During the pandemic quarantine, we decided to upgrade our transport for the road trip (and for putzing around Alaska). Mainly, we wanted something that a) fit my gangly assemblage of limbs; b) could take us to some remote locales (i.e., had some off-road chops); and c) could potentially be slept in when a quick overnight was needed. We ultimately settled on a 4Runner and about 7 days before hitting the road traded in Kristen’s beloved Honda fit and drove this brontosaurus home. We then proceeded to perform an internal makeover to better fit our goal of living the anti-‘van life’ life.
First, we (as you can see from the pictures, mostly Kristen with me complaining) built a bed platform for sleeping inside the car when the weather sucks or we just need a quick stopover without pulling out the tent. There are a billion how-to guides for building a 4Runner bed platform, so I won’t bore you all with the details, but I will just note a few tips. Essentially, we wanted to build something that we could both sleep on relatively comfortably, but that could also be easily stowed so that the backseats could be utilized without necessarily removing the whole platform (the platform also had to be removable). By necessity it had to be built with zero power tools (besides a $30 cordless drill) and required no modification or drilling into the frame of the car itself. We settled on an essentially two piece design where we built a single piece rear platform that fit over the cargo area and allowed the seats to fold up. We then built an independent front support that fit behind the front seats and could be easily removed when not in use (these also rested on the floor instead of putting weight on the back of the folded down rear seats). The platform itself was built out of two pieces of plywood and bolted to each of the support beams. The front piece can be unbolted and slid into the cargo area, quickly rebolted, and the seats can then be folded up for regular use.
Each of the legs were made of untreated 2x4s, the supports were untreated 1×4 or 1×6 (for the middle support) to provide extra strength, and the platform was 1/2in PureBond birch (since we would be coexisting with it for extended periods we decided to pay extra to avoid any harmful chemicals; PureBond is formaldehyde-free). Basically we measured the cargo area to create a base that fit exactly in the footprint of the cargo bay (with the seats folded up) where the center leg was a bit off center to fit the dimensions of our storage tubs and cooler (mainly a 27gallon heavy duty storage tub), and maintained a clearance of 17in for the tubs. We then measured the height of the front legs to allow a flat surface (since they extended to the floor, they were around 23in long). The supports that were connected to the legs were measured to fit the width of the cargo area (but these dimensions were less important, as long as they fit in the car). We measured the plywood base to fill as much area as possible, but also ensuring that it could fit into the rear trunk opening and be moved into position inside the cargo area (we made sure the width was a few inches shorter than the diagonal of the trunk). Given the car dimensions, the rear plywood base was a bit smaller (again, so that the seats could fold up) than the front, and the front plywood piece was measured to fit snugly up to the rear of the front seats (when in a comfortable driving position; they also essentially fit to rest on the top of the folded up portion of the lower rear seats).
The whole process took a couple evenings for measuring and couple hours wandering Home Depot and about a weekend day to build (keep in mind this is essentially the only thing we have ever built). Once we had the measurements, we picked out the wood and had an associate at Home Depot cut them to our specifications. The assemblage essentially entailed using wood screws to attach the legs to the 1×4 or 1×6, then, for the rear supports, connecting the two support units with 1x4s on the sides to make it a single solid unit. For each leg we also attached a small metal brace for added support. We then did the same for the front support, but this one was free standing and only involved connected to the two longer legs to the single 1×4. We then put the plywood on top and drilled holes where the bolts would be put to attach the plywood to the supports. One important note is that each piece of plywood was measured to fit over one half of the middle support (i.e., laid on top of 3inches of the 1×6 support), because this support needed to hold both pieces of plywood. Once we had everything drilled we put the base into the car, put the plywood on top, and bolted them together. For added support for the front section we also bought a 12in pipe and two wall flanges to build a movable support. We wound up making two of these and attaching each with screws to a small piece of 2×4 (about 2in x 2in) to get it to the exact height needed. These supports ensured that the plywood did not bend too much, could be easily moved or removed, and did not add too much pressure to the folded down seats given their wider base. Finally, we bolted down the rear section with hooks and turnbuckles to the various preexisting tie down points in the 4Runner.
