GX Storage/Bed project

[TexGX]

I finally started my cargo system for the GX. Here are my ideas:

1. Light as possible. No drawer, I like the idea of bins.
2. Sleeping platform for one.
3. Fridge storage with place for battery or water can.
4. Can be removed fairly easily.

This is where I am with the project. Suggestions are welcome. Here are a few of the things I need to work out:

1. What to cover it with (carpet or bedliner)? Bedliner is winning so far.
2. How to mount it to the truck? Thinking L brackets to the tiedowns.
3. I will add a slide for the fridge later, but until then, how to hold it down?
4. How to hold the loose part for the bed to the unit? Dowel rods?

TexGX

 

[Token]

Bedliner.. I did carpet on the box in the back of the H3.. Didn't occur to me at the time how crappy it's gonna look the first time I toss a muddy snatch strap or a few sticks of firewood back there..

May try and find a big sheet of rubber to toss over it catch the bulk of the crap.

 

[Desert Dan]

That looks pretty good and easliy removable.

You can pick of a chase loung pad (3-4" foam) that would work good as a bed.

 

[TexGX]

Token,

I am going to go with the bedliner. I bought 3 cans today.

Desert Dan,

That is a great idea.:wings: I was thinking of buying the caballas bed pad, but will have to check prices now.

I added a side wing on the sleeping side to give me just a little more room to sleep. It ends up close to 30 inches. I drilled a bunch of holes around the rear of the fridge for extra ventilation. Also added some in the rear box incase I put a battery in there.

Can I have a battery inside the truck with me? Anything I should be concerned with?

TexGX

 

[zukrider]

use a good sealed battery and you wont have any problems

 

[TexGX]

The bedliner is not working out. I guess the stuff I used was not the best. Now I need to decide if I want to try and strip it off, carpet it or start over. All I would need to buy would be a single peice of oak ply. I may try sanding it and if it does not work well, then I will start over. If so I will put this one up for sale.

Any suggestions?

TexGX

 

[corax]

how about just covering it with rubber, like EPDM roofing material. Glue it on on forget about it + easy to clean

 

[rusty_tlc]

I used a cheap commercial grade area carpet I got at Home depot to cover the platform in the back of my FJ40. I think a 6X8 piece cost around $12. It's holding up pretty well but it's so cheap i could replace it a couple of times a year. I clean it with a garden hose.

BTW I don't have a hard top and almost never put the soft top on so it see's a lot of dust dirt and weather.

 

[TexGX]

Here is the finished product:

I think everything turned out really well. I am excited to give it a test run.

Desert Dan,

The chase pad works great!

TexGX

 

[djrez4]

How do you support the end of the sleeping platform when it's deployed?

 

[TexGX]

djrez4,

The back platform rest on a lip on the main frame and the back rest on the second row seat folded down but not flipped up.

TexGX

 

[PGW]

What are you using for a hinge for the sleeping platform? I'm working on nearly the exact same thing on my Grand Cherokee, except the 'cubby' is full width because I don't have a fridge.

 

[TexGX]

PGW,

The only hinge I used was for the wing on the drivers side. The sleeping platform velcros to the top piece when traveling and rest on a lip in the back and the second row seat when deploded as a bed.

I did try the set up last night and it worked Great!! I like that I can get into the passanger back seat and take my shoes off, then crawl into bed. Having the DVD player did not suck either. I am very happy with the setup.

TexGX

 

[stolenheron]

what did you use since the final coating? did you redo the bedliner or is that just paint or what?

i currently have a carpetted/canvas setup in the back of my rover, it looks fantastic, but i need to edit my original design a bit, which means i'm gonna need to resurface it, i'd like to redo it and need ideas for resurfacing. i used MDF board, vs plywood, which was a mistake, but it still works fine. its just heavy and a bit more sensitive to water. so i need to coat it and coat it well.

 

[TexGX]

I just painted over the bedliner. I would buy the roll on kind next time. I do like the fact I can just touch up the paint. It seems to be working fine.

TexGX