The time has come for me to build a new platform. I'm ditching the heavy beast I now have for something a lot lighter. Here is just a quick tease of what I'm working on. This is just the back cargo section frame.
Is does get expensive. You can buy scrap pieces on eBay for pretty cheap. I should be able to build this from 80/20 for about $200. I might end up just using some aluminum box tubing and welding it all together. I should be able to cut the material cost in half going that route.
I have not posted in there yet. I will now that you showed me the link.
Just about finished up. This is just my basic idea, and it will most likely change before I start building. I might spare the expense of the 80/20 fastening system and just weld everything together. Plus that will reduce the chances of some pieces slipping under weight.
Out with the 80/20 and in with 1x1x.125 aluminum box tubing. I plan on getting some tubing to start on the rear section in the next couple weeks. My design may change some, but not too much. I plan on having 3 drawers in the rear section. A large one for my stove, another large one for randoms, and a small one for trekking poles/tent poles/chairs.
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- '02 Brilliant Silver SR5 4WD Auto - 13WL TBU, Trans Cooler, Trac Off Andymod 2.0, pre-99 front bumper, more to come Totally teh kewlest build thred
Still in the works. I have to wait until after August 15th to get started. I'm going to be using the 4runner for a trip that week and don't want to rush myself. Plus I'm going to be installing a lift, new tires, and painting wheels on my new project.
Most likely going to start ordering parts this week. I'm going to start with a simple dual drawer storage in the back. I'm going to put my rear seats back in, and have storage butting up to the back of the rear seats. I'll eventually get around to making a couple extensions so it can be used as a sleeping platform again. I'm going to be using 1x1 aluminum tubing from a local supplier and Esto Connectors for joining them together.
Here's a video to give you an idea or where this is heading.
Scratch this idea. The dollars were adding way to fast and the weight load capacity was questionable. I'm going to order some .5x.5x.065 and 1x.5x.065 tubing today. Going to build a frame from thin box and rectangle tubing instead of aluminum. I figure the steel is only going to weigh 21lbs for the frame, and maybe 30lbs when it's complete.
The metal has been ordered. For anyone looking to get good pricing on metal, check out My Steel Yard. They are cheaper than my local supplier even with shipping included.