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Wolf Island Diver

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I originally wanted to create or buy at table top that attaches to the tailgate to give me more work space when camping, tailgating, fishing, etc. I wasn’t happy with any of the designs I came up with. All of them relied on support under the table. The solution is a slider system. However, I don’t like kitchen sliders because I would lose what remaining space I have in my bed and that it would only be good for one thing. I wanted a slider that was as flat as reasonably possible. I also didn’t want to spend huge amounts of money. Slider systems can get over $800-$1k easily.

One of my hard requirements was that I could still fit my TrailFire fire pit, stove and food boxes between the slider and the Diamondback cover. I can fit my 22” Cook Partner stove, 2 Wolfpack boxes (one with extended lid), and my TrailFire with the wok lid on this thing. Later, I decided to add a little utensil storage and sink.

To build it, I did some design work in Shapr3d. I used Chinesium sliders from Bezos-mart which work well and support 300lbs at full extension. It’s made from 1 1/2 sheets of 18mm baltic birch. I removed as much material from the inner frame to reduce weight.
Jeep Gladiator DIY Slide Out w/ Sink IMG_0033


Jeep Gladiator DIY Slide Out w/ Sink IMG_2383


I installed 8 M8 rivnuts in the bed and sealed them with RTV. They ride in between the ridges but they’re also flush as they imbedded themselves into the bed liner. The drawer is secured with stainless bolts.

Jeep Gladiator DIY Slide Out w/ Sink IMG_2397


The finish is home cut waxed button shellac to which I added Laropal A81 and Tinuvin 292 for additional durability. I applied this with a French polish technique and polished it with rottenstone. Finally applied several coats of paste wax. I’ll spare everyone my manifesto on why shellac is superior to almost everything and why the consumer coatings industry is mostly a big scam. The nice thing about shellac is that it’s easily repairable without stripping or sanding and its durability far exceeds its reputation. I’ve used it for years on workshop shelving and it’s held up perfectly.

Jeep Gladiator DIY Slide Out w/ Sink IMG_2658


Jeep Gladiator DIY Slide Out w/ Sink IMG_2667


I made an additional work surface from 3/4 UV stabilized HDPE to go over the sink when its drawer is out. The lid for the utility drawer lifts up on coffee table riders and provides and additional work surface, hooks for utensils and a paper towel roll. The position of the slide out allows the fridge to stay pulled out. All of this under the awning allows for a nice spot for cooking. I have a high camping chair that allows you to sit at the slide out like a table.

Jeep Gladiator DIY Slide Out w/ Sink IMG_2659


I wanted a non-skid cover to further protect surface, which I made out of my neighbors golden retriever palomino cowhide.



Here are some more images:
Jeep Gladiator DIY Slide Out w/ Sink IMG_2655

Jeep Gladiator DIY Slide Out w/ Sink IMG_2539

Jeep Gladiator DIY Slide Out w/ Sink IMG_2404


Despite taking up 4 1/4 inches of vertical space. I find that I this actually increases the utility of the bed for every day things like loading groceries, Costco runs and trips to the shooting range, etc.

Jeep Gladiator DIY Slide Out w/ Sink IMG_2592



The sink:

The sink is an expandable camping tub. For a faucet I used an rv-style electric switch faucet.



I modified a NATO water can cap to accept the hoses for a pump hose and electrical cord. These connect under the sink slider with an electrical and hose quick disconnect. Both sides of the hose connectors close off when disconnected. A second power connector at the back of the slider plugs into a cable in the bed.

Jeep Gladiator DIY Slide Out w/ Sink IMG_2665

Jeep Gladiator DIY Slide Out w/ Sink IMG_2666

Jeep Gladiator DIY Slide Out w/ Sink IMG_2645


The NATO water can can ride up out of the way with the hose running down the side of the slide out held in place with magnetic straps. These straps can also hold the propane hose for the stove. The pull bar at the end doubles as a di towel holder.
Jeep Gladiator DIY Slide Out w/ Sink IMG_2670
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Wolf Island Diver

Wolf Island Diver

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I’ll take one!

Seriously. I would. Make it so the ffridge sits on top at the back, that way when you slide it in all the weight is at the cab side of the bed but available when you pull it out.

