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Bunnings Ute Drawers: DIY Shopping List for NZ and Australia
Bunnings doesn't sell a ready-made ute drawer system. It does stock nearly everything you need to build one: sheet ply, heavy-duty runners, screws, latches and timber. Here's what to put in the trolley, aisle by aisle, with current NZ and AU prices where we've checked them.
Prices below come from RigBlueprint's retail price check on 16 Oct 2026 (retail_prices.json) and link to the product page. Prices change and vary by store, so check yours before you go. "Price varies" means we haven't confirmed that item.
Before you go: get the numbers
Don't buy anything until you know four things: carcass size, drawer count, runner length and sheet count.
- Measure your tub or boot with the measuring guide, and compare with your vehicle page.
- Run the planner. It gives you a panel cut list, sheet layout and hardware list.
- Pick your runner length first. Drawer box length is set by the runner, not the other way round (see drawer runner comparison).
Aisle 1: Sheet ply
| Item | NZ | AU |
|---|---|---|
| 12mm non-structural (carcass, drawer boxes) | Tigerply, NZ$57.50 | CUSTOMply, A$46.00 |
| 12mm structural | IBuilt DD F8, NZ$73.22 (special order) | STRUCTAply CD, A$71.10 |
| 12mm H3.2 / marine (open tub) | IBuilt CD H3.2, NZ$93.50 | Marine AA 2440 x 1220, A$97 |
| 15mm structural | IBuilt DD F8, NZ$118.92 (special order) | STRUCTAply CD, A$86.20 |
| 17–18mm (top, if you sleep on it or mount a fridge) | Tigerply 18mm non-structural, NZ$89.90; StrongPly14 17mm structural, NZ$109 | CUSTOMply 17mm non-structural, A$71.40 (special order, in-store only); STRUCTAply 17mm F14 formply, A$92.70 |
Notes: - Ply prices are from retail_prices.json, 16 Oct 2026. Bunnings NZ has no true marine ply; see what ply for ute drawers for Mitre 10 and PlaceMakers options. - Bunnings AU's non-structural range comes in 17mm, not 18mm, so a plan drawn for 18mm needs its internal dimensions adjusted. - In an open tub, use marine or H3 ply, or prime and paint every face and edge. Under a sealed canopy, sealed non-structural ply is fine (Bunnings Workshop). - 12mm, glued and screwed every 100–150mm, is enough for most carcasses (4WDing Australia). - Ask the timber counter to break each sheet into strips that fit your car. It also makes the cuts at home easier.
Aisle 2: Drawer runners (Goliath)
What our price check confirmed: - Pair or single? The NZ 800mm is NZ$88.87 per pair (package quantity 2), even though the title doesn't say "pair". The NZ 700mm listing doesn't say either way. - Lockable? The NZ 1000mm does not lock. The AU 700mm and 1000mm are lockable pairs. A lock that holds the drawer open matters when you're parked on a slope. - Load rating. The AU "extra heavy duty" pairs are special order, and their pages conflict: the spec table says 200kg per set (440 lb), but the features text says 90kg.
Aisle 3: Fasteners
| Item | NZ | AU |
|---|---|---|
| 8G x 30mm chipboard screws | Zenith 500-pack, NZ$28.75 | Zenith 100-pack, A$8.07 |
| Bolts, spreader washers, Nyloc nuts for mounting to the tub | price varies | price varies |
| Wood glue | price varies | price varies |
On thicker ply, longer screws (40–50mm) give a stronger joint (4WDing Australia). Pre-drill so the ply doesn't split (Greysand Projects).
Aisle 4: Latches, handles, trim
| Item | NZ | AU |
|---|---|---|
| Toggle latch | price varies | Syneco 115–125mm adjustable toggle latch, A$5.98 |
| Flush handles, edge trim, aluminium angle | price varies | price varies |
For cheaper flush latches, pulls and edge trim, see the drawer hardware guide. We don't repeat that list here.
Aisle 5: Timber for spacers and rails
| Item | NZ | AU |
|---|---|---|
| 90 x 45mm framing | SG8 H1.2, 4.8m, NZ$39.74 | MGP10 untreated, 3.6m, A$19.30 |
Use it to pack out the floor or for false-floor spacers (see canopy false floor). Lighter battens are often enough there.
Aisle 6: Finish
Marine carpet and contact adhesive, or a decking oil: price varies. Carpet stops rattles. Oil is lighter and easier to wipe clean (outbackjoe).
What it adds up to
Our price file has rough DIY totals using Bunnings parts (16 Oct 2026):
- One drawer: about NZ$224 (one 18mm sheet, a 1000mm Goliath pair, 500 screws) or about A$179 (one 17mm sheet, a 1000mm lockable pair, 100 screws).
- Two drawers: about NZ$420 or A$351.
These totals include the ply. Bought drawers for comparison:
| Bought option | Price |
|---|---|
| Ridge Ryder canopy single drawer (600 x 670 x 226mm) | NZ$449 / A$349 |
| Kings 900mm modular drawer | A$359 |
| Titan 900mm single drawer (NZ stockist) | NZ$699 |
Not at Bunnings: buy elsewhere
- Fridge slide: a bought slide is usually the better choice. See the runner comparison for prices, and 12V fridges for footprints.
- Heavy locking runners (227kg): 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).
Related
- Free DIY ute drawer plans
- DIY ute drawers on a budget
- Hilux drawer system DIY
- Drawer runners for 4WD drawers
- What ply for ute drawers