I think your going about things the right way. I have been in the van for over a year and I am just now to a point where I am ready to put a more permanent build in, which will not look at all like my original ideas. It takes time with a new setup for sure. Jason
Thanks Jason. Having seen you change your build around a few times actually really helped me realize I didn't need to nail it out of the gate, so I feel more free to experiment a bit before devoting money and time to a final build.
Great presentation Donald! I’m amazed at how well this canopy is working so far! You’ve really nailed it. Sure there are improvements that can be made to the execution of your ideas but it really has turned out functional and aesthetically pleasing. It just looks good on the truck! Great job! Oh and thank you for going camping and sharing it with us! It’s one of the things that keeps me going!
Thanks Dan! I'm pretty happy with how it's working out. I still see lots of room for improvement but it would probably get boring if it were perfect out of the gate!
20:38 PRO-TIP... Use vegetable/canola oil instead of bar oil. It's environmentally friendly and is easier to clean up if it spills. The best thing is to pour it back in the container when you're done using the chainsaw so there's not much left to leak out. Good video 👍
I like that you're not slamming in a game plan. Finding out what works best for your vehicle and your situation takes time. Building mock-ups first will keep you from investing a lot of effort and time into something that you later find a better solution to. With this kind of thing I like to take baby steps. Great video as always.
@@milesb4231 He's used it before, for firewood if nothing else. It's a good thing to have on a back woods trail, I won't go out without a decent saw either. Have had to cut more than one downed tree out of the road.
@@milesb4231 The chain saw? LOL. I don't leave home without it. Not only does it get used on almost every trip for firewood collection, but downed trees blocking the trail are extreeeeemely common in the PNW, especially in winter/spring trips. This is one of the most useful additions I've ever made to my kit. :-)
I made a camper out of a 37 ft bus. It gave me great joy to convert ideas into parts of the build. Seeing my own ideas to fruition was so satisfying. What makes you happy is what counts. Also, you can think, I can't believe I did this. I think the truck is a bit better than the Subaru, for what you do. Kudos!
I like the height of the shell. Living where I do, though, I've learned that if you don't want to keep something, go ahead and leave it unattended; someone will relieve you of it. Other than that, I like your outdoor kitchen.
Leave the stove table as it is. Great idea. I’d add another leg in case you want to use the car you can drop the other leg and drive off. I’d make it out of aluminium though. Weight is everything.
David from Cruising the Cut was right you do a good job telling a story. 4 inch PVC pipe hold .65 gallons per foot when I was building out my Ranger years ago I ran a U shaped 4" PVC pipe under the top rail of the pickup bed on side was slightly lower to allow gravity drainage so I could always get water out . I put a on the top and bottom valve on the 4" cap and a Schrader valve to fill with air. I used a hose to wash up, do dishes and for cooking and drinking. I used my 12 air compressor to keep it charged. It wasn't a expensive system and if I needed to I could still get water out by opening the valves and let gravity do its job. You need 2, 90 degree elbows, 2 caps and 4" PVC pipe however much you need to go around the inside of your bed. You a couple of valves. One for filling and draining mounted at the low point the other for bleeding air off. I made a air chuck that allowed me to pressurize the system.
Using your space wisely Donald. Knowing you will keep improving as you go, like in the Forester. I agree with rounding corners off in areas where you can bump your head like someone else recommended. Nice video and updates.
Looking good. Shake out runs/outings to slowly test prototypes is a great plan. If you have a sewing machine for the curtains, then maybe a loop top and bottom you can slide a stiff rod into would take the sag out. You could also sew Velcro or tie straps and roll up the curtains easier with the thin rod in the bottom. Looking forward to see what works and how it changes over time. Thanks for sharing the build.
Don't forget while your still figuring out how your canopy build will go you can mount light weight items with self adhesive velcro strips. It's simple to use and removable when and if a more permanent solution presents itself. It was just a thought because I think velcro could be very useful to your build in the right circumstances. Keep the videos coming.
