My custom Raised Trunk Cargo Platform that locks into floor D rings for security

[Ninjabenben]

(Disclaimer: I'm new to all of this: off-roading, overlanding, heck this is my first thread in this forum, so I welcome all feedback)

I finally got my Bronco, and I liked the idea of building a raised platform in the trunk to store tools and recovery gear as well as provide a flat bed area for car camping. However I was concerned about if I'm driving around without doors and top, people just reaching in, lifting the platform, and taking things.

So my main goals were:

1. to be as low profile as possible so I can lay the seats down for a level bed area. I decided not to do drawers as the drawers themselves would take up room. I may get some low profile plastic bins to slide under there though.
2. be tall enough to accommodate the tools/recovery gear I wanted to keep hidden under it
3. be secured so random people can't just easily take things.

So I came up with this idea (surely someone else has done this too) where the side walls of the platform have these grooves that slide into the floor D rings in the trunk. This way I can slide it out if I need but for the most part I'll leave it in. But the only way to move that platform is to unlock the tailgate and slide it out that way. Otherwise it's locked in. Even if someone pulled the rear seats down there's a piece of wood blocking the rear side so noone can get a hand in or just lift the thing up. Only way to access the gear is from the locked tailgate.

After laying out my gear in the trunk, I figured some 2x6s with plywood on top would be the height I need. That will be higher than the seats laying down unfortunately. However I just screwed a strip of wood to be a lip on the end of the platform so I can lay another piece of plywood down on it across the back of the seat. This actually gives a flatter bed area than the slight slope of the seats when laid down.

After a bunch of measuring and cutting, I stained the wood black and threw a bronco trunk floor liner on top of it and made a couple of cuts to make it fit better. Ultimately I think I achieved what I wanted

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[JONESBALD]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[PurpleBronco2.3]

Do you have a picture of it with the seats laid down flat?

 

[jebo_4jc]

Somebody will be manufacturing this and selling it aftermarket for $1795 in 3, 2.....

 

[userdude]

Somebody will be manufacturing this and selling it aftermarket for $1795 in 3, 2.....

ARE YOU TAPPING MY PHONE

 

[GrumpyVet]

I like the creativity. Thanks for sharing.

 

[darinhouston]

that is very nice

 

[Figmo]

Interesting solution. The one I built uses a “tri-fold” design to fan-fold the platform back when you want to put the seats up. But I’ve always wanted to secure that lower box to the floor to at least make that part of the design more secure in event of accident or rollover.

I like what you came up with even though I don’t think I’ll implement that on mine. The only reason is that I opted to cover the lower box with black fabric rather than paint it. (see below) And I like the look. Not sure I‘m handy enough at wrapping to wrap those notches.

My current idea when I get some time is to just use small turnbuckles like these:

 

[21BroncoFlyer]

Interesting solution. The one I built uses a “tri-fold” design to fan-fold the platform back when you want to put the seats up. But I’ve always wanted to secure that lower box to the floor to at least make that part of the design more secure in event of accident or rollover.

I like what you came up with even though I don’t think I’ll implement that on mine. The only reason is that I opted to cover the lower box with black fabric rather than paint it. (see below) And I like the look. Not sure I‘m handy enough at wrapping to wrap those notches.

My current idea when I get some time is to just use small turnbuckles like these:

Do you have a pic of your set up with the seats folded up? I’m looking at doing something similar.

 

[Figmo]

Do you have a pic of your set up with the seats folded up? I’m looking at doing something similar.

Not exactly. But here’s a pic of the platform in it’s “tri-folded” up position. Which allows the rear seats to be used. While the seats are still folded down in this pic, it should give you the idea.

With the platform folded up like this, you can flip the seats up as normal and the entire platform resides in that small cargo area behind them.

So no need to remove the platform or box to use the rear seats.

To go back to full platform - just fold the seats down, unfold the platform and you’re done.

 

[TSLM]

My custom built platform. Definitely got the inspiration from another member on here, but securing via the j-hook was my solution.

 

[Free Pizza]

This came out great

 

[bniknar]

Interesting solution. The one I built uses a “tri-fold” design to fan-fold the platform back when you want to put the seats up. But I’ve always wanted to secure that lower box to the floor to at least make that part of the design more secure in event of accident or rollover.

I like what you came up with even though I don’t think I’ll implement that on mine. The only reason is that I opted to cover the lower box with black fabric rather than paint it. (see below) And I like the look. Not sure I‘m handy enough at wrapping to wrap those notches.

My current idea when I get some time is to just use small turnbuckles like these:

Hey - I'm not handy with carpentry tools but would like to give this a try on my 2-door BB. Do you have any measurements for the wood that you cut for this project? If not no worries, just curious. Thanks!

 

[SROC3]

nice!!!! Was wondering.....that fire extinguisher mount you have.....does it hold the extinguisher SUPER securely and no rattling? If it is whisper quiet, where did you get it?

 

[Figmo]

Hey - I'm not handy with carpentry tools but would like to give this a try on my 2-door BB. Do you have any measurements for the wood that you cut for this project? If not no worries, just curious. Thanks!

Me neither. But I would highly recommend giving it a try. I was surprised how “not hard” it really was to do. Easily completed in a weekend.

One mistake I made that you can learn from: cover the sides and the back of your seats with something. while working Tape a blanket up or something. There was a lot of loading pieces in and out for test fitting, trimming, test fitting again. I did not cover the inside of my rig and I regret that now. I tried to be careful but ended up scratching up the inside more than I wanted to. It’s not an issue when the project’s done because everything will be covered in carpet. But while building it - yeah - that bare wood is like taking a razor blade to your interior.

I don’t have any plans or measurements - but all I did was take a tape measure out there and start measuring - cutting - test fitting.

I started with the box. 2x6’s Don’t try to make the size fit tight. The top platform can easily hang over the sides and the back by a couple inches with no problems and keeping it a little smaller than the width of the back makes it easier to move in in out (on the chance that you need to remove it temporarily in the future). That angle on the drivers side rear was a little tricky - but again - since the box is not a tight fit it doesn’t have to be exact.

For the platform I used 3/4” MDF. I cut the full platform to correct width and length as one piece first. Again, not a tight fit. Leaving a gap at the sides makes it easier to fold and unfold when done. And the carpet you’re going to wrap around it at the end is thicker than you think. I ended up having to trim my width narrower at the very end because of this.

I did, however, want it tight against the seats so when making the cuts on the platform - I took all my measurements from the seats back (not tailgate forward). First sketched out the notches for the head rests and cut them with a jigsaw. Then installed the full piece and measured from seats back to the front edge of my box. Removed it and made that cut for the rear hinge first. That left the large front section of the platform. I just cut that section in half and made the final cut right in the middle of that section. Leaving the platform now in 3 sections.

Another tip: LABEL THEM!! (I didn’t at first) Which side is top. Which side is forward. When you pull them out to carpet them it starts getting real confusing how they go back in.

Finally, wrapped the platform pieces with carpet. Installed the 2 piano hinges. And done. You can either paint the box black or in my case, I had some fabric left over from a speaker box I built a couple years ago and had enough of it to wrap the 2x6’s in fabric to give it a more “factory” look.

Good luck with it. I think you’ll find it’s not as hard as you’re worried about. And I know you’ll find it very useful once done. Keep all my tools in the box. And the dogs love their new bed on top.

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