Under-Floor Storage

Chris

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Not my Jeep, but a helpful post I found from the past on another forum:

I have seen this done before, but with a wood frame.
I wanted to keep the weight to a minimum, so I used steel studs; much more fun to work with.
Most things I always carry will fit under the cover. Larger items will fit if placed in the original depression in the floor. This arrangement keeps things out of sight. Looking in through the window, the back appears empty.
I still have to bolt it down, (will use rivnuts in the tub floor), and install a lock.
I'll show the finished product first, then some construction pics.

01FloorInstalled.webp


02FloorStorage.webp


03FloorHalfFlat.webp




Sliding the front seats all the way forward will allow the two headrests to go flat, too. Plenty of room to lay out a sleeping bag, or an inflatable mattress.
04FloorFullFlat.webp




The dimensions of the frame allow it to sit flat on the floor, between the raised portion at the fender well bases. This leaves some room along the sides for small items.
05Frame.webp


06FrameJoint.webp


07CoverAttached.webp


08ReadyForCarpet.webp



The two floor extensions, seen here folded back onto main box, are hinged to the top cover.
09.webp


10-1.webp


11.webp


12.webp



I installed a riv-nut in each side, at the tailgate end of the frame. You'll see where in another picture.
1Riv-NutInstalled.webp



A spacer at each bolt location makes up for the carpet thickness.
2SpacerToCompensateForCarpet.webp



All four bolts installed; two pictured here. The bolts and riv-nuts on the front end of the frame, close to the rear seats, were already there for the original tie downs. The riv-nuts I installed are under the sides of the frame, close to the tailgate.
3FrameBoltedDown.webp



This view shows one extension, and how it rests on the extra frame member, taking the load off the hinges. You can see some useable storage space in the gap between the seat and floor.
4ShowingRoomUnderExtension.webp



This picture shows how the headrest will fold flat when the front seat is moved forward, giving plenty of room to lay out an air mattress.
5HeadrestFoldedDown.webp



The jack and tools are accessible without having to open the storage box; handy if you get a flat when the cargo floor is loaded.
6AccessToJackCompartment.webp



This picture shows the jack compartment covered.
7JackCompartmentCovered.webp


The last task related to this project is to figure out a nice locking system for it.

Finished the lock for the under-floor storage.

I found the lock at a local lock shop. No part number or description. It was just in a sealed plastic bag with some hardware; $12.

Lock1.webp


Lock2.webp


Lock3.webp


Lock4.webp


Lock5.webp


Lock6.webp


Lock7.webp
 
This THE BEST example of false floor storage. And I've read them all. The sheet metal is much lighter than wood. Easy to assemble with a simple rivet gun. And the best design imho. Great post.
 
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