2017 Tundra GFC BED BUILD OUT - Super PIC Heavy

I've had the GFC for a few seasons now with a Decked drawer system. I wanted to build out some cabinets that are easily removable but provide floor space for bikes inside (to hide it all) and seating for inclement weather. I also wanted easy water fill and a multiple setup options. I can have two bench seats, backrests, or even put the cushions on the floor for a super quick stealth sleep. I saw some ideas here and on the GFC forum and layed out the plans. I ended up finding most of my items through extensive Amazon searches and picked up some really good deals on Facebook marketplace. All the cabinets are magnetic faces and takes about 10 minutes to disassemble in three pieces.
Some items of note:
-The IceCo JP Pro 40 has been awesome.
-Stainless Steel Water jug 3 gallon
-Yeti 1500x (FB Marketplace)
-Goal Zero 100w Solar panel.
-Tons of tie downs
-Magnetic LED lights
-One magnetic disco ball...just because.
-Removeable cushions and covers. I sewed Velcro on the back and can move them around but secure them with placed velcro.
-Storage is enough for all my camping gear, tools, fishing gear. I always bring too much. lol
I use the Yeti to charge phones, play my JBL Speaker and run the fridge. It's been running the fridge for 3 weeks now and never falls below 90% with a single 100w solar. Fridge is on MAX.
Here's some pics and the build out.





The original mock up to get my head around what I wanted.




Starting to come up with a plan. 1/2" for floor and cabinets with 3/4" marine birch as counter/top.


So each side is a section with the floor as a section. A few anchors and aluminum bar to the bed rails secure it in place and it is solid. I ran some turnbuckles on the cab side tie downs, but they're probably not needed.





I'm using the 100w goal zero and so far it has kept everything really topped off with fridge running 100% of the time.









Starting to come together. Here is a few shots with layout options.















Amazon:

$30 SZOKLED Under Cabinet Lights Wireless, 48-LED Under Cabinet Lighting Rechargeable, Closet Light with Timer & Dimmable, Under Counter Lights for Kitchen Shelf Pantry Desk (4 Packs)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09Y1NHL8X?ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_product_details&th=1

VanEssential 48" Venture Track T-6 Aluminium L-Track Gray Anodized (Angled Profile) - 2 Pack

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM76ND6L?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

$36 Favoyard Patio Chair Cushions 18.5 x 16 x 3" Waterproof Outdoor Seat Cushions for Patio Furniture 3-Year Color Fastness Garden Sofa Couch Chair Pads with Handle & Adjustable Straps Set of 2, Green

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLRZ4HZ2?ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_asin_title&th=1

$24 Mousike Magnetic Door Catch Heavy Duty 90lb Door Magnets with Strong Magnetic for Kitchen Cupboard Wardrobe Closet Cabinet Door Drawer Latch (Black 6 Pack))

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BZFPJ39?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

$6 50 Set Cable Zip Tie Self Adhesive Mounts Kit with 6" Zip Ties, 3/4" Wire Holders Squares, Screws - Sticky Wire Fasteners Cable Clips Management Anchors Organizer

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKWPJYMS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

$20 8MILELAKE Single Stud L-Track Fitting with Round Ring 10 Pack

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KMX37VB?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

$25 L-Track Double Stud Tie Down Fitting | Used with L Track Rail for Truck Bed,Trailer Cargo Control,Pickup,RV,ATV,Bearing 5000LBS Heavy Duty Steel (Pack of 6 Black)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZBGK298?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

$80 DYNAMI 304 Stainless Steel Insulated Beverage Dispenser,Insulated Thermal Hot and Cold Beverage Dispenser with Faucet,for Coffee, Tea, Water, Milk,Juice (15L/3.9gal)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C588B6L2?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

 

Fantastic! Real craftsman like work ….looks very comfortable !
Nice job!

 

That is a fantastic setup you have put together there I’m impressed!

 

Vary nice!

 

I literally have almost no experience with wood work, except for home projects and making a cutting board in shop class. Found a friend with a table saw to make some straight cuts on the floor panel. Everything else was jigsaw and drill bits with a sander on the edges. Total wood cost was around $400.00. Total build ( wood, fridge, solar, goal zero, parts, etc) was right at 1800.00

 

Wow, very well done!

