Wood Shelves in Bed

[Parshal]

I'm not sure what is the best forum to put this in but I'll start here. I was wondering if anyone has used the slots that are built in to the pickup bed for wood supports to build anything. I use my truck to haul a 3-dog dog box and have built some water carriers/tubes out of 6" pvc. I was thinking about using those slots to build a frame the same height as the wheel wells and put a piece of plywood over it and sit the dog box on the new bed. Then, I could put my water carriers under the plywood deck. Another thought is to build something over the wheel wells and mount the carriers to those.



Has anyone done anything similar? I'm looking for ideas and experiences. I'm trying to do this without steel trays built in to the truck bed since those are expensive.

 

[Bertram65]

I have not done anything too creative, I just have a 2"X12" in the rear most slot to keep small stuff I put in the bed from going forward when I hit the brakes. One thing I did though was cut the board at a slight angle and put some thin carpet wrapped around the ends, keeps it from rattleing or bouncing up and out of the slots.

 

[Parshal]

I did that except in the front near the cab when I first got the truck. Keeps dog water bottles and things from sliding everywhere.



Keep the ideas coming!

 

[mklucas]

I used plywood to basically make two footprints around the wheel wells. Built up on those two footprints using 1x2 for corner supports to attach more plywood to. then used 1x4 running down the inside of the bed rail and just ouside the wheel wells. I covered the bottom, front and back, and inside except wheel wells with 3/8" plywood. Attached everything with wood glue and a pneumatic staple gun. So at this point I basically have two cabinets that fit snugly around the wheel wells, with a straight 4' shot running down the middle. I then cut six peices of 3/4" plywood to cover the entire top. Three 2 1/2' sections at the tailgate, and three 4' sections at the cab. Smaller at the tailgate so I can access things at the tailgate - two skinny pieces over my cabinets and one 4'x2 1/2' over the center gap. Did the same with the 4' sections next to the cab. I covered each of the top pieces with two sheets of thick carpet padding and in/outdoor carpet.



I have got a really comfortable bunk to sleep on, two contained spaces for miscellaneous stuff on the sides, and a big section that I built a kitchen kit for, two big coolers, and the propane tank. All this is covered with a cascading shell and easily removable.



Sorry it was so long, I hope it helps.

 

[Parshal]

Do you have any pictures?

 

[mklucas]

I'll try to get some up tonight.

 

[mklucas]

Pictures

Sorry it took a while. Total cost was about $200 and a day of my buddy and I's time.

 

[mklucas]

another

 

[mklucas]

sorry, my digital camera was stolen so I have to use my phone...

 

[mklucas]

one more...

 

[Parshal]

Great pictures, thanks!