Unique 4Runner integrated bed platform, 6 months review w/ design flaws, considerations, and insight

[@kentepisodes143]

Experience is a good teacher. Impressive foldable boards for sleeping with braces

[@geeerk]

This is just too many levels of awesomeness! I'm going to have this as my template. You sir deserve kudos!

[@ChangJitsen]

Thanks! Good luck with your build.

[@KahanisGoldenBytes]

That was a lot of detailing. A great deal of time would have gone into the Plan stage. Thanks for the share !

[@TheFibonacci3]

I love how everything is a hinge 😊 Really... it's a cool build!.... I go for less storage and more sleeping space with my 4runner platform only 3.5 inches of storage in my "trunk" space.

[@grantdilworth5]

This is the best build I have ever seen! Awesome dude thank you so much.

[@ChangJitsen]

Thanks! I hope it gives you some ideas.

[@christinacutlass1694]

Aren’t you one, clever guy! Love it!

[@darrellblair5818]

I really liked your design. Well thought out and functional. 👍

[@ChangJitsen]

Thanks! Good luck with your build

[@Telamonster2]

Very clever work dude!

[@ChangJitsen]

Thanks!

[@Anderzander]

Thanks for sharing - outstanding!

[@miguelagdf]

That foldout table out of the drawer is just awesome!! Can I ask why didn't you build it out of wood??

[@ChangJitsen]

Great question. Version 1 was wood. But it was too heavy and one time it just ripped the piano hinge off. The screws just went through the predrilled holes, it was thin and the screws were supposed to be flush. That was with left over 3/4“ plywood. So I thought about lighter/thinner wood. Then it dawned on me to use metal, so I could nest the chairs inside. I used to just sit in finding chairs. But I didn't want to sit on the canvas chairs when I was in my waders and wet from fly fishing. So I used my metal stools to take a break. Basically I was sitting around thinking, "How am I going to have a table and a stool back here?" The metal is definitely way easier to clean too.

[@johncopetti1253]

Very practical. Well thought out. Cheers and thank s

[@KAShuACE_8807]

Like your set up

[@ChangJitsen]

Thanks

[@DATCHICK92503]

It’s the algorithm doc

[@DATCHICK92503]

Make more videos. Cant wait to see

[@orlandoarciaga800]

thanks for sharing!

[@aaronsimpson8410]

Do you have a link to your camp table and chairs. I love rm!

[@ChangJitsen]

I don't have the exact link. But I searched for "folding aluminum table with nesting stools." Here is a cheaper version with cloth seats. The full aluminum sets are more expensive but stronger. Some of the table tops aren't aluminum and they are not as strong but cheaper. So just get something that fits your needs. www.ebay.com/itm/4-Person-Aluminum-Alloy-Folding-Table-Chair-Camping-Picnic-Indoor-Outdoor-BBQ-/184986437337?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

[@allenmayer3038]

Why do you wear two watches ?

[@ChangJitsen]

One is the remote for the gopro. Otherwise I only wear two watches scuba diving.

[@โบรพิทยะ]

เจ๋งมากพี่

[@TomL2025]

If you put a mattress on it, there is no room to sleep

[@ChangJitsen]

I use a 4 inch thick, self inflating air mattress with memory foam. 80" x 52" (size "double"). Made by Qomotop. Works perfect. You can even over inflate it by turning the carrying bag into an air pump. It is definitely worth the money. It says "side sleep friendly," and I can attest to that. There's even room to sleep on your side in the 4runner with this mattress. Definitely don't try to put in a bed frames, box spring, and regular mattress.

[@worldwide_will]

Lots of great ideas here man, thanks for sharing. Does it rattle bad? Can you also share your water storage system in the 4runner? I share a few of your patterns here, choice of ride and organizing system, I'll probably make a video of mine too in the future. Thanks Doc!

[@ChangJitsen]

Thanks!

[@tinabeane]

WOW super impressive designs. I've watched a ton of 4Runner setups but nothing like this, well done. For the back fold out table get a tablecloth or something like that to keep the heat off and glare. Subbed!!

[@maxwellkuzara4275]

Wow, this is amazing. Thanks so much. Planning on building a platform like this for my 5th Gen 4Runner this summer. Random question - do you crack the windows or the sunroof or anything when you are all sleeping in the car? Or is it fine to sleep in there all night with all the windows and everything closed?

