"Base Camp" 2015 Superwhite TE Build Thread

[dieck]

Hey Bronc

There are three versions of the rear cargo area in the 4 runner.

3rd row seat
Sliding cargo tray
Nothing

I have a TE which came with nothing and in this configuration there is an drop of about 3 inches from the folded rear seats to the carpeted floor. There is an angled piece that helps with the transition but when sleeping back there it's uncomfortable and when loading gear its a pain.

I removed the foam, sound insulation and carpet back there and that makes the drop about 4-5 inches.

The rear seats are at a slight angle and with my load floor installed it's flat at the same angle across the folded seats and all the way to the rear. The pictures don't show that very well. When I'm done I'll take better pictures with a better camera and show it in more detail.

My design also salvages most of the space under the load floor with 4 opening doors for storage.

The doors and the load floor are all different levels because when it gets linex applied, in some areas there will be multiple layers of linex and in others only one. Once it's applied he doors, l-track, and load floor will all be flush.

The hardware consists of the stainless 3/8 inch bolts that run through the unibody frame, l-track, some hidden lift off hinges and some recessed handles.

I'll post links to the sources for the hardware on the original post in a few days once it's finished up and I'm sure it all works.

I want to see more of the deck you are doing. I don't have a 4Runner yet, but already thinking about my off road trailer I am building along with a similar storage system in the back.

I am confused, when the seats are folded, the rear area is not flat. Seems your deck is making it two levels.

Also where did you get the hardware?

Edit to add, I too am an engineer, just made 33 years with the same company I stated with out of college.

 

[77Bronc]

Thanks for the update. I really want to see this when you are done. I had been thinking about some sort of storage system with a pull out table tray to use as a desk. My wife shoots pictures and we do a lot of down loads on the MacBook and will make a good work space. The 120v outlet in the back will also come in handy.

Looks good, the hold down bolts, did you have to drill through the floor or did you use existing holes in the truck?

Also, the truck I will be purchasing is the TE Premium, Silver, I really have it narrowed down to what I want.

77

 

[dieck]

I chose to drill through the floor. There were a few existing bolts but they were small and not ideally placed. Given that I could potentially be using the tie downs for a significant amount of weight I chose to go through the floor with 3/8 inch stainless hardware. On the outside bolts I went through the reinforced unibody frame channels that are a few layers of sheet metal and used large inch and a half washers to distribute the load.

I sprayed the holes with self priming automotive paint to inhibit rust. Should be ok.

Thanks for the update. I really want to see this when you are done. I had been thinking about some sort of storage system with a pull out table tray to use as a desk. My wife shoots pictures and we do a lot of down loads on the MacBook and will make a good work space. The 120v outlet in the back will also come in handy.

Looks good, the hold down bolts, did you have to drill through the floor or did you use existing holes in the truck?

Also, the truck I will be purchasing is the TE Premium, Silver, I really have it narrowed down to what I want.

77

 

[4Surfin]

5 pages and no pictures.... is this thread real? I thought the Stifler and Greenamphibious build threads were out of control but this takes the cake!

 

[1moreToy4me]

I see a lot of pages...

...and no ****ING work!

Are we not allowed to cuss on this site?
Damn I may be staying 4runners.com.

 

[dieck]

The pics are on the first page. That's the point of this thread.

5 pages and no pictures.... is this thread real? I thought the Stifler and Greenamphibious build threads were out of control but this takes the cake!

 

[4Surfin]

The pics are on the first page. That's the point of this thread.

I should have know thats what PLACEHOLDER meant lol

 

[4Surfin]

Damn I may be staying 4runners.com.

take that silly shit outta here and dont let the doorknob hit ya

 

[77Bronc]

I chose to drill through the floor. There were a few existing bolts but they were small and not ideally placed. Given that I could potentially be using the tie downs for a significant amount of weight I chose to go through the floor with 3/8 inch stainless hardware. On the outside bolts I went through the reinforced unibody frame channels that are a few layers of sheet metal and used large inch and a half washers to distribute the load.

I sprayed the holes with self priming automotive paint to inhibit rust. Should be ok.