Although the headspace can be a bit limiting with the 17in legs, we didn’t find it to be much of an issue for sleeping. With the front seats pushed forward you also eke out a couple more inches, which allows me (6’3”) to fully stretch out. We bought a 3in foam full size foldable mattress from Amazon (~$100), which fits almost perfectly (especially with the last small section folded up when we aren’t sleeping) and is surprisingly comfortable. To finish off the sleeping area, we bought dark colored curtains at the local thrift shop and cut them to fit the window heights. Kristen hemmed them with her sewing machine to keep them from unraveling. We strung these with paracord from the various tie-off points in the 4runner and they worked well to block out the windows and the cab area from the sleeping area. We also purchased bug nets that fit over the rear rear windows and Kristen found a bassinet bug net that perfectly fit over rear cargo sliding window. These allowed us to roll down the windows at night to ensure airflow, which turned out to be a lifesaver across the south and southwest (and for just airing out the car).
To finish off our 4runner, we also purchased an array of off-roading supplies, roof cross bars, and a cargo net that was attached by bungee cords within the top portion of the cargo bay for extra storage space. We also purchased a 50W solar panel and a 200 watt-hour lithium ion battery, which allowed us to get some work done while off-grid. Besides a comical amount of food (think packing an entire kitchen pantry into the 4runner), most of the space was occupied by our backpacking and camping supplies. We also had a couple days worth of clothes, my ubiquitous supply of books, and a few pairs of footwear. We also, unfortunately, had an array of work materials (computers, a computer monitor, files, etc.) and other items for when we arrived in Alaska, as we had no idea when we would be returning for our stuff. In hindsight, overpacking turned out to be a blessing in disguise (though we never would have admitted during the first few days as we cursed our lack of space), because we still have not returned to FL for our life possessions (as of 1/10/21). We have essentially lived off what we brought (aside from buying more food, but not for about 3 weeks into the trip) for the duration of the road trip and the subsequent months in Alaska. An outline of what we brought is provided below. It should be noted that Kristen also bought one Otterbox Defender Series Case for her new iphone SE, which proved to be the single greatest purchase of either of our lives due to a mishap during a rock scramble in Vermilion Cliffs; a day that will live in infamy (stay tuned for that tale…).
Supplies for Sleeping Platform (contact us for more details, if interested):
2 1×4, 30”
2 1×6, 40”
6 2×4, 16”
2 2×4, 23”
1 plywood, 50×31.5
1 plywood, 50×33
2 12in metal pipes with screw in wall flanges on both ends
4 turnbuckles and hooks (for securing bed to 4runner tie downs)
~8 metal perpendicular braces
~4 bolts with washers and nuts
Box of wood screws
Lucid 3in folding full size mattress (highly recommended, fit platform bed perfectly and we use it in our current house for floor seating)
Used curtains to cover windows, cut and hemmed
Bed sheets and blankets
4 pool noodles (cut down the middle) to line the plywood, especially facing the rear door
Internal, External, and Extra Gear:
LRD Off-road ruggedized aluminum crossbars (can’t suggest these enough; heavy duty crossbars that have flat top and multiple tie down points; can buy multiple to essentially make a roof rack, we have 4; perfect for carrying firewood, tents, etc.).
