2003 Tundra AC, Finally posting a thread!

[toyotech]

Looks good. Thanks for the pictures. I actually just had a rear bumper made. The dual swing out is in progress but I was looking for ideas to see If I could add or make changes. Drawers look very nice. I sleep in the back of mine so i load up to action packers. Easier for me to swap boxes between my two trucks


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[uscg2008]

Dang that is a sweet tundy!

 

[Climbermac]

@toyotech, I really went back and forth about dual swings. I wish I had come up with a better layout but I just got frustrated and did the simpler single pivot. The issue I kept hitting was a clean way to fabricate the latches. The only design that was looking good was to latch each arm to the sides of the center inset (license plate space) The structure of each arm would be partially cantilevered out in space which wasn't ideal and the latches would have been hard to get to below all the gear mounted on the arms. I'm interested in seeing what your builder produces.

 

[toyotech]

This is what he did for my runner. Will the same latch system but closer to the spindles because I got cut outs near the plate for reverse lights.


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[Deleted member 9101]

Looks great man!!!!!

 

[seanpistol]

That bed storage is killer! Nice swingout, too. If I ever made one I'd love to have a fold down table on it!

 

[Climbermac]

There is a fold down/prep table in the plans. Originally it was going to be a welded hinge and drop down but once I got the arm burned on the clearance with the tailgate was just too tight. I think I"m going to re-work the table top I built with some drop in type brackets to allow it to slip on to the lower arm of the swing out and then lift off and stow in the drawer... As it sits the top of the swing arm can just barely touch/scuff the tailgate handle. I also felt that (justifying changing the plan after the fact) the table would be nice for food prep and if it lives with the swing arm it will be coated in road grime, stowed in the drawer feels like it would be more practical, and easier to clean.

 

[bknudtsen]

Can you make the table top stow as a lid for one of the drawers? That way it can be used as a work surface with a drawer pulled out as well.

 

[Climbermac]

That's a fun idea, the fact that I built the drawers pretty tight in clearances to maximize space in the drawers and above the platform may make it a bit tricky but it's worth a shot. I think I'd need to make the "bracket" that drops down over the swing arm pivot in or slide back to live under the deck (in the drawer space) when it's capping the drawer so it is a smooth edge. COOL IDEA! I'm already seeing drawings in my head.

 

[bknudtsen]

Here's some inspiration if you haven't seen it already. http://www.trekboxx.com

 

[Climbermac]

Very cool site, thanks for the link, it is one I hadn't come across yet. This idea may also help me remedy a bit of an oversight I found on the last trip I took: I put the main kitchen stuffs drawer under the fridge not realizing that I can leave the fridge dropped in camp but need access to the kitchen stuffs drawer at the same time. So if I pull the drawer out to modify for a table top lid I can fix TWO things with one project!

One note on the swingouts that I realized as the conversation worked around dual pivot vs single pivot. I love the dual pivots on the rear of my fj40 but I have split rear doors and can swing one pivot and open a door. With the tailgate on the Tundra dual or single you have to open both to access the back. The clearance behind issue is definitely a point for the dual swing but in camp I have my annex over the rear and having the swing on one side lets the other side be access in and out of the annex. Just mulling the pros/cons. In the end I usually err on the side of simplicity, one pivot, one latch, less to break.

 

[chaingangster]

I have the same truck and love seeing the progression of yours. My wife and I slept on a bed/storage platform for years, but our first child made it difficult and our second made it impossible! We went for the CVT as well. Nice setup!

 

[toyotech]

No tail gate on my tundra. My topper has barn doors hehe.
Runner has tail gate but just opening one is enough room to reach in for little stuff.
I like the fact that it doesn't take much room to swing half a swing out vs a single full length one. Especially on my runner I can open the swing outs full in my closed garage. Spindles and latches used on mine are BEEF. No breakage and less load on each spindle being split in half was another reason for duel. Plus if one is good. Two is better lol.


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[Climbermac]

@chaingangster: Thanks! I have to ask, did you guys run two carseats in an Access Cab? How did they fit? Pics? Our little one is 8 months and the rear facing infant seat only fits in the middle and it's cozy. I'm also 6'2" so my seat doesn't go much other than be all the way back.

@toyotech: "two is better" I do agree! Barn door topper, Cool! I can't wait to see the bumper when it's done.

 

[andrewwheatley]

This could be one of the best 1st gen builds ever. Thanks for the inspiration! Can't wait to get started on mine!!!