Roller Drawers - Outback vs Black Widow

I don't think there's all that much between them in all honesty.

A couple of years ago, i went through the same process and ended up with the BW, mainly as I was able to get them quickly just before a long trip over to WA and the Kimberley. also, the manufacturers were not too far from where I live and I thought that may be useful if I had any problems along the track.

I am happy with the product and the backup and service of BW is excellent, but whichever you go for, either install them yourself or ensure the installation is done properly as they who installed mine stuffed it up and I had rattles on corrugated roads and some failed roller bearings afterwards. Not a criticism of the product, but more of the poor installation. I took the whole lot back to BW direct and they agreed that it was a shoddy install and did the whole thing on the spot for me (remove and reinstall), plus they lent me a car to go and get some lunch and chill out whilst I was waiting.

They are a very expensive item for what they are, but I do love the ease of access to gear and the convenience. My wife can also get gear out of the draws. Much better than the old plywood jobs and plastic crates under the floor I had in previous cars.

Cheers,

Mark

They are both excellent products and in that price range you might also consider "Fourby Fitouts".

If you're after a more cost effective option, we build quality drawers for around half the cost of the major players, eg a two drawer system for your 80 is $899.

Feel free to call me 03 9706 6527 for any information.

Cheers,

Jim.

I previously had Outback roller drawers in one of the Landy's, but found that the weight penalty versus usefulness didn't work out so I removed them.

In the end we put in a (very simple) custom made system that was lighter and more useful. Noting that in the Landy the Outback Drawer was just that, a very expensive sliding drawer.

I note that Jim has made a post on his product which I understand is much lighter in its construction. Might be worth a look.

Good luck with it....

I looked at the Outback Drawer System before deciding on the Black Widow product.

The finish, operation and type of lock/handles on the Black Widow System was IMO superior. Black Widow also have a full range of accessories. I chose a built-in fridge slide which sits flush with the top surface.

The biggest plus of all is if/when updating your vehicle you should be able to transfer the drawer system to the new one without anything more than a new "wing kit" to suit the variance of the new vehicle's side panel shape or width, so it should be a lifetime investment.

Had my system for 5 years now and still as good as the day it was installed. No rattles at all.

Bill

Hi
Like above, I went through the same situation many years ago. Prior to that I had made my own draw system, which I was very proud of. It is now until to see the professionally made units on offer, I decided to bite the bullet and buy a strong sturdy set. I looked at the 2 main units on the market. Both were good, but one stood out over the other, better carpet, better handles to open the unit, better hold down point for the fridge etc and went for the Black Widow.
Where I can, I prefer to install things myself, then if anything goes wrong, I only have one person to blame - ME.
They are easy to install, the most important thing is to follow the instructions and make sure the frame is square before it is bolted down into position. Our system has seen the roughest of outback terrain, corrugations, you name it and they work and perform excellent every time.

I am very bias, but for me the Black Widow wins hands down.

Cheers

Stephen

Another vote for Black Widow ;-)

Welshmun

I am on my second set of drawers.

I have done some research on both systems which IMO are the two to choose from.
I disagree slightly with Sand Man, in that I think outback also has a full range of options.
At my local TJM store, they have built-in samples of both makes in their shop.
The main reason I went for the Outback is the gap above the drawer so you don't chop your fingers off when closing the drawer. It has actually happened to me when parked on an incline; Opened the drawer, it started sliding shut, (without thinking) I grabbed the drawer (not the handle) but the weight of the drawer pulled me in. If that was a Black Widow I would have severed my fingers. Remeber the kids are in and out of the drawers all the time.

I do agree with most opinions above that the Black Widow presents better, looks neater etc. but IMO both are equally well made.

In the end oit is personal opinion, what I suggest is to have a good look at both systems installed, look feel touch and operate both, then decide.

Cheers, CJ

A vote from Black Widow from me.

After seeing how Mark (the owner of BW) tested them in the Kimberlies and the CSR, he really knows how to build a top unit (and innovative changes which have been copied by others).

Brett.........

I too researched the various drawer offerings after I bought my Prado in 2005. In my opinion BW were the most solid and rugged, as well as being very professionally built. I have not been disappointed in the four years since.

I bought this setup: two drawers on the bottom, a fridge slide on top on the passengers side, and a deeper drawer on top on the driver's side. Good storage, no rattles. I also have a hinged cover on the driver's side lower drawer, which serves as a table for coffee stops by the roadside. They were professionally installed; I looked into doing it myself and decided against it.

A couple of years after I bought my drawers I made some minor bits for the top of the fridge slide to lock the fridge in position and prevent it sliding around on corrugations. This comprised two pieces of timber with circular holes in them for the fridge feet, and a timber board to sit on the top of these and give a flat surface when the fridge is not installed. I thought it would be nice to finish the timber bits in marine carpet like the drawers, so I contacted BW, intending to buy some carpet from them. Not only did they supply the carpet FOC, but they also sent some glue! Wonderful service. I was more than happy to send them pics of the finished job, which looked very professional and works a treat.

