5Runner
Adventurer
Hello All. This is my first post on this forum. I frequent T4R.org to talk and learn about 4runners (handle = CSL) and RM4WD.org to talk with local 4wheeling friends and new friends (handle = 5Runner).
We are a family of 5 plus an 80lb retriever dog (hence, 5Runner). We like expedition, backcountry kind of camping, but with a 3, 5, and 7 year old, you can't do that backpacking very easy. Our 4Runner is our RV. It lets us have the convinience of car camping in locations similar to backpacking. No camp"grounds" for us!
It was my most recent build that lead me to this forum during a google search. In just a few minutes of scanning through threads, it seems you guys have a lot in common with me and a lot of good ideas. So, I thought I would add to the collection of genius, creativity and madness occuring here, by posting this thread. I hope you enjoy!
So I have been testing out and going through multiple generations of my cargo area build. It started out as a grate I bought off craigslist so that our gear wouldn't fly forward and kill us. The dog was a little pup at the time so he sat by the kids feet:
Then I added a simple shelf on one side for the dog and gear below. When I did this I modified the wire grate so that it did not go to the floor and take up space.
Not soon after I modified my cargo mat to fit the dog area and put in a 7 gallon water jug and shelf above.
Then I added the slide-out-and-fold-down table:
Next I added a slide out drawer on the right side of the cargo area, but I don't have a picture of that. That is the transformation of the last year and a half. Here is the thread with more details about these builds:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/49595-custom-dog-storage-system.html
THE NEW BUILD BEGINS...
I just got an Engle fridge, and it did not fit well with my cargo build. So I took out the drawer and table and built a new one. I spent the ENTIRE weekend working on this, so I have to give credit to my wife, who handled the rest of the household responsibilities. But, this version is ready now for our trip to the sand dunes next week!
Here it is before you load the fridge:
Now with the fridge loaded. The design puts the heavy fridge as low as possible and all the way to the back of the cargo area (front of the vehicle). This is the best spot, “center of gravity-speaking” for it. I designed the slide so that it sits on the cargo floor. This way the weight of the fridge is right on the vehicle and not stressing the slides. I glued a sheet of metal on the bottom of the floor the fridge sits on, so it slides better on the carpet.
Once you load the fridge, you can insert the drawer and bucket, with wing nuts:
Now it's loaded and ready for camping! I found that I always have paper towels and baby wipes “wet wipey's” laying around the back of the rig (remember, three little kids with me almost always). So I built a hinged door with storage that has a spot for paper towels, wet wipes, dog poop bags, tissues, garbage bags and toilet paper.
I can still open the top of the upper storage area with everything closed up.
We are a family of 5 plus an 80lb retriever dog (hence, 5Runner). We like expedition, backcountry kind of camping, but with a 3, 5, and 7 year old, you can't do that backpacking very easy. Our 4Runner is our RV. It lets us have the convinience of car camping in locations similar to backpacking. No camp"grounds" for us!
It was my most recent build that lead me to this forum during a google search. In just a few minutes of scanning through threads, it seems you guys have a lot in common with me and a lot of good ideas. So, I thought I would add to the collection of genius, creativity and madness occuring here, by posting this thread. I hope you enjoy!
So I have been testing out and going through multiple generations of my cargo area build. It started out as a grate I bought off craigslist so that our gear wouldn't fly forward and kill us. The dog was a little pup at the time so he sat by the kids feet:
Then I added a simple shelf on one side for the dog and gear below. When I did this I modified the wire grate so that it did not go to the floor and take up space.
Not soon after I modified my cargo mat to fit the dog area and put in a 7 gallon water jug and shelf above.
Then I added the slide-out-and-fold-down table:
Next I added a slide out drawer on the right side of the cargo area, but I don't have a picture of that. That is the transformation of the last year and a half. Here is the thread with more details about these builds:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/49595-custom-dog-storage-system.html
THE NEW BUILD BEGINS...
I just got an Engle fridge, and it did not fit well with my cargo build. So I took out the drawer and table and built a new one. I spent the ENTIRE weekend working on this, so I have to give credit to my wife, who handled the rest of the household responsibilities. But, this version is ready now for our trip to the sand dunes next week!
Here it is before you load the fridge:
Now with the fridge loaded. The design puts the heavy fridge as low as possible and all the way to the back of the cargo area (front of the vehicle). This is the best spot, “center of gravity-speaking” for it. I designed the slide so that it sits on the cargo floor. This way the weight of the fridge is right on the vehicle and not stressing the slides. I glued a sheet of metal on the bottom of the floor the fridge sits on, so it slides better on the carpet.
Once you load the fridge, you can insert the drawer and bucket, with wing nuts:
Now it's loaded and ready for camping! I found that I always have paper towels and baby wipes “wet wipey's” laying around the back of the rig (remember, three little kids with me almost always). So I built a hinged door with storage that has a spot for paper towels, wet wipes, dog poop bags, tissues, garbage bags and toilet paper.
I can still open the top of the upper storage area with everything closed up.
Last edited:
