Home is where you park it...

Here is a gallery of the build out on my 2012 Spruce Mica Base Model Access Cab. I am currently living out of my truck off the grid. If there is enough interest I could do a detailed report on the full build out. Everything was designed and built by myself. Hope you guys enjoy!

Fresh after install of the A.R.E. MX Topper with carpeted interior, custom cut and insulated Bedrug, fold down front slider, pet screens (for security), dual row LED with hatch light, and dual clothes loops.
Initial layout and measurement of the Iris weatherproof totes I am using. Good demonstration of the interior lighting. You can see the Niteize gear line hanging from front to rear.
Preliminary leg framing. I used 2"x4" for all the framing. I used different heights with different orientation to maximize strength and space. The horizontal board on the bed rail allowed me to have more space to connect the top sheet that would remain stationary, while the vertical one inside the bed gave exterior strength and allowed for better clearance for the totes inside. We also had to compensate for the contours in the bed. The legs turned flat gave us the best clearance and also the front bed rail side leg fits perfectly between the bed wall and the cargo hook. We would overhang the top sheet to match up perfectly to the bed rail.
A small piece of 2"x4" turned vertical made the prefect leg to support the bed rail side on the wheel well.
The completed framing. We used a Craig Jig to counter sink all the screws and give us the best grab into each board. It also kept pesky screw heads from poking out and destroying expensive gear.
Shame on me for not having a raw wood preview of the final cabinet before paint. But here is the entire build at the paint stage. You can see the notch on the top sheet for the bump in at the mouth of the bed. It took 3 cans of Krylon oil paint and about a week of coats and curing.
The final assembly. Here you can see the hatch in the bed frame for under access. To the far left is my power inverter, mounted in a vertical position with the outlets and interface at easy access. I had to notch out the box for the cargo hook to come through. We ran the battery cables straight up through the bed floor into the inverter. In the middle is my night stand/charging hub. The top also opens in a hatch fashion that can be locked with a padlock. I left the space under open to have a little extra open storage and to allow the inverter room to breathe and cool.
Here is practically the same picture but furnished (and lived in for 3 weeks!) 5" memory foam/gel mattress, serape blankets, Nemo Puffin blanket, serape curtains attached by Velcro.
Here is the hatch open to see how I configured the access. Currently using a ski pole (I have lots...) It allows me to sit on the wheel well and access the from 3/4 of the storage beneath. We left the last 1/4 solid for support while climbing in and out.
Close up of the night stand top and inverter area. I use a Barebones LED lantern to keep the lighting sexy and a Bose Soundlink speaker to get my groove on. The Nature Power 2000w Pure Sine inverter is chock full of features including On/Off switch, USB port, GFCI outlet, and a gauge that shows your current battery voltage and what you are currently pulling from the battery. Very useful!
Close up of the inverter. 2000w is most likely overkill but it is nice to know I have the room to run just about anything! Pure Sine allows me to charge smart electronics safely without spiking or irregular charging.
Close up of the nightstand area from the front. I hang my AKG Studio 240 Mk2 and a rechargeable Black Diamond LED flashlight on the gear line for easy access.
Inside the nightstand. I have built a charging hub of sorts. I mounted a power strip to the back wall and a 10 port USB hub to the bottom. I can charge all of my electronics inside without having them all over the truck and bed. I can also lock them inside if I'm away from my truck. I understand that glass and wood are not the end all in security but everything I have done is just one more way to hinder a possible intruder in finding or taking my things.
Two 41 quart Iris weatherproof totes hold all my clothing. I have my shoes stacked at the head of the bed. You can see the kitchen slid under the stationary section.
Better view of the kitchen supplies at the foot of the bed. 31 quart Iris weatherproof tote with all my cooking equipment, plates, silverware, and cups. 22 quart Iris weatherproof tote with my dry pantry food inside. Camp Chef Rainier combo stove and Coleman propane cylinders. Kidde FX5 II extinguisher hidden beneath but within quick reach. Built in bed storage compartment still accessible.
Kitchen set up for basic cooking. You can see my Pelican 45 quart used as a stand on the ground. GSI 1 quart kettle gets water hot in a hurry.
A look inside the area the kitchen supplies are stored. Better view of the bed compartment access and fire extinguisher.
Side view of the A.R.E. MX Topper profile.
Close up of paint match of the Spruce Mica green on the A.R.E. MX topper.
Auer LED Daytime Running Light kit installed in factory mounting location.

 

Woah.

Pretty serious commitment. I definitely dig it though.

 

Let's just call it a psychological experiment... Trying to save money on rent, cut strings with being tied down by one geographical home, get on the road with all my toys, and disconnect to reconnect (?). One big ass rock to kill a ton of birds!

 

I'm so into it.

Living vicariously.

If you ever need a place to park, there's a ton.. but if you ever need a place in my area, hit me up.

 

You needing anything?

 

I know a guy with a 40% off code for any Cascade Designs order.


Order! Not single item discount.

 

Very interesting.

 

Sweet build really wish I would have got a long bed.

 

I'm 3 weeks in so far. I've done a couple 12 degree nights with snow early on back in Colorado. I just drove back to upstate Wisconsin to visit my folks. Everything seems to be in its place so far! I've reorganized everything about 6 times! The final project was getting the airbag kit in before I hit the road. Up next I need to get a rocket box/roof basket set up going. I'm definitely open to suggestion here. I'd like a basket on the cab roof with the lowest possible height. Then a storage box on the topper.

 

More pictures!

 

Im having the opposite dilemma I want a manual transmission but also need a double cab...

 

Really interesting build. Will be following along.

 

This is awesome! subbed!

 

Very interesting! Can you sit on your bed?

 

Sub'd. This is awesome, I've always wanted to try this.

 

That's pretty cool, nice job.

 

I can sit up with a little hunch, I'm barely 6' tall. I have it set up so that I can sit on the wheel well while getting into the under bed storage. It also let's me use my Pelican 45 as a table and my nightstand as a desk.

 

Thanks for the great response everyone! I will start to put together a list of everything I used to get to this point. I'll also do a detailed description of the build out on the bed, nightstand, and inverter. Stay tuned and thanks for your support!

 

This is so cool!