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SketchUp Trunk Box
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=80170
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Author:  lfhoward [ Tue Sep 09, 2014 10:53 pm ]
Post subject:  SketchUp Trunk Box

Today I discovered SketchUp, a free 3D design program. Has anyone else used SketchUp for their fabrication projects?
http://www.sketchup.com

I'm using it to design a trunk box for my KK that will hold my tool kit, first aid kit, recovery and towing gear, and various other things. I carefully measured the KK trunk over the weekend and today I started drawing up a blueprint for a box with a slide-out drawer on the computer. It's a fun little piece of software, and the learning curve isn't too steep. Check it out.

Author:  lfhoward [ Wed Sep 10, 2014 4:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: SketchUp Trunk Box

So, I thought I'd post up my design and see what kind of feedback I'd get.

First, I carefully measured the KK trunk area, and built a 3D model of the space. Then I designed the trunk box to fit. My own trunk model is sitting behind this KK model that I found online. It looks like it is the right size. :D
Image

I went for a simple box and drawer design for the trunk box, which is 8-3/4 inches high, with a drawer 6-1/4 inches deep on the inside. It will be built with 3/4 inch plywood or boards for the horizontal parts (like the top & bottom of the box and the components of the drawer itself), and 2x8's for the vertical weight-bearing supports (the sides and inner crossbeam). Here is the model:
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I could have designed the drawer with mechanical slides so that it pulls out more easily, but I decided friction wouldn't be a bad thing because it will help to hold the drawer in place. Also, adding slides reduces the storage space available inside the drawer. I didn't put a latch on it at this point, but may do that once it's built. Here are some other views.

Drawer closed:
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Drawer open:
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From the back seat. The 7 inch deep cubby can be accessed by folding the rear seats forward.
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Box sitting in the trunk space, closed:
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Box sitting in the trunk space, open:
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So, the next task is to figure out how much lumber would be needed and to actually build this thing, and how much that will cost.

Let me know if you have any suggestions/feedback about the design. Is it a good useful height for the gear we carry? Would you like to see a full floor extending to the wheel wells in place of the rectangular top? Should the drawer have partitions inside to keep items from shifting around, or would that make it less useful? Would it be better to have drawer slides?

Sketch-up is a fun little program! I can see how I could use it to design furniture, a shed for my yard, Jeep bumpers, or even a teardrop camper! 8)

Author:  lfhoward [ Wed Sep 10, 2014 4:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: SketchUp Trunk Box

So, I know someone is wondering, "What happens if I need to change a tire?" because the trunk box covers the floor panel where the tire winch is located, and covers the side compartment where the jack is located. In this case, fold the back seats forward so they are flat to the floor, then push the trunk box forward over the back seats. This maneuver should provide enough clearance to open the floor panel and jack compartment.

Author:  At The Helm [ Wed Sep 10, 2014 10:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: SketchUp Trunk Box

Looks good! I'd think about adding adjustable dividers by running some dado cuts on the inside of the drawer boxes... In case you haven't seen or used one, a Kreg pocket hole jig will make assembly super easy and clean.

Author:  lfhoward [ Thu Sep 11, 2014 6:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: SketchUp Trunk Box

Atthehelm wrote:
Looks good! I'd think about adding adjustable dividers by running some dado cuts on the inside of the drawer boxes... In case you haven't seen or used one, a Kreg pocket hole jig will make assembly super easy and clean.


I looked up the Kreg Jig and it's brilliant. I think I need one. :wink:
Image
https://www.kregtool.com/store/c13/kreg-jigsreg/

After talking with my wife, I have decided to build a box with drawer slides, as it would be pretty heavy for her to open and close if she had to drag it. I'm looking for some good heavy duty hardware like these 220-kb rated drawer slides from Rockler:
Image
http://www.rockler.com/centerlinereg-lifetime-series-758-220-lb-heavy-duty-full-extension-drawer-slides

Here is a box that is similar to the one I want to build, but in an XJ (image from CherokeeForum):
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And a SketchUp rendering of my trunk box, now with drawer slides:
Image

Author:  WHITE the civilian [ Tue Sep 16, 2014 6:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: SketchUp Trunk Box

Best of luck IFO

Author:  lfhoward [ Sun Nov 09, 2014 1:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: SketchUp Trunk Box

In the process of building this with a buddy of mine. My final design used less wood that my original plans above. Should be lighter, but just as sturdy.

Obligatory caffeine:
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Building the entire thing from a 4x8 sheet of 3/4 plywood and a sheet of 3/8 plywood.
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The skeleton of the trunk box assembled and tacked together:
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And it fits! Dark photo taken at night...
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Drawer with slides, assembled and in place. 3/8 plywood used on drawer bottom and box top:
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Clamped while the wood glue is drying. Also held together by wood screws.
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The front end of the box has a cubby behind the back seats for storing washer fluid bottles, folded blankets, and other things that can be squirreled away in there.
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Next up is to upholster it in gray carpet to match the trunk, and install the latch hardware.

Author:  lfhoward [ Tue Nov 11, 2014 12:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: SketchUp Trunk Box

Finished the project today!

