SquadBox vs steel cargo enclosures and drawer systems
Short answer: SquadBox locks with its own lid (top and doors off), fits the Wrangler 4xe, and uses HDPE that cannot rust. Steel deck enclosures usually win on brute-force resistance and often lock only with the closed tailgate. Drawer systems win if you run the same kit every trip. Here is the honest comparison — including where the others win.
Related: 4xe fitment · Jeep cargo security · FAQ
Material
SquadBox¾" ballistic-grade HDPE, aluminium frame- Steel deck enclosure
- 16-gauge welded steel
- Drawer system
- Steel or composite
Locks with the top and doors off
SquadBoxYes, the lid locks on its own- Steel deck enclosure
- Usually no, most rely on the closed tailgate
- Drawer system
- No
Fits the 4xe
SquadBoxYes- Steel deck enclosure
- Most exclude it
- Drawer system
- Varies
Reconfigures
SquadBoxBoth panels flip and lift out by hand- Steel deck enclosure
- Panels come out, but it is a heavier job
- Drawer system
- Fixed
Weight
SquadBoxLight enough to reconfigure alone- Steel deck enclosure
- Heavy
- Drawer system
- Heavy
Rust
SquadBoxCannot rust- Steel deck enclosure
- Powder coat, chips can rust
- Drawer system
- Varies
Drilling
SquadBoxNone- Steel deck enclosure
- None on most
- Drawer system
- Some
Best for
SquadBoxTopless driving, changing loads, 4xe owners- Steel deck enclosure
- Maximum brute-force resistance
- Drawer system
- Long trips with a fixed kit
Which one is right for you
Where steel wins
If your only concern is somebody with time and tools, welded steel is harder to defeat than any plastic. We build HDPE because it does not rust, it does not weigh the Jeep down, and one person can reconfigure it. That is the trade, and it is worth saying out loud.
Where drawers win
If you run the same kit every trip and want everything to slide out at waist height, a drawer system is nicer to live with. It also costs more cargo height and does not adapt.
Where SquadBox wins
Topless and doorless driving, loads that change week to week, the 4xe, and anyone who would rather not add 150 pounds of steel to a Jeep. See also how Jeep cargo security works when the top is off.
Shop SquadBoxWill it fit your Wrangler?
Pick your year and model. If you have the Alpine subwoofer, say so, since it changes which unit you need.