Sleeping Platform in 4 Door build

[gryphon1231]

Hello everyone. I built a platform for sleeping/camping in the rear of my 4 door badlands. I saw the idea on the forum and made a few changes. I didn’t hinge the platform because I wanted the wood to be modular and useable for other things if needed so the pieces just fit in instead of hinging open/closed. I used 1/2 inch ACX plywood and coated it with a few cans of Harbor Freight truck bed coating. I used old scrap joists and ripped them down to 6 inches wide for the base to be level with the top edge of the back seat when folded. Finally, used a slip knot with 550 cord and d-clips on the back seat to support the final piece. I made cutouts for the plastic handles that fold down the back seats so that everything is resting on the seat back itself which seems to be pretty sturdy. Overall, I’m happy with it. I’ve got 80 inches of sleeping space with the seats all the way forward. I have a foam camping mattress that is super comfy and fits perfectly. I’ll probably cut a chunk out of it to rest level over the center console. The whole thing comes out easily enough if I need extra space. I added a third support under the platform and braced it with a 2x4 to prevent side to side movements and to add extra support underneath if I ever make a 60/40 split. The platform doesn’t seem to flex at all when I sit on it. I was hesitant to go with the 1/2 at first but it’s solid and saved some weight over 5/8 or 3/4 inch.

Looks like a great setup for transporting my Doberman and Great Dane.

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[Ford Motor Company]

This is a phenomenal build. This also makes the forums a place worth visiting daily. Thank you very much for sharing this.

Thank you for being apart of this fourm and the Ford family.

 

[UncleBuck]

Any chance you can post the dimensions of the pieces ?

For everyone asking about dimensions... sorry for delay.

Each section is 42 inches across the vehicle. The main platform is 32.5 wide, the middle section is 25 5/8 in wide, and the top piece is 18.5 in wide with 3x3 cutouts at the corners for the rear seat fold lever plastic to clear. The center console cutout is 8.5 wide x 12 deep, cut on center.

The main supports are about 31 1/4 by 6 with a 1.5 inch over hang for the center piece to rest on. The angle cut is about 31.6 degrees. I'll post another pic of the base.

 

[UncleBuck]

 

[UncleBuck]

Used the platform yesterday to transport a water heater. Worked like a charm. Even had room to use ratchet straps.

 

[tower9000]

For everyone asking about dimensions... sorry for delay.

Each section is 42 inches across the vehicle. The main platform is 32.5 wide, the middle section is 25 5/8 in wide, and the top piece is 18.5 in wide with 3x3 cutouts at the corners for the rear seat fold lever plastic to clear. The center console cutout is 8.5 wide x 12 deep, cut on center.

The main supports are about 31 1/4 by 6 with a 1.5 inch over hang for the center piece to rest on. The angle cut is about 31.6 degrees. I'll post another pic of the base.

Thanks for these!!

 

[CowboyKid]

Thank you for being apart of this fourm and the Ford family.

Ford corporate has important things to do than endorse builds; such as ...build? (By the way, there is only one "m" in "forum"; not four.)

 

[Kekov721]

AM I the only one who's just going to throw an air mattress in the back and hope for the best on my spine? lol!

 

[Bulletproofbronco]

I assume the center clears the speakers? What kind of hinges did you use?

 

[mikec426]

I’ve been building one over the weekend. I picked up 2 piano hinges at Lowe’s. I followed the dimensions of the OP pretty close and the platform is in three sections that folds up in a Z-pattern into the back. Clears the speakers just fine.

 

[22Badskwatch]

Hello everyone. I built a platform for sleeping/camping in the rear of my 4 door badlands. I saw the idea on the forum and made a few changes. I didn’t hinge the platform because I wanted the wood to be modular and useable for other things if needed so the pieces just fit in instead of hinging open/closed. I used 1/2 inch ACX plywood and coated it with a few cans of Harbor Freight truck bed coating. I used old scrap joists and ripped them down to 6 inches wide for the base to be level with the top edge of the back seat when folded. Finally, used a slip knot with 550 cord and d-clips on the back seat to support the final piece. I made cutouts for the plastic handles that fold down the back seats so that everything is resting on the seat back itself which seems to be pretty sturdy. Overall, I’m happy with it. I’ve got 80 inches of sleeping space with the seats all the way forward. I have a foam camping mattress that is super comfy and fits perfectly. I’ll probably cut a chunk out of it to rest level over the center console. The whole thing comes out easily enough if I need extra space. I added a third support under the platform and braced it with a 2x4 to prevent side to side movements and to add extra support underneath if I ever make a 60/40 split. The platform doesn’t seem to flex at all when I sit on it. I was hesitant to go with the 1/2 at first but it’s solid and saved some weight over 5/8 or 3/4 inch.

I feel like I just read a recipe for dinner in another language. Man, I wish I understood half of what you said... I don't know what "ripping" wood means, I don't know what "scrap joists" are, the only "slip knot" I've heard of is that horrible band that plays death metal, 550 cord - no idea, .. I wish someone would make something I could buy that would level the area enough for me to sleep in - I didn't realize that when the back seat was folded forward, it wouldn't be a level surface. so now I need to try to figure out how to level it - with zero carpentry skills.

 

[UncleBuck]

I feel like I just read a recipe for dinner in another language. Man, I wish I understood half of what you said... I don't know what "ripping" wood means, I don't know what "scrap joists" are, the only "slip knot" I've heard of is that horrible band that plays death metal, 550 cord - no idea, .. I wish someone would make something I could buy that would level the area enough for me to sleep in - I didn't realize that when the back seat was folded forward, it wouldn't be a level surface. so now I need to try to figure out how to level it - with zero carpentry skills.

Haha! Ripping wood is just doing a long straight cut on a table saw or with a circular saw. Scrap joists are just that, scrap pieces of ceiling joists I had in my shed. A slip knot is a knot that slides and is adjustable, which is something I’m changing because I don’t want it to slide anymore. Long story short, if your raise your storage area by like 6.5 inches it will be about level with the top of the seats when they’re folded down.

 

[mikec426]

I feel like I just read a recipe for dinner in another language. Man, I wish I understood half of what you said... I don't know what "ripping" wood means, I don't know what "scrap joists" are, the only "slip knot" I've heard of is that horrible band that plays death metal, 550 cord - no idea, .. I wish someone would make something I could buy that would level the area enough for me to sleep in - I didn't realize that when the back seat was folded forward, it wouldn't be a level surface. so now I need to try to figure out how to level it - with zero carpentry skills.

Slip Knot has a couple good songs…

and if you just want to buy something to sleep on that’s level… here you go.

https://deepsleepoverland.com/products/deepsleep-solo-mat-for-ford-bronco-more

 

[UncleBuck]

Slip Knot has a couple good songs…

and if you just want to buy something to sleep on that’s level… here you go.

https://deepsleepoverland.com/products/deepsleep-solo-mat-for-ford-bronco-more

Here's what my platform looks like with the Deepsleep pads. Perfectly level and comfy!

 

[SDbase]

Similar set up I made. I did go with the marine upholstery. Put a piano hinge on for the 3rd piece. This allows the front seats to be usable with section 1 and 2 in place. Then put the seats all the way forward and fold down section 3 for max space. I’m 6ft and can stretch all the way out on this. Also Since I added a hinge it doesn’t require hooks on the front seat for support. Thanks for the ideas!

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