Storage Platform
I built a storage platform in the rear cargo area.
Wood template, in this step I wanted to get the rear most horizontal beam over the factory tie down holes the outer vertical beams fall over the forward factory tie down holes (which are elevated ~.5-.75” off the floor.
Using 1x1 steel square tube, the template was welded up and holes drilled. The frame gives 2” rise from the floor, this is important to the design because (1) I needed 2.5 of rise to get level with the folded down seatbacks, and (2) I needed room for my two slide out tables pieces. To the top of the vertical beams I added Mac’s Custom Versatie tie down aluminum track, which was ½” thick and brought the platform to level with the back seats. This stuff is incredible, I chose the kind for flush mount and each tie down has 1,000 lb dynamic load rating. I used 1/8 wall steel tube and drilling the holes was tough. I also drilled out the rear nuts and elected to go with a bolt through the floor with a fender washer. The factory nuts looked weak and feeble, this step took 30 seconds. I reused the sound deadner after pealing it off of the factory carpet, seems to work well so I didn’t pay for dynamat (Note, without any sound deadner it is LOUD, plan to use something).
With ¾ birch plywood I cut pieces to match the contours of the floor and sanded the corners round. I also cut 41” slide out table pieces to fit under the center left and right sections.
Next, I added Line-X. I debated weather to stain the wood and add varnish but I am so glad I chose to use Line-x. It looks fantastic in person and soft/rubbery enough to allow for climbing and kneeling on.
The finished product, with tons of tie down options all solidly anchored to metal and level with the front seats. The tables are nice and much more sturdy that I planned, I would guess each could hold more than 25 lbs.
Here is how it looks with two Pelican – Storm cases 2750