Take my money!
With the the HDPE tailgate cover, the minimum height of the surface of a fridge slide made on a wood frame is around around 1 1/2 inches. Steel would be lower but not much. The ARB Classic II 63 barely fits now height wise and it’s one the few decent size fridges that fits under a tonneau cover on a Gladiator. It would need to mount far lower than I could make a slider that also clears the elevated tailgate. So my fridge isn’t on a slider. It sits up against the CO2 tank boot on the left, the slide out on the right and in back, my large recovery bag and spill kit. So it’s can’t really move much on its own on rubber feet, but I can still pull it out.

What I’m going to do is bolt a sheet of HDPE, like 1/4 thick onto the bottom of the fridge in its fridge slider mounting holes. Then I’m going to build wood and HDPE sliders/bumpers on the CO2 and slide out sides for the fridge to ride up against. The back is a soft bag. I’ll make a little lock bar for the front to prevent it from sliding into the closed tailgate. This poor man’s fridge slide will work fine because it pulls out fine now. It will pull out better with the slick HDPE bottom. The bumpers on either side will just prevent it from sliding on its new slick bottom other than towards the closed tailgate. I don’t want to use a real fridge slide because I need to be able to pull the recovery bag out past where the fridge is. That recovery gear bag just lives there for when shit goes south. The stuff that goes in the slider accounts for most of the rest of what I carry camping in the bed itself.
Jeep Gladiator DIY Slide Out w/ Sink IMG_2657


I could probably make a fridge slider if I just made a full width slide out. I prefer half side slide outs so I can still use some of the the full height space occasionally without removing the slider.
 
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Wolf Island Diver

Wolf Island Diver

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Quick Details:
  • 19x4.5x58 inches.
  • 7.6 square feet of load deck.
  • Locks in and out.
  • Uses 10% of available volume between the wheel wells.
  • Maintains an approximately 24” wide area of full height space between the wheel wells.
  • 18mm Baltic birch. The real stuff that comes in ~5x5 sheets.
  • Assembled with Kreg pocket hole screws and glue, plugged and sanded flush
  • Bolted to bed floor with 8 stainless bolts
  • Rivnuts flush mounted in bed liner
  • The drawer slides themselves unbolt from the frames of the base and top, to facilitate disassembly and/or removal.
  • Water can is Schepter NATO. These stow in the space above the Diamondback cover.

