In this video, I build an overland camping drawer system for the back of my XJ. The idea is, keep it simple, light weight, low profile, versatile, and non equipment specific and incorporate some kind of work surface that's easy to use. My last build was a prototype because it didn't work the first time. This one might end up being a prototype. If it doesn't come out, how I want it to (spoiler, it did). I'm not the best with wood, but regardless, i am almost where I want it to be at the end of this video. Thanks for watching, and I apologise for my language. Also, thanks, Christer, for helping me out with some of the materials on this build! Mike
I commented a previous video about 6 months ago. I asked with you didn't go with a ball joint delete instead of welding in your ball joints. I am happy to say that I have been running the Ball joint Delete kit for about 4 months now and I couldn't be happier. I was having some death wobble issues when hitting bumps in the rode. I was trying to track down the reason and everything seemed to be stiff and in good working condition. Once I pulled the steering knuckles off I found that the ball joints were very loose. So that solved my death wobble issue completely. With helm joints on all my steering components my steering is almost as stiff as when it rolled out the factory. The only play left is in the steering box which I will be upgrading soon to the Durango box with a steering box brace. Hope all is going well and love the videos keep it up.
Attach couple poles across top extending to side of Jeep. Make drape walls attach to Jeep with magnets sewn into edge seams, sew a "bathtub" bottom into it for insect, varmint exclusion. So much you can do to add usable volume inside/outside.
That’s always the struggle. How to best set up your vehicle. I’ve gone through so many interactions, and i’m still not there. It’s like the perfect backpack. It just doesn’t exist. One can only get close. I appreciate your attempts and the great videos. Your sense of humor cracks me up 🤣
Leave those side trim panels out, finish and use the cavities behind them...spray with bedliner, devise how to use the volume, maybe drape new thin carpet to conceal the stored items....reach over the sides of your drawer system to access. Use a rough texture paint...or even bedliner....on those panels if you insist on using them. Could also cut area out of panel with storage boxes inset. Strong magnets attached to the inner body panels could hold many items....even AR rifle rack....
I know the struggle. Having a lifted '98 XJ myself, we (family of 4) decided to buy an offroad trailer for family-camping (it's a trailer as a base for a tipi-tent, actually). Yes, it takes time to set it up, but so does a roof-tent. And we don't have to put it down if we want to go places and return to the same campsite.
I'm in Idaho USA. I have an '01 WJ used for overlanding. I removed the back seat for max space. I've wanted a drawer system and ur video was an xlnt 'how-to'. Great content. Thx!
Twixt the new platform in the back of the Jeep, the blow-up doll, the black mamba, and, Bigfoot flappin' his sack on your tent, you should be good to go for the next adventure. Oh, btw, if the blow up doll comes down with a runny nose it doesn't mean she's sick, it means she's full. Already looking forward to the next video. Take care and safe travels.
Constant camp rig mods are essential! I also go rock crawling so I really need to flexible for all! I’ve went from gear piled in cargo space. To a drawer system. To a 12v fridge and back seat delete. Now to a 12v fridge in cargo space with available back seat. It works me currently because I go without a 🍑 in the harsher wind/rain weather trips. I’ll sleep in back seat when forced to. Not comfortable but do able
This set up should serve you well in the future, Mike. I especially like the versatile platform you installed on the top of the lower drawer. Have you thought about dedicating the other Cherokee (Meg's rig) to summer camping with the family and installing the roof top tent on that? It would free up the XJ for your solo adventures and winter excursions. Keep at at--love the channel!
I have been dreading building my drawer system and really enjoy your ideas. I see that the pain you have experienced is paying off and now know maybe I should start my project too. One idea of the scraping latch feature is to put an aluminum strip on the wood side for a metal on metal guide and of course a little grease 🤣🤣
Great work with the drawer system! P.S. Have you ever considered something like offroad trailer? It could be something more complex, like a squaredrop or just a lifted trailer with a rack and rtt on it.
