DIY Rear Seat Delete/Dog Platform

I found myself hauling gear and dogs around and never people in the rear of my double cab. So, I started looking into dog platforms and ended up fining Goose Gear seat delete, I loved the look and the idea but couldn't see spending the cash on it. I figured I could get it build it for a fraction of the cost, so I gave it a shot. Fair warning this is the first time I have ever built anything with Wood my tools and skill/knowledge are extremely limited. I'm not completely happy with how it turned out but figured I'd share anyways.




I removed the rear seats and started mocking the base with old sale signs from work. (basically plastic cardboard)
Tip* if you stay inside the plastic trim sections on the floor it will clear the door when closed no problems. also make sure your seats are all the way back when mocking it up.



After mock up i transferred all my plastic pieces onto my 3/4in plywood. (3/4in is way overkill Its not worth the weight IMO)

I rode around with it in this state for a very long time trying to decide how I wanted my floor hatches to be done. I wasn't confident enough in my wood working skills to make them from scratch with wood and potentially ruining a $90 sheet of wood so I finally just decided to buy premade boat hatches. I regret this, i will definitely be redoing the hatches at some point.



I used a 2x4 on the rear and a 2x2 for a center brace.
I had a few sheets of Kilmat left over from doing the interior of the truck so just tossed them on, I figured it couldn't hurt and I couldn't use them for anything else.

SEAFLO Marine Boat Deck Access Hatch & Lid 14.75" x 10.6", Black, 270mm x 375mm

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q887FF9?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

$55 SEAFLO Marine Boat Deck Access Hatch & Lid 23.9" X 9.5" - Black 607mm x 243mm

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PH26B18?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Here are links if anyone is interested. The door itself is pretty sweet but the latches feel terrible, i don't imagine they'll last very long at all. also I didn't think about this during the build or planning, the hatches come up about 1/2-3/4in off the surface of the platform. V2 will have completely flat doors.

$35 Rust-Oleum 248914-2PK Truck Bed Spray Paint, 15 Ounce (Pack of 2), Black, 2 Piece

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082QNRN1J

I used bedliner in a can. if you do this do not use this stuff it is horrible. I had to use 6 cans to get half way decent coverage.
This is what I ended up with, not completely satisfied with it but it is extremely sturdy and does what I wanted it to. I plan on running a giant kennel mat on top for the Dogs.

Now I just need to figure out what to do about the back wall of the cab so I can cover the chrome eye sore of the kilmat lol

Appreciate you checking out the "build"

 

Bravo! Looking at doing this myself and like you have VERY little experience working with wood. What if you used a router to recess the hatches in the platform? Especially with it being 3/4" I would think you would have enough wiggle room. Would that improve your 'opinion' on how much you like using the boat hatches?

 

I actually attempted to use the router on a few scrap pieces, and I don't think I could pull it off well enough for it to be front and center visible. That would definitely be a way to use them and it remain flat but me personally I need a lot more time on the router lol

But as far as the hatches the only thing that would improve my opinion would be a better latching mechanism. they work flawlessly just feel like they're going to snap off at any second lol

 

Here's a bit on inspiration from another member here and a cheaper option than Goose Gear if you don't want to build your own: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...cab-tacomas-double-cab-and-access-cab.728175/

 

I think you did a great job and your procedure was spot on, marking it up first. It looks professional.

 

With @spitdog on this one OP, I think you're being too harsh. I see pocket holes, and the angles and cut-outs you routed are clean and even, so that's already above average. This is one of the fresher takes on rear seat delete I've seen in awhile!

 

Nice build.

I wanted to use hatches like that one mine but ended up a different route because I couldn’t get them flush.

Make a lip and cut the covers out of the same piece of wood. Takes up a little more room but lets everything sit flush.

 

very nice. No woodworking skills? Ha better than most I dare to say. Room for locking firearm storage too!.

So nice to see a well executed project like this. The daily dozen "wut size tire can I put on" get old

 

It looks excellent in the pictures and I'm sure your dogs will love it. I second that you're being too hard on yourself. It really does look pretty professional.

 

Thanks everyone!! appreciate the love!