Here are some photos from previous trips we have been out on in the FJ in the first couple years we had it.

 

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My FJ Sleeping Solution

I know there have been many threads and discussions on sleeping in the back of the FJ but here is my solution. I wanted to keep it modular, cheap, easy to build, simple to use, and maximize room as well as keep a classy upscale look. I also wanted to maintain a rear seat because I do sometimes have people back there.

Here is the main cargo platform.


Here's what the forward platforms look like.




Here is how both forward platforms fit inside each other to maximize room.






Now this is how both pieces fit underneath the cargo area platform.




Here is the Coleman SUV Air Mattress I purchased to go on top. I chose this mattress because its a couple inches wider than a twin and without the pillow inflated it fits really well in the back of the FJ.


Pictures of everything actually in the FJ are coming later this week. It is just currently snowing and dark out.

 

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Rear bedding system part 2


So here it is inside the FJ in normal mode. Looks pretty good in my opinon.






Here is how it goes together, really quick and easy.

The forward platforms come out.




They get seperated.


Seats go down, and forward platforms go in place.





There is still just enough headroom to sit inside without the mattress.



In goes the Coleman SUV air mattress. If you dont inflate the pillow and keep it folded underneath it fits quite nicely.



This is how we managed to keep as much room as possible between the bed and the ceiling of the FJ but also gain the length required for both me (6ft) and her (5ft 10in) to be able to sleep comfortably.



As you can see I made sure the platfroms were just high enough to bring the mattress up to level with the folded down seats. Then by pushing the drivers and passengers seats all the way forward and placing our gear in the empty area to support our pillows we have plenty of room to be able to stretch out our bodies. And before you ask, no a Vera Bradley bag and a Pink blanket are not part of our normal gear. :lol:





And here is everything all packed up with our gear which Im planning on packing inside the ActionPackers. Things will change I would like to fit a bigger cooler as well as get a cargo net to hold everything down for wheeling but you get the idea.



Rear bedding system part 3 added (10/29/2011)

Many of you have inquired about some sort of drawing for my bed setup. I FINALLY got some drawn up. They are fairly crude but you should be able to get the real information and measurements here. I also wanted to comment that I cut the majority of the large pieces on the table saw and then used a jig saw for a few of the tight curved areas. I used wood glue as well as small nails to hold the parts together for very strong construction. I used a nail gun to apply the nails but a hammer would work as well. Carpeting of course is optional.

A Generic Materials List: Only cost me about $50 but I had glue and nails at home.

1ea 1/2in thick sheet plywood
1ea bottle wood glue
1ea box of small nails
3ea 1 1/2 x 3/4 x 12 boards (you know those small cheap sticks they sell, not sure the name, try to find straight ones)

For Carpet:
6ft x 10ft of that indoor outdoor carpet they cut off the big roll at the store
1 of the small plastic cans of carpet adhesive
Couple boxes of staples for a staple gun

Ok here are the drawings. If you have any questions PM me I'd be happy to assist in any way I can.

Rear Portion



Forward Stowing Portions

 

I love that bed setup. I think I am going to build something like that for camping trips! Keep it up!

 

I love the setup in the back for the bed. Looks like a really clean job. We need to get together for a trip when I am home. I know we have one we are trying to get together in march, and I would love to see your setup

 

damn, if I didn't have a BIG @ss sub in my trunk I'd def follow your instructions on making that bed. Looks really nice

 

bed setup is awesome!!!!

 

Sweet ride! Gotta love the Silver ones! I have slept in the back of mine also just not so comfy looking!

:lol:

 

I need to get more creative with my sleeping arangements too! This worked, but i had to sleep sideways!

 

Very nice, I enjoyed the read.

 

Nice. I love the bed!

 

Looks really usefull for winter camping when the temps drop and you don't want to make a snow cave or set up a tent. Do you have plans, or rough measurements? Looks like you have it figured out really exact, even adjusted for the air mattress. :bigthumb:

 

Thanks All! Appreciate it, its pretty nice, I super excited to have it out for a multiple day camping trip asap.




