Last Updated on January 25, 2024 by teamobn
Do you like heading off on a road trip in your pickup?? This upgrade project for your vehicle will make getaways even more enjoyable!
Pickup trucks are great for heading off on an adventure with friends and family. You can simply place a mat on the rear bed and you’re ready to relax and sleep. But getting a good place to lie down is impossible if you’ve got tons of stuff occupying that rear bed.
The solution is to build a bed with drawers in your truck so that there’s a place for all your travel necessities and a place to sleep.
Though this might seem like a big project, it’s easy to accomplish as long as you take the time to measure and plan. This tutorial shows you the essential features of a good truck bed and drawer system.
Advantages of Installing Sliding Truck Bed Drawers
Get ready to transform your ordinary truck bed into a cargo command centre with perks that will leave you wondering how you ever lived. Expect a game-changing upgrade that will turn your truck into the envy of the road.
1. Space Sorcery Unleashed
Say goodbye to the chaos of a cluttered truck bed! These sliding truck bed drawers are like wizards that magically create organized space. Maximize every nook and cranny, turning your truck bed into a storage haven that defies the laws of space.
2. Glide and Grab: Effortless Loading
Imagine your gear gliding out smoothly as if it’s on a magic carpet ride. No more awkward bending or wrestling with heavy loads. With sliding truck bed drawers, loading and unloading become a breeze, and you become the superhero of cargo handling.
3. Toolbox Tango in Style
Who says tool storage has to be dull? With sliding truck bed drawers, your tools do the toolbox tango in style. It’s not just storage; it’s a choreographed dance of functionality and flair. Your truck bed becomes a stage for the tool tango – organized and oh-so-stylish.
4. Fort Knox Security Suite
Worried about the safety of your precious cargo? Fear not! These sliding truck bed drawers come with a built-in security suite that turns your truck bed into a fortress. Your gear will be guarded with the diligence of a royal guard protecting the crown jewels.
5. DIY Mastery Unleashed
Transform into the master of your truck’s destiny! Installing your sliding truck bed drawer system isn’t just a task; it’s a DIY delight. Grab your toolkit, channel your inner craftsman, and revel in the glory of creating a truck bed setup that’s as unique as your fingerprint.
6. Road Trip Ready in Style
Planning an epic road trip? These sliding truck bed drawers are your road trip companions, ensuring you’re road trip-ready in style. Pack and unpack with the grace of a seasoned traveller. Your truck bed becomes a road trip sanctuary where everything is within arm’s reach.
7. Resale Royalty Bonus
Upgrading your truck isn’t just an investment; it’s a legacy. Sliding truck bed drawers add a touch of resale royalty, enhancing your truck’s value when the time comes for a new owner to inherit the throne.
So, fellow road rulers, gear up for the truck bed upgrade of a lifetime! This is your golden ticket to a world of truck bed wonders. Get ready to roll with these amazing perks, turning every trip into a cargo-carrying adventure. Let’s hit the road!
Crafting Your Sliding Truck Bed Drawers – Pro Tips
Ready to transform your truck’s doors into a storage symphony? Buckle up because we’ve got the pro tips that’ll turn those overlooked door spaces into a storage marvel. Let’s dive into the world of sliding truck door drawers and unlock a new level of convenience and coolness for your ride!
1. Size Matters – Measure Twice, Slide Once:
Precision is your secret weapon. Measure your truck door space with surgeon-like accuracy. The key is to make sure your sliding truck bed drawers fit like a glove, utilizing every inch of space without cramping your style.
2. Go Vertical for Victory:
Think tall, think vertical! Maximize your storage potential by crafting vertically oriented sliding truck bed drawers. This way, you’re making the most of your door’s height and ensuring that everything, from tools to snacks, finds its perfect spot.
3. Material Mastery – Plywood Power:
Equip yourself with the right armour – plywood! It’s sturdy, it’s reliable, and it’s your ticket to crafting sliding truck bed drawers that can withstand the rigours of the road. Choose quality plywood, preferably 3/4-inch thick, for a robust and durable storage solution.
4. Slide Smooth, Slide Cool:
Invest in top-notch sliding hardware. Smooth slides are the unsung heroes of drawers, ensuring easy access without the hassle. Trust us; the satisfaction of a perfectly sliding truck bed drawer is worth every penny.
5. Magnetic Magic:
Ever thought about adding a magnetic touch? Install magnetic strips inside your sliding truck bed drawers to keep smaller items, like screws, nuts, and bolts, in check. It’s like having your magnetic superhero, keeping everything right where it belongs.
6. Latch it Up – Secure Your Swag:
Safety first, style second! Beef up your sliding truck bed drawers with secure latches. These locks ensure your gear stays put, giving you peace of mind and a sleek, secure look.
7. Weather Warrior Seals:
Mother Nature can be unpredictable, but your sliding truck bed drawers don’t have to suffer. Seal the deal with weather-stripping or a waterproof sealant to keep your valuables dry and cozy. Rain or shine, your gear remains in peak condition.
8. Light Up the Night – LED Elegance:
Illuminate your truck’s dark corners with the magic of LED lights. No more fumbling in the shadows – your sliding truck bed drawers will be a beacon of organization, making you the envy of every nighttime truck dweller.
9. Dividers, the Organizational Maestros:
Avoid the clutter chaos with dividers! Create designated spaces for different tools or items, making it easy to locate what you need without a frantic search. Dividers: because every item deserves its spotlight.
10. Toolbox Fusion – Unleash the Combo:
Merge the best of both worlds! Combine a toolbox with your sliding truck bed drawers for a winning combo. This dual approach offers quick access to essentials while maximizing storage efficiency. It’s like having a Swiss Army knife for your truck.
11. Add a Cup Holder – Because You Can:
Why settle for average when you can have extraordinary? Install a cup holder within your sliding door drawers for a touch of convenience. Quench your thirst for innovation while quenching your literal thirst on the road.
12. Window View – Keep It Clear:
Don’t let your sliding truck bed drawers obstruct your view. Ensure they don’t interfere with the basic operations. Safety always takes the front seat, even in the world of sliding truck bed drawers.
13. Personalize Your Panels:
Make your drawers uniquely yours. Add decals, paint, or personalize with stickers that speak to your style. Your truck, your rules – let your creativity run wild!
14. Show Off Your Style:
Your sliding truck bed drawers are a work of art – don’t keep them hidden! Flaunt your organized wizardry at every stop. Let your bed drawers take the spotlight.
Ready to roll? With these pro tips, your sliding truck bed drawers are about to become the talk of the town. Maximize your storage, organize like a champ, and let your truck doors be the canvas for your storage masterpiece. Slide and conquer, because the road is yours for the taking!
Click on any image to start the lightbox display. Use your Esc key to close the lightbox. You can also view the images as a slideshow if you prefer 
Read on and see how simple this truck improvement project can be! 🙂
Building Secure Truck Bed Drawers With Confidence
Ready to turn your truck bed into an organized oasis with some slick sliding drawers? Hold onto your tool belts because you’re about to embark on a safety adventure that’ll have your truck bed drawers sliding in style! When you build sliding truck bed drawers do it with flair and confidence!
1. Groovy Gear: Suited Up for Safety Beats
Your safety gear isn’t just for show – it’s the ensemble that turns you into a safety rockstar. Throw on those safety glasses – the shades of protection for your peepers. Tune into the rhythm with ear defenders that keep the noise at bay. And don’t forget the gloves – because no blisters are allowed on this safety dance floor! Suit up, gear up, and let’s hit the safety runway in style.
2. The Plywood Boogie: Choosing Dance-Ready Partners
When it comes to plywood, it’s time for a boogie-down selection. Choose plywood partners that are ready to hit the dance floor – thick enough to handle the weight of your gear, and sturdy enough to keep the groove going. Don’t just pick plywood; you’re assembling a dance squad. So, let the plywood boogie begin!
3. Sandpaper Serenade: Smooth Moves Only
Nobody wants splinters stealing the spotlight, right? Cue the sandpaper serenade! Smooth out those rough edges like a DJ mixing beats. A silky finish isn’t just for show – it’s your safety dancefloor, and you’re keeping it splinter-free. Let the sandpaper serenade set the stage for smooth moves only.
4. Fastener Funk: Screwing in Style
Fasteners are the unsung heroes of safety jam, and you should be screwing in style. Choose screws that can handle the rhythm of your drawers – strong, reliable, and ready to dance through bumps and turns. It’s a fastener funk, and you’re grooving with safety in mind. Screw in style, fellow builders!
5. Lock It Down: The Security Samba
Your sliding drawers are about to become the dancefloor of organization, and you can’t have them slipping out unexpectedly. Enter the security samba – locks and latches that keep the groove in check. Lock it down, and the security samba is the safety rhythm. So, let’s samba our way to a secure dancefloor!
6. Test the Waters: The Safety Soundcheck
Before you hit the open road, give your sliding drawers a safety sound check. Open, close, lock, and unlock – make sure everything is harmonizing smoothly. It’s the final rehearsal before your safety concert, so don’t skip the soundcheck – safety always sounds better when it’s in tune. Let the safety soundcheck rock the stage!
There you have it! Go ahead and craft the coolest sliding truck bed drawers with safety as our dance partner.
You’ll need these materials:
- 1 – sheet 3/4 Plywood
- 1 – sheet 1/4 Masonite
- 1 – sheet 1/4 Plywood
- 4 – 1x4x 8′
- 7 – 1x10x 8′
- 3 – 1x12x 8′
- 4 – 1×1 Square Tubing
- 50 – Bearings that fit over a 5/16 Bolt
- (Qty.50) 608-2RS two side Rubber Seals Bearing 608-rs Ball Bearings
- 24 – 1 1/4 – 5/16 Bolts
- 12 – 2 1/4 – 5/16 Bolts
- 50 – 5/16 Lock Nuts
- 70 – 5/16 Washers
- Wood Glue
- Paint
- 1 – small box 1 1/4″ Wood Screws
- 1 – small box 2″ Wood Screws
- 2 – Slide Latches
- 2 – Handles
- 4 – Piano Hinges
- 4 – Cabinet Pulls
- LED strips
Also, these tools:
- Circular Saw
- Jig Saw
- Screw Gun
- Tape Measure
- Drill
- Table Saw
- Paint Roller and Brush
Steps:
- Cut your masonite and 3/4 plywood about a half-inch short of the length of the inside of the bed.
- Cut 2 – 1×12 and the 2×12 to 3/4 inch less then your plywood
- Cut 1 – 1×12 to 4′
- Glue and screw them together like the photo. The board on the face was temporary.
- Slide it into the bed and centre it.
- If you have a bed liner, mark the ribs at each corner. Drill the 4 corners and insert a 1/2″ bolt.
- The frame will not be able to slide left or right.
- Build your drawers 2 1/4″ less then the openings.
- Cut a 1/4 inch grove at the bottom of the 1×10″ and glue the plywood to slide in for the drawer bottoms.
- Bolt the square tubing to the side of the drawers. About a 1/4 of the way up from the bottom. Making sure that the drawer will be about 3/8″ above the masonite.
- Then bolt the bearings on top and bottom.
- There should be at least a 1/8″ gap between the top bearing and square tubing when drawer is closed.
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