Show me what's in your camper shell!

Small suggestion, get rid of the angle iron supports for the middle section, and use wood blocks instead.
You'll be less likely to injure yourself, or damage anything you put in there.

 

Good idea. I did that in mine, but did not notice it in his.

 

Back in the day they sold a carpeted bed kit, very similar to what you guys are building, they used wooden blocks, and it allowed different positions for the bsck board to be placed...

https://www.google.com/search?q=car...zOPVAhWByyYKHVTsB40Q_AUICigB&biw=1600&bih=744

 

I had one in a F--D I had. I like it. But with all the padding, the storage was minimal. I like my marine carpeting I did.

 

I posted the pic's so you could see the wood blocks, and the gap spacing.
The gaps allow the shorter center section to slide in and give you a recliner...

 

I saw that. The slots were good, but the storage was minimal. I took many a nap on the recliner.

 

Appreciate it! And with regards to the sagging, I can sit on the edge of the platform near the tailgate and it doesn't flex much at all, but I am adding a piece of extruded aluminum across the lip to add some strength. Everywhere else in the back I kneel it doesn't flex much either.

However; if I were to have two people, I would consider running a temporary board underneath in the middle to support the weight.

I will definitely consider this. I seen other build with the blocks and I thought they might get in the way of storing bins beneath them? But only using a 1"x1" block shouldn't stick out too far I suppose?

 

No more than the angle iron, and less chance of injury!

 

Kick-freaking-a$$ thread. Love seeing other set ups and there's some good CLEAN ideas throughout those 28 pages




BTW I'm gonna switch the hi-lift to the outlet side... one of these days

 

What are those holes above the wheel wells?

 

Cubby boxes...

 

For what?
Ohhh I don't even think Toyota knew when they thought of implementing it...

 

Is there something I'm missing here? Did 2nd gens come with those or something? Never seen them before...

 

I think the earlier 2nd gens had them 05-2011ish..

I know my 09 has them, but my '13 does not so they discontinued them sometime in between then

 

Why Toyota, why?! Take away good things and give us crap...

 

^^^That^^^

 

My '09 DCLB with a Leer 180 topper. The 4" of extra headroom on the 180 cap model is great.

Here set up for solo camping:





A Roll-a-Cot on left with plastic storage bins under. A Thermarest pad and sleeping bag complete the sleeping rig. Tailgate and topper door can be closed with cot/bag in place. Two stackable storage bins (black with red lids), and camp chair tied up on front right. Small shelf on right side; just velcro holding it in place; for odds/ends while camping. The green mat is a cut up sleeping mat...saves the knees. Paracord is strung above windows, can hang towels to dry and I have Reflectix panels cut to block sun/cold as needed. A LED swivel light at the tailgate provides light to the interior and tailgate area as needed. Also added a power port on the right side storage cubby for charging phones/cameras/tablet/fan.

What I call "the full Ritz" set up:

 

Nice looking timberland mica!

 

I used this thread for a lot of ideas...

Here is what I am running underneath the shell:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-old-school-carpet-kit.529757/

 

Quick question:
Did you mount the bed rail (where your hi lift is mounted) across the front of the truck bed? I only have the connections strips/rails along the sides of my truck. Would love to have one across the front as well.