Always found it a hassle with gear in the back when offroading. Searching showed some cool draw setups with Arb and others selling them for about $1500. I found plant of home made units online so decided to make a set.
I went with two drawers and a rear compartment. The unit is as high as the rear seats folded down so I still have a flat load area. Could put a matress on top and sleep in there if necesary.
They are about 900x900 and I have a set of wings that bolt on to the sides so they go the full width of the truck so about 1300x900. The wings have to be bolt on as the rear door opening is tapered and wouldn't be able to fit them through otherwise.
I used 17mm C/D treated construction ply, screws and glue and angle brackets to put it together and provide additional corner strength. The drawers have 45kg ball bearing runners with large metal slam latches to open/shut and lockout latches to hold them fully extended. The runners allow the draws to be easily lifted out.
The top has four ties downs fitted so I can still secure additional stuff on top of the drawers. The rear compartment uses leather straps for handles so the are flush and standard cupboard latches to hold the lid closed.
I have four d rings one at each side corner of the unit and use turnbuckles to secure the unit to the factory tie downs in the back of the truck. Takes about 10 mins to lift the drawers in, tighten turnbuckles and bolt on the side wings.
I am going to line the drawers and the top with either rubber or carpet to provide a non slip surface and stop gear rattling etc. All up I think the total weight is about 50kg.
I used two sheets of ply and laid them on top of each other so when I cut one piece I got two. Ensured that everything was the same size. I just used the skill saw and a large metal level and two clamps to make sure my cuts were straight.
Plan to leave spare parts in rear compartment and one drawer for tools and the other for recovery gear.
Took me about two weeks working here and there to get them built. Total cost will be about $450 once they are lined and finished.
The cargo barrier is out of an L300. I cut it down so it sits just above the drawers and put a crease in it so it follows the contour of the rear seats. Brackets bolt to the 3rd row seat mounts and grab handles and are 3mm steel with grade 8 fasteners. Barrier cost me $60 second hand plus a few hours work.
Matt.