[@ChangJitsen]

I tried to never fall asleep with the cat running, but I've done it for 1-2 hours when it was super cold. But for the most part I've slept with the windows and sunroof closed without any problems.

[@calprinicus]

Amazing build! Thanks for going over all the details!

[@ChangJitsen]

You are welcome. Good luck on your build.

[@TomwithaDream]

Excellent engineering design. Best use of space with ease of deployment.

[@ChangJitsen]

Thanks! Good luck with your build.

[@gabrielvelador3480]

Hell yeah brother, it looks good. I finished my foldable bed platform for my 20' Crosstrek but I want to improve on it once I have more time. Seeing some of the stuff you did was great!

[@ChangJitsen]

Heck yeah, love the projects that are never finished, just constantly being modified, adapted and evolving

[@robbyrne254]

You don’t have a cooler Bro???

[@ChangJitsen]

I got one but it is too much of a pain. I just switched to canned meats, fruits, instant noodles, eggs, beef jerky, trail mix, etc.

[@DATCHICK92503]

What the hell ur build is better than like stuff made from high end company’s

[@tacticaltoast6373]

That’s awesome man. I’d appreciate a build video if you could. I love the 4th gen love I’m seeing

[@KV-db9gw]

Wow yours is so much hassle free and nice work with seats in place. Which car do you own though? Brand?

[@ChangJitsen]

2003 4Runner Limited 4WD

[@robertsegura6451]

Did you check out Nick Carver's KZbin channel, he has the best simple lightweight design for a 4runner.

[@ChangJitsen]

Yup, it looks great and much easier to build. It just didn't fit my needs. There are several platform on stilts/legs designs out there. Their setup and take down is more involved. Some of them even store the platform and stilts in the drawer in the back. But these designs didn't fit my needs. I needed something that could be deployed on-site since I'm driving around with the kids in the back seat. I didn't want to waste storage space hauling stilts or legs around, including the platform(s). When you build the drawer in the back, it leaves a thin triangle between the back seats and drawer that is perfect for storing the platforms needed to extend over the folded down backseats. The Z-folded boards are 14", 12.5", and 12.5". Fitting very snuggly into that thin triangle. Economy of space. Good luck with your design and build.

[@samsteyl1778]

This is awesome! Will be integrating the piano hinge folding for the front part of the platform into my build. How do the drawer slides for the front part of the platform with the pieces of wood for support not run into your drawer in the back when it is all closed? Thank you!!

[@ChangJitsen]

The sidewalls for the drawer on the left and right sides have 3 pairs of drawer slides. I'll try to describe it. If it doesn't make any sense, let me know I'll upload a more detailed video. I put two pairs of drawer slides on the inside of the drawer cabinet and one pair on the outside of the cabinet. The outside pair is attached to the top platform to slide out a cooler/fridge for example. The inside pairs are mounted one above the other. But the top pair point towards the front of the car to support the z-fold bed platform. They exit the drawer cabinet through two holes cut out the back of the cabinet). The bottom pair of drawer slides (inside the cabinet) point towards the rear of the car. The drawer itself is mounted to this pair of slides and slides out the back of the car. The slides are mounted in the middle (top to bottom axis) of the drawer itself (as opposed to the top or bottom). Good luck.

[@olsmxl6975]

nice work and creative thinking!

[@ChangJitsen]

Thanks. Hopefully it gives you some ideas.

[@CoryBurke]

Very very cool. I just did a simple build for my Rav4 with two pieces and a piano hinge for the final extension. I love the detail that went into your build and I'm learning a lot for what I'd want to do for version 2.0 of my own. Cheers! 😎👌

[@ChangJitsen]

Thanks. I'm with you. I'm going down the rabbit hole on roof top tents for my next project. Good luck with your build.

[@haroldsmith45302]

That is really good. Thank you.

[@ChangJitsen]

Good luck with your build

[@rangerdoc1029]

This is the sickest build I've seen yet. Got a link for those stools?

[@ChangJitsen]

Thanks. Hopefully it gives you some ideas. Good luck with your build.

[@andyvan2265]

Now I have a better understanding on how to build one, on my CRV without removing the back seat. Thanks for the information.

[@ChangJitsen]

Thanks. Good luck with your build!

[@DATCHICK92503]

Well I’ve only saw this one. 😜

[@DATCHICK92503]

O my god the leg system is genius wow 🤩

[@Nostromo_1]

Wouldn’t it be better to sleep in a roof top tent?

