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Drawer Runners for 4WD Drawers: What to Buy
Runners are usually the most expensive single item in a DIY drawer build. One NZ4WD builder left them out entirely to save money (NZ4WD). They also decide how far the drawer comes out, how much it can carry, and whether it stays put on a slope. Here's how the options compare, with NZ and AU prices from our 16 Oct 2026 check (retail_prices.json). "Price varies" means we haven't confirmed a price.
The four options
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| No runners (drawer slides on a hardwood or UHMW strip) | Cheapest builds, light loads | Hard to pull out when full; won't extend past the tailgate |
| Hardware-store heavy-duty slides (e.g. Goliath, 90kg) | Gear drawers | Check it's a pair, check whether it locks, check the real rating |
| 227kg locking runners | Heavy drawers, anything you open on a slope | Heavy; A$75–365 a pair depending on length |
| Bought fridge slide | Fridges | Size it to your fridge before you size the drawer bay |
Hardware-store slides: Goliath at Bunnings
Notes from our price check: - The NZ 800mm is priced per pair (package quantity 2), even though the title doesn't say "pair". - The NZ 1000mm does not lock. - Both AU "extra heavy duty" pairs are special order, and their ratings conflict: 200kg per set (440 lb) in the spec table, 90kg in the features text.
Is 90kg enough? For a drawer of tools, recovery gear or cooking kit, usually yes. Owner builds on patrol4x4 have run 100kg runners on corrugated outback tracks without trouble (patrol4x4). Remember the rating covers the drawer box as well as what's in it, and loads are much higher when the vehicle hits bumps.
Locking 227kg runners
Use these when a fully extended drawer has to carry real weight, or has to stay locked open while you work off it. One Hilux canopy build reports using two pairs of "250kg" lockable 850mm runners (NewHilux.net), but we couldn't find that rating for sale.
- What's available: No NZ or AU retailer we checked lists a runner that is both rated 250kg and locks. The highest-rated locking runners we found are 227kg per pair: Dunn & Watson's Titan Series 227kg locking slides, A$120–365 per pair depending on length (ships to NZ), and SelectLok 227kg slides, A$75.05 for a 400mm pair (locking or non-locking option). AliExpress "250" ratings are in lb, about 113kg, not 250kg (retail_prices.json, 16 Oct 2026). The AliExpress "250 lb" locking slide we found also had only 126 sales, so buy locking slides from NZ/AU retail (drawer hardware).
- Weight: long full-extension runners add a lot of weight. One Hilux builder found their 1219mm runners "really heavy" (outbackjoe). Use them only where you need them.
Bought fridge slides
For a fridge, a bought slide is usually better value than building one. It comes with the locking runners, tie-down points and a frame sized for fridges.
| Slide | NZ | AU |
|---|---|---|
| Kings Universal | NZ$220 (carpeted), 4WD Supply Co | A$129 |
| Kings Medium (up to 60L, 100kg, twin locking runners) | NZ$189, 4WD Supply Co | A$139 |
| Dune 20–60L | price varies | A$149, Anaconda |
| Kings Large (up to 100L, 110kg) | price varies | A$219 |
| XTM (80kg, internal 75 x 43 x 5cm) | price varies | A$259.99 at BCF or Supercheap (club price A$129.99) |
| Evakool Evapower HD Small (830 x 540 x 90mm) | price varies | A$299, Outback Equipment |
| Dometic SLD3545U | price varies | A$399, Outback Equipment |
| Dometic 55U (90kg) | price varies | A$449, BCF |
| MSA DS40 drop slide | price varies | A$899, Supercheap |
Match the slide to your fridge's footprint and weight. See 12V fridges. A drop slide lowers the fridge so you can reach into it, which matters on tall utes.
Picking runner length
- Runners come in fixed lengths, so choose the runner first and size the drawer box to it. The planner does this for you.
- Leave clearance at the front of the carcass and for the drawer front at the tailgate.
- For a dual-cab Hilux,
vehicles.jsonlists tub floor lengths of 1520mm for the 2005–2015 N70 (Toyota UK brochure) and 1569mm for the 2015–2025 N80 (australiancar.reviews). That's room for 1000mm or 1200mm runners, with space left for a front cabinet on the shorter option. In a GU Patrol, the low-confidence figure is 915mm with the rear seats up (vehicle page), so 700–800mm runners are the realistic range there.
Fitting tips
- Bolt runners through with countersunk bolts and Nyloc nuts, and recess the heads so the drawer clears (patrol4x4 GU build).
- Pack out the carcass sides with timber so the bolt heads clear (Greysand Projects).
- Fit the runners while the panels are flat, before you assemble the carcass.
- Add a positive latch so the drawer can't roll open under braking. See drawer hardware.
Related
- Bunnings ute drawers: DIY shopping list
- Free DIY ute drawer plans
- GU Patrol rear drawers DIY
- DIY ute drawers on a budget
- Slide-out kitchen module