GX460 3rd Row "In-floor" Storage Solution (1 Viewer)

[mtnco]

Our family goes off-roading, camping, and road tripping in the GX with 2 kids and a large dog and we have a topper that I put on when we need it.

Storage is a struggle, and I've been wanting a better way to keep the cargo in the GX organized and secured. Not to mention, some tools and supplies I'd like in the GX at all times.

I've looked at the various storage solutions out there but most remove or effectively disable the 3rd-row seats. I also want something that is easily reversible if it ever comes time to sell.

Not finding what I wanted, I decided to develop something.

Self-imposed constraints:

• Retain full height, flat cargo area for hauling stuff about.
• Add tie-downs for securing heavier items (cooler and water jug).
• Keep one 3rd row seat operable for the periodic shuffling of kids and their friends to and fro.
• Keep one side of cargo floor low for hefting dog into back (90lb lab has decided he will not jump in the GX, even though the jump is well within his abilities).

Here’s what I’ve come up with:

 

[MeefZah]

Clever. Well done.

 

[Roody]

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Can you share the dimensions of the box?

 

[PoindAxster]

Love it! Very well done.

 

[Cold Iron]

That is a 10 out of a 10. From design to execution, outstanding job!

 

[suitcase]

I might steal this one. I've been wanting to remove the third row, but wife wants to keep it. We use the third row maybe a handful of times a year and this could be a good compromise.

 

[vegasfj40]

This is fantastic! Would love to copy this. I'd like 2 kits please!

 

[r2m]

Our family goes off-roading, camping, and road tripping in the GX with 2 kids and a large dog and we have a topper that I put on when we need it.

Storage is a struggle, and I've been wanting a better way to keep the cargo in the GX organized and secured. Not to mention, some tools and supplies I'd like in the GX at all times.

I've looked at the various storage solutions out there but most remove or effectively disable the 3rd-row seats. I also want something that is easily reversible if it ever comes time to sell.

Not finding what I wanted, I decided to develop something.

Self-imposed constraints:

• Retain full height, flat cargo area for hauling stuff about.
• Add tie-downs for securing heavier items (cooler and water jug).
• Keep one 3rd row seat operable for the periodic shuffling of kids and their friends to and fro.
• Keep one side of cargo floor low for hefting dog into back (90lb lab has decided he will not jump in the GX, even though the jump is well within his abilities).

Here’s what I’ve come up with:
View attachment 3857904
View attachment 3857903
View attachment 3857905
View attachment 3857906
View attachment 3857907

Can you also add a component/vendor list too for all your lock down rails and interior sides/dividers.

 

[mtnco]

Wow, thanks for all the positive feedback!
Planning to offer these for sale if I get enough interest. Let me know! One-offs are expensive to produce so probably need to make batches of 5-10 to get costs reasonable.

Right now this is driver-side (left side) specific, but I've been considered making a mirrored design for passenger-side for those that want to replace both seats. I chose driver-side since the 3rd row is accessed via passenger-side.

Part of the reason the design is specific per side is that it uses the x4 M10 mounting points that the seat used, the other is that the floor underneath is not flat (PITA really).

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Can you share the dimensions of the box?

Inside dimensions of the box are 672 x 439 x 121 mm (26.5 x 17.3 x 4.8 in.)

I might steal this one. I've been wanting to remove the third row, but wife wants to keep it. We use the third row maybe a handful of times a year and this could be a good compromise.

Same situation here. Wife nixed complete removal of 3rd row, but it honestly has been useful for us.

This is fantastic! Would love to copy this. I'd like 2 kits please!

Are you thinking both sides, DS and PS?

Can you also add a component/vendor list too for all your lock down rails and interior sides/dividers.

