Sleeping Platform w/ Storage

[reggie 00]

I have begun...

The plan for the 4Runner was to make it a capable vehicle to take my kids camping. So the first step was a sleeping platform. I took some ideas from some of the posts out there and melded them into i hope will be a very functional mod. Before the pics i would just like to thank everyone here for posting such useful information, and thank my Pops for the help doing this and all my past and future modifications.

Let the building begin:

p.s Pops is the one with the mad skills with wood and all that, i am but just a grasshopper in comparison. wax on...

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/27aug2006014.jpg
The blank canvas

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/27aug2006017.jpg
Step one, every good building needs a good base right...

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/27aug2006019.jpg
step 1a sides on..

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/27aug2006020.jpg
Base all glued up..

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/27aug2006021.jpg
On to the Drawer...

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/27aug2006022.jpg
Base test fit..

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/27aug2006023.jpg
Drawer finished and installed..

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/ed6b6e59.jpg
Added material to secure the top. used 1" pine to wrap the sides. Also a shot of the cleat to secure the add a leaf

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/a1b62409.jpg
better shot of the cleat.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/47fa8bd2.jpg
Storage compartment

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/f57fdf4c.jpg
used a router to relief for the hinge to make it flush, no princess and the pea here.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/3306b35e.jpg
Top on, lid secured on to the addaleaf

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/ce3c0767.jpg
Used two turnbuckles on each side to secure the platform. Tied down to the factory tie downs.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/6fd98634.jpg
Padding the drawer to keep down noise.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/2bf89ffe.jpg
Draw face on. used flush mount tie down rings for draw pulls, painted black.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/c145048f.jpg
Side view, still have access on the sides for storage of small items.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/0b56ceb0.jpg
other side. With exception of turn buckles goes all the way back to wheel wells.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/2sep2006012.jpg
Found a good spot for safety equip. Right behind seats, first aid kit going on the other side. Mag light is in the storage cab.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/2sep2006013.jpg
Add a leaf in place.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/2sep2006014.jpg
Flip down leg to keep it level. I also use rings and turn buckles to keep it secured and in place.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/2sep2006016.jpg
Used a piano hinge and a stop block for the leg. A cleat on the bottom goes into recessed area on platform.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/2sep2006015.jpg
All folded up ready to be put away. Going to use industrial Velcro to hold leg closed when moving it about.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/DSCF1014.jpg
All carpeted and cleaned up.


Doesn't seem to add much weight to the rear, did not notice any significant sagging.

We kinda went on the fly with this build, basically used two sheets of 3/4" plywood and some scrap pine, two piano hinges, three flush mount tie down rings, a bunch of screws and glue,turn buckles and carabiners, two i bolts, two drawer full extension slides. Got the padding and carpet from a job site earlier in the week. And some trial and error.

Again i want to thank the previous platform builders who inspired this build and Pops, who basically put it all in perspective. Thanks Pops.

[SacRunner]

Looks good Reggie, I really like that dark stain with the black tie downs.

Are you able to use the back seats when you fold back the extension that sits over the seat backs? (it looks like it from the picture with the fire extinguisher, but i can't tell if you just slid the whole thing back to take that picture). And I assume you have it secured to the tie downs on the wheel wells also, just in the off chance you missed it.

great work

[AxleIke]

Looks great man.

I am impressed, you weren't kidding about the skills, that looks absolutely awesome. Where does the "add a leaf" go when you are actually going out camping? I mean, does it just sit on top of the box in the back or what?

Also, I know you already have it mounted, but I'll just throw this out there, so please don't take it the wrong way. Mounting your fire extinguiser there is not really the best spot. I know its very convienent, but if there was a fire on your vehicle, you may not be able to get to that, or you may not have time. If the rear end lights up, you'd have to reach in and grab the extinguisher.

Anyway, no need to move it now, I'm just passing along what was told to me when i put one in my truck. I was told to be able to reach the extinguisher from the driver seat, buckled up. They said that if i couldn't do that, i'd never have time to grab it.

Platform is very sweet. I'll be keeping this thread in mind when i build one for my truck.

[slosurfer]

Reggie, looks good! YOur pops has mad skillz!

[reggie 00]

Looks good Reggie, I really like that dark stain with the black tie downs.

Are you able to use the back seats when you fold back the extension that sits over the seat backs? (it looks like it from the picture with the fire extinguisher, but i can't tell if you just slid the whole thing back to take that picture). And I assume you have it secured to the tie downs on the wheel wells also, just in the off chance you missed it.

great work

Thank you. The add a leaf hasn't really been out since i last went camping. But it does remove pretty easily. It is held in by a couple turn buckles. If removed it could just lay flat in the back or just tucked away in the garage.
The main platform is held in place with turn buckles fore and aft (front and back) both sides. I think i would actually be surprised if the thing ever moved.


Looks great man.

I am impressed, you weren't kidding about the skills, that looks absolutely awesome. Where does the "add a leaf" go when you are actually going out camping? I mean, does it just sit on top of the box in the back or what?

Also, I know you already have it mounted, but I'll just throw this out there, so please don't take it the wrong way. Mounting your fire extinguisher there is not really the best spot. I know its very convenient, but if there was a fire on your vehicle, you may not be able to get to that, or you may not have time. If the rear end lights up, you'd have to reach in and grab the extinguisher.

Anyway, no need to move it now, I'm just passing along what was told to me when i put one in my truck. I was told to be able to reach the extinguisher from the driver seat, buckled up. They said that if i couldn't do that, i'd never have time to grab it.

Platform is very sweet. I'll be keeping this thread in mind when i build one for my truck.


In the picture where you can see the fire extinguisher there is a channel for a cleat on the adda leaf. When pressed in it makes pretty much a seamless joint. Then i just ratchet it place with a coupe turn buckles.

I agree on the fire extinguisher. I plan on adding at least 2 more before i get to serious with stuff. I just popped that one there, the others will go down on the tranny tunnel passenger side ( which is where i liberated that one from the 83) and one in the back probably up high above the platform.
They are just to inexpensive not to have a few. I think i paid $20 for two at Sam's club.


Thanks for all the comments.

Future add on will be possibly a 1st gen roll bar, and my bro swears he can make me 10"sub boxes for the back corners and not take up much space.

[Ric]

very nice job, i like it. and cute kid, gonna be a heartbreaker.

[reggie 00]

Thanks,

He already has the girls ohh and ahhing over his eyelashes.

[neliconcept]

like the drawer front, i plan to make a new drawer for mine and make a front like that.

nice writeup!

[Seanz0rz]

looks good, i did the simple way, and i made it perfectly high for ammo cans to fit under, its perfect. and the forward piece is built to hold the weight of my vehicle... though im not going to test that...

[reggie 00]

Thread bump=this outta be in the Wiki!!


Ok.

But i honestly have no idea on how to do that.

[reggie 00]

Looks like you do some good work.

If its not too much a bother for you i trust you to do the convert for me.

[glenyoshida]

Very nice cargo and platform box. Great wood working skills too! Well thought out. Congrats on a great addition to your mod list.