200 Sleeping Platform (3 Viewers)

[RTaylor]

I am sharing my new sleeping platform in hopes for your feedback and so others can hopefully benefit. I used a similar setup in my previous 4Runner. My wife is more comfortable camping in the vehicle than in a tent and I like the ease of setting up and breaking down.

This was extremely simple to "build". 3/4" plywood, cut to 76" long (I'm 6'4"), carpeted and tie downs installed. The platform rests on top of the 2nd and 3rd row seats. Testing seems to be fine, very little bowing or flexing with both of us laying on it. With mattress pads down, the weight will be distributed even better. I'm not worried about the seats supporting our weight (about 300 pounds).

Has anyone else built something for their 200?

 

[mark71]

i don't know how to post the link, but search "building drawers for the 200" and you will see my old set up.

 

[Billfish]

Mark, I actually followed your DYI idea and incorporated a fold-over/down section to achieve MTayors idea above. I meant to say thanks for the inspiration. (as he suggests MTaylor - do a search)

I initially intended to install the shelves and platform over as a temporary mod for an overland tour of New zealand I did last year. So bloody useful I haven't got around to re-installing the seats. Might do it just before I upgrade to the 300 series.

 

[RTaylor]

i don't know how to post the link, but search "building drawers for the 200" and you will see my old set up.

Mark - I have seen your setup in the past. Excellent work. Keep us posted on Round 2.

For mine, I wanted something that I can install/remove as needed rather than an every day setup.

 

[Surfy]

Hi there

I`m on to get out the 2nd and 3rd row seats, to made a minimal overlanding build, with some storage for two people.
I will post pictures, when i`m ready.

But our solution is a good, when you need more than 2 Seats

 

[mark71]

I'm jealous: I would love to rip out the 2nd and 3rd row and do a true overland build.

As it is, I had to put my third row back in for the growing family.

Good luck with your build.

 

[kcdude]

Nice platform. What kind of carpet is that?

I'm going to do the same but in two sections with legs. Something like the pics in the threads:

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54524
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62469

I'll put one section over the rear seats folded down and the middle section on top of it for transport. Then when i get to the site i will put the middle seats down and then assemble the middle section and place it over the seats. I will use either threaded pipe or pvc for legs and make a connector to latch the sections together.

I plan to cover all of it and then use a cabelas 3" (48x72") pad on the top of the platform for a perfect fit. There still is plenty of headroom. A couple of window skreenz and i have a nice sleeping setup.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Camp...82538&WTz_l=SBC%3Bcat104795280%3Bcat104712480

 

[RTaylor]

Nice platform. What kind of carpet is that?

Thanks! It is outdoor carpet from Lowes. Good luck with your build.

 

[economist]

Imho, but construction like on my photo - a better.

If you speak russia- you can see Спальники Ð´Ð»Ñ Ð´Ð¶Ð¸Ð¿Ð¾Ð². Спальники Ð´Ð»Ñ Ð´Ð¶Ð¸Ð¿Ð¾Ð². Охота, рыбалка, активный отдых.. Спальник на Land Cruiser 200
If you don't speak - you can see too

 

[Jooones]

Nice setup, man!

 

[NLScooby]

Wow Economist! That looks fantastic! Were those cushions made for you?

 

[apdxyk]

economist, could you repaste the link, please? it's broken for me.. thank you

 

[Jooones]

Source: economist, wherever he may roam.

 

[adventurefam]

Does anyone know of a sleeping platform/drawer system that fits a 200 without taking the 2nd or 3rd-row seats out? Need the second row for the kids and need the third row on occasion when the grandparents visit.

 

[afgman786]

Does anyone know of a sleeping platform/drawer system that fits a 200 without taking the 2nd or 3rd-row seats out? Need the second row for the kids and need the third row on occasion when the grandparents visit.

Folding both rows flat and using a 24x48 piece of plywood to fill the gap

 

[canyonrider]

I think that any non-DIY options will require removal of the third row. Second row shouldn't be a problem, many use the second row folded flat as part of a sleeping platform. One option would be a single ARB drawer and keep one of the third-row seats installed.