Parts:
  • Main Slides: SHUHANG Heavy Duty Drawer Slides with Lock 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 44 48 52 56 60 Inch 310lb Load Capacity Full Extension Locking Side Mount Cabinet Rails (56 Inch,1 Pair) https://a.co/d/6O7vmF1
  • Sink Drawer Slides: SHUHANG Heavy Duty Drawer Slides with Lock Full Extension 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 Inch Locking Ball Bearing Side Mount Glides Runners Cabinet 145lb Load Capacity (20 Inch,1 Pair) https://a.co/d/2AymxyP
  • 2 sheets 5x5 18mm Baltic birch sourced locally
  • Button shellac: https://www.shellac.net/cgi-shellac...071&ss_parm=A82cbf7296c1c954989376ef133dc6119
  • Modified NATO Water Can (I later added an additional 1/2 NTP threaded hole with my own tap, so I could have DIY’d this but I needed a cap to modify anyway) https://jagmte.com/products/scepter-water-cap-arabic-tan
  • Brad Hole T-Nuts: Hilitchi 64Pcs M10 Brad Hole Tee Nut Carbon Steel Screw in T Nuts Round Base Mounting Hardware Fitting Fastener Flange Insert Female Thread with Screws (M10-64PCS) https://a.co/d/2uXnUzu
  • M6 Socket Head Bolts: M6 x 16mm Flat Head Socket Head Screws Countersunk Bolts for Furniture Chair Table Desk Crib Bed, Carbon Steel, Black Oxide, Fully Threaded, 25 PCS https://a.co/d/ajUbPSk
  • Truss Head Wood Screws: #8 x 5/8" Wood Screw 100Pcs Alloy Steel Standard Thread Truss Head Fast Self Tapping Black Oxide by SG TZH https://a.co/d/icebjQt
  • Kreg Pocket Hole Screws: Kreg SML-F125-250 Zinc Pocket Screws, 1 1/4 Inch, 7 Fine Thread, Maxi-Loc Head (250 Count) https://a.co/d/iqPlfTI
  • Strain Relief Glands (for pump cap): LeMotech 2Pcs NPT 1/2" IP68 Waterproof Cable Gland Flex Spiral Strain Relief Black Nylon Joint with Gaskets for 6-12mm Wire Thread https://a.co/d/g6vnLyA
  • Tubing: EZ-FLO 3/8 Inch ID (1/2 Inch OD) PVC Clear Vinyl Tubing, 20 Foot Length, 98566 https://a.co/d/cAkGp4U
  • Tubing/pump wiring sleeve: PET Expandable Braided Sleeving 25Ft-1/2 inch Wire Loom, Aibole Braided Cable Sleeve Wire Wrap,Black&Blue https://a.co/d/hKbG6km
  • Proper Drill Bit for M8 Rivnuts: 10.8mm Metric M35 Cobalt Steel Extremely Heat Resistant Twist Drill Bit of 1pcs with Straight Shank to Cut Through Hard Metals Such as Stainless Steel and Cast Iron, 5% Cobalt M35 Grade HSS-CO https://a.co/d/6BSlEwB
  • Faucet: SHURflo (94-009-10 White Electric Faucet https://a.co/d/9IbrQIc
  • Pump: Submersible water pump 12V | 12V water pump | small and portable water pump made in Germany | 12 Volt battery powered water pump for RV, trailer, boat https://a.co/d/e5YpVCP
  • Table Top Lift: 4 Pack Table Lift Hardware Mechanism Hinge, 2 Pairs Table Lift Up Top Hinge, Lift Top Coffee Table Hinges Spring, Each Pair Capacity 60 Lbs, Black https://a.co/d/bRQhKHB
  • Electrical Connectors (2 used): CNLINKO M16 2 Pin Vibration Resistance Outdoor Electrical Cable Connector, LED Pin Connectors Waterproof IP67/ IP65, for Industrial Socket Panel Automotive, UL CE Rose Certification(2 PIN) https://a.co/d/60BVm4r
  • 2/16 Electrical Cable: (I assume this is what I used. I have a lot of this kind of stuff) 16 Gauge 2 Conductor Electrical Wire 16AWG Stranded PVC Cord Oxygen-free, copper, 32.8FT/10M Flexible Low Voltage Cable for LED Strips Lamps Lighting Automotive(16/2AWG-32.8FT) https://a.co/d/gfeggf0
  • Hose Disconnect: BBTUS 1/4" 3/8" 5/16" Plastic In line Hose Barbed Quick Disconnect fittings, Panel Mounting Tubing Quick Connector, Bulkhead Shut Off Valve Male Female Quick Release Coupling (1 Male+ 1 Female)(3/8") https://a.co/d/7JZM1nG
  • Sink with cutting board bottom: Collapsible Cutting Board, HI NINGER Chopping Board with Towel Kitchen Foldable Camping Dishes Sink Space Saving 3 in 1 Multifunction Storage Basket for BBQ Prep/Picnic/Camping (Grey) https://a.co/d/3vArEL4
  • Drag Chain: Fielect Drag Chain Cable Carrier Closed Type with End Connectors R18 9.5X10mm 1 Meter Plastic for Electrical CNC Router Machines Black 1Pcs https://a.co/d/3aeyDlY
  • Magnetic Hose Management Straps: Kanemc 4PCS Magnetic Cable Storage Straps Heavy Duty, Extension Cord Holder Magnet Hooks for Hanging Cables Hoses Workshop Rope Garden Garage Organization https://a.co/d/8EKZUC2
  • Paper Towel Holder: iDesign 33231 Forma Wall Mounted Metal Paper Towel Holder Swiveling Roll Organizer for Kitchen, Bathroom, Craft Room, Set of 1, Bronze https://a.co/d/cGrzaUS
  • Utensil hooks: BAVITE Swivel Swing Magnetic Hook New Upgraded, 60LB (10 Pack)Refrigerator Magnetic Hooks ,Strong Neodymium Magnet Hook, Perfect for Refrigerator and Other Magnetic Surfaces,67.5mm(2.66in) in Length https://a.co/d/5IzOKw2
  • Cowhide: (this is a lot of cowhide I’m able to use for other projects) Genuine Palomino Beige Cowhide Rug 6 x 7-8 ft. 180 x 240 cm https://a.co/d/g4wS4cC
 

RubiNewbCB

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That's an awesome build. Thanks for sharing your plans and material list with us!

