Tacoma bed sleeper builds?

I've been trying to find some good inspiration for my bed sleeper kit. There seem to be a lot of build threads, but it has been hit or miss going through them to look for the bed kit builds. Is there a particular place I should be looking for this info? I'm building for a 2000 Tacoma extra cab 4X4.

 

Look in the overland build thread.

Edit: Here is one

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/of...land-expedition-pics-specs-bs-thread-168.html

This is what I was planning to do something similar.

 

Well I'm 80% through the 180 pages of that thread, and there are some sweet build ideas for expo rigs, but not very many for bed sleeper kits themselves. Any other ideas?

 

What are you looking for? Just a good bed setup for camping?

 

Yes. I have my own ideas, but would like to see what others have done, so I might refine my build.

 

This is what I did. I can get more pictures if you would like. It works pretty well. I wanted to be able to remove it fairly easily so all I have to do is remove 4 bolts and out she comes. The only negative to it is when wheeling the "deck" boards don't stay in place. Daily driving they are fine.




I can get better pics if you want.

 

Reh5108, Yeah thanks. I would love more pictures. I am just putting together a bunch of ideas right now. Everyone has a different take on a good system, so I would just like to take all the ideas and put them together into a package that works for me. Even some of the simplest arrangements have good ideas! I am a carpenter, so I will enjoy refining all of these different ideas into one! Hell my last Overland vehicle was a Jeep LJ. I made a kit for that that allowed my wife, myself, and three dachshunds to sleep fully extended inside the hard top!

 

The "bachelor route". Love it….but the wife wouldn't go for that.

 

http://www.bajataco.com/Camper1.html

keep clicking "next page" at bottom

 

Yeah. Baja Taco's build is very prevalent on the net. He did a nice job. I wish my Snugtop had those lift up side windows!

Any more builds let me see them.

 

It's because I didn't stain the shelves, isn't it?

Nice setup on the Jeep.

 

LOL na, simple works, all the rest is just polish.

Thanks on the Jeep compliment.

 

I wish I had some decent carpentry skills Curious to see what you come up with, that jeep looked great!

I didn't have a table saw to use and thought I could use a circular saw without a guide... I was wrong lol. Also I should have bought a better grade ply wood. Any way here are some more pictures.



I'm about 175lbs and the 3/4 ply wood holds my weight just fine without a support down the middle. I've though about making the bottom area a giant drawer that would double as a table when it's pulled out, but haven't put much thought into it yet and I'm going to need some heavier leaf springs. I already have a good inch or 2 of bro lean.

 

Reh5108, The weight is a big concern. I will be using 3/4" plywood as well. I think the key is to "truss" cut the plywood wherever possible to save weight. Much like "WashnigtonTaco" from Expedition portal did on the sides of his drawers in the picture I attached. As for the better carpentry skills, I'm with you. I do it for a living, and I always need to learn more!

 

Are you planning on building something similar to a Truck Vault for your sleeping platform OP ?

 

I just googled one for my truck. I would say no to the drawers. It worked good on my Jeep, but the depth of the truck bed would waste space behind the drawers. I think I may go with one full length cubby for storage containers, and one with a removable slide out kitchen/stove table set up as in the attached picture (more refined of course). The sleep platform will be just above wheel well height, and have a couple of cubby lids toward the cab for access, and a cut out big enough for a scepter water jug set up with a Living Overland faucet system. That jug would be the only thing that will stick up higher than the sleep platform. The whole platform will be nicely carpeted in grey indoor outdoor carpet, and have Mac's tie down rails around the edges (similar to my Jeep LJ kit). Just my preliminary ideas.

 

Interesting

I'm planning on building a version similar to the truck vault set up that doubles as a bed platform

 

Keep me updated OZ-T. I'd love to see how it takes shape! maybe we can learn a thing or two from each other's build?

 

I'm basically planning on a 42" x 8 3/4" x 54" case out of 3/4" baltic birch with 2 full length drawers and an off centre divider

There will be a hinged case forward of the wheel wells

3/4" deck on top completes the bed platform

Drawers will slide on UHMW runners and have rear side mounted casters