I love your thought process! I also appreciate the fact that you are very budget conscience . . . It seems that most Overlanding UA-camrs just jump into an expensive build like money grows on trees. Keep up the awesome videos! It's also very evident that you are excited/proud of the new truck. Congratulations for finding the silver lining of the Forrester being totaled.
What a lovely find this video is, and I'm happy to subscribe. A very interesting presenter with practical and neat ideas for making a high quality, lightweight, ergonomic and compact Travel Cabin! The aluminium cabin is beautiful, and those top hinged windoors are simply outstanding, giving the most practicality, especially if it's raining. Your aluminium fabricated shelves and retainers are just perfect, and as you said they look factory installed. Your table/support and kitchen set up is an exquisite, ergonomic delight, and your discovery that it can remain in place with the rear doors closed is the icing on that cake. It takes real ingenuity to outfit a tiny living space, and you've created what I consider to be a masterpiece of an airy, lightweight and compact Travel Cabin that's a joy to live in and out of. I find it elegantly simple and simply elegant!
I don’t mean this to be negative, but I think the Forester days coming to an end will greatly benefit you - just for the simple fact I see so much potential in this new set up you have.
That doesn't sound negative to me...sound pretty silver-lining / lemons-to-lemonade. A positive outlook towards unfortunate events feels like a positive. And I agree fully with your sentiment. The Forester wreck was a massive headache (and neck-ache, ha!), but I am already happier with the replacement. I can't complain. :-)
Heh, I just left a comment on last month’s video suggesting a rack where it turns out you already put your clothes bins. :). Instant gratification for me that I just needed to click thru to this update. 😎 If you can turn one rear door into kitchen supply storage, the opposite door can be your bathroom “medicine cabinet”. I love how well your table and tarp are working out for you. Looks like you’ll iterate your way to more comfort pretty soon! I love updates like this that go over prototype testing.
2003, we converted a 1997 Ford CF8000 commercial truck to our concept of an ExpeditionVehicle. Within a week -- while selling everything -- we hit the road. Our rig is constantly evolving. One point I counsel new builders -- it doesn't have to be perfect the first time.
Are you guys still in town? I've just been buried for the past several weeks. If you're still around this month I've got a little more breathing room... :-)
🙂 need a nerf hoop in the corner. When you wake up you can take a couple shots. Ha! Love how much you are using the welding. That’s how I found your channel welding 101👍 Nissan is looking good.
Well done Donald! Your fabrication skills are progressing greatly. I too like the repurposing of materials. I have learned, many times, design is dictated by available materials. Looking forward to see how this build progresses.
Awesome! With the cooking tools, it seems like you could make a "tool roll" out of fabric with vertical pockets... then it could be rolled up and relatively kept dust free when rolled up. Also, you would still have to area behind it (where the tools are now) for other storage. Alternatively you could hang the tools on the opposite door.
Looking good, I’m getting some great ideas. One comment, if not already mentioned, on your alum brackets, try radius or taking the sharp corners off, it can be very sharp and hurt when you bump it!
Richard, you beat me to it! That lower corner of the upper clothing shelf is just waiting to open up someone's scalp or worse. Please radius the corner & slice some clear tubing and slide it over the edge with glue to hold it.
I currently have an 04 Toyota Tundra extra cab with a 6' bed. I purchased a fiberglass SnugTop shell back in 2004 and have been using it now for 17 years. Bottom line, it is getting beat up. My truck is still going strong. 150K miles. Everything is serviced and in excellent condition. My mechanic told me its unfeasible to trade in/replace it. But it is in need of a new shell/camping platform. I like watching your approach. One option I've been researching is the Alu Cab. Truck has been paid for... options.....
I enjoyed this video. My last couple of trucks I had, were always topped with a fiberglass topper, but this time I will either build one or get a contractors topper such as yours! Great job on the chainsaw case.
This is a great video! I'll admit I'm a Jeep guy and everything is available to buy for them if you have enough $$, but I really like seeing your ideas and how you have figured things out. I love DIY! I have a sleeping platform for my jku that I've revised this year from my original design because as you said, we learn as we go. Anyway, I'm a fellow Oregonian and maybe I'll see you on the trail!