I have a similar idea in my head for a low profile Bed Slide/Sleeping Platform, drawer system, as I truck-tent camp now and could potentially use it later if I transition to a canopy camper. For material, I'm considering using 3/4" PVC 4'x8' sheets for the build versus plywood for weight savings. The PVC can be welded and screwed together for strength.
 

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Nice job and excellent write up, I have the parts including the 22”stove to do mine, just finding the time is my problem.
 

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That TC-PRO XL crate is nice ??
 
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Wolf Island Diver

Wolf Island Diver

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That TC-PRO XL crate is nice ??
The other one is a Rola. It’s far heavier duty but shorter. I’ve had it for years. They don’t seem to make them anymore but they make other stuff.

Rola 59001 M.O.V.E. Rigid-Base Trunk Organizer, Customizable Storage, Removable (Black), 38" Interior Organizer https://a.co/d/0SSHcsn
 

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One of these days I'll run into your ride again at the Costco on Jefferson....and I'll wait this time for a full tour ?. Seriously....I was looking at Gladiators and owned my Tundra, parked beside yours, took a picture and sent it to my wife. Bought one and building it. Was talking to a couple friends about fridge and functional slides....this is legit. Nice work man.
 

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Wolf Island Diver

Wolf Island Diver

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I finished (minus the latch) my fridge “slider” solution

Jeep Gladiator DIY Slide Out w/ Sink 1701986014151


I want to be able to more easily pull the ARB fridge out of the back, rather than it skipping on its rubber feet. It works as it is but could be a lot better. It needs to be easier to get out, but I also don’t want it sliding around. I can’t use a traditional fridge slide because of vertical clearance and the possibility of needing to pull my recovery bag out from behind the fridge.

My solution is to just mount a 3/8 sheet of HDPE to the bottom of the fridge. This solves the first problem. It slides right out and back end easily. It’s just HDPE sliding on 3 bedlined ridges. HDPE is like slick. It slides around like it’s on ice.

Jeep Gladiator DIY Slide Out w/ Sink IMG_2692


To secure it, I used this super simple and minimalist solution:

The HDE has a groove in it and protrudes slightly from the right side of the fridge, but not much. It slides firm against the slide out I made but there’s little friction. There’s 3/16 inch clearance on the other side of the fridge and my Powertank boot.

Jeep Gladiator DIY Slide Out w/ Sink IMG_2693


The grove interfaces with a piece of HDPE mounted to a piece of Baltic Birch that’s screwed to the slide out. That HDPE contacts the floor. This whole assembly is 9” long. It’s unobtrusive and has slightly chamfered edge. I may run a round over router bit over it, and slap a finish on it.

It has extremely tight tolerances, but it was easy achieve those fitting and marking the pieces in place with the sheet alone. The wood to the slide out is secured with 4 screws. The HDPE to the wood, 5 screws, so it’s secure. The wood makes tight contact with the top of the HDPE sheet. Again, there’s not crazy friction

Jeep Gladiator DIY Slide Out w/ Sink IMG_2694



The groove creates a finger that’s captured in 4 directions. It can’t flex away or towards the slide out because the right edge is rigid and against the slide out. The groove gets slightly tighter at the end. It was easy to achieve this with just 2 cuts with a saw a then chiseling through the sheet. I don’t even use my table saw. I used a circular s saw with a clamp-on guide. When all the way in it won’t wobble even leveraging it with the mounted fridge.


You can see it all togther

Jeep Gladiator DIY Slide Out w/ Sink IMG_2695


Here’s it going in.