Totally support your decision not to have your kid on the channel till later. My daughter is six, and I think ive only put one picture of her online a few years ago. I dont raise a stink if she shows up in a picture on the schools Facebook page, but Im leaving it up to her to make the decision on her online presence later.
RTTs seem like such a waste of money and space to me. I used to think they were neat but the more I’ve thought about it the more I think a ground tent is ideal.
at the risk of being 'that guy' can't you just use an impact gun on these screws? watching they drill run at 20,000 rpm wildly seems a bit 'not very mike'
In this video, I build an overland camping drawer system for the back of my XJ. The idea is, keep it simple, light weight, low profile, versatile, and non equipment specific and incorporate some kind of work surface that's easy to use.
My last build was a prototype because it didn't work the first time. This one might end up being a prototype. If it doesn't come out, how I want it to (spoiler, it did). I'm not the best with wood, but regardless, i am almost where I want it to be at the end of this video.
Thanks for watching, and I apologise for my language.
Also, thanks, Christer, for helping me out with some of the materials on this build!
Mike
I commented a previous video about 6 months ago. I asked with you didn't go with a ball joint delete instead of welding in your ball joints. I am happy to say that I have been running the Ball joint Delete kit for about 4 months now and I couldn't be happier. I was having some death wobble issues when hitting bumps in the rode. I was trying to track down the reason and everything seemed to be stiff and in good working condition.
Once I pulled the steering knuckles off I found that the ball joints were very loose. So that solved my death wobble issue completely. With helm joints on all my steering components my steering is almost as stiff as when it rolled out the factory. The only play left is in the steering box which I will be upgrading soon to the Durango box with a steering box brace.
Hope all is going well and love the videos keep it up.
DUDE !! Your humor makes these videos 100%
A new home for Samantha and the mamba - Now that's a worthwhile project.
You could always cut a shallow channel under the drawer with a router to provide more clearance for the tailgate latch. Or break out the lube.
Attach couple poles across top extending to side of Jeep. Make drape walls attach to Jeep with magnets sewn into edge seams, sew a "bathtub" bottom into it for insect, varmint exclusion. So much you can do to add usable volume inside/outside.
That’s always the struggle. How to best set up your vehicle. I’ve gone through so many interactions, and i’m still not there. It’s like the perfect backpack. It just doesn’t exist. One can only get close. I appreciate your attempts and the great videos. Your sense of humor cracks me up 🤣
Supposed to be iterations
Leave those side trim panels out, finish and use the cavities behind them...spray with bedliner, devise how to use the volume, maybe drape new thin carpet to conceal the stored items....reach over the sides of your drawer system to access. Use a rough texture paint...or even bedliner....on those panels if you insist on using them. Could also cut area out of panel with storage boxes inset. Strong magnets attached to the inner body panels could hold many items....even AR rifle rack....
I know the struggle. Having a lifted '98 XJ myself, we (family of 4) decided to buy an offroad trailer for family-camping (it's a trailer as a base for a tipi-tent, actually). Yes, it takes time to set it up, but so does a roof-tent. And we don't have to put it down if we want to go places and return to the same campsite.
I'm in Idaho USA. I have an '01 WJ used for overlanding. I removed the back seat for max space. I've wanted a drawer system and ur video was an xlnt 'how-to'. Great content. Thx!
i used pocket holes on my build for the joinery, very forgiving for the amateur carpenter
"Put triangulated sandwiches in there"... I laughed. Nice job.
Twixt the new platform in the back of the Jeep, the blow-up doll, the black mamba, and, Bigfoot flappin' his sack on your tent, you should be good to go for the next adventure. Oh, btw, if the blow up doll comes down with a runny nose it doesn't mean she's sick, it means she's full. Already looking forward to the next video. Take care and safe travels.
You have 2 jeeps now, build one for family and one for solo. Go all the way in each one.
Constant camp rig mods are essential! I also go rock crawling so I really need to flexible for all! I’ve went from gear piled in cargo space. To a drawer system. To a 12v fridge and back seat delete. Now to a 12v fridge in cargo space with available back seat. It works me currently because I go without a 🍑 in the harsher wind/rain weather trips.
I’ll sleep in back seat when forced to. Not comfortable but do able
enjoyable and funny too! Love your humor!
At the time 11.44.
It wasn't me, the close-up and your look in the camera 😂
had a good laugh there
Rome was not built in a day and as you say as long as you have room for mamba everything is OK. Catch you on the next one 👌
the triangulated sandwiches comment caught me off guard, hahah
This set up should serve you well in the future, Mike. I especially like the versatile platform you installed on the top of the lower drawer. Have you thought about dedicating the other Cherokee (Meg's rig) to summer camping with the family and installing the roof top tent on that? It would free up the XJ for your solo adventures and winter excursions. Keep at at--love the channel!
Looks great Mike! You’ve won the battle, but will we win the family storage war?
I don't think the storage war can ever be won with family. Unless I get a giant pickup truck or RV
You could raptor line those interior panels
Drawers are real fuckin hard. I built two drawers in my jeep, side by side, one is flawless, the other one just kind of works.
Looking forward to seeing it all finished!
I have been dreading building my drawer system and really enjoy your ideas. I see that the pain you have experienced is paying off and now know maybe I should start my project too. One idea of the scraping latch feature is to put an aluminum strip on the wood side for a metal on metal guide and of course a little grease 🤣🤣
Can you do a tutorial on how to grease up those draw runners😏
Great job 👍
Thanks for watching
Nice jeep you have😊 thank's for all inspiration for the xj
18:00 Mike, You need more space for family? They have small high ground clearance pull behind campers for woodsmen.
Would u consider adding a thin strip of nylon or pvc to the underside of the drawer to reduce the noise of the wood on the steel latch ?
In the 2nd video, I line it with some foam to take the noise out of it. It helped a lot, plus I covered it in carpet. It's deadened the noise a lot.
I liked the video! It's honest, and funny!
Thanks for watching
Great work with the drawer system!
P.S. Have you ever considered something like offroad trailer? It could be something more complex, like a squaredrop or just a lifted trailer with a rack and rtt on it.
That's our choice of traveling in Europe.
👍👍👍
Great video... Love the drawer set up. Aussie XJ fan🦘🇦🇺
Came for the thumbnail ..... came for the thumbnail
Love it Mike!
4:04 literally why I show up
Looking very nice, good work 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
Hi Mike Great vid, ever thought about building an adventure trailer?
It's definitely crossed my mind. It means that the jeep can be freed up and made lighter. I'm still thinking it all over. Thanks for watching
Becoming amazing!!!!
Nice build and enjoyed to watch the video!
All I heard was Meg needs her own cherokee. Space problem solved lol.
Hey brotha can you send me a link to where you got those drawer runners? You just motivated me to want to build a setup like yours.
Very interesting and entertaining as usual 👍
You should've kept the original thumbnail to this video seeing it was a more honest depiction of application. 😅
RUclips didn't like it, but I'm doing it!
@@WorkshoptoWilderness😂 You're the man Mikey Mike! Rebel without a patch kit!
Always up to something mate good for us viewers though love the humour would love to no how many people are saying what is this guy saying 😂🏴
Totally support your decision not to have your kid on the channel till later. My daughter is six, and I think ive only put one picture of her online a few years ago. I dont raise a stink if she shows up in a picture on the schools Facebook page, but Im leaving it up to her to make the decision on her online presence later.
4:05 same... same...
"Why do I bother with all of this?" Story of my life, lmao.
Your screwing techinque is correct, but you forgot to spit on the tip.
For being a pain in the ass. Turned out nice in the end!
👍👍👍👍👍
😂👍
As Monty Python would say your a very naughty boy 😜😜
RTTs seem like such a waste of money and space to me. I used to think they were neat but the more I’ve thought about it the more I think a ground tent is ideal.
at the risk of being 'that guy' can't you just use an impact gun on these screws? watching they drill run at 20,000 rpm wildly seems a bit 'not very mike'
Hola buenos días se que eres una persona que se le da muy bien hacer sus propias modificaciones mirate este RUclips Jeeporos modificaciónes