Looks great so far Donald. I know you said a lot of that is temporary but on your angles of aluminum you need to round the corners off. If you set up in bed and hit your head on that corner I think I could hear you swear all the way back here in Indiana. IOI it’s looking great buddy can’t wait to see what you do next.
Haha, in normal use, the layout of the bed/floor effectively keeps my my head from coming anywhere near the overhead bins, although I was in there working on some other details just yesterday and managed to put my head right into that corner. You are correct, it wasn't fun. :-) Definitely going to knock that corner off of there.
Came here to make this comment! Maybe after rounding some sort of padding? Don't know the exact dimensions but if you were trying to do something with the jackery while in bed doesn't it put your noggin in that territory?
A simple prototype setup is definitely the way to go before committing to something nicer that needs a lot of work. BTW the lower spice rack cross bar would be the perfect place to hang a tool roll with all your cutlery. I have a vaguely similar setup with a prep table hanging from my rear barn door, and it works great.
nice start with your set-up.....I've pondered if I were single I'd have a Kimbo camper on my truck which this sorta reminds me of...you may want to look at their campers for ideas. After having just spent 6 straight weeks in my trailer on a long excursion I have lots of ideas for improving the space that I didn't have after my previous short two week trips...stuff not used often gets in the way while looking for the things you need and become a real pain point and so on...so yeah you're taking the right approach...take your time with the build.
Looks fantastic, and although it is temporary, it is already showing that a lot of thought went into it. Well done. Love your videos, and your sharing of this new build is much appreciated. Your slide out kitchen concept you use in your vehicles is really clever and giving me food for thought on my set up in the back of my Mahindra Thar here in South Africa. :-)
like seeing your process. you can get iron on edging for the curtains or even just iron on tape and use some of the extra material as the edging. I think your going about it the right way, slow and testing until you are sure it fits how you want to use it. Great stuff! Miccal
Finish it out? Oh my goodness, Donald (insert sarcastic ribbing head shake). Who are you kidding my friend? It will never be finished. You know it, I know it, we ALL know it, hahaha 😉 Great job so far. I really enjoy following the progress of your build and seeing the creative solutions. I wish I would have recorded mine from the start, for family and I to look back on one day.
Look at you, i really dig how You have been evolving around your new space. Great job. I really like your new setup. What really impressed me is your ingenuity and how you picked up a welder and started welding. Only one suggestion with your build of the aluminum angle brackets, you should round the edges with a file or a grinder. This will prevent you from accidentally getting hurt on the sharp points on the ends or getting something caught on them. Keep up the great work, looking forward to your next video.
You might rig the table like an NRS campsite counter (used by rafters), which uses a webbing strap to accommodate many angles (securely) on the legs. Looks great!
That chainsaw tote is awesome! I have been looking for something like that. Instead of the curtains I would suggest looking into a perforated vinyl wrap for the windows or maybe a mirror limo tint, your windows are not that big so the install would be easy and it’s always on that way. Of course cardboard is easy on the budget;)
That hadn't occurred to me...would one of those solutions provide complete privacy at night with a light on inside? It seems like something I can see out through from the inside during the day, one could also see through from the outside when it's dark outside and illuminated inside... I did just buy a piece of coroplast to cut out replacements for the cardboard for a little cleaner look. :-)
One advantage to curtains or other physical window coverings is the insulative properties...it traps a buffering layer of air between the window and curtain. On my last trip, I was astonished by the cold pockets of air that were behind the curtains, and it only got down to maybe 40° those nights. The rest of the interior was perceptibly warmer than the air which was in contact with the windows. Since I do prefer winter over summer camping, that is another factor I need to consider. :-)
Great thought process! Really thankful for your video. It's refreshing to see people be minimal and functional first. Looking forward to the progression. I have a similar cap, and i insulated and soundproofed it with some Noico products.
Excellent for inspiration. I've been camping in my lifted Forester and it's pretty good. However, I've decided to move on to a truck. Don't know whether a "4 wheel camper" will be the goal or not but this offers a nice direction at a fraction of the cost.
Granted...this is nowhere near as nice as a 4-Wheel Camper...no matter how well you build it out inside, with no pop-top it will always be a stooping or crawling scenario. I'm happy with this though as a replacement for my tent. I could see, as I get older, that I might be inclined to move to a real camper I could actually stand up in.
FYI....for those of you that have a Mr. Buddy heater, and carry it uncovered, you are inviting faure of the heater to work properly and give you many years of use....dust and dirt will get into the ceramic holes and cause your flame to flutter and not heat up correctly.....The Mr. Buddy heaters are fantastic heat sources but it is imperative to keep them covered at all times....the best carrying case is the original box, as it does not take up a lot of extra space to store it...and combined with the "egg carton" packing spacers make a sturdy carry all and protector.
Exactly. I hope he doesn’t force himself into building something just for the sake of keeping up with UA-cam. He keeps almost apologizing for that. I’ll take function over form anyway. And I’m seeing plenty of function already. Although I would insulate that canopy.
Oh I'm already not happy with this for several reasons. :-) Sure, it's functional enough to allow me to get out on some treks over the coming months, but it's lacking in many ways. I really needed the sleeping platform in there first to help me visualize how everything else would work, but now that I've used it, I've discovered several things I should have built in BEFORE I built the platform, which I cannot do now because then the sleeping platform itself would have to get changed...etc. There is a TON of wasted space currently and I'm already annoyed with needing to shift multiple totes around to get at something in one of the more recessed totes. :-) No, I really needed a temporary build in order for me to be able to fully design a setup I will be happy with and then build that out in the right order. The other big piece of that is that I want the final, long-term solution to be in modular pieces I can (reasonably) easily remove to regain the full cargo space for other around-town truck duties. I was unable to address that need in this first hasty setup, as it is very thoroughly bolted to the truck. :-) Finally, I have some ideas for eliminating the diagonal bed approach, which would make this whole thing SO much better, but that's going to be far more involved than I could dive into right away and still get back out into the backcountry. And I want to see, after using the diagonal sleeping setup for several trips, if I'm still motivated enough to pursue eliminating it or if I find that I'm happy with it as-is. :-)
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT- I HAVE A DECKED SYSTEM IN MY 5 FOOT BED TACOMA. ITS BEEN WORKING PRETTY GOOD. YOU CAN CONVERT ONE OF THE DRAWERS TO A SLIDE OUT COOK STATION. YOUR STOVE (ALTHOUGH IS GOOD) YOU MIGHT CONSIDER A SINGLE BURNER BUTANE/PROPANE STOVE. THAT WAY- YOU DON’T NEED A LARGER PROPANE BOTTLE ESPECIALLY SINCE YOU USE A BUDDY HEATER. REFILLABLE PROPANE BOTTLES ARE A GREAT ALTERNATIVE.BECAUSE YOU TRAVEL IN AREAS WITH WATER- CONSIDER THE 5-GALLON FILTERED WATER SYSTEMS LIKE AQUA CUBE OR SIMILAR. THEY COST ABOUT $300 BUT THE CONVENIENCE IS TREMENDOUS.
You should have the Cut up plastic pantry be on a shelf that rolls out but with legs that can swing down and sit on the bumper mounted table so easy access and a higher workspace
Everything is looking great! 1) I love the set up you have now. 2) Your repurposing game is on point! I wonder if bolts or screws through the flat strap you you mounted for utensils....several screws to keep utensils standing up? Seems like insulation will be a fall/winter consideration...it’s nice that the structure beams are exposed...makes it nice to install foam board insulation and then cover..like Primitive Outdoors! Overall, rig is looking awesome!!
LOL, when you were showing the table I was wondering if you could close the door. I guess I got my answer. I like that you are showing this is where I am at. This is what I like and what I don't like and this is the direction I am going. Looking forward to seeing more of your changes.
Compromises...this thing doesn't stand a chance of going some of the places you can go in your Wrangler. But compared to the Forester, I have to admit, it feels amazingly luxuriously spacious, even with the dinky 5' bed. :-)
You may want to check... On my Gladiator the shell is attached using the bed utility tracks with a special clamp. I'm sure there is similar clamp that uses the rail system on your rig.
