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Hilux Drawer System DIY: Dimensions, Cut List and Budget Build

The Hilux is one of the most common utes in New Zealand and Australia. That's why there's a big market in bolt-in Hilux drawer kits, and also why you can build your own. This guide covers the measurements that matter for the dual-cab N70 (2005–2015) and N80 (2015–2025) tubs, a sensible two-drawer layout, the runner choice, and how to fix the unit down.

Numbers below are either from the cited source or from your own tape measure. Tubs vary with liners, and canopies vary by brand, so always measure your own vehicle using our measuring guide.

Start with your vehicle page

Pick your model for starting dimensions and a ready-made plan:

• Toyota Hilux N70 (2005–2015)
• Toyota Hilux N80 (2015–2025)
• Older trucks: Hilux N140/N170

Key Hilux measurements

From RigBlueprint's vehicle research file (vehicles.json, which records the source for each figure):

• Two drawers side by side fit between the arches. One N70 owner fitted a pair of drawers with 540mm-wide internals (540 x 280 x 1280mm each). (outbackjoe)
• Length budget: with a 1520–1569mm tub floor (table above) you can fit full-length drawers, or shorter drawers plus a cabinet against the bulkhead (see layout 3).
• Height: your limit is the canopy door opening, not the canopy roof. The 280mm drawer above sits well inside the tub depth.
• Tub liner: a drop-in liner takes up width and adds ribs. Measure with the liner fitted or removed, depending on how you'll actually run the ute. A spray-in liner gives you more usable space. (Caught Coasting)

Layout options

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

3. Drawers + front cabinet. Shorter drawers (~1000mm) with a cabinet against the bulkhead for a compressor, water or battery. This suits canopy touring builds. (NewHilux.net build)

Wing panels over the arches give you side shelves. They're quick to make from 12mm ply once the carcass is in.

Materials and budget

Note: the ply prices above are for non-structural, untreated sheet. That's fine under a sealed canopy. In an open tub, use marine or H3 ply, or prime and paint every face and edge. (Bunnings Workshop)

For comparison, an assembled universal ply drawer set from an Auckland maker starts at NZ$1,000. (Workvan, accessed 16 Oct 2026)

Cut list approach

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

1. Carcass width = arch width – 10mm clearance.
2. Carcass length = tub floor length (1520mm N70 / 1569mm N80, table above) – tailgate clearance – any front cabinet.
3. Drawer box width = bay width – runner allowance (check your runner's spec sheet; it's usually listed per side).
4. Drawer box length = runner length (e.g. 1219mm full-extension runners suit ~1280mm drawers, per the outbackjoe build).

The RigBlueprint planner does this for you. Choose your Hilux 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 into the tray with backing plates and spreader washers. Don't just drive self-tappers into thin sheet metal.
• On a spray-lined tub, seal the holes. One NewHilux builder stuck his heavy unit to a tub liner with Sikaflex instead of bolting it (NewHilux.net). That stops it sliding, but it won't hold the unit in a rollover, so bolting is the safer choice.
• Pack out the sides with timber so the runner bolt heads clear the carcass. (Greysand Projects)

Weight check

A 12mm marine-ply Hilux system with two drawers, two slide-out shelves and hardwood rails came in at an estimated ~65kg. (outbackjoe) Long full-extension runners make up a big share of that, so only fit them where you need them.

Fill it sensibly

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

Related

• DIY ute drawers on a budget: real NZ/AU costs
• Free DIY ute drawer plans
• Canopy false floor
• All vehicles

Plan your layout in the free planner →

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