 

I've been looking at tons and tons of GFC build outs since I just got mine, and this is easily one of my favorites. Cost effective, simple, and very efficient. Great work, I think i'll build a very similar setup for mine. Have you made any more changes to it since then?

 

No! Surprisingly . It’s been about as good as I could get for my needs. I haven’t wanted to change anything around at all. The rechargeable magnetic lights fall off when I slam the doors. So that’s not ideal.

 

Very nice setup and great work. Don’t know how you deal with that light though.
Great job.

 

HA! The cool part is I take them up into the bed platform or around the camp so they come in handy, but this plugged into the goal zero would've been a much simpler option. I already had under the rail lights tied into the SwitchPro's.

$10 GOTUS USB 32.8ft LED Light Strips - 16 Million Colors Changing, Built-in Mic Music Mode, Smart Circuit Protection Lights Strip, with 3 Control Ways(APP+Remote Control+Control Box)

https://www.amazon.com/USB-32-8ft-L...ocphy=9031807&hvtargid=pla-2281435178618&th=1

 

...What area are you in? I don't ming helping out a build.

 

That would be great. I'm in north GA. What about you?

Edit: I saw you're in CA, so you might be little far!

 

Yep a little far. But I'll get some measurements and dimensions for anyone who wants to build it up.

 

Would love that if you could. I'm fairly sure I'll build this.

 

@300BLK @UTAHRTK
Ok I took some measurements and I'll try to explain the build my best and how I would go about it now. It was literally flying adjustments as I went.... I'll attach some pictures again with markups below this post.

The measurements are close because it's hard to tell what I trimmed and sanded. For example the cabinet Depth is 16 3/16" measured. I'm pretty sure I cut it at 16 1/4". The Tundra bed is wider in the front than by the tailgate I believe.

A) I used 1/2' birch plywood for the floor since it's supported by the floor and 3/4" for the top so it would hold under me standing on it.
B) Cabinet framing is 1 1/4"x 3/4". You can use 1x2's or whatever you have available. I built three compartments to add rigidity for the top when standing on it.
C) The cabinet doors are 1/2" birch plywood as well. Build the cabinet frame 1/2" inset from the top and bottom panels so the doors fit flush.

If you have (or drink beer with someone with) a table saw and guide this will be a lot easier.....

1) Cut your middle floor first. Mark the center point of the bed and the center point of your floor and line it up.

2) Now measure out to each side from the middle floor portion to cut your cabinet bottom panels. There is scribing involved on the wheelwell area. Again the bed is narrower in spots. I can't remember if it's the front or back of the bed. But you'll figure it out. Take several measurements for your cabinet bottom panels before you cut.

3) Once the bottom panels are cut, put the floor in place to check fit and make adjustments. At this point you can build your cabinet frames. Remember to build them 1/2" inset from the panels so the doors fit flush. You can make the cabinets any size to accommodate your needs. I separated mine, but it's not necessary. You could leave the interior open.

4) Once framing is built on the floor panel. You can now do the top. I should have used my Decked system as a scribe guide but I sold it too soon. I cut my 3/4" Birch plywood in half (24X96) so it was easier to manage. Make a scribe template for the inside bedside portion and cut. Place it on top of the cabinet to mark your final cut to remove excess remembering to leave a larger overhang than the frame. and doors. At this point it doesn't have to be exact. You could have a 1" overhang you want.

5) Cut your long side door panels and place magnets. I just took one long sheet for the face and cut it in two spots (either side of the middle cabinet where doors line up in the middle of a vertical cabinet framing. Then I cut my end panels to cover everything and sit flush with long face door panel.

6) I ended up using L- brackets and screwing down some tubular aluminum and tying it into some cleats for the bedrails. I thought this might keep it from bouncing around. You might come up with a better system.

Now for the little stuff. The middle floor is longer to accommodate my L-track for the bikes. The cabinets are a little shorter than the middle to allow me access to the bed tie downs.
The left side is shorter in height so I have headroom when I'm sitting inside and it's raining. This height should be adjusted for you. I'm 5'11".

Reach out when you have questions or need more measurements. FaceTime works great for this stuff.
-Jason


Also, I made all my frame cuts first (mistake) and you can see the cabinet frame at the rear corners are off, cabinet depth could have been deeper but I made it work.Cabinet size inside dimensions from tailgate forward are 1st cabinet=13", middle=36", end=7 1/4". I did enclose all four corner cabinets by putting plywood on the backs and inside panel as a separator. The middle cabinet doesn't have a back on it. Not sure if this is needed depending on what you want to carry in it.