Yes it is. My main objective in creating it was to avoid the whole tent situation. We rarely stay in one camp spot for multiple nights and I am very tired of setting the tent up, taking it down, folding it up, then repeating the process the next night only to have to set the tent up again when I get home to dry it out. In short tents are too much work. :lol:

I don't have any real plans, only some early rough sketches that are pretty ugly. I would be willing to draw some cleaned up plans with some general measurements as well as a materials list if you or anyone else is interested. It is pretty precise, both forward pieces fit nicely into each other which was the real space saver and the part i was most worried about fitting together.

 

Recent Off Road Trip

Went up to China Wall a couple weeks ago with some friends. Here a few shots of the FJ working its magic up there. Just wanted to share.





A shot of a friends Tacoma with 35's

 

Another thumbs up for that bed setup. I've been thinking of building something similar since I still use the rear seats as well. Your friend has really opened up those wheel wells for the 35's haha!

 

Slow reply but yeah, he had 37's on it for a while. Went back down to 35's for drive ability.

 

July 2011 San Juan Trip

These are pictures from our July 2011 San Juan Trip. Happened to actually be when many of you were there for the FJ Summit, an event I had totally spaced on... A sin I know. Anyway at least we got to get down there. Good to see some of the rigs Ive found on here there.

On to the pics. (Edit: Some of the pictures have yet to be tracked down after photobuckets shenanigans 7/10/17)

Entire Album here: http://s91.photobucket.com/albums/k319/hoffsti/San Juans/

 

Looks like a great trip! Nice photos

 

Love your rear sleeping set up. Very nice!

 

Great pictures! Wish I'd seen this build sooner, love the sleeping platform.

 

Awesome pics, great bed platform build :bigthumb:

 

Update

Well its time for an update.

A lot has changed for me in the last couple of years. Not much changed for my FJ. My wife and I got married in June of this year. Allowing me to say my FJ, since its really hers.
It didn't see much off road action since the last photos posted. It spent a year with my wife (then she was my girlfriend) in Virginia getting groceries and mostly playing commuter. I did the maintenance and bathing when I'd visit every couple months, explore some dirt roads but that was about it. Although I can't completely discount its hard work. It did haul the two of us, her cat, and every belonging she had in a U-Haul to Virginia, and back a year later without any issues. Very uneventful actually despite rain and 2 feet of snow when we finally got home.



That all said, the family is growing, the two pups take up so much room I needed to make better use of the roof rack to allow for them.

Now I realize I could have just moved some stock bars around on the top section and mounted a box in a matter of minutes. Honestly I just couldn't. I absolutely hate how roof boxes look sitting so high off the roof of FJs. It drives me bonkers and there was no way mine was looking that way. I wanted it mounted lower but that's easier said than done. So I had to build a drop cross bar for the front mounting points on the box.

So here it is the build of that bar. I ordered some raw 1.75in tube clamps off e-bay and a 6ft piece of 1in diameter tube from McMasterCarr.

Next I found a friend with access to the required tools. Greg was a ton of help.

Clamps, no tube pic sorry.


We heated the tube to get a tight bend.


Then through some careful calculation and eyeballing we bent the other side to match, at what we thought was the right distance apart.


After cutting and radiusing the ends to fit the clamps it was time to try it on the rack. As you can see the clamps are already mounted.


Here you can see it all tack welded together. If you look closely you can see our bends were too far apart and we had to take a chunk out of the middle... You live you learn.


Welding it all up solid.


I ground the welds and bends the next day.


Test fit with the box. Appears its going to work.


Primer


Finished and mounted.




Works like a champ. Although my wife says without the box its horrendously noisy. I have yet to test this. With the box its not noticeably louder than just the stock rack.

 

In addition to the box I at the same time Added the axe and shovel mounts. I ordered a pack of quick fists as many have on this forum. I then fabed the mounts myself with some U-bolts from Home Depot and some scrap aluminum I acquired from work.

Here's a shot of the simplicity of the mounts.


Here are a couple of action shots from June trying to go up Tin Cup Pass. You can see the rack mods in these.

 

Looks good! I like the sleeping platform, it opens a lot of space.

 

Awesome pics.

 

EasyStreet,

Excellent bed/platform design and photos!

Thank you for posting this thread!

 

the bed set up is well done!!!

 

Platform is excellent and I like your custom made roof bar to hold your storage tote.