The latch hardware is actually meant for storm doors, but should work well for keeping the drawer closed.
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Installed in the drawer face (photo is of the inside of the drawer):
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Upholstering in gray carpet to match the Jeep's interior:
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Done! I may paint the drawer face gray at some point. Did not have enough carpet for it today.
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And a view of the cubby that faces the back seats:
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The headliner adhesive spray I used on the carpet needs to dry for several days before I can show you a photo of the storage unit inside the KK. I'm pretty excited that it turned out so well!

Author:  Erikg84 [ Tue Nov 11, 2014 5:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: SketchUp Trunk Box

Wow, that looks awesome! Looks like you had that thing made professionally.

Have you thought about adding some tie down points on the top? I would think that if you put anything on top of it, you could potentially hit the glass on the lift gate, or something could go flying up into the passenger compartment.

Author:  lfhoward [ Tue Nov 11, 2014 11:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: SketchUp Trunk Box

Erikg84 wrote:
Wow, that looks awesome! Looks like you had that thing made professionally.

Have you thought about adding some tie down points on the top? I would think that if you put anything on top of it, you could potentially hit the glass on the lift gate, or something could go flying up into the passenger compartment.

Thanks! It came out pretty well. I am undecided about whether to paint or upholster or just leave the drawer face as is. What do you think?

I had not thought about tie downs. I don't really use the stock tie downs much anyway. The drawer will hopefully keep most of the random stuff I carry in my trunk now from flying around in the event of an accident or hard stop. I'd keep my lug wrench in there, along with my tool kit, tire pump, recovery straps, first aid kit, flashlight, jumper cables, etc. so they would be contained and safely out of the way. I think any large items on top would still be up against the seat back and headrests. I designed the box to be low enough so that our Samsonite suitcases would still have enough clearance to fit.

Author:  WHITE the civilian [ Wed Nov 12, 2014 2:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: SketchUp Trunk Box

Dude,... This looks awesome! Great job.

Author:  At The Helm [ Wed Nov 12, 2014 3:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: SketchUp Trunk Box

Looks good LF!

Author:  Erikg84 [ Wed Nov 12, 2014 10:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: SketchUp Trunk Box

lfhoward wrote:
Thanks! It came out pretty well. I am undecided about whether to paint or upholster or just leave the drawer face as is. What do you think?


I think it would look nice to have the drawer face upholstered to match the rest of it.

Author:  lfhoward [ Thu Nov 13, 2014 12:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: SketchUp Trunk Box

Today the carpet adhesive was dry so I could install the storage unit in the KK. I got a few photos with my phone before the sun went down.

Before installation, an empty trunk:
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Installed. The trunk box fit like a glove and there is no way for it to shift or rattle around. Notice the extra room on the right hand side for storing oil, coolant, rainex, and other bottles of liquid that need to remain vertical.
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A close up of that space. This is the area where the factory subwoofer would be if I had that option.
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Drawer in the open position.
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And drawer closed. You can get a sense here of how tall the box top is relative to the window and the back seat.
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And a shot of the cubby behind the drivers side back seat. It's getting really dark out now, so it's hard to make out. The cubby holds washer fluid bottles in a sideways position.
Image

I got my gear sorted and put in the drawer and I'm very pleased with how much space there is. I also was able to use my Husky trunk liner on top of the box. It is now 3 or 4 inches too long for the space, so I got it to fit by folding the front end upward against the seats. No pic of that, as it got too dark!

If anyone is interested in the SketchUp plans so they can build their own, let me know.
Cheers,
lfhoward

Author:  tommudd [ Thu Nov 13, 2014 11:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: SketchUp Trunk Box

Great job on the design and build.
For the face of the drawer.....just add you favorite decals of places you go/been/ products used, etc

Author:  Erikg84 [ Fri Nov 14, 2014 12:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: SketchUp Trunk Box

tommudd wrote:
Great job on the design and build.
For the face of the drawer.....just add you favorite decals of places you go/been/ products used, etc


That's a good idea!

Author:  kiwi_outdoors [ Sun Nov 30, 2014 11:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: SketchUp Trunk Box

so, if drawer is full, and fully extended, what stops the entire thing from tipping out of the rear of the KK?

BTW - nice work :-)

Author:  CobraNutt [ Mon Dec 01, 2014 7:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: SketchUp Trunk Box

How much does that weigh, and have you tried to get to your spare yet? Looks great!

Sent from my mystical handheld gizmo.

Author:  lfhoward [ Mon Dec 01, 2014 11:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: SketchUp Trunk Box

kiwi_outdoors wrote:
so, if drawer is full, and fully extended, what stops the entire thing from tipping out of the rear of the KK?

BTW - nice work :-)

The drawer slides are nice and strong, so they hold the drawer up without any trouble. They stop the drawer when fully extended. The box weighs more than the gear and the drawer, so leverage is not a problem.

Author:  lfhoward [ Mon Dec 01, 2014 11:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: SketchUp Trunk Box

CobraNutt wrote:
How much does that weigh, and have you tried to get to your spare yet? Looks great!

Sent from my mystical handheld gizmo.

I haven't weighed it, but I'm guessing that the unit is somewhere between 50-100 lbs when full of gear.

I did need to get to the spare tire last week, but it was no problem. I folded the rear seats down, walked around to the trunk, and pushed the box forward over the back seats. With the box out of the way, I could open the floor panel and the jack compartment.

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