Best way to build out a Toyota 4-Runner (2002)

Hey MP,

Later this summer I am starting a 5 month climbing trip, and will be living out of my Toyota 4-Runner. It is my goal to one day get a van with a little more space, but I still want to temporarily use the 4-runner because of its 4WD and reliability. I checked many previous forums, but didn't find any good ideas on cool things to do to the car.

Does anyone have any suggestions or thoughts? It is just me, so I was thinking about making the bed only 1/2 of the back.

With the limited space, a hitch riser and tray for water, wood, and maybe ice box would be helpful. Also a bullet above. Then, a thin piece of wood like peg board or paneling cut out to fit the back contours and level all out prior to putting down a debris screen. They make commercial ones but a tarp works too.

I took the bottom half of the rear seats out of mine to make more storage space and with those out, a 4x6 crash pad now lays almost completely flat. Mine is a 2005 so the dimensions might be a little different. And definitely get a roof box.

Jake Dickerson wrote:Hey MP, Later this summer I am starting a 5 month climbing trip, and will be living out of my Toyota 4-Runner. It is my goal to one day get a van with a little more space, but I still want to temporarily use the 4-runner because of its 4WD and reliability. I checked many previous forums, but didn't find any good ideas on cool things to do to the car. Does anyone have any suggestions or thoughts? It is just me, so I was thinking about making the bed only 1/2 of the back.

Are you planning on living out the back of the truck?
I have my truck kitted out with a Solar, water, fridge, inverter stove, bed and draws.
I also Pack along a family tent for when i am staying put for more than a night or 2.

Squeak wrote: Are you planning on living out the back of the truck? I have my truck kitted out with a Solar, water, fridge, inverter stove, bed and draws. I also Pack along a family tent for when i am staying put for more than a night or 2.

I am planning on living out of the back of it. Because it is just me, I am toying with the idea of making the bed half the size, but it might make organization better just to have a frame for the whole back. Would you mind posting/sending me a picture? Sounds like you have a rad setup!

Thank's for the feedback guys, I will look into a roof box and removing seats. Not sure exactly how much extra space I will need.

As a fellow 4-Runner owner I suggest going down the rabbit hole here The Rabbit Hole

That link is specific to your 4th generation but that website has many good ideas in all sections. I utilized it to first make preventative repairs of things that commonly go wrong. Can't use your sweet slide out bed if your janky lower ball joints fail on you at highway speeds.

Good Luck!

http://forum.ih8mud.com/

Check out this build(last 2pages have a sleeping platform)
toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-…

Thanks for all the feedback guys! Later this summer I'll post photos of what I end up doing

Don't do a sleeping platform, preserve vertical space.

I got a nice big rear end box from home depot that I mounted on a receiver hitch cargo carrier, more space than a roof box more easily accessible without it being on the roof. It also makes a badass standing table to cook on.

I also built a shelf that went over one of the rear tire wheel wells on the inside and housed my deep cycle battery.

Mine is a 1992

Jake Dickerson wrote:It is just me, so I was thinking about making the bed only 1/2 of the back.

Dude.
Think.

Thats an awesome setup man! Thanks for sharing.