[@ChangJitsen]

I didn't go the rooftop tent route because this setup fits 2 adults and 2 kids. There's no setup and take down. We can just drive to the next campsite whenever. Rooftop tents are heavy, more road noise, expensive. Plus rooftop tents are as insulated from the cold and wind as the car. Rooftop tents are top heavy and make me nervous about rolling the car onto it's side when off-roading.

[@Nostromo_1]

@@ChangJitsen depending on which one you choose, roof top tents only weigh between 100 and 130 lbs. I would hope that would not tip you over. Anyway... good answer. You did a great job, thanks for sharing. 😀

[@ChangJitsen]

@@Nostromo_1 true that. I'm sure I'm biased having seen only one rig on its side and it had a roof rack. Personally I've never driven with a roof top tent, but my friend stopped carrying his spare tire (even lighter) on the roof because he felt more unstable. So he also went with a bed platform over a rooftop tent. I also needed a drawer system anyways since I didn't want all our stuff to turn into projectiles in the event of a wreck or rollover. And traveling with kids puts you more on edge.

[@ljchang9998]

Amazing!

[@ChangJitsen]

Thanks!

[@evolusd]

10 seconds in, guessing you'll say it's too high, no headroom.

[@ChangJitsen]

Probably for most people. But works great for me. Thankfully I'm a side sleeper!

[@catorivera]

Do you have plans for ghis system? Love it!

[@ChangJitsen]

Sorry, don't have plans but the rough dimensions are: Cabinet for the drawer 41 inches wide x 14 inches tall x 34 inches deep. It's made of 4 panels. One on the bottom, secured to the car with 4 screws previously used for trim and 2 bolts into the frame. Left and right sides which are secured to the two tie downs with turnbuckles. These are secured to the floorboard with metal angle brackets. Finally there is a back wall support. The top of the cabinet is made of a platform sitting on drawer slides. Then a drawer is built on the inside with its own six walls on its own drawer slides. The top of the drawer has a coffee table hinge set inside before walls. As well as the 14 inch flap on surface mount hidden spring cabinet hinges. Then the extendable bed platform is made up of three planks of wood attached together using piano hinges in a z pattern. These panels are 41 in wide by 14 in, 12.5 in and 12.5 in. I hope that helps. Good luck with your project.

[@lilithsmith3354]

Wow this build is the best I’ve seen.

[@ChangJitsen]

Thanks. Good luck with your build. Reach out if you have questions. Hopefully you got some ideas.

[@dim._.]

Hey! How long is the bed? I'm 6'3", can I sleep in a 4Runner ? :)

[@ChangJitsen]

I have it setup at about 76" long. This is plenty of space for me at 6' 0". You could move the seats up and have 85" of room. The platform is about 73" long (drawer cabinet is 34" + first fold out 14" + second fold out 12.5" + third fold out 12.5"). I shove a 4" double (80" x 52") air mattress/foam pad into the back. The air mattress fills the gap above the rear fold out table giving me another 3". The mattress is 80" long. But I leave it a bit compressed between the front seats and the back hatch/door. If you need more room, you could move the front seats up and lean the seats forward. I just measured the distance from the back door to the back of the passenger seat with it all the way forward and no recline. It's about 85". But there's a gap between where the back row seats fold down to where the back of the front seats. If you bridge that gap with some support either pillows or a platform you could make that part of the bed as well. Sometimes I put a bunch of pillows on the center console between the driver seat in the passenger seat. That way I can lay my head on those pillows and stare up out the open sunroof (provided there's no bugs). You'll see a couple shooting stars and be off to dream land. You could do that as well if you need the extra room. Hope that helps. Good luck with your build.

[@ChangJitsen]

I'm was about 210 pounds at my heaviest and it supported my weight and two toddlers. And I'm pretty sure the legs supports aren't necessary. I still have one on one side, but the super heavy duty drawer slides are probably enough. Most of the weight is supported by the cabinet which is over built using 3/4 inch plywood. But keep your weight in mind when building your platform.

[@dim._.]

@@ChangJitsen thank you so much!

[@kracksmith4ejm1]

nice design. can you share all the measurements. i have a 4th gen too

[@ChangJitsen]

The cabinet with the drawer is 41" wide (left to right) x 39" deep (front to back) x and 14" tall. The Z-folded platform for the bed is 41" wide (same as cabinet) and the 3 sections are 14", 12.5", and 12.5". They stack together like a tall skinny triangle so they can optimize the space behind the rear seats which makes a triangle with the backside of the drawer cabinet. From the platform to the ceiling there isn't much room. But there's enough space to sleep on your side comfortably. The gap between the door and the bed platform needs to be filled with stuff if there's more than a couple people sleeping. I usually use my folding chairs to support the air/foam mattress.

