Nashville TJ's Build - Continued

[Wildman]

Here is the drawer Jeff has...

https://tuffyproducts.com/products/drawer-cargo-security-jeep-wrangler-tj-lj-1997-2006/?sku=131-01

And they make a divider kit for it but Jeff used other ways to organize his.

This is the drawer I have. I wanted it so that it would fit underneath my half box that I already had.

https://tuffyproducts.com/products/mid-size-suv-cargo-area-security-drawer-universal-suv/?sku=058-01

Divider kit for Jeff's drawer

https://tuffyproducts.com/products/divider-kit-for-wrangler-tj-cargo-drawer-jeep-suv/?sku=133-07

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Here is the drawer Jeff has...

https://tuffyproducts.com/products/drawer-cargo-security-jeep-wrangler-tj-lj-1997-2006/?sku=131-01

View attachment 698753

And they make a divider kit for it but Jeff used other ways to organize his.

This is the drawer I have. I wanted it so that it would fit underneath my half box that I already had.

https://tuffyproducts.com/products/mid-size-suv-cargo-area-security-drawer-universal-suv/?sku=058-01

View attachment 698754

Divider kit for Jeff's drawer

https://tuffyproducts.com/products/divider-kit-for-wrangler-tj-cargo-drawer-jeep-suv/?sku=133-07

A few things I like about my setup: I can access the contents of the drawer without having to open / unzip the rear window if the top is on. I can store and secure items on top of the drawer unit (which I do permanently) and still have access. I've mounted mine so I can store tow straps, cables, and other items under the drawer, allowing easy access while still keeping them secure. Finally, it is very easy to secure simply by locking the tailgate.

But mainly I'm fastidious about securing things in the rig in case of a flop / roll. This thing does that very well. There is a bit of a weight penalty, but for me the utility is worth the trade off.

 

[gasiorv]

Only a fastidious person would use the word fastidious.

 

[Wildman]

A few things I like about my setup: I can access the contents of the drawer without having to open / unzip the rear window if the top is on. I can store and secure items on top of the drawer unit (which I do permanently) and still have access. I've mounted mine so I can store tow straps, cables, and other items under the drawer, allowing easy access while still keeping them secure. Finally, it is very easy to secure simply by locking the tailgate.

But mainly I'm fastidious about securing things in the rig in case of a flop / roll. This thing does that very well. There is a bit of a weight penalty, but for me the utility is worth the trade off.


View attachment 698773

I'll agree with all the pluses to the Tuffy drawer.. And I've got mine packed full of stuff too... We both have some fat bottomed girls..

 

[John Cooper]

I'll agree with all the pluses to the Tuffy drawer.. And I've got mine packed full of stuff too... We both have some fat bottomed girls..

View: https://youtu.be/VMnjF1O4eH0?is=XDrYVHW1_n_VBJ_f

 

[Abendage]

The systems companies make now seem to be either a cavity, a shallow drawer, or a box with lid on top. I don’t find any of these very helpful, and they are quite expensive for what they are IMHO. The cavity type keep the contents enclosed, but you still have to have a way to organize the contents and keep them from moving around and becoming a mess. The shallow drawer is very limited as far as what it can hold. The box with lid on top has to be opened from the top which can be quite high for a lifted Jeep. I don’t know why there can’t be something better. My goodness. A big drawer like yours that fits under a tonneau cover. Why not?!

I made a very simple trunk and just use tool bags to keep things organized. One for recovery gear, one for spare small parts, one for fluids, one for loose hand/specialty tools. When I’m loaded for wheeling it’s packed tight enough that it doesn’t move around. It’s secure enough with the tailgate locked and the back seat still fits. I put e-track on the top and usually strap my electric cooler on it, but plenty of versatility there to expand storage securely. I looked at the drawer system for a long time, but it seemed like a lot of space was given up for the slides and I’m a cheap ass.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

I made a very simple trunk and just use tool bags to keep things organized. One for recovery gear, one for spare small parts, one for fluids, one for loose hand/specialty tools. When I’m loaded for wheeling it’s packed tight enough that it doesn’t move around. It’s secure enough with the tailgate locked and the back seat still fits. I put e-track on the top and usually strap my electric cooler on it, but plenty of versatility there to expand storage securely. I looked at the drawer system for a long time, but it seemed like a lot of space was given up for the slides and I’m a cheap ass.

