Chandler's Battleship of Doom

So I was chatting with @G.T. about a storage/sleeping platform for the rear. I had an idea in my head but I usually put the fridge in the cab with the rear seats removed but when I get to AZ I plan on taking my family out wheeling so I need all my seats. So that threw off my original idea and had to put a little more thought into it.

The tacoma bed is pretty slick so with some help of some sort of plastic slider on the bottom of the fridge and drawer I should be fine without drawer slides for the time being and save a little money now or maybe ill keep it that way if I like it.

So the fridge will be enclosed with a storage above it for my stove and some other cooking bits.
Behind the fridge will be storage for my sleeping pad/bag below the top sheet using a false door for access.
Above the false door will be my cooler storage or a storage bin depending on how things play out, cooler may ride in cab for the mean time.
Behind the drawer will be a storage area for shit I hope I don't need like spare parts and larger tools, maybe a floor jack.

This leaves me just enough room for my sleeping pad on the left side, drawer will slide out and have a top filler plate to extend the sleeping surface

Im thinking 3 sheets of plywood, want to use 1/2 for weight concerns but 3/4 might be better suited or mix the two and use 1/2 for the drawer and some other bits while the 3/4 is used for structure

 

And it wouldn't be a trip without a list of shit I need to get done, tomorrow its raining so ill have to keep busy with non outside stuff tomorrow.

To do
-Grease UCA bushings*
-Grease drive shaft zerks*
-Topper seal, back leaks*
- Topper yakima track bolt re silicone, leaks*
-Clean up spare CV axle*
-Gather spare wheel studs from old wheel bearings*
-Power supply for fridge*
-Get Aux battery wired up*
-Mount fire extinguisher*
-Mount quick fists in bed for shovel
-Mount all the roof rack shit
-paint sliders
-Paint wheel wells
-Touch up rear bumper scrapes
-Bed side supports
-Replace Hi-lift bar*
-Paint/weld headlight hoops
-Rock lights
-Rear lights
-Cargo net "attic"
-Inventory gear/tools*
-Build sleeping platform*
-Meal prep*

37s to do
-Mount/Balance*
-Trim flares/bumper*
-Vinyl wrap flares


Have to buy
-Shovel*
-Tie Rod*Bought
-Rock lights
-rear lights



* important shit

 

Not too bad of a list. I wouldn't worry about touching up paint on stuff since it's going to get blasted just driving down the road.

 

Thats why none of that shit is labeled important, it would be nice to do but not absolutely needed. The big thing is my sleeping area. I could always sleep in a tent but would rather just sleep in the bed and skip putting the tent up

 

Platform is definitely going to take some time. Should be a pretty sweet setup though after your done. Curious to see if you'll enjoy it more than the tent or want to change it back up after this trip.

 

@ChandlerDOOM I think I have some rock lights and rear lights in stock. Let me know if you're interested!

 

What do your lights look like? not seeing them on your website

 

Which ones? The rock lights aren't on the site yet, but I have the pods up there.

 

Yeah ill certainly have enough time to decide if I like it or not. Only down sides will be interior height, and the end of my sleeping bag/pad exposed outside.

 

Found them, they were under the group buy section. Not really interested in the square pods unless you have an option similar to rigid SR-Q/M that I'm not seeing.

Rock lights will be tied into the spod so something more barebones would be better suited

 

Fwiw I found sleeping in a topper way quieter, warmer and overall drier than an rtt and I've had both in all conditions. The only downside to a topper is the short bed. If by yourself the short bed is long enough to sleep diagonal In with the tailgate closed. If with a pard then it's best with the tailgate down, but then you loose warmth and dry. I also now pack in all totes so unpacking the rear for sleeping is no big deal. All fyi since been there done that...

 

I got quoted $81.55 for shipping. You must live in Antarctica lol.

 

Bought 2 inner tie rods and one outer today, also picked up 2 tire irons from harbor freight.

Tomorrow wheels will be here! excited as fuck. Im going to mount them myself, I watched like 2 youtube videos so I'm pretty much an expert on mounting tires now...

But I called walmart (my go to) for balancing them, they said they do 35s often and said a 37 will probably work so they are willing to give it a try. Hopefully that works out to save some money and time

Tomorrow will be nice so before UPS gets here I'm going to run and grab some wood and another clamp to start cutting some wood for the platform. Also a Krig jig to make halfway decent joints


Surprisingly this year I didn't buy anything for the truck this year with all the black friday/cybermonday deals. I couldnt really think of anything I actually needed thats normally a bunch of money

 

I think I can change my thread title now

 

Any rubbage?

 

Those look like 35's did the first time I saw them on a taco. SICK!

 

Looks good dude

 

Not having done anything yet, or checking full bump/lock. In reverse I rub on passenger side, should be able to beat that in. My rear tires rub the bedside, but I havnt cut anything yet so it will be fine.

Grabbing my big light so I'll be getting some work done tonight.

 

Jebus Christ!!

How do you turn haha, looks awesome tho