For the kitchen utensils in the door can you use a piece of aluminum angle? Attach the vertical leg to the aluminum strap already there and have the horizontal leg go into the void where the utensils are now. You could drill or cut holes in the horizontal leg to accommodate the handles of the utensils you want to store there.
Great run-through Donald. I can relate...been through it with the golf/rabbit build and now playing the same game with the Pajero/Montero. It's trial and error until it's comfortable 😆👍🏻 Enjoying the journey with you😉
Indeed; alas I don't have one. I cut my new foam just today and used a serrated bread knife as I've done with foam in the past. I'd have rather had an electric carving knife, but it worked out fine and I now have my new mattress in place. :-)
Put magnets behind your utensils and add a tiny magnet strip to the aluminum. You could gorilla glue the metal stripp or something like that. Just a thought. IKEA has great magnetic strip appliances. I’m sure gorilla glue would withstand the heat and not melt
Make your cook table on the outside of the door so that it folds down from the back of the door You can make it so that you can move the door to any position open or closed
20:55 I love his ingenuity with making a chain saw case !!!
They say that necessity is the mother of invention and that proves correct with many of the ideas this guy came up with.
this is my favorite way to engineer; make it work with what you have and continually improve. great job!
Often simplicity is better than overbuilt.
I think your going about things the right way. I have been in the van for over a year and I am just now to a point where I am ready to put a more permanent build in, which will not look at all like my original ideas. It takes time with a new setup for sure.
Jason
Thanks Jason. Having seen you change your build around a few times actually really helped me realize I didn't need to nail it out of the gate, so I feel more free to experiment a bit before devoting money and time to a final build.
YAAS! Softroading the West is my favorite part of my weekend!
I really enjoy getting into your thought process and hearing all that goes into your iterations. Great stuff!
Great presentation Donald! I’m amazed at how well this canopy is working so far! You’ve really nailed it. Sure there are improvements that can be made to the execution of your ideas but it really has turned out functional and aesthetically pleasing. It just looks good on the truck! Great job! Oh and thank you for going camping and sharing it with us! It’s one of the things that keeps me going!
Thanks Dan! I'm pretty happy with how it's working out. I still see lots of room for improvement but it would probably get boring if it were perfect out of the gate!
Sometimes simple is best! I think people get caught up with all these elaborate designs that probably aren't necessary
20:38 PRO-TIP... Use vegetable/canola oil instead of bar oil. It's environmentally friendly and is easier to clean up if it spills.
The best thing is to pour it back in the container when you're done using the chainsaw so there's not much left to leak out.
Good video 👍
There are some very nice well built hammock set ups for your 2inch tow receiver .
I like that you're not slamming in a game plan. Finding out what works best for your vehicle and your situation takes time. Building mock-ups first will keep you from investing a lot of effort and time into something that you later find a better solution to. With this kind of thing I like to take baby steps.
Great video as always.
That chainsaw box is awesome. I enjoyed your reasoning and explanation of your setup.
Now let’s see if it will ever be really needed. Doubt it.
@@milesb4231 He's used it before, for firewood if nothing else. It's a good thing to have on a back woods trail, I won't go out without a decent saw either. Have had to cut more than one downed tree out of the road.
@@milesb4231 The chain saw? LOL. I don't leave home without it. Not only does it get used on almost every trip for firewood collection, but downed trees blocking the trail are extreeeeemely common in the PNW, especially in winter/spring trips. This is one of the most useful additions I've ever made to my kit. :-)
I made a camper out of a 37 ft bus. It gave me great joy to convert ideas into parts of the build. Seeing my own ideas to fruition was so satisfying. What makes you happy is what counts. Also, you can think, I can't believe I did this. I think the truck is a bit better than the Subaru, for what you do. Kudos!
That table is genius. Love what you are doing so far. And agree, just get out there and develop ideas.
Watching your setup, I noticed and thought to myself...he can close that door with the table and stove out... so cool!
