My Low Profile Bed Platform

[Kanoe]

Hey,

Yet another option for bed platforms. I have seen a couple of folks ask about low profile for living space inside the 4runner. This option at 5 1/2 '' high has lots of storage and is fairly lightweight and easily removeable. And we can comfortably sit up to read or watch movies on a wet night. Full sitting headroom, at least up by the front seats.

Material is all 1/2 in ply. Mostly glued with a few screws. Water based varnish finish. It is fastened securely to the truck with 4 2'' aluminum straps in the front fastened where the rear seat hinges used to be. Two threaded J hooks hold down the rear to the cargo tie downs.

As for tested, this has been used for 2 seasons, an 8 mo trip from Yukon to Mexico and an 8 mo trip from Yukon to Arizona another year. No problems to report. It does, however, make the 4runner a 2 passenger rig as the rear seats are out. The platform makes a very passable seat for short distances with the head folded back but then there are no seatbelts.

Enjoy.

 

[JeepKiller]

That's really nice. Care to take any pictures of the bottom?

 

[volkinator]

So I've got to ask, what do you strap to the back with the cutout and what looks to be adjustable bungees?

 

[Styer]

So I've got to ask, what do you strap to the back with the cutout and what looks to be adjustable bungees?

Was think exactly the same after seeing the pictures.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

My guess is a hi lift mounting location.

 

[Kanoe]

I don't seem to have any pics of the underside. Maybe the wife has a few of when we built it, have to ask. There is no bottom in it, the side and end pieces sit flat on the carpet in all spots, and there is a center stringer in both directions to divide into 4 seperate compartments. It took a bit of measuring to make them fit correctly. and after 2 winters of use the carpet shows no damage other than being a bit flat.

The bungees held a hand bicycle style air pump. For emergency use if needed.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I wish I was shorter, otherwise I would have already made one I just can't lay down comfortably in the back...

Great work on yours.

 

[kook rooster]

I wish I was shorter, otherwise I would have already made one I just can't lay down comfortably in the back...

Great work on yours.

How tall are you? If you either remove the rear seat bottoms so they are out of the way, or build the platform high enough to clear the seat bottoms, you will have room for a person up to 7' tall or more. Even more if you slide and tilt the front seats all the way forward.

 

[skcolb]

[MENTION=102449]Kanoe[/MENTION] Came here via your link in the "tall people" post. I really like that you managed to go low-profile and pretty lightweight ... I've seen a lot of other wood platforms that look extremely heavy.

What do you put on top of the platform to sleep on? Thought it was a typo at first when you said you've spent 24 months sleeping on it!

Is it cumbersome to get to the hatches to get things out of storage? I went with plastic containers you can pull out from the back on my platform, but it definitely adds height to do that.

If you've got pics of the setup in action, would definitely like to see them.

 

[Kanoe]

[MENTION=102449]Kanoe[/MENTION] Came here via your link in the "tall people" post. I really like that you managed to go low-profile and pretty lightweight ... I've seen a lot of other wood platforms that look extremely heavy.

What do you put on top of the platform to sleep on? Thought it was a typo at first when you said you've spent 24 months sleeping on it!

Is it cumbersome to get to the hatches to get things out of storage? I went with plastic containers you can pull out from the back on my platform, but it definitely adds height to do that.

If you've got pics of the setup in action, would definitely like to see them.

It is relatively light. I weighed it once at around 50 lbs without the lids, but I removed the rear seats entirely so weight is probably a wash. It's pretty easy for me to put in or remove alone. I wanted to keep it as light as possible and low enough to sit up in for reading or whatever in the evenings. I have no sunroof so that gains a lot of headroom.

We use a 3" foamy on it with regular bed sheets and comforters. In the morning we fold the bed and foamy in half to the back leaving the front free for gear. We travel in backpacking style so it works. That leaves the front hatches free to dig into, rears are a little harder so long term stuff goes in there.

No pics right now but I'll try to remember to add some when we get back from Christmas.

 

[calimobber]

I really like the simple build of this. I think I might copy it since its so low profile and can be removed.I dont want to loose much headroom either.

Did you remove the rear seat backs for the extra storage room or was it not flat enough? I normally remove the butt section but I can put that back in easy if I need more seats.

Also I assume thats 2 pieces of plywood to make that top?


Looking forward to the pics. We built a complex platform in our tacoma but in the colder months I like the warmth the suv.

 

[Kanoe]

I really like the simple build of this. I think I might copy it since its so low profile and can be removed.I dont want to loose much headroom either.

Did you remove the rear seat backs for the extra storage room or was it not flat enough? I normally remove the butt section but I can put that back in easy if I need more seats.

Also I assume thats 2 pieces of plywood to make that top?


Looking forward to the pics. We built a complex platform in our tacoma but in the colder months I like the warmth the suv.

Thanks for digging this up. It’s been a while. We’re still really pleased with it.

We built this just before our first trip to Mexico so the rear seats came out completely to make room for storage. I think we’ve had the runner 8 years now and the platform has never come out and the seats have never gone back in. We’ve got the corolla wagon if we need more seats.

The top is one full sheet of plywood. It’s about 6 feet long and slightly under 4 feet wide. A second sheet made all the under structure.

I’ve pulled it out a couple of times to reduce weight by cutting holes and trimming corners and to revarnish.

We had recently been sailboat owners which gave us the idea for the top hatches. This has been one of those things that worked out just right on the first attempt so there has been no need for a version 2.

Hope you enjoy it too.

 

[96RedRunner]

Thanks for digging this up. It’s been a while. We’re still really pleased with it....Hope you enjoy it too.

Thanks for doing the write up, well thought out!! First I've seen it.

 

[Treestand_Twerkers]

very sweet!

 

[96RedRunner]

Bicycle pump hmm, I use mine around house topping off car tires when air comp not needed why not in the wild. Lol