DirtRoadTrip

4Runner Storage: ARB Outback Drawers

by 22 Comments

Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me!

That’s how I felt the second time my 4Runner got broken into in DC and had stuff stolen out of it (air compressor, tools, DeLorme GPS, etc.)  This all went down over three years ago, and my solution to the problem was to get the stuff I keep permanently in the truck out of sight and secure in some storage drawers.  I chose to go with the ARB Outback Drawers, since I wasn’t handy enough nor had the tools to build my own like a lot of people choose to do.

So, what model ARB Drawers are in the 4Runner?  I went with the following models (Also see specs directly from ARB):

  • RDRF945US:  Located on the left-hand side of my setup, this is the full-depth drawer with a roller top.  It measures 19.88”W x 37.20”L x 11.02”H and retails for $828.
  • RF945US:  On the right side of my setup I chose to go with the ARB “roller floor”, which is actually a shallow drawer with the same width and length as the RDRF945US, but measures only 5.51” high.  This works perfect as a tool drawer for me and a lower fridge mounting point for my ARB fridge (quick beer access).  The roller floor retails for $617.

The 945 drawers fit nicely in the back of the 4Runner, covering nearly the entire storage floor area.  The taller RDRF945 does interfere slightly with the recline mechanism of the 4Runner’s second row seats, but since I never sit back there, it doesn’t bother me!

What about the install?  I installed these drawers way before DirtRoadTrip was a thing, so I don’t have pictures, but I’ll give you a summary (also, see Alex’s install thread of the same style drawers in his old Land Cruiser 200).

First, I did the whole install with a basic socket set, wrenches, drill, measuring tape, hobby knife, dead blow hammer and rust-oleum in the parking lot of my old condo in DC, 100% by myself, and I had barely any install experience back then.

Generally this is what I did to install the drawers, and 3 years later I haven’t had any install-related issues:

  • Remove the rear sliding tray mechanism, carpet, and rear trim directly behind the second row seats
  • Assemble and test fit the drawer frames in the back of the truck (the 2 drawer frames connect together – this is where I used the dead blow to seat the frames), ensuring that the rear hatch closes when the drawers are positioned for install.
  • Mark 4 corner drill holes in the cargo area floor, and carefully drill holes through the floor (making sure to avoid anything important looking attached beneath!) to use as mounting locations for the frames.  I covered the bare metal exposed by drilling with Rust-Oleum to avoid rust/rot.
  • Cut 4 holes in the OEM cargo floor carpet for the bolt holes and re-install.  It helps make the install look cleaner and maintains road noise insulation.
  • ARB provides long bolts to secure the drawers, as well as beefy weather-proof backing plates to install on the underside of the cargo area.  Use the bolts, backing plates, and ARB-provided plastic spacers to level and secure the drawer frames.
  • Install the drawers and drawer stops.
  • Have a beer and admire your handiwork.

Like I said, the install is not very complex, and would be even easier if the ARB install instructions were worth a damn.  I did not rely on the instructions at all (they didn’t make a ton of sense).

I chose to not re-install the trim immediately behind the rear seats, which would have required me to mangle the factory trim pieces to fit around the drawer frames.  Instead, I use the unfinished space as a stash-spot for seldom used stuff (electrical spares, mini vacuum, and other odds and ends).  I also keep a hydraulic jack secured on unused space on the fridge slide.  This area is not very well-organized – please don’t judge!

The three-year consensus:  The consensus swing very much positive for me.  The Pros:

  • Solid.  The latches and slides work just like new, and the carpet on the drawers has not worn at all.  The drawers work wonders for tool/gear storage and are extremely convenient.
  • No rattles (but all the crap in the drawers does make a racket).

There are a couple of things to call out in my experience, but these negatives wouldn’t deter me from buying the drawers.  The Cons:

  • The lower trim on the drawers is flimsy and was damaged in shipping.  These cheap plastic trim pieces below the main drawer frame were damaged on both drawers (missing on one).  It is barely noticeable but a design fail on an expensive product.
  • About 2 years into ownership one of the drawer stops failed, preventing the drawer from locking in the “open” position.  A quick call to ARB had 2 new drawer stops shipped to me at no cost to me – the awesome customer service I’ve come to expect from ARB.  Replacement was a 10-minute job.

For those of you curious both about storage drawer setups as well as the specific setup I chose for the 4Runner, hopefully this helps you decide for yourself whether this or another setup may meet your needs – I’ve personally been very happy with the ARB product.

Comments

  1. Interestingly enough, if I keep the ARB Element (63qt), then I’d have to get the ES-220 Plus.

    Fridge options:
    (current) ARB Element: 17.1″ H x 19.3 W” x 32.3″ D
    (Plan B) Dometic CFX 65W: 18.5″ H x 37.6″ W x 20.8″ D
    (Plan C) Dometic CFX 50W: 22″ H x 28.5″ W x 17.9″ D

    Clearview Easy Slider slide and drop
    ES-220 Plus: 1″ H x 20″ W x 34″ D
    https://clearviewmirrorsusa.com/trav…ew-easy-slide/

    Drawers:
    (Plan A) ARB RDRF945US: 19.88”W x 37.20”L x 11.02”H
    ARB RF945US: 9.88”W x 37.20”L x 5.51”H
    (Plan B) Goose Gear setup you have. Have the part numbers?

    FYI, also looking at the CBI bumper in case you have any hookups there and/or at Goose Gear.

    • Rob,

      We don’t use any of the goose gear products, they make some great stuff but we don’t have any personal experience with their gear in our trucks. As far as the fridge size goes, I’d stick with an ARB 50, that’s what we ran in the 4Runner and didn’t have any issues.

      Thanks,

      Alex

  2. Would there’s be enough room for you fridge if you had the same size boxes on each side? I need both drawers to be the RDRF945 for the size of equipment I need to carry for work, but I would still like to mount a fridge. I’m not sure there is enough space in my 2016 4Runner.

  3. Ben, how much did the taller, 37″ drawer impact your rear seats recline? I saw you said ‘slightly’ but does that mean they still recline 90% of the way, 60%, etc. I’m trying to determine how much recline I potentially lose if I install 2 of the RDRF945 and from your pics it doesn’t look like it really interferes with the recline at all. Thanks!

    • I have the same question. I am considering simply bolting this to my exist sliding tray, just to save some money. Not ready to spend the additional money on a fridge slider, full tear out, etc. until I can do it exactly the way I want.

  5. What is the interior drawer depth of the roller floor the fridge is on. I have been unable to find this information and would like to know is what I would like to store will fit. In other words what is the maximum height of an object that will fit in the drawer. How far out does the drawer extend? Is the back of the drawer still readily accessible if it is not full extension?

    • Hey there, the interior depth is 2.5”, so anything taller than that won’t fit. I find the shallow drawer perfect for my foam cutout tool organizer. With the drawer fully extended, between 12-13” of the drawer is still under the top. Whether or not you can easily reach stuff back there depends on what’s in the drawer. I keep my tire patch kit back there since I don’t need it that often.

    • Yes I removed the factory sliding try, and while I put the carpet back in the rear cargo area (that is situation beneath the OEM tray), the tray and entire tray assembly did not go back in the truck.

  8. Hey Ben, Hope you are well. I was wondering about the fancy tool storage. Where did you get the foam insert for your tools and did you hand-cut the spaces for each wrench/socket?

    Reata

  9. What model ARB fridge do you have? Would you be able to access the contents of the fridge if the roller tops were not selected on the left or the right drawer in an effort to secure the contents of the drawers?

    • John, I use the ARB 50QT fridge. Access to the fridge is definitely sub-optimal without the roller floor – the lid will hit the headliner and you won’t be able to reach into the back of the fridge.

  10. Love my ARB Drawers. On the full size roller top drawer you can lock the sliding top by turning a small triangular knob under the lip of top. I’m guessing there is a not enough space for that on the smaller drawer.