Scrap wood on left cabinet as my scribe template. I just flipped it over to cut the other side.



Top plate overhang on cabinet doors is more like 3/4" to cover up my mistakes on scribing. Remember the bed is not square.







Aluminum tubing tied in to prevent bouncing. I used foam door seal under the cabinets because I kept dropping screws and drill bits and they would roll under it.
From tailgate forward cabinet inside frame widths are 13", 36", 7 1/4"


Lastly, I removed the GFC deck rail clamp from the bedrail one at a time and put in a bunch of bedrail cleats and tie downs for future use.

 

Here is a closer picture of the 1/2" inset from the floor and cabinet framing. I also used a T-bracket to attach the 3 sections together. Cabinet-Middle-Cabinet








Strong kitchen magnets. The hardest part was lining up the plate on the door. It would have been easier doing this without the cabinet top/bench seat on.

 

@NoRcptn that's badass! Thanks for the info.

 

Love this build. Definitely taking some notes on this one. You still liking the GFC? I'm thinking I'm going to put in an order for one. I like how light it is and that I can still haul sheet goods if I need to. Or even take out the benches if I'm not camping. Not sure how heavy those are, but Looks easy to store on the side of the garage when I'm not on a longer trip. For a night or two, I'd probably just throw a cooler in the back and call it a day.

 

I think the GFC is around 280lbs and the cabinets with floor are about 40 ish. lbs each. Total build with Solar, Goal Zero, fridge and water is probably around 450 ish. I haven't didn't do a before and after weight. Yeah I still like it. One person is really really spacious and easy, two people and two bikes inside is tight crawling around stuff. Sometimes I just put the bikes on the rack if I'm not in some urban area with a ton of bike thieves. I might sell it after fall camping/fishing trips if wife decides that I'm building her a van. The v2 pro has some better tent material and features but I haven't found mine lacking. I do seem to see them quite often for sale used on the GFC forum and FB marketplace. I'd check there first for a deal. I haven't removed it but I'd imagine it's pretty awkward taking it off, as light as it is, due to the weight on the cab overhang. I would think it's 4 person/ 4 beer job.

 

I did upgrade the locks to the V2 Pro since the keys are double cut for any orientation. I've read their new sleeping pad system is way better, which you can purchase separately.

 

Oh I didnt mean how heavy is the whole thing, just the benches. I would def leave the camper installed. I just dont do long trips often enough that I want a permanent "camper" situation is all I meant. I love the actual shell part and that the bed is up out of the way. Been looking on FB market but havent seen any for my first gen tundra yet and what I have seen is almost as expensive as new. And with the new "pro" improvements I think Id just buy new. Been wanting to do a Utah trip and I grew up in MT and still have friends there. Would be a fun road trip to pick it up for sure.

It's usually just me and my human-sized dog and a bunch of photo gear. No bikes or anything. Would be way more room than I'm used to in my RAV4. Been trying to decide if I should just look for a cheapish used tundra shell but I think I'd love the function of the go fast campers and can rough it in the back of my truck until I can get one.

 

yeah if it’s gonna stay on no big deal then. I took a trip out to Bozeman to get it as well. Fun trip.

Food for thought, after having multiple setups. I really liked my first gen setup with a camper shell and twin bed. Had room for my black lab, a cooler, and was in the road. Super easy setup, super easy travel, no weight or additional suspension needed. Had slider windows with screens for dog and air vent .
I’ll dig through and post a picture if I can find one.

 

found a shell and had it painted at MAACO for around $500.00. Probably a few hundred more now.

 

Thanks for the pics! Love that setup. Def what I had in mind when I first got my truck and have been looking for a shell. But I've been working remote and think I could swing some long travel working trips if i had space to set up a computer and have power (either solar or just work out of a KOA on the road somewhere during the week) and thought the GFC would be really great for being able to do that. Kind of a hefty price tag, but man it would be fun to be truly mobile and still able to make money. Not trying to do #vanlife out of it, but a week or two travel up the coast or head east would be so cool.

 

Agreed. For that a GFC would fit the bill nicely.

 

The pics and write up were extremely helpful. Thanks for taking the time to do all that.