So, this weekend I decided to make the 4runner a little more camping friendly. And a while ago I saw this https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...kyrat+sleeping and so I pretty much copied Skyrat's design, with a few modifications.

The basic box is the same design, but I don't have a table saw, so L brackets hold the frame together.

Same with the drawers


And the tie-downs

But I decided to make my top fit tight against the sides, as it will be in there full time, and I don't want to lose stuff down the sides.

Also, in the cubby lid I added an 8" deckplate

to hold a water bowl for the dogs. This way the dogs have a bowl, but when we're camping it can be made flat for sleeping.


All finished!
Now I just have te extension left to cut and carpet, but it's raining today. A couple of tips for anyone thinking of building something like this: Either find thin carpet (I used house carpet with Scotchguard) or plan on how thick the carpet is! The top took us a bit to get in, and the cubby lid was carpeted/stripped/trimmed/re-carpeted about three times! Also, measure AT LEAST twice, cut once.

 

How many horsepower did you gain from doing the rear deckplate mod?



















Just kidding...looks nice, good job!

 

looks great mate, need to get myself motivated enough to knock one of them up.

 

Pretty neat, gonna make sleepin nice. Good work!! Really like the dogbowl idea.
Jim

 

Well, it's twice the size of the one in the airbox, and that gives you about 7hp, so the rear deckplate mod has to get you at least 14hp! That's 21 hp for two deckplates!

 

Can you lay down straight on that or do you lay at an angle? How long is it? I'm just curious

 

With the extension in place (which I have yet to cut) and the seat bottms folded up, it will be about 5'10" (works for my wife and I - both about 5'8") but if you want more head room you can take out your seat bottoms entirely and build a longer extension and have about 6'3" The box I built is 41" long and the rest (the other 29") is removable.

 

Looks great!

Does your Husky like to go camping and 4wheeling? I want to bring mine out with me this year. (I see lots of lovely husky fur in the carpet in those pics...looks familiar!)

 

Yeah, we've got two and they go everywhere with us. We haven't taken them camping yet, because we didn't know how they'd be in a tent (picture two sixty lb dogs running and trying to play in a tent - not good) but with this arrangement it should be easy! If he/she hasn't been out offroading with you take it easy the first time and see how it does. Ours took a time or two but now they love it. Here's our two!