Extended cab pickup storage solution?

[Blender]

I don't have (or want) a fiberglass lid/drawer system or a bed mounted tool box. The picture thread is all drawers, but i'd like to hear some ideas or see some pictures of your backseat storage solutions. I know expo members are creative so help me out.

Vehicle: first gen Tundra "access" cab. Most of what i carry is in duffle bags or plastic tool boxes. I'd also like a place to mount a CO2 tank and be able to keep my hi-lift out of the elements. My intial thought is to leave the rear seat in the folded position and add a steel square tube frame that sits 12-16 inches above the floor hump. I could put stuff directly on the floor (would need to sort out a method to secure this stuff) and still have access to the factory storage cubbies. The shelf would have a mesh or wood top with some of those fancy tie-down strips running along the perimeter.

The rear legs could tie into the 4 backseat mounts on the back wall, but i'd be hesitant to tie into the front seat mounts.

any ideas, guys?

[southpier]

my thought (future T-AC) is to get the spare tire out from under the truck and locate it in the jump seat area of the cab. i'm usually alone and the passenger seat would still be in use. the rest of the space could be dedicated to gear & fitted out.

all of my trucks (3 fords) had the spare locked in the bed. the only thing available (25 years ago) with more cab room was a Dodge powerwagon crew cab.

[FettsWay]

I have a 95 Nissan Hardbody extended cab. My intent is to build a storage array in the extended cab so I don't have to move 10 things to get to one thing.

My first edition was to install a wooden shelf level with the back glass and carpet it, the daschund rides there and loves it....it's not storage, but gave me ideas.

I removed my fold down back seats, so now I have 4 bolt holds to use, my intent is to build the foundation with these, using lumber. I also have a hump in the extended cab part and plan to build over it and use the underneath area of it for heavy items, jack stands, 4 way, etc. The large are will be wood carpeted cabinet.

It maybe awhile before I complete, but will post pics when I do. Don't know if this will help you, but wanted to share.

Please post pics if you have made progress on anything.

[Nuclear Redneck]

I built a wooden box for my Access Cab Tacoma. Here's a post (http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=132127&postcount=5) which shows a little of it. Took an afternoon, used 3/4" plywood from the local big box. Had two lids and swallowed an amazing amount of gear. Total cost probably less than $75

[Blender]

Thanks guys. I'll have to put on my thinking cap to come up with something.

[Casper]

One thing to think about is taking part of the back seat out. Specifically the bottom section. It comes out very easily, two bolts on the outside brackets (the ones by the doors) and then you twist the seat just so and the pin pops out of the inside piece. Easy to put back in as well, just reverse the operation. I did this, not for storage of gear, but so Porthos could ride up front instead of in the bed of the truck. You would not believe how much room it frees up. It's quite a bit.

Now, as to the storage question, my thoughts would be something that might "slide" from side to side. Strap your ear to it, and if you have to get to the jack, instead of unloading everything from behind the drivers seat to just get to the jack, you simply unlock it and slide it to the other side. Just a though.

Cheers,
Josh
&
Porthos
:smiley_drive:

[ronburgandy]

My idea is to build 3 drawers that slide out with the extra cab doors open and a fridge on the other side. I have not yet, but soon will take out the back seats since they are small and I rarely have ever used them.
I was hoping that people would contribute to this thread, to find out more ideas or suggestions.

[Fish]

I'm not entirely sure I'd want that CO2 tank next to me all the time. I have a buddy who just spent several months in ICU and rehab after getting hit in the noggin with a runaway SCBA bottle.

[DrMacZed]

I made some storage boxes for the back of my Ranger. Nothing terribly fancy but they are pretty functional.

Passenger side closed:
http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/8237/11394808.jpg

Passenger side open:
http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/3012/37090864.jpg

The drivers side box is identical to the passenger side one. The taller box in the middle has an 8" subwoofer in the bottom and an open cubby on the top. Also has my Maglight mounted to the side, the other side has a fire extinguisher. In the center between the two larger boxes is another smaller carpet lined open top box for random loose items.

[squatch]

some good ideas. this has me thinking?

[Jeff Wanamog]

Just make sure that everything that is in the cab is tied down. I don't mean under a lid, I mean so secured that you can't pull it out now matter what. More weight, stronger the tie down.
I flipped in the desert at 51 MPH end over end and you won't believe the power of flying objects coming from behind.
I would never have the spare in the cab, too much weight to be secured.
Just my $.02.
Jeff:smiley_drive:

[Blender]

Some valid points have been made. I've seen plenty of CO2 tanks mounted in vehicles, but all of them were SUVs. I suppose the safety gained by out-of-cab mounting is worth the drawbacks. With that decision I'm leaning towards a bedbar to mount the hi lift and co2 (and maybe other stuff i don't know i need yet). I figure the small bed length i lose won't be the end of the world. In my experience the width of a truck bed is the most important dimension. This isn't my ideal way of doing it, but it seems like my only option.

That still leaves some kind of rack/tub/drawer system for the backseat. This seems like the hardest part. Removing the bottom cushion is a great idea. I'd gain more volume without having the unfinished look of completely removing the backseat. iirc the cushions/frame are 6+" thick at the biggest spot. That's huge. Maybe now i'd only need a single level storage device.

Besides safety i am concerned about being able to get to what i need in unusual situations. My rear doors are reverse hinged, so it is fairly common for me to not be able to open them fully (or at all) when stuck in a tight spot.

back to the drawing board :coffee:

[alexrex20]

so why is the OP against a bed box?

[southpier]

stumbled across this:

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/index.php?/topic/620/

[ronburgandy]

This post got me thinking, I just took the rear seats out of the extra cab of my truck (08 Nissan frontier) and the space btwn the seats comes up so you could make it flat all the way across. Use the space underneath the flat platform as storage for maps, or flat object,(ideas), then above the flat, you could add, fridge, air tank, battery's, storage boxes(ideas), all these item must be secured. the only problem is that it waists a lot of space with the seats at an angle and everything to go back there mostly square, but those are my idea. I am planning to add a hanging net from the roof in the back to store things so the floor is not all taken up all the time also.
cheers

[Blender]

Sorry for the 6 month thread abandon guys.

Alexrex20: I'd rather not have bed box because i need every inch of length my bed has to offer. Even the 4 inches a bedbar would take is not ideal.

Southpier: cool link.

Ron burgandy: Sounds like we have a similar problem. How to tie everything down is my biggest dilemma.

I've been wondering about using extruded aluminum shapes to build a frame that sits low to even out the uneven back floor of my truck. Then i could use some fancy tie downs like from mack's custom tie downs (www.macscustomtiedowns.com)

http://8020.net
http://tslots.com/

Both also make all kinds of angle brackets and add ons. Any experience with such a thing? I don't have any welding skills or equipement. The prices of 80/20 that i could find seems rather high. I could probably have someone fab something similar out of steel for less. The extrusions would be pretty modular if my needs ever changed which is a huge plus in my book.

[Blender]

Maybe a little something like this? 1" Series 10 80/20 extruded aluminum.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y232/ToyTundra/Tundra/8020shelfmodelfullyloaded.png
The back would tie into the 4 factory mounts for the back seat, but i'd remove the bottom cushion. The front could mount to the front seat mounts, or just go to the floor.

The CO2 and jack should be on a bedbar instead. I could add a small second level if needed.

The biggest issue would be the shelves would cover my factory storage cubbies. I'd have to make the bottoms removable so i could still access them.

80/20 through ebay isn't terrible expensive, but all the brackets and fasteners really add up.