Making Space for a Fridge in the Nissan Frontier: Custom Storage Drawers

Engel 12 volt fridge for an adventure vehicle
Some years ago Brooke kind of whined to me moments after we crossed into Mexico for a two-week trip by going, "You're going to add a fridge to the truck next, right? It'd really be nice to have."

Okay, just kidding.  About the whining part only.  But she really did command a fridge - as in REFRIGERATOR.  Fridge/freezer to be a little more specific.

Why are you laughing? You think I'm kidding?

All my friends had one, and in particular Scott Brady once quipped, "Any stock vehicle can run most trails in Baja as long as it has a fridge." Meanwhile, everybody who owned one said they didn't know how they got along with out it before.  (Right, as if ice is so scarce). Good ol' K.C. always railed on the idea of a fridge in the recreation truck, rolling his eyes: "Dude, seriously, you don't need a damn fridge to go out for a three day weekend. An ice chest with 8 pounds of ice will get you though."

But whatever.  Brooke wanted a 12-volt Engel fridge, and the only reasonable way we were going to fit it was to squeeze it into the truck bed rather than the cab. Fine . . . I wanted one too. They're cool, and it presented me with a little challenge to build these weatherproof an robust custom drawers.

Construction & Photos

• 1/2" and 3/4" Baltic birch plywood
• 30" 100-lbs capacity full extension ball bearing slides
• Speaker handles with spring loading
• Coated in "herculiner" truck bed liner for weather resistance