LRD off-road windfaring for crossbars (reduces wind noise; we noticed no difference in noise or wind resistance before and after we installed crossbars and windfaring)
41in x 30in cargo net (for storing light gear in ceiling portion of cargo area above bed, affixed with many, many bungee cords)
Rear window bug nets/shades
Bassinet bug net for cargo window
Color changing USB LED lights for interior lighting
M6 eye ring bolts (screw into the 4runner tie off points for additional tie offs)
3/16in quick chain links (for hanging stuff and emergency fixes)
Assortment pack of bungee cords
High strength earth magnets (for holding car window bug nets in place)
Paracord (for handing curtains and emergencies)
Back of car set organizer
~15 books (the source of endless ribbing)
Driver’s foam seat pad
Sun shade
2 large tarps (to create sun awnings and wrap things on roof rack)
27 gallon storage tub
40qt flat storage bin
~20qt cooler
FLR camera with zoom
Laundry basket storage tub + small white wash bin (for kitchen storage and washing dishes)
Plastic file storage box (for food)
Road maps galore
Off-grid Gear:
Yeti Boulder 50, 50W solar panel
Yeti 200x, 200 watt-hour lithium ion battery
AmazonBasics 3-speed 7in circular fan (to cool down the place)
2 USB battery packs (for charging phones multiple times)
Off-roading Recovery Gear:
ARB 705lbs, 30ft snatch strap (for vehicle recovery)
Shackle hitch receiver with 3/4in D-ring (for vehicle recovery via the trailer hitch)
Rhino 3/4in D-ring shackles 2 pack (for vehicle recovery)
ARB speedy seal tire repair kit (for emergency tire patching)
Cigarette lighter air compressor (for rapidly inflating/deflating tires)
Jumper cables
WD-40
Basic tool kit (hammer, multi-head screwdriver, pliers, vicegrips, hand saw)
Full size spare, tire jack, and associated tools for changing a tire
Various side spare wood pieces (for leveling jack on uneven/soft surfaces; grip surface for getting out of sand/mud/snow)
Small shovel
5 gallon, metal gas can
Car Camping Gear:
Coleman Evanston Dome tent with screened porch (best purchase ever! Screened porch is great for hanging out when there are bugs, hot sun, or rain)
Queen size inflatable double thick inflatable mattress (the source of no less than 10 arguments over space and need….I say well worth the comfort)
Cigarette lighter air pump
Coleman 2 burner propane stove
2 sets of dishware and utensils, frying pan, sauce pan, various cooking utensils, knives, mugs, etc. (all gear necessary to cook basic meals)
23in collapsible folding table (for eating, games, and work)
Small middle folding plastic square camp table
3 leg stool (for quick sitting and view pondering)
GSI outdoor 20L collapsible water jugs (bit flimsy, but prevented buying non-reusable water containers and folded flat)
6 small propane canisters
2 Camp chairs
Mosquito repellent and sunscreen galore
Binoculars
A bundle of firewood (which was carried all the way to Utah before we were allowed to use it)
Backpacking Gear:
GSI Outdoor reusable drip coffee filter (if you like coffee and camping, this is a must have)
Tarptent Double Rainbow backpacking tent
2, ~40L backpacks
2, ~20L daypacks
2 REI sleeping bags rates to ~15 degrees
2 Therma-rest Neo-Air sleeping pads
Backpacking stove and lightweight pot set
Ursack Major bear bag and odor/water proof ziplock liners and rope
Bear spray
2 Sporks
Grayl Geopress water filter (quickest water filter system we have had, but a bit bulky for backpacking, amazing for general travel in countries with questionable tap water)
Hydroflask growler (amazing for keeping ice in the car for multi day desert off-roading trips or backpacking)
4 Platypus 1L collapsible water bottles
2 Camelbak 2L water pouches
2 Headlamps
Puff jackets, base layers, water resistant layers, rain shell
Trail runners
Inflatable solar light
2 backpacking hammocks and quick hang straps
3 backpacking gas canisters
Thermacell Backpacker mosquito repeller (attaches to backpack gas canister)
With back seats folded up.
Turnbuckle attachment.
Back seats folded up and front supports removed for storage.
Our off-grid solar panel and lithium ion battery setup.
Rear side window bug net.
The final palace, mood lighting and all.
Leave a Reply