So like many of you, I’ve amassed enough spare parts to build a new disco from scratch. Well, maybe not to that extent…but tons of parts. They range from awkwardly big interior panels, to half a dozen headlights, to handfuls of horn buttons.

How do you all organize and store your spares? My current solution is tossing parts in bins however they fit best without much regard to organization.

help.

 

I don’t think many understand the relevance of this question- especially as it becomes more and more important with the scarcity of parts becoming a reality with these things aging.

As you are in the People’s Republik, I’m certain space is certainly at a premium for you, so the challenge is all the more real. Your method is probably about the only realistic way unless you have access to a warehouse.

At the house in UT, I used the attic above the garage for the larger interior bits and had some boxes organized for electrical and the like. You may recall my original D2 having a stall in the garage as a parts car after I rolled it an then just pilfered (so it was it’s own storage facility by itself) as needed. I had also built some shelves that were in the perimeter of the main 2 bays of the garage that were really handy (we were fortunate that the garage had an extremely high ceiling).

At our place in CO, space is obviously not a problem, and I have half the hay shed for storage where it shares space with various moto and yard stuff, but I never really got around to organizing the way I wanted to before we left for Euroville. Upon our imminent return, our focus will again be on getting the barn finished, where I have all sorts of visions of sugar plums in my head for how parts and vehicles will be stored.

Assuming you have a decent garage space, garagejournal.com would be a wonderful way for you to get all sorts of crazy ideas, no matter how big or small your space.

 

I use Dewalt tool bags and a larger tool box for trail spares. My favorite for small parts is a couple fruit boxes from Costco that are stackable and not too deep so stuff doesn't get buried. Bigger stuff is on cheap metal shelves. I have 2 D1s, so don't need big panels and such. That's probably the best strategy: buy a second truck!

 

I have far too many spares for multiple vehicles so I tend to bin in clear bins with labels with a rough packing list that I try to keep up to date when I remove or add something. With 3-4 projects at a time, its the only way I can keep things straight along with google sheets for each vehicle for history and a trello board for each with todos.

 

This is the way...

 

I added mezzanine shelving into the roof supports of my garage. Motorcycle parts go on one side; Rover on the other. Large parts like front grille and other plastics go up so they're safe and out of the way. Parts of similar greasiness go into labelled tubs together and also go up there. I still have some seat parts and wheels out in my barn (yes, in NYC), but I am unloading them soon.

 

You and me both.

My attic (which is large) looks like an insane person's asylum of Range Rover classic and Discovery 2 parts.

For now, I have them very loosely organized. I feel slightly guilty about the hoard / stash... but someday I know they'll come in handy.

Mine are in boxes loosely categorized. Interior. Exterior. Underhood. Blah.

 

I would use Target's large and clear plastic bins roughly 60 inches in length, 20 inches in width and close to 20" in height. They are good for long skinny items thst requires dry storage staying off the wet weather.

 

Careful with this, the heat and uv radiation will deteriorate non- metal parts.

 

I've started (wish I had started sooner) keeping digital/PDF copies of parts purchased and a spreadsheet inventory (woefully inaccurate currently but I'll get there, maybe). No solution for storage but might help you remember what you have.