DIY-Old School Carpet Kit

Hey guys,
I have been reading TW non stop for a few months and learning a ton. I thought I would share some ideas for people. I read a bunch of threads on sleeping platforms and bed storage to get ideas. Combined with the fact that in high school I worked at a camper shell lot I always liked the carpet kits people out in.

I had a single level platform in my old Tundra, the drawback was it was not easy to take out and only had one easily removable piece.

I had specific demands for this build. I wanted a sleep platform, easily removable and underneath storage. Inside the shell would be used for camping and city life. I do a lot of spear fishing and guns with shafts get long, hence the long bed and the underneath storage.

The carpet kit I designed off the old school kit and other peoples builds meets all me needs. First off I made the two side compartments different widths. I wanted one that would extend the length of the bed and clear the wheel well. It has a pull down hatch at the front. On the other side I put an inner hatch to access the storage and inverter plug. On the top of both compartments are two top side hatches to access the storage. The middle section was divided into theee pieces. As you will see in the pics I designed the measurements to fit my cooler and water source. We often hike in between camping spots and eat lunch right on the tailgate. Food and water need to be easily and readily accessible with two kids. The cooler fits perfectly into the first removable section of the bed allowing for maximum storage space of gear.

The entire unit can be taken out and installed by one person in less than two minutes and is light. Occasionally I still need a truck as a truck... to haul shit.

 

That is really cool! Love the simplicity and, how, if you lock the tailgate, the under area is rather secure.

 

Do you have measurements of all your cuts? Looking to so something similar with my shortbed 2017 off-road. Right now I have tape measure numbers but if you have exact measurements that would help! I like getting Home Depot guys to cut my plywood.

 

Sorry, I did now write down the measurements, I have a long bed too so they would be long. For the sides you can customize your own width.
Borrow a jig saw for the back corners near the tailgate.

 

This is exactly what I'm wanting to do in my 2014 TRD shortbed. It's very much like the one I had in my F-150 years ago, but not as elaborate. Thanks for the post.

 

Well done. Thanks. You have me thinking about changing how I wanna do my bed area.

 

Thanks guys.
I have to say I’m really loving it. I had to go pick up a load of mulch from the landfill over the weekend. Literally took me less than 2 minutes to take it out and less than two minutes to get back in. I pick up the mulch in plastic trash cans, I can fit 6 in the back. Load them and just slide them in. Unload at home.I just vacuumed out the inside and I was done.

 

Where did you buy the carpet?

 

Home depot. I didn't buy off the big rolling cut however much you want stock. I used this on my last truck, it's good stuff but thicker and not as easy to wrap around corners etc... This is from HD but it was a pre cut piece that comes all rolled up. I looked at the sq footage and knew I could easily get enough. I think is was 8x6' or something like that. I was happy I went that route, $20.

 

Nice! Good to know

 

What is the name of the carpet you used? I’m trying to find a cheap way to cover my platform

 

Just a cheap pre-cut piece from Home Depot. It was pre-cut and in a roll, kept in a bin- flooring/carpet section. Worked out well for $20.

 

I bookmarked this probably a year or so ago, very well done... I have a simple platform now using the cutouts in the bedliner for 2x8 and ply on top, but this is exactly what I've been wanting to make.

Are the side boxes complete 4 sided boxes, or is more like a side and top that rests on the ledge of the bed? How did you secure it down? I might get to work on this soon, feeling motivated finally lol

Thank you!

 

Two sided boxes with an end cap. There was the top the vertical piece and the end caps shown in photos.
The top piece fit flush on top of the lip in the bed liner. The vertical piece was measured and cut so that it fit in the rib of the bottom of the bed liner, same was done up front. The entire unit kind of snapped or popped into perfect place. I never had the need to “tie” it down off-road or not. It stayed in place perfectly.

 

awesome thanks for taking the time to respond, sounds like a nice simple design that comes out easily...gonna have to tackle this soon!

 

How much did this setup cost in total? Absolutely love this would save a lot of $$$

 

$100 ish. Plywood, wood glue, had the nail gun, some hardware, carpet and a couple of rattle cans. I had primer which I threw down first too.

 

Looks good. Yeah, I’m “old school”. Been putting these in my trucks since my first Toyota in 1980. Haven’t done in my last two since the dbcb beds were too short to sleep in. But seeing yours makes me w@nt to run out and get some plywood.

 

Did you use 3/4” ply through out? Any thought on the side wall of the boxes being 1/2” material?

 

I used 1/4 for side walls and the stuff that is just under 1/2” for top pieces, I forget the actual size- all from Home Depot. The 1/4” was plenty strong and kept it really light.