I like the height of the shell. Living where I do, though, I've learned that if you don't want to keep something, go ahead and leave it unattended; someone will relieve you of it. Other than that, I like your outdoor kitchen.
Leave the stove table as it is. Great idea. I’d add another leg in case you want to use the car you can drop the other leg and drive off. I’d make it out of aluminium though. Weight is everything.
The clothes bins idea is genius! That blew my mind.
Donald, I think going with the contractor cap was a BRILLIANT idea. Can't wait to see the progress.
David from Cruising the Cut was right you do a good job telling a story. 4 inch PVC pipe hold .65 gallons per foot when I was building out my Ranger years ago I ran a U shaped 4" PVC pipe under the top rail of the pickup bed on side was slightly lower to allow gravity drainage so I could always get water out . I put a on the top and bottom valve on the 4" cap and a Schrader valve to fill with air. I used a hose to wash up, do dishes and for cooking and drinking. I used my 12 air compressor to keep it charged. It wasn't a expensive system and if I needed to I could still get water out by opening the valves and let gravity do its job. You need 2, 90 degree elbows, 2 caps and 4" PVC pipe however much you need to go around the inside of your bed. You a couple of valves. One for filling and draining mounted at the low point the other for bleeding air off. I made a air chuck that allowed me to pressurize the system.
Nice! I am thinking of doing something along those lines for the "final" interior build. Glad to hear your system worked for you!
This build is really coming along well! I like your approach of build-test-modify for each item.
Using your space wisely Donald. Knowing you will keep improving as you go, like in the Forester. I agree with rounding corners off in areas where you can bump your head like someone else recommended. Nice video and updates.
I love seeing the Frontier build-out! I have a SV LWB and drive it off-road daily (for work). You're giving me some awesome ideas for a camper build.
Looking good. Shake out runs/outings to slowly test prototypes is a great plan. If you have a sewing machine for the curtains, then maybe a loop top and bottom you can slide a stiff rod into would take the sag out. You could also sew Velcro or tie straps and roll up the curtains easier with the thin rod in the bottom. Looking forward to see what works and how it changes over time. Thanks for sharing the build.
No sewing machine or sewing skills, thus my grommet solution was born. :-) I'd like something tidier eventually for sure.
Subaru owner here, loved the forester vids but man these are A1 with the truck. I love the ideas you have and honestly makes me want a truck now haha.
Don't forget while your still figuring out how your canopy build will go you can mount light weight items with self adhesive velcro strips. It's simple to use and removable when and if a more permanent solution presents itself. It was just a thought because I think velcro could be very useful to your build in the right circumstances. Keep the videos coming.
I see the merits of getting a shell built over a purpose built one. Probably hella cheaper. Thanks so showing us your set up
Definitely cheaper, but will still run a few grand. My 8 ft ARE cost $3000
I love your thought process! I also appreciate the fact that you are very budget conscience . . . It seems that most Overlanding UA-camrs just jump into an expensive build like money grows on trees. Keep up the awesome videos! It's also very evident that you are excited/proud of the new truck. Congratulations for finding the silver lining of the Forrester being totaled.
Thanks! Silver lining indeed...I am truly enjoying the truck and finding ways to make it work for me. :-)
By THINKING you can figure anything out! Trial& error improves the design. Good job.
What a lovely find this video is, and I'm happy to subscribe.
A very interesting presenter with practical and neat ideas for making a high quality, lightweight, ergonomic and compact Travel Cabin!
The aluminium cabin is beautiful, and those top hinged windoors are simply outstanding, giving the most practicality, especially if it's raining.
Your aluminium fabricated shelves and retainers are just perfect, and as you said they look factory installed.
Your table/support and kitchen set up is an exquisite, ergonomic delight, and your discovery that it can remain in place with the rear doors closed is the icing on that cake.
It takes real ingenuity to outfit a tiny living space, and you've created what I consider to be a masterpiece of an airy, lightweight and compact Travel Cabin that's a joy to live in and out of.
I find it elegantly simple and simply elegant!