Bruce M

I got mine from

Off Road systems

Based in Camden, Sydney.

Excellent product.

Welshmun,

I had Outback Drawers in my 80 series for 13 years. Not a single issue with them. Bought them direct, installed them myself.

The new owner, also an EO member, has the 80 now, still equipped with the drawers.

Look, I don't think you'll find much difference between the two brands so drive the hardest bargain and take the lowest price.

cheers

Welshmun

I have built my own. Used MDF and angle brackets. Have remodified a number of times. Admittedly no sliding drawers but storage is effective. Cost about $100


Cheers

Welshmun,

I have had my outback drawers now for nearly 6 years and they work as good as new. I also have a fridge slide, fridge divider barrier and top shelf. It takes a while to getting used to packing up because of the divided up spaces but once you get used to it you'll never go back. I originally had mine installed in my 80 series but pulled it out and installed it in my 100 series myself, just ordered the side wings form Outback and it all fitted like a charm. When I installed it myself I gained a real appreciation for the quality and substantial construction of the units and could then appreciate the price a bit better.

I have a mate who has the black widow drawers and in my opinion they look just as well built. I really like the chequer plate lip on the black widow set up.

If I had to buy a set up now, it would be decided on the cheapest price I could get either of these units for.

Chalk me up for the Outback - they are solid (heavy) but don't rattle and are trouble free. I installed them myself in a couple of hours. They now have a modified cargo barrier similar to the BW in that there is no "butchering" of the interior - they use the grab handles now which is an added bonus.

Also when I ordered mine (2004) the Outback was 100mm longer than the BW - makes a fair difference when carrying shovels, axe, splitters etc...

My 2c's




Tim

I've got the Outback drawers.

The quality of both types eg BW and OB and others I have now seen are basically identical.

Some now are made using aluminium as opposed to steel. Weight saving here. Although I do work in the steel industry :-)

For me the deal breaker was the internal volume of the storage drawers for my particular vehicle 120series prado.

BW's one size fits many does not make all drawer space available. Although you still have it under the side wings.

Does make them transferable between vehicles but only in respect of say medium size 4b's versus larger models. Also drawer length being a consideration.

I'm happy and if and when the time comes to move up in vehicle size and need bigger drawers I'm sure the resale of the drawers will be adequate as they will be for any brand.

Cheers
Garth

I went through this process late last year for my Triton dual cab & after considering all options opted for the drawers from Jim at Best Off Road & can not fault them. I have since travelled nearly 10,000km, of which a lot was over dirt roads & corrugated tracks & they have been excellent.
I'm glad I went for these at 1/2 the price.
Jim was very helpful & although I took the Triton to Jim to get them installed it would have been easy to do it myself (after watching Jim do it)
Of all the extras i have spent my hard earned on the drawers are probably the best investment.

Have had Outback Drawers in my 80 series for over 2oo.ooo. KMS of travel . all over the bush in Aus.
Love the Black Widow kits but reckon they would never cope with the crap that my units have put up with .. they look good and all the rest but not sure if they would have been able to cop the crap that the Outback ones have done...and they still look as new !!
Black Widow blokes all look a bit too black for me , full of smoothe talk , which i suppose is necessary when you are trying to sell stuff that 's not really suitable for severe work, sure it works great if you leave Sydney now and then on a weekend spin in the bush !!
Steve

I bought my 99 patrol last year. It has outback _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx in it with the fridge slide, been installed since new. Patrol now has 245,000km.

They don't rattle, the _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx still slide very well but the locks are a little bit tight, the fridge slide is a bit tight too but a few sprays of lube every now and then fixes it up. I'm very happy with them.

I had to run some new wiring to the rear of the vehicle, so I had to remove the wings. They were held in by about 8 M6 bolt to the solid metal frame. It looks very well built from what I saw.

Not sure if I would pay the $$$ for a new set, I made some for my last patrol and they did the job well to suit my needs.

I have no experience with BW _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx so I can't comment there.

AND THE ANSWER TO MY ROLLER DRAWER QUESTION IS . . . .

To those nice people who have offered me their opinions:
I'm mulling IT over this weekend and will post my decision here early next week, with reasons.

In the meantime, I appreciate all the comments and suggestions.
Exploroz Forum works well !

have a good one.

Well here it is: The Decision.
My considerations were:
cost, weight & ease of fit (in case I did it myself)

Other forum contributors's considerations included those three, plus
value (not the same as cost) (applies to me too)
ability to move to another vehicle (not for me)
looks (?)
manufacturer's support & service (yes)
accessories (hmmm)
safety (one comment against BW)

So, although, I like the idea of choosing the quality products available from Black Widow or Outback (not much to choose between them, it seems),
and fitting by TJM (expensive), financial sense and the weight of these systems has put me off, and I have decided to do some of the work myself (like a bed extension)
and I therefore chose . . . .

The 40Kg drawers from :Best OffRoad
i have placed an order for drawers and fridge slide, and eagerly await the product.
Jim is also throwing a length of carpeting so my bed extension, and anything else I do, will match.
There, decision made.