I found the L Track hardware at Ratchet Straps, Tow Strap, Wheelchair Tie Downs, Lifting Slings, E Track Straps. I will be ordering some in a week or so. I hope you don't mind if I copy some of your design. I am thinking about a pull out drawer instead of the trap door storage.

Also, what is the round hump you are going over? The last time I looked at the back of a 4RNR I did not pay too much attention to the rear area.

I have some cabinet grade ash plywood that I will use. I am also thinking of adding in some recessed LED lighting

But the next thing I need to buy us the 4RNR!!!

77

 

[dieck]

Copy any part of it you want. The idea isn't original although some of the details may be.

Yes I got the l-track from US CARGO CONTROL. It's really useful, flexible and strong. I use it all the time on different projects. It's much cheaper to order in shorter lengths.

I look forward to see what you build.

The lighting sounds like a great idea.

There is a unibody reinforced frame element that runs left to right under the carpet. There are a couple more that run from to back that are under the cargo area under the truck. They make the sheet metal pretty rigid.

There is foam and carpet normally installed over all of it but I removed the filler styrofoam to add mores space to the storage pockets.

I found the L Track hardware at Ratchet Straps, Tow Strap, Wheelchair Tie Downs, Lifting Slings, E Track Straps. I will be ordering some in a week or so. I hope you don't mind if I copy some of your design. I am thinking about a pull out drawer instead of the trap door storage.

Also, what is the round hump you are going over? The last time I looked at the back of a 4RNR I did not pay too much attention to the rear area.

I have some cabinet grade ash plywood that I will use. I am also thinking of adding in some recessed LED lighting

But the next thing I need to buy us the 4RNR!!!

77

 

[dieck]

Big Day

Whew.. Big day for Base Camp.

After work I installed the Toytec Boss 3 inch lift front and rear as well as the Light Racing UCA. Had a few trials and tribulations but in the end I'm really pleased with how it came together. Decided not to install the radiator support spacer because it looked like such a kludge. Instead I ground down the radiator support and then sprayed it with black machine paint. Much better.

Have an alignment scheduled for thursday but my eyeball alignment drives great and tracks strait, so it seems like I may be pretty close.

Also had my 255/80/17 Cooper ST MAXX pizza cutters mounted on my stock TE wheels and balanced. This was a bit of a soap opera with the local NTB, but I'm too tired to write it all down.

Finally I finished all the prep on the rear deck for going to the Line-x Guy tomorrow. So if all goes well the rear cargo compartment will be good to go for the weekend.

I didn't take many pics of the install since I was a one man band.

Here is one just so this thread isn't worthless without pics....

Will take some good pics this weekend and post them up of the current state of the Base Camp.

 

[blkhwk]

Any specific plans this weekend? Heading to Hidden Falls for some 4x4 fun time.

 

[dieck]

Man, that sounds like fun but I'm climbing in Yosemite this weekend!

Will be back in town in a week or so.

Any specific plans this weekend? Heading to Hidden Falls for some 4x4 fun time.

 

[mc813]

Man, that sounds like fun but I'm climbing in Yosemite this weekend!

Will be back in town in a week or so.

Ugh jealous. Dislocated my shoulder climbing with Du and crew a week and a half ago at Erock get the MRI results tomorrow.

Blkhwk what day are you planning on going?

 

[blkhwk]

Ugh jealous. Dislocated my shoulder climbing with Du and crew a week and a half ago at Erock get the MRI results tomorrow.

Blkhwk what day are you planning on going?

Will be there Saturday @12-1. Taking my tent just in case I wanna camp over night.

 

[mc813]

Ah gotcha. I have a race Saturday so that rules me out, have fun though.

 

[dieck]

Making progress. Still need to install hinges, add a liner to contain things in the storage, and bolt into the truck.

 

[reidbailey]

Making progress. Still need to install hinges, add a liner to contain things in the storage, and bolt into the truck.

Are those car audio display boards in the background?

 

[dieck]

No that is my moon board and adjustable climbing training wall.

Are those car audio display boards in the background?

 

[Rob71]

Making progress. Still need to install hinges, add a liner to contain things in the storage, and bolt into the truck.

Nice Work and Congrad on the Trail. I got one like it:clap2::drum: