6ft Bed hangout ideas???

Taco Nation,

Living at the beach, I’d like to use my 2nd Gen AC for some sunset dates and am looking for a Borg-like hive mind suggestion pool for what to do in regards to seating, heat, accessories, etc.

I’m thinking to start with a good rubber mat(any well-priced favs?) some low height individual seats or building a wooden removable bench over the wheel well, either purchasing a short bed rail side table that connects to the rail or finding a removable one(do they make these?), and using some sort of small portable heating unit, portable lights and so on.

I normally put surfboards and surf related gear in the bed along with bikes, and other gear. It’s unlined and stock, but I did just purchase another 4 bed rail tie down cleats after helping a friend move and figuring more couldn’t hurt.

Any and all suggestions, photos, and overall shit talking welcome and appreciated. Thanks in advance people! Appreciate you.

Clint

*update

My end game is an open-air sitting arrangement for two to look sideways over the rail at the sunset. To build or purchase small items to make it a “picnic” area in the bed for sunsets.

I don’t want a camper shell or to build a full time platform cause I mostly move 5’11 to 11ft surfboards and a 12ft paddle board in and out of the bed daily.

 

What are you trying to do? Have a place to hang out in the bed of your truck on dates? Get a sheet of plywood and some 2x4's and make a platform above the wheel wells, throw on a full-size mattress. Stash some pillows and a comforter behind the seats. Spray some lube on the leaf springs, or just leave them squeaky if it helps with your rhythm.

 

Camper shell and single mattress with carpet kit down both sides. Lots of blankets, some pillows, and curtains. Perfect coastal hangout spot and is why I never went with a short bed lol. Boards go on top of the shell for room inside. Finally doing this to my 23 now that the shell install is finally leak-free, which was more of a challenge with a 3gen.

Edit: Also I like to set it up with an accordion boot so you can climb front<->back without having to get out, but the rear window is more of a pain to take out on a gen3. Will be trying to sort this out this summer.

 

okay ill bite what is your plate suppose to be mean?? fist thing tha crossed my health care working mind is obgyn

 

Thank you. The only issue I have with this is also transporting my large boards in the bed along with the plywood platform and mattress. While in the photo I’m parked facing the ocean, I would park alongside and parallel to the ocean on the main drag to sit sideways.

I figure sideways would be easier to get up and out of vice being against the cab although I’m curious about setting up simple seats that way too. I think all I would need is the mat at that point and even that isn’t necessary. I’ve got a couple hydraulic chairs, but no would need to build a foldable higher table which would have to swing out for either of us to leave the bed.

 

Im not too into getting a shell. If I put anything on it, it might be a custom ladder rack that I could have a platform on top of for this purpose. Still trying to source the accessories, but I don’t think companies have thought of making things for sitting inside the bed. Or am I wrong?

 

I’m a born and raised “OBecian” from Ocean Beach, San Diego. I moved home from Hawaii and searched the vanity plate database and it was surprisingly available. Surprised it hasn’t been stolen, but someone I know would let me know who has it. I guess that’s why they’re still there.

 

LOL, that is awesome.

Maybe some of those jon boat seats that fold down. Attach them to a board that goes over the wheel wells on one side. Little Buddy heater, easy to stow and set up between the seats. Small camping table from Walmart or Amazon that can be set up over the opposite wheel well.

 

@Jr. Oh fuck yeah. Not trying to remove the bed rail covers and replace with a bench, at least one that goes to the tailgate as that’s reserved for boards. One side is doable though and instead of a two leg table, a folding single leg table would be the way to go.

This is simple and I love it. Thanks for best idea so far. Not sure if this can be beat. Well done!

 

Since you want to retain your truck storage and aren't interested in a shell.. i'd vote to keep it relatively simple so stuff won't walk off. The Tacoma oem bed mat, two large(r) folding camp chairs and a nice camp table (Amazon reviews are great). A Mr buddy could work for heat since you're not in a small confined space. Add a Nomadix, Rumpl or Pendleton blanket along with a Stanley food thermos filled with quality warm food for the sunset viewing.

 

@Gen3TacomaOBX

Got the mat and I like your idea of keeping it simple with chairs inside the bed with a table. I want a two seater bench type loveseat of a sort with a slightly reclined seat back, so I think building a reinforced post mounted folding bench seat is the way to go.
My idea is to remove the rail caps and figure out what sort of posts I’ll need to make given how weak the metal is once the rail caps are removed. I’m not sure how they’ll go, but I’ll make removable posts for the folding bench to go as deep into the bedside as possible. I weigh anywhere from 195-210lb, but fortunately like little women although my friends are of all sizes.

On the opposite bed rail, my idea is to build a removable table top(with similar posts into the bedside) on extending arms that will extend from the bed rail platform it’s connected to and towards the bench when pulled, but can be folded down and away while driving.
While both bench and table top are removable, I’d like them to reside there while driving and leave the bed for surfboards, surf gear, and miscellaneous storage.

That’s the most up to date plan/idea. All ideas, revisions, critiques, and shit talking are always welcome and appreciated.