3rd Gen Tacoma Bed Storage/Platform Build

Had a friend build me this simple system. He used nylon glide plates on base instead of drawer roller slides. Works good. The drawer dividers are removable

 

That’s an awesome set up, looks like something you’d buy from a manufacturer.

 

Ayup, sure does.

 

I'd love this as well!

 

Hi All! Long time lurker, here. I've referenced this thread so many times...it's pretty embarrassing that it's taken this long to say anything.

Anyhow, I've had a project in the works for 8+ months now. Just finished the other day. I'd like to thank everybody for dumping their awesome designs, thoughts, and projects here. In particular, much of the design was originally based on AverageGuyTaco's setup. Thanks a million!

As a heads up, I'm about to dump a bunch of photos in here. Not sure what the proper protocol around that is, if any.

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I framed it with 8020 for the weight and space savings. For the surface, frame supports/dividers, and drawers, I used 1/2" birch plywood w/ a few coats of rhino liner on the top to protect from abrasion and water damage, and spar marine varnish on the others for basic water resistance.




I have two (15.25" x 6') drawers that extend out the back. Like AGT, left is a low-profile utility drawer while the right is taller and compartmentalized.





There are extra storage hatches along each side. The hatches are accessible directly from the back or through 3 hinged doors that lock w/ slam latches.





I have less vertical space to work w/ under my shell, so I made mine shorter. However, I still wanted to be able to add tall-ish items to the utility drawer (cooler, water jug, etc.) and still be able to extend. My solution was to cut out the section of the surface directly above the second half of the utility drawer and add a piano hinge to allow it to flip up and sturdily lay flat on the other side.







(yes, when it's open, it partially blocks the right storage hatch from opening . huge oversight on my part)

Had some fun on the bigger drawer. Added a silly little removable "tray" for salt/pepper, napkins, tylenol, sriracha, or whatever really. It's grooved along the bottom in such a way that it locks on top of the compartment that holds the cutlery. There's also a gas-strut lifted table/surface that locks down onto the top of the drawer when not in use.












Overall, I'm very happy with how it turned out. There are some things I'd do differently for sure, but I'm still stoked on it.




I finished the frame + surface in January—just in time for a month long ski trip all over the western US. It held up great. Additionally, I've been able to test the utility drawer out camping and running errands a few times, but the paint on the big drawer is still fresh! I'm planning a trip to Whistler in a few weeks where I'm hoping I'll be able to thoroughly test it out!

Again, thanks for all the ideas and info. It was invaluable. I'm ready to put the project down and do some playing for a while.

 

I can't believe they allow porn on this site! /s

The way you created the side spaces, still had an 8020 frame for solid flush mounting, and used your bed stiffeners was very nice.

 

Thank you! That definitely wasn’t part of the original design. I decided to install bed stiffeners halfway through. When I stumbled on the total chaos ones and saw the tie down points, it clicked.

 

It is indeed very versatile. The strength to weight ratio + modularity is pretty hard to beat. Sounds like you’ve seen that first hand. Not totally sure what dual studded pvc rollers are, but I’m glad 8020 did the job!

And thanks for the compliment on the rack!