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Ford Ranger Drawer System DIY: Dimensions, Cut List and Budget Build

The Ranger was the best-selling ute in NZ and AU in 2025: 56,555 sales in Australia (FCAI VFACTS, as reported by Drive) and 9,681 registrations in New Zealand, where it was the top commercial vehicle (Driven). That's why so many Ranger drawer kits exist, and why building your own is worth it. This guide covers the tub measurements that matter for the PX (2011–2022) and next-gen (2022+) dual cabs, a sensible layout, runner choice and how to fix the unit down.

Every number below comes from a cited source or from your own tape measure. Tubs vary with liners, roller shutters and canopies, so always measure your own Ranger using our measuring guide.

Start with your vehicle page

Each page has a sourced tub dimensions table and opens the planner set up for that Ranger:

• Ford Ranger PX (2011–2022), including the PX2 and PX3 facelifts
• Ford Ranger next-gen (2022+)
• Older trucks: Ford Ranger PJ/PK

Key Ranger tub measurements

What this means for drawers:

• Next-gen tubs are not all the same. The XLT-and-up tub is listed 83mm shorter at the floor than the XL tub (1464mm vs 1547mm). Check which tub you have before you buy a kit or cut ply.
• The next-gen is much wider between the arches than the PX (1224mm or 1217mm vs 1139mm), so twin drawers or a drawer plus fridge slide get more room.
• PX length: 1549mm is the floor length. The top of the box is shorter at 1485mm (same Ford NZ sheet), so a unit that touches the floor-level bulkhead may not clear the top edge when you lower it in at an angle.
• Arch height (next-gen): Ford's US body builders guide lists the wheelhouse at 211mm above the floor (medium confidence, US-market truck). A unit taller than that has to fit between the arches or step over them.
• PJ/PK (2006–2011): Ford lists a 1530 x 1456mm double cab box (Ford press release, Feb 2009). Our arch width and depth for this ute come from its Mazda BT-50 twin, so measure yours to confirm.
• Roller shutters and liners: a factory roller shutter canister and a drop-in liner both eat into usable space. Measure with them fitted if you'll keep them.

Layout options

1. Twin drawers, full width. The simplest option and the easiest to build. Two equal drawers, each just under half the arch width.

2. Drawer + fridge slide. One drawer and one fridge slide. Size the fridge side from your fridge's footprint plus slide clearance (see 12V fridges) and give the leftover width to the drawer. The next-gen's extra arch width makes this layout easier than on a PX.

3. Shorter drawers + front cabinet. On the shorter next-gen XLT-and-up tub, ~1000mm drawers leave space against the bulkhead for a water tank, battery box or compressor.

Wing panels over the arches give you side shelves for jerry cans or a recovery bag. Cut them from 12mm ply once the carcass is in.

Materials and budget

The ply prices are for non-structural, untreated sheet. That's fine under a sealed canopy. In an open tub, use marine or H3 ply, or seal every face and edge. Our ply guide compares the options.

Cut list approach

Don't copy someone else's cut list: their tub, liner and runners won't match yours. Work it out like this:

1. Carcass width = width between the arches minus about 10–20mm clearance. On a PX that's roughly 1120–1129mm; on a next-gen XL tub roughly 1204–1214mm.
2. Carcass length = tub floor length (1549mm PX, 1547mm or 1464mm next-gen) minus tailgate clearance and any front cabinet.
3. Drawer box width = bay width minus the runner allowance (check your runner's spec sheet; it's usually listed per side).
4. Drawer box length = to suit your runner length, e.g. 1000mm runners for the Goliath pairs above.

The RigBlueprint planner does this maths for you. Choose your Ranger and it outputs panel sizes, a sheet nesting layout and a hardware list you can print.

Fixing it down

• Bolt through the tub's tie-down points or the floor with backing plates and large washers. Don't rely on self-tappers in thin sheet metal.
• Seal every hole you drill, especially on a spray-lined tub, and don't block the factory drain holes.
• Our anchoring and load restraint guide covers how to keep a loaded unit in place in a crash.

Weight check

Payload goes quickly once you add drawers, a canopy, a fridge and water. Ford NZ's Feb 2016 Ranger brochure quotes "payload capacity up to 1,205kg", but only for XL 2WD Double Cab models (Ford NZ brochure); 4x4 and higher-spec dual cabs carry less. Drive's dual-cab ute comparison lists 1065kg for the PX it tested (Drive). Check your own vehicle's compliance plate, weigh your build or add up the parts before you load up for a trip.

Fill it sensibly

Heavy items go low and forward. These guides cover the gear you'll plan around: 12V fridges · recovery gear · water storage · portable power · tyre compressors

If you're running a canopy over the drawers, our dust proof canopy guide covers sealing and vents.

Related

• Hilux drawer system DIY
• DIY ute drawers on a budget: real NZ/AU costs
• Free DIY ute drawer plans
• 4WD drawer runners compared
• Bunnings ute drawers shopping list
• Canopy false floor
• All vehicles

Plan your layout in the free planner →

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