DIY -- Behind the Seat Storage Bins -- Regular Cab 2nd. Gen.

I <3 my regular cab, however, I hateloathdespise the lack of storage options.

Can I get an amen?

Building on trg37's brillance [http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...gular-cab-storage-bins-behind-bench-seat.html] I decided to make some storage bins. Tried a slightly different design, used the floor and rear wall of the cab to "complete" the bins and saved quite a bit of space. Eventually, I plan to cover them in speaker carpet.

Let me know what y'all think!

Two afternoons, 3 pounds of sweat, one extremity (kidding, but really almost) and 20ish bucks later






Tools
-Tape Measure
-Square
-Pencil
-Circular Saw and/or Mitre Saw
-Hack Saw w/ metal blade.
-Clamps
-Drill and bits
-Impact w/ 9/16 socket.
-Flat Bar

Hardware & Supplies
-"Handy Panel" (2'x4') of 3/4 MDF.
-Four (4) 5/16 bolts 1"1/2 length OR threaded rod; (4) 5/16 hex nuts; (4) cap nuts; (4) 1"1/2 fender washers; (4) 1"1/4 fender washers
-Box of 1"1/4 or 1"1/2 wood screws.
-Beer
-Patience by the boatload
-A friend or neighbor to let you borrow anything you're missing.

Prep the Mounting Bolts


Cut the heads off your 5/16 bolts or cut your threaded rod to desired length. I found 1 1/4" to be the ideal size for fitting the bolt into the rail and getting a tight, flush mount.


Thread the nut that will be inside the cab mounting rail onto the "cut" end of the bolt to avoid stripping the cap nut when tightening.


My bolting system.


Building the Boxes
I decided to use these two holes (marked in purple) for two reasons:
(1) A 5/16 bolt fits perfectly and (2) ease of access, given those open slots in the rail.


Driver Side Bin Measurements




Passenger Side Bin Measurements






Installation
Wiggle the bolts into the holes.


Feed them through the MDF using a flat bar to hold pressure or pry the bolt forward.


Once you get one bolt through, loosely attach the washer and cap nut to hold it before attempting the other bolt.


Turn the cap nut snug by hand and then hit fast and hard with an impact (9/16 socket for 5/16 cap nut)

 

Looks good.

 

Well done OP

Great thread with included measurements

I thought about doing a similar concept but opted to modify the existing plastic bins and building a custom box and mounting backing

Good job

 

Nice work. Simple and clean. I like it.

 

Thanks! I should've added that my Tacoma is a '06.

Not sure how much the interiors have changed from year to year...I guess either way it's probably best to double check my measurements before firing up the saw

 

bravo! i think a single cab is in my future for trash runs. i will definately use this cause its such an awesome design.

 

Amen!!! Too cool! Great write-up. You got me to thinking about a little variation to include a subwoofer along with your idea.

 

that's bad ass

 

Subbed. I guess I know what I'm doing this weekend.

 

Bravo sir...well done!

 

I should also mention that I chose this width so the box essentially sits flush vertically along the edge of the "hump" that runs along the rear cab wall.

However, given the width I chose, I sacrificed either 1 or 2 clicks of backward seat adjustment. Since I'm 5' 7" the loss is irrelevant to me, but I'm sure it would make a difference to the taller folks out there.

 

Thanks but I'm definitely lacking the equipment, space and expertise to mass produce. These consumed my entire weekend and thankfully I had an extra day off from the 4th. Lol.

I think this would be a great project for a sheet metal fabrication shop. I'd imagine a similar design would be cheap and easy to produce. Group buy?

 

I think it looks great! Very nice job.

 

Awesome work!!!!!

 

Will this work with the storage shelf from a double cab behind the bench seat in reg cab?

 

Not sure. If you sent me a photo and some dimensions, I could try and measure it?

 

Great thread and good idea for the storage. After reading several other threads I have seen people say they can't make modifications because they don't have a place to do it. So today I decided to make these by hand using only a cross cut saw, level, tape measure, hammer and nails. It was a cold wet day so I built it in my living room while watching Net Flix. I purchased the materials at Lowe's and you could have bought everything pre cut. I just bought 1×12 white board, and cut everything to size.

 

^Impressive ingenuity! For some reason I can't click on/enlarge your photos? From what I can tell they look good! Nice work!

 

You can see the pictures in their gallery. It's the camera looking decal under the avatar. They are much bigger in the gallery.

I don't know how this thread has alluded me so long. I'll have to do something similar. I feel like an idiot for not thinking of doing something so simple. Way to go.

 

They are pretty neat. I am glad I saw this thread. It makes my truck more organized.