After doing much research on this site and others and speaking with various explorers I finally did my Tacoma bed build.
Here were the goals:
• Create a system that would simplify the packing, unpacking, and accessibility of our camping and recovery gear
• Make the ride for our 2 dogs comfortable and spacious
• Simple and convenient water storage
• Tool storage
• Bring 12v power to the back
I have seen a lot of drawer systems that I liked but decided to go a different route. The heart of the build was based around 2 Rubbermade type containers and 2 side boxes.
The frame was made out of 1x12 pine, the top board was ACX ½” plywood, and frame support was a combination of 2x2 and 1x2 pine.
First, the long boards and cross boards were cut and assembled using wood screws. End caps for the side boxes were cut and trimmed to fit the contour of the truck bed sidewall with holes for 12v receptacles. Next, the top plywood piece was measured and cut. Due to the dimensions of the build I used 2 pieces that were joined in the middle of the truck. One piece shims for the long boards were cut to bring them up to the height of the cross pieces.
Access panels were then cut in the desired locations with finger holed drilled to use as a pull. The entire wood structure was reinforced using metal “L” brackets from the hardware store. Each end of the structure was also secured to the truck bed sidewall using “L” brackets and sheet metal screws. Once secured this thing it was not going anywhere! I left a 5” space between the rear of the structure and the back cab wall for additional storage and made a space for the water cell (more on this later).
Next, the holes for the 12v plugs were sanded and the fuse panel was mounted. Hinges for the access panels were installed using wood screws.
Then the marine carpet was laid. I ordered a 6x8 foot piece from Cabela’s and it was more than enough to do the job. The carpet adhesive came from West Marine. This pretty much finished the boxes as you see here.
I wired up a double 12v plug in the front, a single 12v plug in the rear (for our dog swamp cooler), truck shell dome light, and the 12v submersible pump.
My water system is inspired by Steve S (Mr. S on the boards). I used a 9 gallon Todd Enterprises water cell from West Marine and a $15 submersible pump from an online RV supply store. It used a 3/8 ID water hose that is routed to the tailgate and capped with a PVC screw cap. I used a tool dipped push/ pull switch with a mounting bracket to control the flow. The cheap little pump kicks some *** and is capable of shooting water ~ 5 feet in the air and I can fill a one gallon jug in about 30 seconds. Thanks for the R&D Mr. S!
A few old blankets between the truck bed and a rubber-backed rug made a nice soft area for the dogs to ride. They now have much more room to hang out than they did before the build.
A few other items include the mounting of my 15gal CO2 tank. I used the supplied clamp boot/ bracket and some steel plate under the bed for a rock solid mount. Just to be sure I also fixed a pull strap around the tank using the stock truck bed mounting point and a slide-n-lock tie down.
I added a Deep Blue 12v fuse block in the access space behind the driver’s seat and re-wired my roof rack lights using the correct gauge wire and auto relays. When I had my double battery system put in by my friend’s stereo shop the employee he had wire the lights used 18 gauge wire and no relay. Needless to say there was almost a fire at the switch and I was fortunate enough to catch it before it started. It only took me 2 years to get them re-wired and working again
Added an Ipod cable that is hardwired into the 12v system using a cable from David Navone along with a holder and extension bracket for my Pro-Fit VSM.
Anyway, I hope this info helps someone with their build.
Happy trails!
Here were the goals:
• Create a system that would simplify the packing, unpacking, and accessibility of our camping and recovery gear
• Make the ride for our 2 dogs comfortable and spacious
• Simple and convenient water storage
• Tool storage
• Bring 12v power to the back
I have seen a lot of drawer systems that I liked but decided to go a different route. The heart of the build was based around 2 Rubbermade type containers and 2 side boxes.
The frame was made out of 1x12 pine, the top board was ACX ½” plywood, and frame support was a combination of 2x2 and 1x2 pine.
First, the long boards and cross boards were cut and assembled using wood screws. End caps for the side boxes were cut and trimmed to fit the contour of the truck bed sidewall with holes for 12v receptacles. Next, the top plywood piece was measured and cut. Due to the dimensions of the build I used 2 pieces that were joined in the middle of the truck. One piece shims for the long boards were cut to bring them up to the height of the cross pieces.
Access panels were then cut in the desired locations with finger holed drilled to use as a pull. The entire wood structure was reinforced using metal “L” brackets from the hardware store. Each end of the structure was also secured to the truck bed sidewall using “L” brackets and sheet metal screws. Once secured this thing it was not going anywhere! I left a 5” space between the rear of the structure and the back cab wall for additional storage and made a space for the water cell (more on this later).
Next, the holes for the 12v plugs were sanded and the fuse panel was mounted. Hinges for the access panels were installed using wood screws.
Then the marine carpet was laid. I ordered a 6x8 foot piece from Cabela’s and it was more than enough to do the job. The carpet adhesive came from West Marine. This pretty much finished the boxes as you see here.
I wired up a double 12v plug in the front, a single 12v plug in the rear (for our dog swamp cooler), truck shell dome light, and the 12v submersible pump.
My water system is inspired by Steve S (Mr. S on the boards). I used a 9 gallon Todd Enterprises water cell from West Marine and a $15 submersible pump from an online RV supply store. It used a 3/8 ID water hose that is routed to the tailgate and capped with a PVC screw cap. I used a tool dipped push/ pull switch with a mounting bracket to control the flow. The cheap little pump kicks some *** and is capable of shooting water ~ 5 feet in the air and I can fill a one gallon jug in about 30 seconds. Thanks for the R&D Mr. S!
A few old blankets between the truck bed and a rubber-backed rug made a nice soft area for the dogs to ride. They now have much more room to hang out than they did before the build.
A few other items include the mounting of my 15gal CO2 tank. I used the supplied clamp boot/ bracket and some steel plate under the bed for a rock solid mount. Just to be sure I also fixed a pull strap around the tank using the stock truck bed mounting point and a slide-n-lock tie down.
I added a Deep Blue 12v fuse block in the access space behind the driver’s seat and re-wired my roof rack lights using the correct gauge wire and auto relays. When I had my double battery system put in by my friend’s stereo shop the employee he had wire the lights used 18 gauge wire and no relay. Needless to say there was almost a fire at the switch and I was fortunate enough to catch it before it started. It only took me 2 years to get them re-wired and working again
Added an Ipod cable that is hardwired into the 12v system using a cable from David Navone along with a holder and extension bracket for my Pro-Fit VSM.
Anyway, I hope this info helps someone with their build.
Happy trails!