View attachment 698815

View attachment 698816

That's pretty cool.

 

[rasband]

I made a very simple trunk and just use tool bags to keep things organized. One for recovery gear, one for spare small parts, one for fluids, one for loose hand/specialty tools. When I’m loaded for wheeling it’s packed tight enough that it doesn’t move around. It’s secure enough with the tailgate locked and the back seat still fits. I put e-track on the top and usually strap my electric cooler on it, but plenty of versatility there to expand storage securely. I looked at the drawer system for a long time, but it seemed like a lot of space was given up for the slides and I’m a cheap ass.

View attachment 698815

View attachment 698816

I liked seeing this in person, it's likely the direction I'd go if I add anything. So far my nothing but a packout base is working fairly well, but lockable storage would be nice.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

A consequence of adding the rail reinforcement was that I lost the mounting spot for the winch line guard. Previously, I attached it to the inside of the rail on the driver's side with two Velcro straps.

So, I pulled out the big sewing machine and added a few Velcro strips:

Then I laid down a full strip of Velcro along the front side of the drawer, between the fuel/water cans and the back seat. Out of the way, secure, but still easily accessible:

 

[NashvilleTJ]

And one final piece of maintenance this week. Since I had the rear seat out, I pulled off the MasterCraft cover and cleaned it with soap and the pressure washer. It was getting a bit nasty after being in the rig for almost 20 years. I was actually surprised how well it cleaned up, but I was even more surprised how quicky it dried - padding and all. I guess MasterCraft knows a thing or two about material science...

Here is the before:

...and the after:

Now I guess I need to address this:

 

[JMT]

And one final piece of maintenance this week. Since I had the rear seat out, I pulled off the MasterCraft cover and cleaned it with soap and the pressure washer. It was getting a bit nasty after being in the rig for almost 20 years. I was actually surprised how well it cleaned up, but I was even more surprised how quicky it dried - padding and all. I guess MasterCraft knows a thing or two about material science...

Here is the before:

View attachment 698825

...and the after:

View attachment 698824

Now I guess I need to address this:

View attachment 698826

You are having too much fun here. This is one project that turned into 15!

 

[NashvilleTJ]

You are having too much fun here. This is one project that turned into 15!

Yeah, I'm on a roll. I just pulled the front seats...

 

[NashvilleTJ]

The fronts cleaned up very nicely:

 

[NashvilleTJ]

OK - Now I might be afraid to get it dirty...

 

[sab]

OK - Now I might be afraid to get it dirty...

So, let me get this straight, Jeff. You just finished adding 30 lb to your rig so that the next time you flop, you don't cave in the tub wall, but you might be afraid to get it dirty?

 

[NashvilleTJ]

So, let me get this straight, Jeff. You just finished adding 30 lb to your rig so that the next time you flop, you don't cave in the tub wall, but you might be afraid to get it dirty?

 

[sab]

View attachment 698979

On the other hand, it is very important to look good while you're flopping!

 

[BDub]

OK - Now I might be afraid to get it dirty...

View attachment 698971

All ready for the next cars and coffee event

 

[John Cooper]

OK - Now I might be afraid to get it dirty...

View attachment 698971

Don't worry, Coalmont doesn't have any mudholes. ..........

 

[NashvilleTJ]

My wife is treating me well on my birthday today:

Breakfast: Eggs Benedict - my favorite, and one of Nina’s specialties…

…and this:

She is quite intuitive. No idea where she got the idea…