• L-Track and L-Track Fittings are from Mytee Products
• Sheetmetal components (and ABS panel) custom made via SendCutSend
  • Sheetmetal is .125" 5052-H32 ALU. Whole thing only weighs ~24lbs, so it's easy to install. Power folding seat it replaced is 50lbs.
• Hardware is from McMaster-Carr.
  • Black screws are black-oxide stainless steel, so no chance of rusting as with black-oxide alloy steel.
• 3D printed corner pads custom made via Craftcloud
  • 100% fill black PETG
• Hinges are DGN 2952-3M RV Cabinet Door Hinges
  • Holds open and closed, and has soft close!
• Latch is Southco-M1-63
• Baltic birch plywood from Woodworkers Source
  • Cut to size and sanding sealer and carpet applied at home. I stained the hatch black before I decided on carpet.
• Carpet and adhesive from UpholsterySupplyOnline.com

Designed in Autodesk Fusion 360:

 

[r2m]

Wow, thanks for all the positive feedback!
Planning to offer these for sale if I get enough interest. Let me know! One-offs are expensive to produce so probably need to make batches of 5-10 to get costs reasonable.

Right now this is driver-side (left side) specific, but I've been considered making a mirrored design for passenger-side for those that want to replace both seats. I chose driver-side since the 3rd row is accessed via passenger-side.

Part of the reason the design is specific per side is that it uses the x4 M10 mounting points that the seat used, the other is that the floor underneath is not flat (PITA really).
View attachment 3858742View attachment 3858743

Inside dimensions of the box are 672 x 439 x 121 mm (26.5 x 17.3 x 4.8 in.)


Same situation here. Wife nixed complete removal of 3rd row, but it honestly has been useful for us.


Are you thinking both sides, DS and PS?

• L-Track and L-Track Fittings are from Mytee Products
• Sheetmetal components (and ABS panel) custom made via SendCutSend
  • Sheetmetal is .125" 5052-H32 ALU. Whole thing only weighs ~22lbs, so it's easy to install. Power folding seat it replaced is 60lbs.
• Hardware is from McMaster-Carr.
  • Black screws are black-oxide stainless steel, so no chance of rusting as with black-oxide alloy steel.
• 3D printed corner pads custom made via Craftcloud
  • 100% fill black PETG
• Hinges are DGN 2952-3M RV Cabinet Door Hinges
  • Holds open and closed, and has soft close!
• Latch is Southco-M1-63
• Baltic birch plywood from Woodworkers Source
  • Cut to size and sanding sealer and carpet applied at home. I stained the hatch black before I decided on carpet.
• Carpet and adhesive from UpholsterySupplyOnline.com

Designed in Autodesk Fusion 360:
View attachment 3858719View attachment 3858723

Thanks for the list!! This is awesome! The only thing I would consider changing would be using 1/4" polypropylene panels instead of the birch wood if budget allowed. The polypropylene is very ease to machine, is resistant to UV, chemical, moisture of any kind, impact resistant and very durable for a very long time. It's also lighter than wood.
I'm surprised L-Track and fittings are a lot more affordable than expected. As of yet, I've never had to purchase any, and always considered them to be pricey. I'll have to rethink that now for future projects.
Again, your project looks outstanding!

 

[mtnco]

That’s a good idea on the polypropylene. May be what I’d do if I had those made for me.

As it is now, I’m plenty happy with the birch and I prefer sawdust to plastic dust in my garage.

Another good source for L-Track components is US Cargo Control. They appear to be a bit higher quality and their black ones are anodized instead of powder coated.

My design can fit both manufacturers without modification (I have holes for each mounting pattern), but I ultimately chose the Mytee ones for cost reasons.

 

[Cold Iron]

That’s a good idea on the polypropylene. May be what I’d do if I had those made for me.

As it is now, I’m plenty happy with the birch and I prefer sawdust to plastic dust in my garage.

Another good source for L-Track components is US Cargo Control. They appear to be a bit higher quality and their black ones are anodized instead of powder coated.

My design can fit both manufacturers without modification (I have holes for each mounting pattern), but I ultimately chose the Mytee ones for cost reasons.

Love the prefer sawdust vs. plastic dust, I'm with you on that also!

I have L Track from Mytee and am pleased with it. I believe it may be just slightly shorter in height than the US Cargo Control but that can also be a good thing.