I don’t mean this to be negative, but I think the Forester days coming to an end will greatly benefit you - just for the simple fact I see so much potential in this new set up you have.
That doesn't sound negative to me...sound pretty silver-lining / lemons-to-lemonade. A positive outlook towards unfortunate events feels like a positive. And I agree fully with your sentiment. The Forester wreck was a massive headache (and neck-ache, ha!), but I am already happier with the replacement. I can't complain. :-)
"See what ideas develop " words to live by.
Heh, I just left a comment on last month’s video suggesting a rack where it turns out you already put your clothes bins. :). Instant gratification for me that I just needed to click thru to this update. 😎
If you can turn one rear door into kitchen supply storage, the opposite door can be your bathroom “medicine cabinet”.
I love how well your table and tarp are working out for you. Looks like you’ll iterate your way to more comfort pretty soon! I love updates like this that go over prototype testing.
Love this setup . Functional and looks great
Good video. Great storage and organization ideas. Thanks for showing this to us. Now I want a contractor's cap.
You just BLEW MY MIND with that chainsaw tote! Thanks!
2003, we converted a 1997 Ford CF8000 commercial truck to our concept of an ExpeditionVehicle.
Within a week -- while selling everything -- we hit the road.
Our rig is constantly evolving.
One point I counsel new builders -- it doesn't have to be perfect the first time.
Are you guys still in town? I've just been buried for the past several weeks. If you're still around this month I've got a little more breathing room... :-)
@@softroadingthewest
Please, swing by for a tour!
Contact us on the secret channel for a mutual time...
Cool, sounds good!
Excellent build. I'm looking forward to seeing how it evolves as you use the space.
You keep saying temporary, but I think it’s excellent the way it is. You did a great job.
Looks good. Ant wait to see what changes you make as you get more time with the shell.
🙂 need a nerf hoop in the corner. When you wake up you can take a couple shots. Ha! Love how much you are using the welding. That’s how I found your channel welding 101👍 Nissan is looking good.
Well done Donald! Your fabrication skills are progressing greatly. I too like the repurposing of materials. I have learned, many times, design is dictated by available materials. Looking forward to see how this build progresses.
Awesome! With the cooking tools, it seems like you could make a "tool roll" out of fabric with vertical pockets... then it could be rolled up and relatively kept dust free when rolled up. Also, you would still have to area behind it (where the tools are now) for other storage. Alternatively you could hang the tools on the opposite door.
Your prototyping is going well! You’ll figure out a place for the hot tub in no time!
Thanks for the chain saw box example.
You've done a great job with your build and I love the clothes bins...unique. It seems like you picked the perfect overland vehicle, Don!
Love the easy functionality. Very creative so far. Thanks for sharing.
Looking good, I’m getting some great ideas. One comment, if not already mentioned, on your alum brackets, try radius or taking the sharp corners off, it can be very sharp and hurt when you bump it!
Richard, you beat me to it! That lower corner of the upper clothing shelf is just waiting to open up someone's scalp or worse. Please radius the corner & slice some clear tubing and slide it over the edge with glue to hold it.
I currently have an 04 Toyota Tundra extra cab with a 6' bed. I purchased a fiberglass SnugTop shell back in 2004 and have been using it now for 17 years. Bottom line, it is getting beat up. My truck is still going strong. 150K miles. Everything is serviced and in excellent condition. My mechanic told me its unfeasible to trade in/replace it. But it is in need of a new shell/camping platform. I like watching your approach. One option I've been researching is the Alu Cab. Truck has been paid for... options.....
All of your temporary fixes/Solutions are pretty nice. The final versions are going to be great.
I enjoyed this video.
My last couple of trucks I had, were always topped with a fiberglass topper, but this time I will either build one or get a contractors topper such as yours!
Great job on the chainsaw case.
This is a great video! I'll admit I'm a Jeep guy and everything is available to buy for them if you have enough $$, but I really like seeing your ideas and how you have figured things out. I love DIY! I have a sleeping platform for my jku that I've revised this year from my original design because as you said, we learn as we go. Anyway, I'm a fellow Oregonian and maybe I'll see you on the trail!
