Custom cargo box/platform

[Desert36]

I didn't care to log all the details of the build but here's the finished product, cargo box and a flat surface to sleep on in the back... it's solid, holds 300lbs easy, is 4" tall but the padding takes up some of that.. FYI we have this light colored poof dirt over here so I didn't do a black carpet, I want it to hide the dirt.. It latches, has padding, holds the tools, has a semi secret compartment held by magnets and can still access the tie down loops, done.. Anyway, check it->

 

[77Bronc]

Looks great, I really like this design. I have thought about a similar design and also thought about a full drawer set up. I do have some questions...

Is the box bolted down to the back floor or is it "floating" in the back

What type of glue did you use for the carpet, I want something that won't flash and give off vapors in the heat and smell like a vinyl factory

Thank,

77

 

[spencenasty]

That's actually really badass.. I need to stop putting something like this off and just make one. Tired of carrying a full size 1650 Pelican around.

 

[mace.]

For those of you that are going with this "flip up floor" design, what do you do when you are loaded up with other gear? I like idea of it but I can't imagine having to unload a cooler, tents, tools, gear, etc if I need to get something under there

 

[Desert36]

For those of you that are going with this "flip up floor" design, what do you do when you are loaded up with other gear? I like idea of it but I can't imagine having to unload a cooler, tents, tools, gear, etc if I need to get something under there

I thought of this but if your loading your toolbox first and piling gear on top of it you'd still have to remove everything, and if the gear is more towards the middle you could probably lift it up far enough to grab something, this is all the gear I had with me that was packed first in the old truck and I don't have to deal with shimmying a tool box around.. You'll also have to time yourself on unloading gear, figuring out what you want to bring takes hours but once pack I've had to unload/load gear back up in less than a couple minutes(thanks police

 

[Desert36]

Looks great, I really like this design. I have thought about a similar design and also thought about a full drawer set up. I do have some questions...

Is the box bolted down to the back floor or is it "floating" in the back

What type of glue did you use for the carpet, I want something that won't flash and give off vapors in the heat and smell like a vinyl factory

Thank,

77

It's bolted down with L brackets... I used 3m super 77 spray adhesive, it aired out a day or two before installing, no odors, still smells like new

 

[Runn4est]

For those of you that are going with this "flip up floor" design, what do you do when you are loaded up with other gear? I like idea of it but I can't imagine having to unload a cooler, tents, tools, gear, etc if I need to get something under there

I did a middle split so I'd only have to remove 1/2 of the stuff and slide the rest back and forth. Haven't really been loaded up yet since the build, but we'll see.

 

[DesertCanyons]

storage box & sleeping platform

It's bolted down with L brackets... I used 3m super 77 spray adhesive, it aired out a day or two before installing, no odors, still smells like new

The storage bin looks great. Nice finish. I'm always looking for ways to hide the gear and tools we want to have in the vehicle all the time. I've been using a tool bag so far. :hail:

I can't see the back corners in your photos. I can't figure out why you tapered the lid at the back end. Are the sides of the box straight and square or do they get narrower like the lid? I see your black bag in the right corner next to your gear box but that could easily be on top of the lid. Why didn't you make the top square at the back?

I like the sleeping platform. It's a good way to sleep inside the truck instead of in a tent. But this means you have to put most of your gear on the ground outside while you sleep. Sure, you can put a tarp down and cover everything, but it seems less secure. What do you think? :spy:

 

[Ray Dunakin]

Very cool.

 

[Desert36]

The storage bin looks great. Nice finish. I'm always looking for ways to hide the gear and tools we want to have in the vehicle all the time. I've been using a tool bag so far. :hail:

I can't see the back corners in your photos. I can't figure out why you tapered the lid at the back end. Are the sides of the box straight and square or do they get narrower like the lid? I see your black bag in the right corner next to your gear box but that could easily be on top of the lid. Why didn't you make the top square at the back?

I like the sleeping platform. It's a good way to sleep inside the truck instead of in a tent. But this means you have to put most of your gear on the ground outside while you sleep. Sure, you can put a tarp down and cover everything, but it seems less secure. What do you think? :spy:

It's a square box but there's a couple inches of overhang in front of the taper, the sheet metal rolls into that area and the build would have been a ***** to deal with it, you can still store some long items under the lid on the sides outside of the padded box.. I tapered it to line up with the square portion and to match the interior moldings, I needed that extra space by the plug in anyway for my air compressor(black bag), but once that's moved its just a larger pocket for groceries, etc... I could only build the box so far back to the floor plastic and there was room with the hatch closed so I used an overhang instead of loosing space with a handle on the top..

I can hang a backpack in the back and any gear I have for a 1-2night trip would easily fit in the front seats including a kids seat after we stop, most people tend to bring way too much crap with them, leaving some fold up chairs outside is no big deal to me and with the hatch opened I have all the canopy needed, I put some waters and snacks in the doors, I do lots of camping trips and other than a cold beer I don't need a big cooler.. If I was going for weeks I might want some other luxuries, but I've got the basics covered (food, water, shelter)!
I also put on the wind deflectors so I can have 4 Windows giving ventelation. I'll take some pics of it set up in camping mode later.

 

[Antman]

For those of you that are going with this "flip up floor" design, what do you do when you are loaded up with other gear? I like idea of it but I can't imagine having to unload a cooler, tents, tools, gear, etc if I need to get something under there

That's why my 2nd and 3rd designs both had 2 doors. Push stuff to either side, open door.

 

[Deuskid]

Very cool. Great design and execution! :thumb:

 

[2003-4x4runner]

Very nice, I like the design. Did you use plywood or MDF and did you remove the carpet in the cargo area? Also you may want to change the name from "Semi-Secret Compartment" to "Not So Secret Compartment" now that its posted on the internet. :cowboy:

 

[toppyjai]

Thats an awesome idea, I'd might have to copy that!

 

[Sig_Fan_55]

I wasn't all that interested in building one until I saw this. Really nice design and super low profile. Well done and thanks for pissing off my Wife when I start this new project.


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[Sig_Fan_55]

Any chance you got the link to the carpet you bought? I wrapped sub boxes in that carpet when I was a car stereo installer but it was bought by the company. This looks like pretty good stuff.


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[Ryan1975]

Having a shop build my box on the first of May. Being here without my tools sucks

 

[-dustin]

That is pretty much exactly what I want for my 4Runner. Wish someone made something similar, rather 6" tall drawers.

 

[Desert36]

Very nice, I like the design. Did you use plywood or MDF and did you remove the carpet in the cargo area? Also you may want to change the name from "Semi-Secret Compartment" to "Not So Secret Compartment" now that its posted on the internet. :cowboy:

I removed the carpet and it can be put back to stock without signs of modification, it's mdf.

We're currently out on a camping trip and somehow get signal every 20min or so.. I'm 6'2 and its not cramped at all with this air mattress.

 

[dsimonl]

I REALLY like this! A few questions: why did you taper the back narrower than the front? Can you take more pictures of the secret compartment? I'm not understanding how you made it. Actually, more pictures of the construction and mounting would be great. Good job!