The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Drawers for AD

I have had this idea for years now, and its time to decide what to do. The idea is to cut the seat pedestal for two metal drawers. They would have a custom shape to accommodate the fatter front and thinner rear.

Several things come into play.

1) I don't want someone to sit on the seat and crush my drawers. This means some special substrate to keep that from happening.

2) Others may want to do this, so beyond the documenting process, it also needs to be a bolt-in arrangement rather than weld in. Putting brackets together for bolts means you can spot weld it if you wish, so best of both worlds.

3) I have access to water jet or plasma table to cut the parts and make it repeatable. The shop simply saves the computer file and they just pull it up anytime.

The problem is the drawers. The bracketry and support metal is easy. The part that seems harder for me is the drawers. I do not have a metal brake so I would have to have this shop do them too. These drawers as I foresee them would be the same as a tool box drawer. About 18 gauge metal on heavy duty drawer slides.

This system has to accommodate the jack and accoutrements, and whatever else you store under there. It also has to be set up to accommodate a floor shifter. The drawers won't be very deep but I will do my best to use every bit of whats there. Then, there is the closures. You want these drawers to stay in no matter what. What you don't need is the drivers side drawer opening during a potential accident, locking the brake pedal so you cant push it but slamming the accelerator down! So good closures that have the proper style to honor the truck its going in.

Anyone have any ideas? I don't like having to remove the seat to use that space. If I can make this repeatable, I can put the instructions and sourcing up and everyone can benefit. What do you think about the drawers facing? A wooden face using the same exact wood as the bed might be tasteful, or keep the cutout parts and just make them look like the rest of the pedestal?

Have you thought of having them pull out the sides? That way, you wouldn't have issues with it interfering with the pedals as you mention. Also consider impacts create a lot of force. Maybe even enough to push something through a wood front, probably not a concern on the sides. I'll be interested in how this develops as I've moved the tank out of my '40 and would like to utilize the space too. As it is now, I will remove the seat.

Dennis

A wood front would still have metal behind it. The wood is strictly for looks. I am thinking quarter-turn Dzus wing nut style fasteners to open and close it. Two per drawer to be sure.

I HAVE thought about the side idea, but it just didn't feel right. Hearing pros and cons here will really help me decide.

I am liking the "side" open option..door has to open first. Any thing that might attack my ankles when driving is not a comforting idea. Just my 2 cents worth. Simple key lock like a roll around cabinet would work. Would be a good place to keep a spare fan belt, screw driver, filter....yes I like it.

In looking at this closer today, the side opening drawer really isn't a viable option. The mechanism and brackets take up too much room to get any useful space out of it.

Part of the criteria is to make is so you can store the original jack. This wouldn't be possible with side opening.

On further inspection, it looks like there will be no problem with the seat interfering at all. 4 simple brackets spanning back to front with two bolt holes at each end for the rails, and that's about it. I want to experiment with different thicknesses of metal. I think 1/8" will work, but of there is any buckle or movement, I may go with angle iron (or something similar) for better support. The idea is to build it way stronger than needed.

Its the drawers that's the concern for me. Fatter in the front, thinner in the back to utilize all the space. Two drawers are necessary to make it so that it misses the shifter if its on the floor. Its looking like a very do-able modification. If I cut the holes VERY carefully with a thin grinding wheel, I can use the cutouts for the fronts. Depending on the hardware used to secure everything, it would be hard to even know they are there.

I think spot welding the bolt holes is the way I will do it, that way there is no sign of any brackets. More to come. Suggestions appreciated!

My concern about safety has nothing to do with your idea, but more to do with my very likely propensity to forget to turn the lock on the drawer.

That's why it needs to be automatic. Turns out this is the last real issue.. how to secure the drawers so they are secure every time. If I uae the cutout as the drawer front, I will have a 1/8th inch gap all the way around which will look great. But it needs to not interfere with the look, yet needs to be automatic and simple. Ideas?

Have you considered modifying the seat frame so it will tilt forward (seen here before) and install some storage compartments above the gas tank?

Something like a spring action cabinet latch? Works like an interior door latch. Must be released to open. You could use two, one at each end of the drawer. The latch fits the drawer front and catches the still in place support. Just a thought.

Seen where before? I would love to see what others have done to utilize the space in the cab. Even if you don't have pictures, describe as much as you can. This cab is smaller than the newer small trucks, so space utilization is really a huge deal.

I plan on using the space on top of my gas tank(51 ad)for storage.I replaced the seat with a later model that tilts forward.I'm thinking about building a wooden cover for the tank with a compartment on top open at the top to keep tools and accessories in. Just a vague thought so far but once I get down to it I'll post my results. I had thought about under the seat storage but the seat back is a simpler solution.---Jack

Interesting stuff. I am all ears, but with the stock seat arrangement. Reason being, the larger audience, people with these trucks as daily drivers, or real enthusiasts are more apt to have the stock seat frame. What can we do with that, that Chev didn't do, due to constraints in their budget at the time?

I am just sitting in my easy chair and wondering how with the stock seat frame is there any chance of using space above the gas tank? I DO feel the cab corners are under used. That is something I will take a look at in the future, as well as the idea of putting speakers in the corners of the upper windshield.

One of the really awesome things about this forum is, everyone gets a chance to comment on whatever hairbrained ideas I and others may come up with. Whatever you do.. and I am talking to YOU.. keep those comments, opinions, ideas coming. The vendors only do whats popular with YOU.

In regards to the seat back tilting forward with a stock seat frame...

If my link works,
http://www.chuckthetruck.com/page27.html#folding

scroll to the bottom.

Forget where i stumbled on this, probably here. Anyway i just recently made this modification to my stock seat and it works great!
Ive moved the tank out of the cab so theres even more room behind the seat now but storage is definitely at a premium in these old beasts.

Im interested to see how the drawer concept pans out.

Chooglin

That's nice work! My problem is, I am more of a purist and I don't like to modify too much. Only I know where MY line is that I wouldn't cross. But, The drawer idea lets you use stock everything and utilizes space that's hard to get to. I am hoping I can make this system work as a kit that anyone can install with normal tools. Thanks Steve for the latch idea. I really do need to figure out a very secure way to keep the drawers from opening.

Deve, can you provide me with what is 'purist' about cutting holes in the seat base? Don't get me wrong, I am frequently on board with your outside-of-the-box thinking which you have shared over time. I would think that it would be easier to return the tilting seat modification back to original condition than re-welding the hole cut into the seat base. I'm not trying to push you back into the box. I'm just trying to understand your reasoning. Personally, I would like to have both your drawer and the tilting seat back. There just isn't anywhere to put all my junk in my cab.
Carl

"In car culture, purists only consider cars that are maintained to factory specifications as of having any value and take offense at the notion of cars being modified." (wikipedia)

I am a purist, except when I am not.

Are headed to one of those "Eye of the beholder" conversations? It is your truck. You decide what is "right" on your truck. On the other hand..my truck has to live with what I decide. Enjoy!

Totally not worth the effort, too much wasted space. Observe the LXHXW, shallow drawer at best. There's nice room there, a tilt-forward seat portion would make best use of the space with easy access, the tilting back concept by Chuck is first rate and only the practiced eye can find that one. I think that during the time Chuck proposed this someone came up with a way to easily add a lock.

The tilt forward seat bottom would be nice, but they made the seat to fit under the back in such a way, I'm afraid after lots of use, the gap would just look bad. I really appreciate the discussion. If the stock jack and handle cant be placed in the drawer, the deal is off. The first go-around of measurements says its a go, but that's what I love about you guys... you keep me from doing stupid stuff. So far, no reason not to explore this further.

The drawers will be shaped to use as much space as possible. So fat in the front, thin in the back. I want to do it right if I am going to hack up the front of the pedestal. I am also putting a 1/4" plate across the front of the pedestal to ensure integrity. I'm waiting on the 4 speed cover I ordered right now. That's an issue as well.

I'd be measuring 'TOOL BOXES' at Sears or someplace, have replacement parts, find the drawer that fits and you should be able to order those with lock etc etc.
Great ideal BTW.
Jim

Another thought, what about just doors that flip down so you can access an enclosed area under the seat. Enclose your area with wood to any configuation you desire, may want a light in there too.

ding, ding, ding
if usable space is the motivator, why waste so much of it with hardware for multiple drawers?

Bill

Has anyone considered building an enclosed box mounted in the top or even the rear inside the rear fenders? You could make a door to access it from inside the bed and have all sorts of storage...
Added weight over the tires for traction to boot!

Not a bad idea Caso... lots to think about. That would be a great beer cooler location. My plan for a bed is to modify a 54/55 bed so I have flat siderails, then put a work utility box in the bed. But, not just any box. Im going to make it myself and graft a bowtie or CHEVROLET logo from a tailgate so it looks like it belongs there.

Those with conceal/carry permits might like a small flip out drawer on the side of the seat pedestal. Just enough for the old Colt.

How about a round, spring loaded 12oz can dispenser that pops out of the outside back of the rear fender, kind of like a gun magazine? Wrap the side of the fender with your hand and it shoots out. LOL!

Back when I had my 51 GMC I'd amuse the neighborhood kids by shooting ping pong balls out of the rolled bed rails. One fire cracker, then ping pong balls, better than a bug zapper.
But everything I like is against the law nowdays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

OK that made me laugh

I will only be impressed if you tell us that you waited for the kids to be in the line of fire before ignition. We are too
careful with kids nowadays.

OMG! Really? Ok, lets explore this further.. The kid would need a helmet, safety glasses, a harness that would pull them out of the way of DANGER, and a brick wall between the kid and the truck. Then, they would need to have taken their A-D-D medication, been properly immunized, and tested for any allergic reactions to ping pong balls (ok, gun powder). Once this is accomplished, you would have to petition the government. This opens up a whole new can of worms. If the child is under 26, they can be on their parents health insurance policy, so we are OK there, but if they haven't had fire extinguisher training, or CPR training, there is a chance they could be sited by OSHA. I could go on, but this has nothing to do with trucks other than how cool since I had no idea ping pong balls fit into the bed rails. MY dad would have asked me to look into the bed rails while he lit the firecracker and stuffed GOLF balls in there! LOL!

Gee, looks like I side tracked this thread, and I still want to find out the sulution re. AD drawers.

Trouble I had with the firecrackers/ping pong ball gun was the timing. All those kids must have squeaked by unscathed.

DING DING DING!!!

Yes indeed, good thinking.

I am pretty picky about organizing things. It would be too much like removing the drawers out of a toolbox and putting in shelves.

Although far easier to just install a piano hinge across the bottom of the pedestal, rooting around under there for that set of points you just KNOW you have under the seat wouldn't be a plus for me. I would rather remove the seat so I can look down on stuff. The way I plan on making the drawers, there wont be a lot of wasted room. I am several months away from starting on that project. Body work is very time consuming!