3rd Gen Tacoma Access Cab Platform Organizer

I have a 2017 Tacoma SR Access Cab with the "Utility Package" so it came with no seats in the back of the cab. I found the factory plastic storage cubbies to be pretty useful but I was always annoyed that the already small space behind the front seats was on two different planes or levels.

To fix that problem I designed this access cab platform that utilizes the factory storage bin and adds two more bins in front of that. Most importantly to me, it gives me a flat platform in the back of the cab so now boxes, luggage, coolers, etc. don't tip forward. I designed it to follow the lines along the back of the cab to make it look like it was intended to be in there from the factory.

My family owns and operates a small CNC machining and fabrication company so I have been modifying my vehicles since I could drive! My first truck, a 1988 Toyota Pickup, had a custom front bumper and a flatbed that we designed and fabricated in house! Same goes for this platform for my 2017 Tacoma! Designed by me, all parts cut on our waterjet, bent on our brake and then coated, which I will cover more below.
The whole system is built out of aluminum (1/4" top/lids and 1/8" sides) and uses flat head fasteners so there is no snagging when sliding something across the top. The top of the platform and the lids are coated with truck bed liner to add a little texture/grip.


This photo was from mocking up all the components right after they came off the waterjet and sheet metal brake


As far as the install goes, its super straight forward (at least I think so ). The rear plastic organizer is held in by 6 plastic clips, highlighted in red on the picture below.


Once the stock plastic organizer is out the fun can begin! I pre-assembled both halves of my aluminum platform outside of the truck for easy access to fasteners BUT we later found out you can fully assembly the platform outside the truck and it will still fit into place.
On the drivers side I installed the center braces.


With drivers side assembled and the center braces tightened down I put the platform into place in the cab. NOTE: There are two 1/4" thick aluminum pieces that go under the main platform. The large "L" shaped piece goes to the rear of the cab, aligning the holes with those that are in the chassis (where the plastic clips were taken out of) and the tang of the "L" facing the front of the cab. The other aluminum piece lines up with the front 3 holes of the sheet metal organizer (where the other plastic clips were taken out of).


From here I put the passenger side in, with the 1/8" aluminum side and front panels already in place. Just like the drivers side there are two 1/4" thick aluminum pieces that line up with the holes where the stock tray was held in by plastic clips.


On each side of the truck, on the rear rail, the 2 inner most holes that are used for mounting are a little too shallow to get a wrench or socket on a nut. Instead, an aluminum bar with threaded holes was used and this bar slides under the sheet metal rail.

Pretty much from here drop in some flat head fasteners to the remaining holes, tighten down and its good to go!


Unfortunately my latches haven't arrived yet, but I will update when they get here! They will be flush mounted and locking. This will give me 4 locking bins in the back of my truck. With the front two bins having front and side panels it is pretty secure.

Both seats can be extended all the way to the back of the seat rails, and seat backs reclined until they touch the rear wall of the cab.


I am a tad impatient and installed the system while the truck bed liner was still fully hardening/drying so it looks weird in some of the pictures.





If enough people are interested I will start a "for sale" ad for these. The best thing would be to do more of a "group buy" style ad; This will keep lead times down by producing a few sets of these instead of having to setup and tear down machines to make a single platform kit.

 

Nice !

 

Awesome install, probably the best I’ve seen here for an access cab. A lot of thought and top of the line materials put into it, congrats.

I’m looking for a custom single aluminum cover that will go over both compartments shown in pic #2.

 

Beautiful work mate! If I had an access cab I'd be all over this, love the design and attention to detail.

 

Love the idea, will probably outlast the oak one I made. What are you thinking on a price?

 

Awesome, am going to show my - hunting co-worked with Access cab. This is perfect for him

 

Any chance this might fit the 2nd gen utility package Access cab also?

 

Mark me down as interested in obtaining one! Great design and use of material.
Price will be the deciding factor. Keep us posted when you get it figured out, please.

Nice work @Thirty8special !!!

 

Wow, great job on that. looks amazing

 

Access Cab OR 6M/T chub here...

Love it...

 

Count me interested.

 

I cant say for sure on the second gen's; I am not sure how much Toyota changed in the transition. If these move forward with more and more people interested I will try to find someone local that our shop can mock up a platform in their second gen to see if they fit!

 

Pricing for the ready to install kit would be $999; I had a few people message me about shipping which I don't think would be an issue as the components would pack pretty flat.

 

Is there any way to make this so that we can keep the plastic insert in the stock cubby? I realize it allows you to sink the aluminum plate more even with the carpet, but I like having that plastic insert in for a little bit of sound deadening and to keep stuff from rattling around in there.

 

Option to ditch locking latches in place of a single round hole for those who don't want/need locking feature and lower cost by a few pieces of hardware? Maybe less finish (bed liner texture) and let user finish themselves so less work on you as well. I understand everything else is pretty much required obviously.

For how much work went into it though I can see the price standpoint somewhat, you really put some time in to this. Don't see folks deburr and radius all the edges like you did. Still a beautiful piece of work you have there. Good luck with the sales mate!

Not my design, not my product, so tell me to pack sand all you want and I'll understand. No ill feelings intended AT ALL.

 

No feelings hurt for me! I understand that the price is not for everyone, but a lot of time went into designing & making this. Unfortunately, things I can not control are the price of aluminum, hardware and the price of those latches. The latches blew me away with how expensive they are!
That said, I can definitely look into some options for a more simplified kit!

As far as why I chose the materials I did: I personally did not want to make a platform out of wood because I don’t believe it’s as durable or long lasting as this will be. Plus to me, this looks way cleaner than a wood platform.
I used truck bed liner for some added grip to the surface but also to dampen sound that could stem from vibration. So far I can’t even tell it’s back there and all of my straps, bike gear and more is in the cubbies

 

Without a complete redesign I don’t see a way to keep the plastic cubby that comes from the factory. In my reply above this I mentioned that I chose truck bed liner for not only grip but also sound damping. I have had no vibration from the platform or any of the contents thus far.

 

Completely understand mate, I work in sheet metal myself (programmer) and work closely with the estimator so I know how all the processes and little things can add up.

Material (the vendors already mark this up anyways), cutting cost, countersinking, forming, deburring, tapping (if you're not using nuts), hardware, finishing, etc.

It adds up QUICKLY, and I don't know how yall do it but we charge a setup for each process as well. Some people think the smaller the part the cheaper it is...eh, not always, lots of other factors.

 

I don't want wood either for all the same reasons and also because of the weight. Alu is perfect for me. So sad it cost so much. I will forego the expensive latches. Maybe you can leave the hatch solid (no hole of any shape) and I can find my own way to access under it.
Unfortunately for me, the price would have to come down. Top quality though! And I subscribe to "you get what you pay for".

 

Interested in a version for the Double Cab. Nice clean product.