In-Bed Storage 98% complete

[billy_z_bison]

Following up on my introduction post and requests therein from @AXE and @LSnTX Here is the final-ish progress of in-bed storage.

I say final-ish and 98% complete, because let's be honest, are we ever really "done"?

Things, I'm incomplete on:
drawer fronts
container handle on cab-passenger side

Starting from the top:

• Framed out space with 2x12
• meticulously added 100lb drawer sliders

• Build drawers

• I screwed down a primary support surface with 1/2" ply

• Took a photo of ZR2 next to 911 because the size comparison was laughable

• I then glued a 1/4" ply on top of that primarily for aesthetics, but also for a bit of added surface strength
• glue is gross

• this surface was seam sealed with black because I didn't like the way white or clear looked when I tested it

• surface was then stained

• surface was then fully sealed with rubberized surface sealant

• This surface then had a light coating of fine sand spread across for some grip

total cost of build was about $625 and 15-20 hours inclusive of planning and time in the home depot

 

[NYYBISON]

That looks awesome! Great work!

 

[ZR2NYC]

Following up on my introduction post and requests therein from @AXE and @LSnTX Here is the final-ish progress of in-bed storage.

I say final-ish and 98% complete, because let's be honest, are we ever really "done"?

Things, I'm incomplete on:
drawer fronts
container handle on cab-passenger side

Starting from the top:

• Framed out space with 2x12
• meticulously added 100lb drawer sliders

View attachment 12833

• Build drawers

View attachment 12834

• I screwed down a primary support surface with 1/2" ply

View attachment 12835

• Took a photo of ZR2 next to 911 because the size comparison was laughable

View attachment 12837

• I then glued a 1/4" ply on top of that primarily for aesthetics, but also for a bit of added surface strength
• glue is gross

View attachment 12836

• this surface was seam sealed with black because I didn't like the way white or clear looked when I tested it

View attachment 12838View attachment 12839

• surface was then stained

View attachment 12840

• surface was then fully sealed with rubberized surface sealant

View attachment 12842

• This surface then had a light coating of fine sand spread across for some grip

View attachment 12841


total cost of build was about $625 and 15-20 hours inclusive of planning and time in the home depot

nice work.

 

[DNZR2]

very well done.

 

[LSnTX]

Really nice, the sand was a good idea.

 

[8ball_99]

Just wondering why you didn't just go with a Decked? I had one in my old truck and was very happy with it for what it was.

 

[securityguy]

Just wondering why you didn't just go with a Decked? I had one in my old truck and was very happy with it for what it was.
View attachment 12878

How much?

 

[ZR2BIZON]

Came out great!

 

[8ball_99]

How much?

Think I paid 1,399 for my Decked. I believe the new version that came out last year is 1500. I used mine for years. Sold that truck to a friend back in 22 and he still has the same Decked on it loaded with tools.

Only reason I don't have one on the ZR2 is the way I use my truck a drawer system takes up to much bed space. So I use a bed cover and packout boxes now. Access to tools is more trouble, but I can have my full bed space for hauling stuff when I need it. Been two years and I still miss my Decked sometimes though, lol. I'll use the wrong tool sometimes because I don't want to dig out the right one . That was never a problem with the Decked. No climbing in the bed or moving boxes around. You just stand on the ground and slide a drawer open.

 

[billy_z_bison]

Just wondering why you didn't just go with a Decked? I had one in my old truck and was very happy with it for what it was.

a couple reasons:

1. I like building stuff and making it mine
2. Decked blocks most of the anchor hooks except for the top row. I made sure to leave these accessible in all 4 corners
3. with decked it is either in the drawers and requires tailgate access or is on the bed sliding around. I incorporated hinged compartments with hooks to secure some trail gear like my air compressor, snatch blocks, tow straps on one side, and a quick access toolbox that slides in on the other. The less used items that when I need them I want to be able to get to them quickly.
4. Decked is the cheapest drawer system at $1500, truckvault approaches $5k so fast. I did this for $600, had fun doing it, and it's distinctly mine. So it's a way to beta test the concept of drawer system as I'm new to the truck world to see if this is something I really appreciate. If I discover I want to go a different route then it was a lower cost discovery of that preference.

 

[ZeroRest2]

a couple reasons:

1. I like building stuff and making it mine
2. Decked blocks most of the anchor hooks except for the top row. I made sure to leave these accessible in all 4 corners
3. with decked it is either in the drawers and requires tailgate access or is on the bed sliding around. I incorporated hinged compartments with hooks to secure some trail gear like my air compressor, snatch blocks, tow straps on one side, and a quick access toolbox that slides in on the other. The less used items that when I need them I want to be able to get to them quickly.
4. Decked is the cheapest drawer system at $1500, truckvault approaches $5k so fast. I did this for $600, had fun doing it, and it's distinctly mine. So it's a way to beta test the concept of drawer system as I'm new to the truck world to see if this is something I really appreciate. If I discover I want to go a different route then it was a lower cost discovery of that preference.

Looks nice! I think some black paint or even some bedliner on top would take it to the next level.

 

[sadZR2]

Why isn’t anyone asking the real question here. Where the hell did you find such perfectly straight framing lumber?

 

[DNZR2]

Why isn’t anyone asking the real question here. Where the hell did you find such perfectly straight framing lumber?

Tell me about it. I have been rebuilding my deck 1 straight board at a time. It’s about 1 out of 25 that are usable. Lucky to bring home 6 straight ones on a good day.

 

[sardarjee]

a couple reasons:

1. I like building stuff and making it mine
2. Decked blocks most of the anchor hooks except for the top row. I made sure to leave these accessible in all 4 corners
3. with decked it is either in the drawers and requires tailgate access or is on the bed sliding around. I incorporated hinged compartments with hooks to secure some trail gear like my air compressor, snatch blocks, tow straps on one side, and a quick access toolbox that slides in on the other. The less used items that when I need them I want to be able to get to them quickly.
4. Decked is the cheapest drawer system at $1500, truckvault approaches $5k so fast. I did this for $600, had fun doing it, and it's distinctly mine. So it's a way to beta test the concept of drawer system as I'm new to the truck world to see if this is something I really appreciate. If I discover I want to go a different route then it was a lower cost discovery of that preference.

Very nice. Template it and sell. I am sure it will save much time for folks who may want to build it themselves.

 

[billy_z_bison]

Why isn’t anyone asking the real question here. Where the hell did you find such perfectly straight framing lumber?

This is the real question. The depot had just received inventory and I was able to run through all the 2x12 finding the pieces that were most straight. The center strut has a bit of a bow to it, but that's it and completely my mistake as I had another dead straight log I was intending to use for that but absentmindedly didn't check before cutting them all to size.