Drawer storage system with sleeping platform

I always wanted to get one for my 2023 ORP and used to watch such videos non-stop on YouTube.

When I wanted to get one readily available, some were too basic and some were beyond my budget.

Having no Knowledge of carpentry, tools, and the craft, I wanted to try it. I had only a drill and impact tools and had to buy circular and jig saws and a few other tools.

I am considering the purchase of tools as an investment rather than the cost of this project. Took 4 days to build the following from scratch. Feeling proud of the learning I had.

The sleeping platform is modular and can be dismantled and support woods can be stored in the gap behind the drawers and rear seats.

Here is the Parts list.

Please feel free to share your thoughts or ask me any questions on the build. I will be more than happy to share the details.

 

Thoughts and questions? How much did it cost?

 

Materials and Parts alone around $400

 

Very nicely done. Not enough threads on this forum of people doing write ups on their projects.

And nice coffee setup too

 

I didn't see your drawer glides on the list though. Did I miss them?

 

Looks like it came out pretty sweet!

 

It is mentioned as lock slides against Amazon just above the Lowe’s

 

Nice work! I did my own too. No sleeping platform though. We even have the same carpet. I spent about the same too. Great job!

 

Very nice! Made my own as well. Wish I would have documented more of it though.

 

Glad you dove in @pv4runner2023orp, looks awesome

tools are 100% an investment…
Which I need to finally jump on again this holiday season

I spent a decent penny recently on my electrical stuff I’m working on in this truck(almost done) but I have supply, tools, n knew knowledge…its a thing so congrats

I’ll try to see if I can get the pics of my bed build
96.8% came from neighbors trash n it’s still working great after almost 7 years

side note: I’d do anything to be working at the lumber yard out west when I built it VS broken borrowed tools at 2:38AM

 

Congratulations are in order. You sir are my hero. Nice job!

 

Oh that is a cool storage on top left too.

 

So the whole thing was from trash…mechanic neighbor clean out…all the wood n rubber comfie floor material was in great shape
Just had to cut the ply n 2x6s

I bought the piano hinge n a dowel, had hardware laying round
Dowel not pictured but I built detachable legs with threaded inserts for the area where back seats are if I needed to remove ENTIRE backseat
The dowels would then rest on rear footwell? area

Can fold 1,2, or all seats back, same as the bed, whatever variation in combination yadda yadda

“Square” supports also now house back up items like clothes, books, packaged food, tools, gear, stuff that’s bout 4” or less n are enclosed with makeshift lids
However they still keep the whole thing level on the back of the backseat continuing to rear cargo area

works with backseats in but need to remove backseat “butts” to fit exped mega duo

under the actual 4x4 looking part
I can’t fit 2 plastic totes…bout 36”x18”x5”(for now cause no lumber yard means no slides n teak drawers lol)

I dunno

 

Oh very nicely done. Thanks for sharing the photos.

 

Nice job! Enough room to sleep in there?

 

I'm not the OP, but here is my opinion based on sleeping for months in the back of my 4Runner:
I'm 5'10", and I can't sleep comfortably unless I remove the rear seat bases, which the OP hasn't done in his yet. With my feet touching the closed rear hatch, if I lay straight, my head can just barely fit into the "opening" in the rear seat base when it is folded forward, but there is not enough space to turn my head. Removing the seat bases is as simple as popping out two bolts (per side), and makes all the difference in the world. With that done, my Exped Megamat can fit perfectly, along with an intermediate sized dog crate next to it.



Showing the space with the seat base removed. Of course these photos are without a bed platform, but I have done the same thing with a makeshift platform and the fit is the same (or very similar, you actually lose a tiny bit of length the higher your platform, since the front passenger seat angles back).

 

Yes, you are absolutely right.

Before I started the project, I just made a sleeping platform (more like a leveling one) to test the space. I am almost 6' and had issues as I could not stretch fully. So I removed the rear seats and tried it. I was able to stretch comfortably.



So, I decided to build the entire system assuming that the back seats would be removed. Interestingly enough, when the drawer heights are around 9", it hits a sweet spot that you have adequate headroom (not very tight) and the folded rear seats heights with pillows over them level properly (extends the length by 8 inches) and help me stretch fully. So, even without removing the rear seats, I am comfortable.




BTW, thanks for sharing your build. Really appreciate it.

 

You've done a professional looking job. Well done!

 

just keep chillin dude haha

might as well make this a somewhat constructive post

@pv4runner2023orp consider tint I guess?
Never know what peepers may be out in the wild brother!

 

I am looking at Weathertech sun shades. So probably they should help.

 

I thought this was a good thread to drop my project. I needed a basic leveler for sleeping in the back when necessary but saw somewhere on here a guy did a minimal height approach for some additional storage. I'm not the best at detailed work but I consider myself reasonably creative. I hope you like.

I used Siless 80 mil and then Siless Max deadening material after pulling all of the stock underlayer. Amazing how well that stuff works. I almost went ahead and covered up the wheel wells but it was hot and I was in a hurry.

I used unistrut and small magnets to hold the lids in place. The carpet came from Lowes. The slides are from Amazon. I almost went with longer slides but decided an extra 12 - 16 inches didn't matter that much and I could use the extra storage. I made the executive decision to permanently mount the section over the sliding table....not sure why I did that now that I think about it. Probably could have stored stuff under the sliding table.

Overall it sleeps really well. No rattles at all when driving on backcountry roads. I need to fill in the gap on the left and add an end piece on the table. Maybe bolt it down as well. Otherwise very pleased.

BTW I am willing to sell and ship sheets of my Siless deadening material and carpet. PM me. I want to keep some of it but I didn't use the whole box.

 

Very nicely done. And several very clever ideas among the other posts. I have one question. How many drinkers typically join you that required two bottle openers, one on either drawer end? Just doing my own research.

 

For some reason, using scrap or surplus material to make something (that ends up better than what you can buy), is the best feeling ever. Well done!

 

Not that this or any of the other ones here with new materials anything to scoff at!!!