Is your 2020 Volvo XC90 lacking convenient storage in the cargo area? Many owners have noticed the shift away from the practical hidden storage found in earlier models. If you’re looking to maximize space and organize your tools, you’re in the right place. This guide will walk you through a simple yet effective upgrade: installing cargo area tool drawers in your XC90.
When you lift the load floor panel of a 2020 XC90, you’ll typically find a foam insert housing the jack and tools, positioned directly above the spare tire. While functional, this setup doesn’t offer much in terms of organized storage.
Image: The standard spare tire compartment of a 2020 Volvo XC90, showing the minimal tool storage provided by the factory foam insert.
Removing the foam insert reveals the spare tire and very little usable space around it. This is a significant departure from older XC90 models that traditionally featured clever hidden compartments for tools and other essentials.
Image: The spare tire compartment of a Volvo XC90 with the foam tool holder removed, highlighting the lack of integrated storage space.
To address this storage issue, the solution involves a few key Volvo parts and a clever modification: flipping the spare tire and utilizing a circular foam insert designed for earlier models. This creates space for a new cargo compartment with built-in tool drawers.
First, you’ll need to flip your spare tire upside down. Then, order the circular foam piece specifically designed to fit inside the spare wheel when it’s inverted. This crucial part is Volvo part number 31362300. It’s essential to double-check you receive this exact part number when ordering. Some suppliers might mistakenly substitute part 31680034, which is the standard large foam storage piece for the 2020 XC90 and not suitable for this upgrade.
Once you have the correct circular foam piece (part number 31362300) and have flipped your spare tire, place the jack and tools inside. You’ll find that the tools fit snugly within the foam, though it may take a little maneuvering to arrange them correctly. The bolt that secures the foam and spare tire to the vehicle frame might seem a bit short initially, but with firm downward pressure, it will engage and tighten properly. After this step, your spare tire area will look something like this:
Image: The modified spare tire compartment in a Volvo XC90 after flipping the spare and installing the circular foam insert (Volvo part 31362300), creating space for tool storage.
With the spare tire and foam insert in place, you can now install the new cargo compartment with tool drawers. Interestingly, there are two design variations of this compartment, both seemingly bearing the same Volvo part number 31484431. One version has a molded cutout to accommodate the spare tire, while the other has a sloped design from back to front. Despite the slight design difference, both versions appear to offer similar storage volume. The design transition point is unclear, and you might receive either style when ordering part number 31484431. The sloped version is more commonly available when ordering new.
Image: Two variations of the Volvo cargo area tool drawer compartment (part number 31484431), showing the sloped version and the version with a spare tire cutout.
Ultimately, both cargo area tool drawer compartments fit perfectly and provide a significant improvement in storage organization. For around $140 in parts, this upgrade is a worthwhile investment for any 2020 Volvo XC90 owner seeking to enhance their cargo area utility and add practical tool drawers to their car.
