I really want to build a rear storage/ platform for my runner and need some inspiration. Show me your pics and if you have it show the plans for it as well. Attach any sources to parts that would help too.

Thanks in adavnce for the help!

 

um, im 6'4", so, sleeping in the back of a 4runner is gonna be tough. but when the rear seats are folded flat and the front seats are leaned forward, i guess i could be kinda comfy with a small pad cut to fit.

 

oh yea, im also a kinda big guy, so other then my wife, i dont think that a multiple person setup would be very comfy.

 

Mine took a piece of nice quality plywood and some outdoor carpet. Its secured using two turnbuckles. Its very light and its easily pulled out from the truck. I have removed the rear seats (well the bottom portions) for extra room.

Very simple, and lightweight... I like simplicity
Oh this is before I stapled down the edges on the carpet.



I also added front support struts using PVC piping and threaded attachment points.

Oh and those are surfboards not sleeping bags on the bottom. I made this mainly for my boards for driving around daily, I always have them in the back. Keeps them from getting sun and out of view.

 

Yea, I'm 6'5" so I'm mainly gona use it as just a rear storage area. I want it to look clean but if I ever do decide to sleep back there Ill just fold down the seats and add a smaller platform to fit over that.

 

I can't remember who's idea this was, but I saw some genius on here or 4runner.org that gave me the idea for mine...it works great!

I took a sheet of 5/8 plywood and cut it in half to make two platforms to sleep on and storage underneath for my 87 4funner. I had to narrow it a bit to make them fit between the factory roll bar. So all in all it only took two cuts (Home Depot will make up to two cuts for you for free). I covered it with some cheap Wal-Mart auto carpet on the top and tucked and stapled underneath. I used 4 10" long 3/4" pipes to make the legs, attached by flanges. I can pull this all out and have 2 short tables when I'm camping, or I can stack them on top of each other in the back and unfold the back seats for use. Very lightweight and fairly cheap...even with only 4 legs on each section of 5/8" plywood, with me and my girlfriend sleeping in the back there was very minimal flex (but I'm 6'0 175lbs and she's 4'9" and under 100lbs!). To keep my platform level, I just leave the two legs closest to the front and the platform rests directly on the folded down seats.

For you taller guys, you could even add an extension piece that hinges out so when you're parked with the seats pushed forward you could maybe stretch those legs. (i find that if I sleep with my feet between the two front seats it's much more comfortable & removing the headrests for the night makes getting in/out much better)

I like the threaded PVC idea that BajaRunner used, but maybe you could go that route for all of the legs. BajaRunner, how did you thread those to the platform? I guess they could thread into the same flanges I used...but I'm not sure if they are the same thread type. I could've probably saved some cash that way because the threaded pipes & flanges I used started to add up. You would have to use some SCH40 PVC for strength. The beauty of having threaded pipe legs is that you can break them down and you basically just have two sheets stacked on top of each other with about an inch gap under each one...only taking up a few inches of rear floor space. I'm still not real sure how you could secure the threaded pvc to the platform???

Another great idea I borrowed is to take a roll of screen mesh and pieces that fit perfectly over each window, with extra to all you to hold them in place by magnet strips.

 

Here's what I did...3/4" plywood, piano hinges, 1x6 for supports, carpet...can't sleep in there without the tailgate open, so when it's rainy I just hang a tarp off the top. Folds up to allow rear seating.

Also replaced side panels with 1/4" plywood, relocated speakers (6x9s)...sound is much much better! Dynamat in all sheet metal. Rides nice and quiet. Built my own center console, too. Much more room without that huge rear seat heater.

Old parts are for sale, in a different part of the forum.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f109...sta-ca-211061/

 

Here is my build:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...216#post442216

 

Nice work!

 

Great when you don't have rent money.. haha

 

I think this is the writeup you are thinking of:

http://www.4runners.org/writeups/platform/index.html

 

i took this design and added a piano hinge and drawers to make mine... will post up pics later.

basically this of sorts https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f129...4runner-76673/

 

Here's my Rear storage with sleeping platform. The girlfriend and I used last weekend at the sturgis rally. I'm 6'1" and I fit fine. I got a 4" piece of memory foam the size of a full size bed and cut it to fit around my sub box. It worked amazing!

 

A thread over at Expo forums has lots and lots of builds for your inspiration...here's mine:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...&postcount=135

 

ryani where did u get ur drawer rails from?

 

One of the best that I have seen. https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/l...rd-gen-126267/ it's small but holds a ton of stuff.

 

I actually picked up the drawer rails from Menards in town locally. They are 22" long and are rated at 100 lbs. I've packed alot of stuff in it and it has worked great so far.

 

get the rails from homedepot. the HD ball-bearing ones. theyre expensive but hold atleast 100lbs a piece and will never come off the track
CLICK ME

hrrrs mine



the anchor points



fold up part so i can have passengers (piano hinge)

 

It's still in the works but here is mine http://threeg4runners.freeforums.org....php?f=8&t=140

 

Nice work, I've been meaning to build a "low profile" platform too...may have to steal your design