[Slash32]

This year is the my maiden hunting voyage in the Bronco. Decided since my 10yo daughter is excited to come with me that I’ll convert the back into a sleeper for the both of us.

Immediately noticed if I built a small platform for the rear seat foot well, I could utilize the entire space, tailgate to center console.

A few 2x6’s as the main support, 2x4’s for reinforcement and 1/2” Plywood does the trick. I had to angle cut the 2x6’s front and back to contour to the floor pan but ended up flush.

Then, Started with a high density queen sized mattress and cut away the outer layers to bring it straight to the foam. After cutting about 7in away from the ends and notching out the sides to clear the d
Fender wells, ended with this.

Last part will be putting the mattress into a waterproof sealed cover in case any moisture gets into the truck getting in or out. The high density foam and not memory foam allows me to pull all of my gear and crates on top of it without issue and softer than laying on the carpet.

Stoked to get the Bronco up in the mountains where it belongs!

 

[fodder]

I bet that mattress was fun to lift in and out, since it can't easily be slid past the wheel wells. Memory foam seems to have its own source of gravity when it comes to dragging it.

I thought about doing something similar with the rear footwell, but hinged so it can be a storage box. I like how you angled it to tuck in nice and tight.

 

[Slash32]

I bet that mattress was fun to lift in and out, since it can't easily be slid past the wheel wells. Memory foam seems to have its own source of gravity when it comes to dragging it.

I thought about doing something similar with the rear footwell, but hinged so it can be a storage box. I like how you angled it to tuck in nice and tight.

ohhhh, a hinge is a great idea…I’ll have to incorporate that into my rebuild of it after this trip.

 

[MojoJojo]

Dude, you don’t need that much head room….. build a slide out drawer under a platform that’s wheel well tall and put your gear under the bed!!
Although, you already notched the mattress fir the fenders.

 

[Slash32]

Dude, you don’t need that much head room….. build a slide out drawer under a platform that’s wheel well tall and put your gear under the bed!!
Although, you already notched the mattress fir the fenders.

I was going to go that route but couldn’t come up with a solid enough design to be ready to roll by opening of deer season this Friday.

 

[AZ_Bronco95]

Great idea. I like the mattress idea myself and even if its a pain to put in and out its still way better than sleeping on a bunch of stacked up sleeping bags which is what my son and I do when we are out fishing.

 

[wkenlas]

Looks good!

 

[miesk5]

Yo AZ,
Consider this Storage, Rear Fabrication & Installation in a 96 with Drawers
Source: by Starman (Slicktop, Pepe) at SuperMotors.net
Many pics!
Excerpts;

●
Rear Fabrication & Installation along bedside panel in an 89
Source: by huggyb1972 (Draft Horse) at FSB

&
Rear Fabrication & Installation in a 78
Source: by @natesbronco at FSB
Will ask Nate for drawer pics

 

[AZ_Bronco95]

miesk. I really like that way those look and i would have gone that route but I just finished putting together a little camp trailer with a rooftop tent to tow behind the bronco or my pickup. I'm planning on 4 linking the bronco in the future so the rear cargo area is gonna get cut up and all new sheet metal installed eventually.

 

[BigBlue 94]

I dig it. Not as in depth as i was anticipating, but certainly functional. An extra pillow shoved into each wheel well cutout may make it roomier. Ive slept back there on just wool blankets, and again on an air mattress.

The trick of filling the foot well is key to sleeping in the bronco. Ive done it with a tool box and pillow. I would redo it to be a box with flip up lid. Or reposition the underside braces so you could slide long items, like a rifle case, under it.

 

[Slash32]

I dig it. Not as in depth as i was anticipating, but certainly functional. An extra pillow shoved into each wheel well cutout may make it roomier. Ive slept back there on just wool blankets, and again on an air mattress.

The trick of filling the foot well is key to sleeping in the bronco. Ive done it with a tool box and pillow. I would redo it to be a box with flip up lid. Or reposition the underside braces so you could slide long items, like a rifle case, under it.

I really like that idea of making it more functional as a toolbox/storage area. After this trip I will definitely be adding to this setup and possible more depending on how this works out.

 

[BigBlue 94]

I really like that idea of making it more functional as a toolbox/storage area. After this trip I will definitely be adding to this setup and possible more depending on how this works out.

Camping vehicles are always a work in progress. Youll keep finding things to add the more you use it.

 

[KennyW1983]

This is very interesting. How much room do you have between the backs of the seats and the tailgate? Ive tried to sleep in the back of my bronco before and since I couldn't stretch out I couldn't get comfortable. I left the seat in, but folded up. It looks like the seat isnt that much of a pain to take out, but I never tried to before.

 

[slimpartywagon]

This is very interesting. How much room do you have between the backs of the seats and the tailgate? Ive tried to sleep in the back of my bronco before and since I couldn't stretch out I couldn't get comfortable. I left the seat in, but folded up. It looks like the seat isnt that much of a pain to take out, but I never tried to before.

The seat is very easy to take out… fold the back down remove the two side pins and finish flipping the seat over… the hard part is removing the spring on the bottom… sometimes they can be rusted in pretty well.

 

[Slash32]

I’m only 5’11 so with the front seats kicked forward and the mattress butted right up to the back of the center console, I can stretch out perfectly front to back. Not much extra room at all but measured around 73” front to back.

 

[Doosenberry]

I’m only 5’11 so with the front seats kicked forward and the mattress butted right up to the back of the center console, I can stretch out perfectly front to back. Not much extra room at all but measured around 73” front to back.

Having the back seat out and having that platform I'd imagine you'd have about the same space for sleeping as I do with the back seat folded forward, the tailgate down, and a tent over the rear. Your way would be a lot more convenient though, that's for sure. At least if you're only going to have one passenger and leave your rear seat at home that is.

 

[Slash32]

Having the back seat out and having that platform I'd imagine you'd have about the same space for sleeping as I do with the back seat folded forward, the tailgate down, and a tent over the rear. Your way would be a lot more convenient though, that's for sure. At least if you're only going to have one passenger and leave your rear seat at home that is.

Yup, 100%. I have the a rear tent for the back for spring/summer camping and wanted this setup available for hunting since up in the mountains we are more exposed to cold, rain and snow.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Having the back seat out and having that platform I'd imagine you'd have about the same space for sleeping as I do with the back seat folded forward, the tailgate down, and a tent over the rear. Your way would be a lot more convenient though, that's for sure. At least if you're only going to have one passenger and leave your rear seat at home that is.

I was wondering where you got that tent, and forgot to ask. That thing is pretty slick. @Sixlitre used to have a tarp fashioned similar.

 

[Doosenberry]

I was wondering where you got that tent, and forgot to ask. That thing is pretty slick. @Sixlitre used to have a tarp fashioned similar.

It is a DAC fullsize truck tent. I got mine via Softopper and they supplied collapsible support rods made out of the same stuff they make their soft top frames out of. I believe sixlitre used some broom handles with notched ends, but his way definitely worked and achieved the same result.

 

[Doosenberry]

If I was hunting like OP or even camping by myself a lot, I'd rather leave my rear seat out and do something like what he has going on. It'd be a lot less setup. The only thing I really like about the back seat, other than seating for my kids, is that it keeps my gear in the back where I put it. I'd imagine some things might come hang with me up front if I didn't have it there to hold things in place.