[@kracksmith4ejm1]

@@ChangJitsen Thank you Jitsen!!!

[@gaypreator8547]

Weight GVW?

[@ChangJitsen]

Tldr: ~200 pounds The setup is heavy. It is probably overbuilt. But I used 3/4” plywood, pine (I think), from home depot. That's probably 60 pounds per sheet. If I had to guess, I used less than two-and-a-half sheets so 150 pounds at most. The drawer slides are surprisingly heavy. The brand is Fulterer. Their website lists the 32 inch heavy duty drawer slides at 8.1 kg and 8.3 kg, for a pair of non-locking and locking drawer slides respectively. And I had three pairs so that's roughly 50 pounds in just drawer slides. I built the whole thing in the back instead of building it and then sliding it in to the back. So I'm not sure how heavy the whole thing is, but the rest of the hardware is pretty negligible. For what its worth, my buddy builds furniture and cabinets and said it's overbuilt. Despite the locking mechanism breaking, I'd buy them again. I installed a simple toggle latch to keep it locked in. It still locks out which is more important since it would have been harder to Jimmy rig something to keep the drawer locked in the out position. I keep a ton of stuff in the drawer at all times and take it down some pretty beat-up roads. The locking mechanism want designed to handle that. The drawer slides don't rattle or squeak when driving. The bearings are great. All that weight slides open and closes with ease. Good luck with your build.

[@drewdavidson5501]

Probably the best version I have seen! Do you know about how much it weighs total?

[@ChangJitsen]

Thanks! Tldr: ~200 pounds The setup is heavy. It is probably overbuilt. But I used 3/4” plywood, pine (I think), from home depot. That's probably 60 pounds per sheet. If I had to guess, I used less than two-and-a-half sheets so 150 pounds at most. The drawer slides are surprisingly heavy. The brand is Fulterer. Their website lists the 32 inch heavy duty drawer slides at 8.1 kg and 8.3 kg, for a pair of non-locking and locking drawer slides respectively. And I had three pairs so that's roughly 50 pounds in just drawer slides. I built the whole thing in the back instead of building it and then sliding it in to the back. So I'm not sure how heavy the whole thing is, but the rest of the hardware is pretty negligible. For what its worth, my buddy builds furniture and cabinets and said it's overbuilt. Despite the locking mechanism breaking, I'd buy them again. I installed a simple toggle latch to keep it locked in. It still locks out which is more important since it would have been harder to Jimmy rig something to keep the drawer locked in the out position. I keep a ton of stuff in the drawer at all times and take it down some pretty beat-up roads. The locking mechanism want designed to handle that. The drawer slides don't rattle or squeak when driving. The bearings are great. All that weight slides open and closes with ease. Good luck with your build.

[@smallfeet1345]

All the mileage in 6 months made me think gas prices 💀💀

[@ChangJitsen]

Yeah I'm up to 50,000 miles now. I took the kids on a 10,000 road trip all over the US. Gas is expensive but living out of the car isn't. We definitely need cheaper gas for sure!

[@smallfeet1345]

@@ChangJitsen that’s what i figured, saving on hotels and what not. That’s awesome, keep it up King 🙏🏽🖤

[@ChangJitsen]

@@smallfeet1345 FWIW I did go from 17.5 mpg to 18.5 mpg after changing the oil in the differentials and transfer case. But the whole system is a lot of weight to carry.

[@smallfeet1345]

@@ChangJitsen stay✍🏽on✍🏽top✍🏽of✍🏽maintenance✍🏽✍🏽✍🏽 my 4runner only has 10k miles but I’ll keep that in mind for when i start doing long trips once I’m done with my build! Should make videos bout your trips, recaps, tips, issues you ran into etc i think people would love the content homie

[@ChangJitsen]

@@smallfeet1345 yeah I thought about it but saw some people getting tickets for flying their drone and getting calls from the FDA. So I just keep those videos private. Otherwise I'd love to share these amazing places. I think people would take better care of the planet if they could see what they can still save or salvage.

[@sophiasalgado6024]

super cool! also like how you interact with everyone’s comments

[@ChangJitsen]

Thanks! Just trying to give back to the DIY community