After lurking in this forum for a while and stealing everyone’s ideas, I decided I might as well start a build thread since I pick up my GFC in just over a week! I also haven’t seen as many F150’s on here as other trucks, so I wanted to dish out some ideas. My wife and I will be moving cross-country (NC->WA), picking the GFC up on the way, and starting our first attempt at overlanding in the beautiful PNW.
I plan to use this thread to document some trips and future upgrades as well!
The Master Plan: Truck Bed
Plywood Bed
8020 Aluminum “L” Frame
Plywood Hinged Tops and Side Panels
Double slide out drawer to hold stove and gear
Still in Planning Phase
Power/Lighting
Water Pump/Shower
Suspension/Wheels/Tires
I read about the dust issues some people have had, and installed a tailgate seal and used some silicone caulk on the gaps in the bed. I chose to lay plywood down in the bed to make mounting things easier, and it’s easily replaceable if it ever wears out. I laid down treated 2x2’s in the F150 Bed Grooves, and the plywood is screwed on top of those.
So the F150 BoxLinks are largely useless, except for these magical things I found call Hand-E-Track. No idea who named that, but they allow for bolting things into the space occupied by the BoxLink.
I used these new bolt locations to mount some aluminum extrusions (TNUTZ) as a test. It worked, and I promptly ordered several dozen pieces of aluminum. The hardest part was quadruple checking all my measurements, because I have no way to cut aluminum once it arrives.
I’m on the road now, so no more work until I pick up the GFC next week and arrive in Washington! I finished the bench/drawers late the night before we started driving, so here is sneak peek pic from right before I obscured everything with luggage. I’ll update once I pick up the camper!
That looks so good!!! I’m totally going to rob some of your design when I decide to re-do my platform. I do find it interesting that so many people build out the box but make the platform so much higher than the wheel wells. The option to stealth camp with full sitting room and the camper closed is essential for me (and it helps if it’s really cold to only heat the lower portion). Being 6’ tall, the lowest workable height I could go on the platform from the base was 8.5". Even with that in a Ram 1500 if I sit on one of the camper cushions my head hits lightly.
Great looking build though, love the curved corner pieces that’s a nice touch.
