{"id":154,"date":"2017-06-26T16:35:12","date_gmt":"2017-06-26T23:35:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/?p=154"},"modified":"2017-06-30T07:31:30","modified_gmt":"2017-06-30T14:31:30","slug":"dog-platform-build","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/dog-platform-build\/","title":{"rendered":"F250 Super Duty Dog Platform Build"},"content":{"rendered":"

We need space in the backseat of the truck for the dogs so they can go with us on some upcoming trips. I started researching some flat platforms for the rear seat of the F250. Apparently there were some model years in which Ford had an option for a flat steel fold out platform. Our truck does not have that platform but rather some very nice underseat storage with a handy 12V DC power outlet. In researching and talking to some guys on the inner web, I located a few of these platforms for purchase.<\/p>\n

But then I went to measure how much room the dogs would have with the flat steel platform in and without removing the rear seat. Turns out not too much! I could gain another 1.5 feet of room by rooming the rear sear. More is always better so I decided to remove the rear seat in the King Ranch and build my own dang dog platform!<\/p>\n

Note: The middle seatbelt has a very small release hole where the normal red release button should be. Took me a while to find that. Simply insert a pin and push. Make believe your removing a seat belt for a bee. It works. Also, be careful when removing the connector for the under seat 12 volt power socket as that is a bit tricky.<\/p>\n

Seat Removed:<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The platform will be about 35.5 inches deep and 57 inches wide in the truck.<\/p>\n

Next we need some support slats to run front to back under the platform for support. The issue here is that the floor isn’t “flat”. Ford decided that would just be too simple. SO I invented the special “Schauf Contour Tool” which is a 35.5 inch piece of cardboard to match length of platform with duct tape and bamboo skewers and a level. I am pretty sure Sears will start carrying them soon. This will also me to measure each slat to perfectly match the contour of the floor.<\/p>\n

Measure Contour of Floor<\/h2>\n

Next using the SCT (catch up people, its an acronym for the tool) I adjusted the skewers along the SCT to match the contour of the floor where this particular slat will make contact.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hey don’t laugh. Worked pretty well so far!<\/p>\n

Update: So apparently this type of tool was already invented and is called a “Contour Tool”. There are up more than a few of them available on Amazon – however they are NOT 35 inches long! Dang another patent down the drain. <\/p>\n

Plot the points on the slat<\/h2>\n

At this point I transferred the contour points onto the 35.5 x 6.5 slat and connected the dots. I learned how to do that at an early age. Still can’t stay in the lines though.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

First Slat done!<\/h2>\n

Ok, so after cutting it looks like the SCT will work. I need to measure out and cut about 3 more slats. I wish the floor were the same the width of the truck but it isn’t. Thanks Ford.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 Since we chose MDF for strength and weight, I had to augment it so the slats have better support. (Zoom in).  I used 1×1’s on each side of each slat for extra support and so that I would have a solid surface to drill into from the top. <\/p>\n

Also since it’s about 198\u00b0 in the garage here in Arizona, even at night, I am fabricating in the kitchen. I promise I’ll clean up the mess honey. This picture shows the structurally complete platform. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

OK time to see if it fits in the truck! And it does! I forgot to take a picture of the level showing a completely centered bubble. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I then positioned the Engle refrigerator so that I could maximize space for the dogs and determine where to put the tiedown points. <\/p>\n

The boys were very excited and have plenty of room!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nAt some point I’ll finish up with carpet to match the interior of the truck but for now will just use their dog beds. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We need space in the backseat of the truck for the dogs so they can go with us on some upcoming trips. I started researching some flat platforms for the rear seat of the F250. Apparently there were some model years in which Ford had an option for a flat steel fold out platform. Our … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “F250 Super Duty Dog Platform Build”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[6,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-154","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-overlanding","category-vehicles"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8MROt-2u","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":78,"url":"https:\/\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/heading-home\/","url_meta":{"origin":154,"position":0},"title":"Heading home","author":"bradschauf","date":"June 10, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"The fishing wasn't really disappointing. To be disappointing we would have had to do more actual, well, fishing. We did get out in the bay on Wednesday afternoon for a bit and Thursday morning just a couple miles out of Pensacola bay. Bad weather and a broken motor killed the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Vacation"","block_context":{"text":"Vacation","link":"https:\/\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/category\/vacation\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/img_2878.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/img_2878.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/img_2878.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/img_2878.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/img_2878.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/img_2878.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":148,"url":"https:\/\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/campsite-planning\/","url_meta":{"origin":154,"position":1},"title":"Good site for planning that next camping trip","author":"bradschauf","date":"June 21, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"I have been preparing, as I have time, to get us into more Overlanding activities. This includes upgrades to the F250, planning for space in the truck for the dogs and Engle and deciding what other bits of kit we will need ( Leitner Active Cargo System, RTT, etc) We\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Overlanding"","block_context":{"text":"Overlanding","link":"https:\/\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/category\/overlanding\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":131,"url":"https:\/\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/f250-intercooler-upgrade-install\/","url_meta":{"origin":154,"position":2},"title":"F250 Intercooler Upgrade Install","author":"bradschauf","date":"June 16, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Well, got the upgrade parts today and was able to get the installation done today as well after work. The install took me about 2 hours because its the first time I have wrenched on the F250 and the fitment of the pipe, given that its comprised of 4 parts\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Vehicles"","block_context":{"text":"Vehicles","link":"https:\/\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/category\/vehicles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/after.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/after.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/after.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/after.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/after.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":35,"url":"https:\/\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/communications-in-remote-locations\/","url_meta":{"origin":154,"position":3},"title":"Communications in remote locations","author":"bradschauf","date":"May 31, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"We are going to start building the F250 into an Overland vehicle. What is overlanding? Why not use the Rubicon? That would be a great post for some other day - for now - google it or head over to overlandbound.com (we are member #5770) or get Overland Journal. Awsome\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Overlanding"","block_context":{"text":"Overlanding","link":"https:\/\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/category\/overlanding\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":122,"url":"https:\/\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/f250-intercooler-upgrade-this-weekend\/","url_meta":{"origin":154,"position":4},"title":"F250 Intercooler upgrade this weekend…","author":"bradschauf","date":"June 14, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"I just ordered the charged air cooler (intercooler) upgrade kit and plan on installing it this weekend. Happy Fathers Day to me! We are preparing for a trip to Colorado and I do not want to repeat my roadside repair episode from the recent fishing trip so we are upgrading\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Vehicles"","block_context":{"text":"Vehicles","link":"https:\/\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/category\/vehicles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/122004-e1497570563808.jpg?fit=350%2C350&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":54,"url":"https:\/\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/the-importance-of-duct-tape-and-a-good-independent-mechanic\/","url_meta":{"origin":154,"position":5},"title":"The importance of duct tape and a good independent mechanic","author":"bradschauf","date":"June 6, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"I was just driving along..... minding my own business..... in my brother-in-law Mike's F250 Super Duty when all of a sudden..... boom!\u00a0 It woke Mike and Uncle Bob immediately. \"What the heck happened\" is what I heard from the back seat. We were going about 60 miles per hour and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Vacation"","block_context":{"text":"Vacation","link":"https:\/\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/category\/vacation\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/img_2781.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/img_2781.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/img_2781.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/img_2781.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=154"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":168,"href":"https:\/\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154\/revisions\/168"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=154"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=154"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bradschauf.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=154"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}