4108.

Check it out:
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc4 ... AG0210.jpg

Also on my build thread:
viewtopic.php?t=17098


This box has proven invaluable, it is sturdy, provides excellent security for the soft top, and it is still relatively light. One thing I would do differently in the future is to do away with the drawer. Not because it is annoying, it is great. But the drawer mechanism consumes so much room, and there is little room to spear in the zook. I think one day I might even cut it out to free up the space.

[DarkHorse]