DIY Cargo/Sleeping platform

[steevo]

I had a cargo/sleeping platform in my LR3 that I thought was useful, so I decided to replicate it on my LR4. This time, I decided to use 20mmx20mm aluminum T-Slot extrusion instead of 1" AL square tubing. You can find it many places online, I got it from Amazon. I bought it in 1000mm lengths since that length will minimize the cuts you have to make. In that length, they were about $6.50 ea. This stuff is easy to work with, it cuts, drills, and taps very easily.


You'll also need the following:
- (12) 2020 profile aluminum extrusion 1000mm long (~39.5)
- (16) M5-0.8x16mm Flat head cap screws (for 15/32" plywood. if you're using thicker, you'll need longer bolts)
- (16) 2020 M5 half round T-nuts
- (20) M6-1.0x25mm Socket head cap screws
- #6 drill bit
- 1/4" drill bit
- 13/32" drill bit or step drill bit
- M6 Tap
- 2020 series corner brackets
- 2020 3-way end corner brackets (optional)

The measurements depend on how high you want the platform. I was aiming to clear my fridge, which is ~14.5", so my vertical supports were 13.75". If you use the 3-way corner brackets, notice they add about 3/8" to the length, so plan accordingly:


The rough measurements I used for the LR4 cargo area are 39"x38". The depth from the tailgate to the back of the seat will change depending on how high you make your platform since the rear seat angles backwards more the farther up you go.

To attach the vertical supports, I cut them to length and drilled & tapped the center hole. The center hole is just a bit too big to tap to M5, so I drilled out the center hole with the #6 drill bit and tapped to M6:

 

[steevo]

To mount them to the horizontal runners, drill a 1/4" hole and countersink it with a step drill bit or a 13/32" drill bit:


Once you have measured about 3 times, cut your pieces and assemble using the M6 hardware, end corner brackets, and 90 degree brackets:


Cut your plywood to shape, snap a chalk line to mark where to drill your mounting holes, and drill holes for the M5 half-round T-nuts. The beauty of the half-round T-nuts is that you can assemble the screw and nut, then insert it into the channel and the nut will "wedge" itself in so you can tighten it. This makes installing and removing the wood easy and you don't need to drill any holes in the aluminum to secure the wood:

 

[steevo]

Here's what it looks like installed:



The whole setup is very light. Even with the plywood, I can easily take it in and out by myself. without the wood attached, you can carry it around with one hand. Last step is to get some eye bolts and turnbuckles to secure it to the D-rings on the floor of the LR4.

Next up is to create a "bolt-on" extension that I can add when the back seats are folded flat to make it a true sleeping platform. It'll probably be a few weeks before I get to that project though.

 

[ftillier]

I plan on something similar, except I will remove the 2nd row seats and try to get as much off my storage done up front and down low. I like being able to sit up in bed. I like you aluminum extrusion setup though, nice work!

 

[powershift]

Looking good. Crafty. How much length do have there with the hatch closed?

 

[steevo]

Looking good. Crafty. How much length do have there with the hatch closed?

38.5" from the hatch to the back of the seat

 

[powershift]

Is it a sleeping platform for kids? I was thinking about one for an adult but I might need to be at an angle with the rear seats down to get 75".

 

[steevo]

Is it a sleeping platform for kids? I was thinking about one for an adult but I might need to be at an angle with the rear seats down to get 75".

That is just the platform for the cargo area, I'm making an add-on for when the back seats are down. with both pieces, it gets you ~72" from the hatch to the back of the first row seats (depending on how far back you drive). If you moved the first row of seats all the way forward you *might* get 75".

 

[mm3846]

Looks good. I just finished a drawer and fridge slide and used all plywood since I had enough laying around I didn’t need to buy anything but I think version 2 is going to be 8020.

 

[ryanjl]

I keep kicking around ideas for a rear storage system, but it would make it a whole lot easier to envision/build if I got a rear tire carrier and did not have to worry about accessing the spare tire winch. This at least looks light enough that you could remove it if you need to access the spare winch, correct?