I just went down this road and ordered the platform-only setup from Air Up Gear Down (which requires removal of third row). Put it together last night and hoping to install in the LC tonight. I decided that we wouldn't be needing the third row for a while, as we're not driving with anyone outside of immediate family in the near future. Plus the platform appears to be (relatively) easy to remove if needed to re-install a seat or two for a trip or event.

 

[HGB]

I think that any non-DIY options will require removal of the third row. Second row shouldn't be a problem, many use the second row folded flat as part of a sleeping platform. One option would be a single ARB drawer and keep one of the third-row seats installed.

I just went down this road and ordered the platform-only setup from Air Up Gear Down (which requires removal of third row). Put it together last night and hoping to install in the LC tonight. I decided that we wouldn't be needing the third row for a while, as we're not driving with anyone outside of immediate family in the near future. Plus the platform appears to be (relatively) easy to remove if needed to re-install a seat or two for a trip or event.

Update on install?
Interested to know assembly and install difficulty

 

[canyonrider]

Update on install?
Interested to know assembly and install difficulty

Install of my ADGU kit complete and slept on several nights. Assembly: not difficult, but time consuming. Lots (lots!) of rivets and screws. Instructions were clear with photos, I only scratched my head once or twice for a minute. Overall took me several hours to put it all together. Think of it as purchasing a DIY kit rather than a quick plug-and-play item. IIRC I needed a hammer, mallet, 14 mm wrench, and perhaps a screwdriver. Size specific hex wrenches are included in the kit.

Installation in the LC: fairly straightforward and much faster than actually assembling the thing. Probably took me about 20 minutes to install, and now that I've done it once could remove or reinstall in 10-15 minutes. I did have an issue with the front "feet"/legs not being quite long enough in my 2009 where the 200 series floor slopes downwards toward the front (floor foam compression over time?), but the ADGU guys were great to work with and met me in person (I'm local to them) to sort it out with some replacement feet. Great customer service and really excellent email communication.

Use: platform-only system works well for me, I use a couple of Rubbermaid bins underneath for food/cook gear, plus slide a few odd-shaped items like camp chairs under there. I may pick up a single drawer at some point, but for now this works well. Sleeping platform is just long enough for me at 6'4", although headroom is a little tight (no surprise).

 

[HGB]

Install of my ADGU kit complete and slept on several nights. Assembly: not difficult, but time consuming. Lots (lots!) of rivets and screws. Instructions were clear with photos, I only scratched my head once or twice for a minute. Overall took me several hours to put it all together. Think of it as purchasing a DIY kit rather than a quick plug-and-play item. IIRC I needed a hammer, mallet, 14 mm wrench, and perhaps a screwdriver. Size specific hex wrenches are included in the kit.

Installation in the LC: fairly straightforward and much faster than actually assembling the thing. Probably took me about 20 minutes to install, and now that I've done it once could remove or reinstall in 10-15 minutes. I did have an issue with the front "feet"/legs not being quite long enough in my 2009 where the 200 series floor slopes downwards toward the front (floor foam compression over time?), but the ADGU guys were great to work with and met me in person (I'm local to them) to sort it out with some replacement feet. Great customer service and really excellent email communication.

Use: platform-only system works well for me, I use a couple of Rubbermaid bins underneath for food/cook gear, plus slide a few odd-shaped items like camp chairs under there. I may pick up a single drawer at some point, but for now this works well. Sleeping platform is just long enough for me at 6'4", although headroom is a little tight (no surprise).

Sounds awesome. However, with so much consumer involvement, I’m not sure it’s as great of a deal as I originally once thought. Shame because I do love the simplicity. Something for me to chew on.

 

[canyonrider]

Sounds awesome. However, with so much consumer involvement, I’m not sure it’s as great of a deal as I originally once thought. Shame because I do love the simplicity. Something for me to chew on.

That's not unreasonable. I will say that the quality of the components and parts is top-notch, nothing about it feels cheap or flimsy.