I’ve chamfered the edges of the groove to make it easier to insert.
Jeep Gladiator DIY Slide Out w/ Sink IMG_2696


I’m going to add a spring loaded pin to the slide out on the on front that goes though the panel. At this point its holds pretty securely without it.

Jeep Gladiator DIY Slide Out w/ Sink IMG_2697
 

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DAMMIT MAN!! I didn’t even remotely want one of these until now.

Really impressive work, from design to finished product. Nice tight craftsmanship. Looks like you may have a decent side hustle lined up if you have time to make and sell a few.
 

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I originally wanted to create or buy at table top that attaches to the tailgate to give me more work space when camping, tailgating, fishing, etc. I wasn’t happy with any of the designs I came up with. All of them relied on support under the table. The solution is a slider system. However, I don’t like kitchen sliders because I would lose what remaining space I have in my bed and that it would only be good for one thing. I wanted a slider that was as flat as reasonably possible. I also didn’t want to spend huge amounts of money. Slider systems can get over $800-$1k easily.

One of my hard requirements was that I could still fit my TrailFire fire pit, stove and food boxes between the slider and the Diamondback cover. I can fit my 22” Cook Partner stove, 2 Wolfpack boxes (one with extended lid), and my TrailFire with the wok lid on this thing. Later, I decided to add a little utensil storage and sink.

To build it, I did some design work in Shapr3d. I used Chinesium sliders from Bezos-mart which work well and support 300lbs at full extension. It’s made from 1 1/2 sheets of 18mm baltic birch. I removed as much material from the inner frame to reduce weight.
IMG_0033.png


IMG_2383.jpeg


I installed 8 M8 rivnuts in the bed and sealed them with RTV. They ride in between the ridges but they’re also flush as they imbedded themselves into the bed liner. The drawer is secured with stainless bolts.

IMG_2397.jpeg


The finish is home cut waxed button shellac to which I added Laropal A81 and Tinuvin 292 for additional durability. I applied this with a French polish technique and polished it with rottenstone. Finally applied several coats of paste wax. I’ll spare everyone my manifesto on why shellac is superior to almost everything and why the consumer coatings industry is mostly a big scam. The nice thing about shellac is that it’s easily repairable without stripping or sanding and its durability far exceeds its reputation. I’ve used it for years on workshop shelving and it’s held up perfectly.

IMG_2658.jpeg


IMG_2667.jpeg


I made an additional work surface from 3/4 UV stabilized HDPE to go over the sink when its drawer is out. The lid for the utility drawer lifts up on coffee table riders and provides and additional work surface, hooks for utensils and a paper towel roll. The position of the slide out allows the fridge to stay pulled out. All of this under the awning allows for a nice spot for cooking. I have a high camping chair that allows you to sit at the slide out like a table.

IMG_2659.jpeg


I wanted a non-skid cover to further protect surface, which I made out of my neighbors golden retriever palomino cowhide.



Here are some more images:
IMG_2655.jpeg

IMG_2539.jpeg

IMG_2404.jpeg


Despite taking up 4 1/4 inches of vertical space. I find that I this actually increases the utility of the bed for every day things like loading groceries, Costco runs and trips to the shooting range, etc.

IMG_2592.jpeg



The sink:

The sink is an expandable camping tub. For a faucet I used an rv-style electric switch faucet.



I modified a NATO water can cap to accept the hoses for a pump hose and electrical cord. These connect under the sink slider with an electrical and hose quick disconnect. Both sides of the hose connectors close off when disconnected. A second power connector at the back of the slider plugs into a cable in the bed.

IMG_2665.jpeg

IMG_2666.jpeg

IMG_2645.jpeg


The NATO water can can ride up out of the way with the hose running down the side of the slide out held in place with magnetic straps. These straps can also hold the propane hose for the stove. The pull bar at the end doubles as a di towel holder.
IMG_2670.jpeg
That’s impressive! Nicely done and thanks for sharing.
 

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What software is that? I've been struggling to find something simple to use to design my kitchen with. I made a fridge slide out and battery storage but it's just a tub basically. The kitchen side I want to be a bit more precise with it's individual functions. I have a griddle and want a sink like that too. Currently I have one but it's just a collapsing basin. No drain and faucet.

Good work!
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