Mytee has a 5% Military discount even for those of us that are retarded retired military as well as veterans with proof. Here is the page They gave me the discount code the same day I sent them a picture of my ID. With my SSN redacted of course.

 

[Littlehouse]

Very cool idea!

 

[r2m]

That’s a good idea on the polypropylene. May be what I’d do if I had those made for me.

As it is now, I’m plenty happy with the birch and I prefer sawdust to plastic dust in my garage.

Another good source for L-Track components is US Cargo Control. They appear to be a bit higher quality and their black ones are anodized instead of powder coated.

My design can fit both manufacturers without modification (I have holes for each mounting pattern), but I ultimately chose the Mytee ones for cost reasons.

Yeah, agree you'll need good PPE when machining polymers (and even for wood). But you can't beat the performance.
One of the things I love about working with wood is the odor that fills the garage when working with it, assuming my blades are sharp and I'm not burning the cut!

 

[mtnco]

Yeah, agree you'll need good PPE when machining polymers (and even for wood). But you can't beat the performance.
One of the things I love about working with wood is the odor that fills the garage when working with it, assuming my blades are sharp and I'm not burning the cut!

Yes, love the smell of wood working.

Oddly enough, my small 1 car garage is currently full of enough western red cedar to build 100 feet of 6ft privacy fence, so it’s like stepping inside a tree in there.

 

[r2m]

Yes, love the smell of wood working.

Oddly enough, my small 1 car garage is currently full of enough western red cedar to build 100 feet of 6ft privacy fence, so it’s like stepping inside a tree in there.

Getting off topic a wee bit, but as a kid (teen) I worked for a garden nursery, come the Christmas season, I'd work the tree lot. LOVED the smell of pulling off the freshly delivered trees off the trucks. Our church did a tree lot for a few years too, and always volunteered my family and I to help run it. It just seemed to make the season better! And the SMELLS!!

 

[rav8]

Wow, thanks for all the positive feedback!
Planning to offer these for sale if I get enough interest. Let me know! One-offs are expensive to produce so probably need to make batches of 5-10 to get costs reasonable.

Right now this is driver-side (left side) specific, but I've been considered making a mirrored design for passenger-side for those that want to replace both seats. I chose driver-side since the 3rd row is accessed via passenger-side.

Part of the reason the design is specific per side is that it uses the x4 M10 mounting points that the seat used, the other is that the floor underneath is not flat (PITA really).
View attachment 3858742View attachment 3858743

Inside dimensions of the box are 672 x 439 x 121 mm (26.5 x 17.3 x 4.8 in.)


Same situation here. Wife nixed complete removal of 3rd row, but it honestly has been useful for us.


Are you thinking both sides, DS and PS?

• L-Track and L-Track Fittings are from Mytee Products
• Sheetmetal components (and ABS panel) custom made via SendCutSend
  • Sheetmetal is .125" 5052-H32 ALU. Whole thing only weighs ~22lbs, so it's easy to install. Power folding seat it replaced is 60lbs.
• Hardware is from McMaster-Carr.
  • Black screws are black-oxide stainless steel, so no chance of rusting as with black-oxide alloy steel.
• 3D printed corner pads custom made via Craftcloud
  • 100% fill black PETG
• Hinges are DGN 2952-3M RV Cabinet Door Hinges
  • Holds open and closed, and has soft close!
• Latch is Southco-M1-63
• Baltic birch plywood from Woodworkers Source
  • Cut to size and sanding sealer and carpet applied at home. I stained the hatch black before I decided on carpet.
• Carpet and adhesive from UpholsterySupplyOnline.com

Designed in Autodesk Fusion 360:
View attachment 3858719View attachment 3858723

I like it. Depending on price and availibility date, this is very interesting to me. Following.

Very impressive design.

 

[vegasfj40]

Are you thinking both sides, DS and PS?

Yes. I dont need either 3rd row seat.

 

[tech703]

i would be in for a driver side box depending on the price

 

[BobTheBrogrammer]

Man this is super cool! Ive been wanting to make something like this, but I have ZERO cad skills lol. Bravo!