Well...
I have been contemplating this for about a year. We do a ton of camping out of the 4Runner on wheeling and sight seeing trips. We used to use an inflatable mattress to bring the sleeping level above the wheel wells so that we could be comfortable with 2 across. After looking at Lee's design (the best I had seen) and some others (including some way expensive imports), I finally got around to building my own.

One thing I wanted that I had not seen in any other design was the ability to use this with the truck in the Seat 5 configuration, then adapt to a Sleeping Platform with the second row of seats folded down.

Originally I wanted to scribe the Platform Top to fit tightly inside the rear of the truck. But, after making a template I found that if I did it this way, I would have to remove the top (or fold it somehow) to remove the unit (since the rear hatch width is way less than the width across the inside of the cargo area). Since I also wanted to be able to remove and reinstall easily, and since I wanted to have the ability to access the storage door at the rear of the passenger side compartment, a tight fitting top idea was tossed.

I also wanted the Platform to be as low as possible while still allowing coverage across the tops of the wheel wells. The rear of the driver's side wheel well is much higher than the passenger side (due to the fuel filler). So, I scribed the top around the fuel filler portion to keep from pushing the whole platform approximately 2" higher. I left the carpet to overhang the scribed cut out to form a tight seal around that area, also since I am no upholsterer, that was easier.

Originally I also wanted full length drawers instead of drawers and a cubby. The problem here was economics. While I could find 36" Full Ext. Slides, they were about 3-4 times more expensive than 28" - 30" Slides. If I was going to have a cubby, I did not want one that was only 6" wide, so I went with 28" to produce a cubby large enough to actually use. I also lined the bottom of the drawers and cubby with rubber matting to quiet the whole affair and keep stuff from sliding around.

The other real issue design wise was how to make an extension for the sleeping platform. Well, originally I was going to make a hinged piece that would simply fold down. But, because of the cubby and the hinge there already, I felt that the 2" strip of the top would not support these two hinged pieces with all the force they can muster. Also, keeping the extra piece in the back (attached by hinges) all the time would make the rear cargo area tougher to use. I decided to make it removable. I cut a 45 degree bevel on the front of the main top, and a corresponding 45 degree bevel on the rear of the extension. Then I used draw catches (sort of like you see on the lid of a tool box) to pull the bevel of the extension tightly to the main top piece. The extension is held under the main top by the bevel, and a hinged leg drops down to support the front end of the extension.

Finally I routed recesses in the tops for the cargo tie downs and covered the whole lid with some outdoor carpet adhesive then rubber backed indoor outdoor carpet.

General Info:
2- 28" Full Ext. 110# Capacity Removable Drawers
w/ Galvanized Paddle Latch Handles & Multi Height, Adjustable Dividers
1- 40" Wide Flush Cubby w/ Webbing Handle & Piano Hinge
6- Galvanized Recessed Tie Downs
4- Turnbuckles attaching Cargo Storage via Eye-Bolts and Tee Nuts
1- Add on Extension for Sleeping Conversion
1- Power Inverter
Indoor / Outdoor Carpet

Overall I am very, very pleased and will take it out for a test camping trip next week. I will let you know how it goes.

Okay, here are the pics...
The basic carcass with drawers


With the rear seats up



Sleeping Platform Mode



All the storage open



Drawers



Way Cool Paddle Latch



A look into the cubby



Inverter mounting detail



Oh, Yeah...here is the front of the unit so you can see the turnbuckle and ext. mount.



:bounce2:
EDIT: Re-hosted the pics...

 

Looks good. I did something very similar. Initially I wanted some place to store my gear, but it's turn into a place to put more crap.

If you remove the bottom half (the part you sit on) of the rear seats, you get another 4 inches or so of length for your bed. Depending on your height, it may make all the difference in the world - I know it did for me.

 

Whenever camping with only two people, I always remove the bottom cushion for sleeping. I also take the front seats and move them forward to gain almost a foot of open space there. But, I wanted to fit the extension with the seat bottoms in so I can still sleep back there even if I am taking an extra passenger.

 

Very well done! I love all the details. The tie-downs are very nice.

What slides did you use?

 

That is very, very, very cool! Well done! Have any idea how much it weighs?

 

Yes very nice!

 

Very nice!

Do you have the dimensions anywhere so we can see them? Do you have pictures of how the part that fits over the rear seats attaches with these toolbox type latches? I love the design and the quality of the work!

 

That's awesome work George!
The paddle latches are definitely awesome, the adjustable compartments is awesome too.
The definitely looks like a professional job

 

me like

 

This is indeed reference material. Great job and thanks for sharing !

 

nice work, thanks for posting the specifics

 

I would this one is by far the best cargo storage unit ive ever seen. it looks durable, efficient and the bed platform design sounds great.

good work.

 

Very impressive. How does the forward floor panel mount on the folded seat backs? Is it just placed there? It seems to really fit nicely together with the rearward panel and everything is level.

 

 

Lookin good!

 

george,

awesome work! wouldn't expect anything less from your mind and hands

bob

 

DITTO!

Very NICE set-up!

I started looking into doing this as well until I found out the price for the slides. I'd be curious as to what weight rating you went with. The ones I was looking at were gonna run in the $130/pair +/-.

 

Very nice reference material indeed!

I would like to see the support for the front piece as well; also thinking about an extension for the extension for use with or w/o the rear seat cushions...

 

What the hell is that Camry doing in your avatar? nice flex how much lift did you get on that thing?.

 

I took it to Hollister and had some fun with it last week! But, a 3" body lift and some 33" tires sure do help the poor FWD Camry..... I swear a vehicle has nothing to do with how well someone can wheel, it's all about driver skill.