Very nice set up you have there can't wait to see what you do with it in the future thanks for the video
Looks great so far Donald. I know you said a lot of that is temporary but on your angles of aluminum you need to round the corners off. If you set up in bed and hit your head on that corner I think I could hear you swear all the way back here in Indiana. IOI it’s looking great buddy can’t wait to see what you do next.
Yep, that is the other nice thing about Aluminum stock...a bench grinder or even a belt sander can round those sharp corners edges very quickly.
Haha, in normal use, the layout of the bed/floor effectively keeps my my head from coming anywhere near the overhead bins, although I was in there working on some other details just yesterday and managed to put my head right into that corner. You are correct, it wasn't fun. :-) Definitely going to knock that corner off of there.
Came here to make this comment! Maybe after rounding some sort of padding? Don't know the exact dimensions but if you were trying to do something with the jackery while in bed doesn't it put your noggin in that territory?
This is great. I have considered this type of setup. But the extra tall shell really ups the game.
A simple prototype setup is definitely the way to go before committing to something nicer that needs a lot of work. BTW the lower spice rack cross bar would be the perfect place to hang a tool roll with all your cutlery. I have a vaguely similar setup with a prep table hanging from my rear barn door, and it works great.
I like the side curtains. All n all nice setup 👍
Thanks! The curtains leave a little to be desired, heh. Perhaps one day I'll learn to sew. :-)
I like it. Simple. Yet functional.and you didnt spend a lot of money. Awesome
Thank you for showing the camper it is very helpful
nice start with your set-up.....I've pondered if I were single I'd have a Kimbo camper on my truck which this sorta reminds me of...you may want to look at their campers for ideas.
After having just spent 6 straight weeks in my trailer on a long excursion I have lots of ideas for improving the space that I didn't have after my previous short two week trips...stuff not used often gets in the way while looking for the things you need and become a real pain point and so on...so yeah you're taking the right approach...take your time with the build.
Looks fantastic, and although it is temporary, it is already showing that a lot of thought went into it. Well done. Love your videos, and your sharing of this new build is much appreciated. Your slide out kitchen concept you use in your vehicles is really clever and giving me food for thought on my set up in the back of my Mahindra Thar here in South Africa. :-)
Looks like you got a lot of good ideas going for the canopy. I’m sure you’ll get the drawer thing figured out. 👍
like seeing your process. you can get iron on edging for the curtains or even just iron on tape and use some of the extra material as the edging.
I think your going about it the right way, slow and testing until you are sure it fits how you want to use it. Great stuff!
Miccal
Yeah, awesome vid! Like your organization. Can't wait to see how you eventually set up your kitchen.
It's looking good little by little you'll tweak it to make it work just the way you want it to
Finish it out? Oh my goodness, Donald (insert sarcastic ribbing head shake). Who are you kidding my friend? It will never be finished. You know it, I know it, we ALL know it, hahaha 😉
Great job so far. I really enjoy following the progress of your build and seeing the creative solutions. I wish I would have recorded mine from the start, for family and I to look back on one day.
Hahaha, you are not wrong. :-)
Look at you, i really dig how You have been evolving around your new space. Great job. I really like your new setup. What really impressed me is your ingenuity and how you picked up a welder and started welding. Only one suggestion with your build of the aluminum angle brackets, you should round the edges with a file or a grinder. This will prevent you from accidentally getting hurt on the sharp points on the ends or getting something caught on them. Keep up the great work, looking forward to your next video.
Love it Donald..That rear passenger side door is begging for a simple drop down table..
Oh yes! I felt like there was the potential for *something* on that door but no visions were coming to me. I like the table idea!
Too many great tips/hacks in this video
🤩👍. Love the curtains.
And I'm ordering those chairs, Yeah!
Cheers 🍻, G.
Happy Father's day ✌
You might rig the table like an NRS campsite counter (used by rafters), which uses a webbing strap to accommodate many angles (securely) on the legs. Looks great!
That chainsaw tote is awesome! I have been looking for something like that. Instead of the curtains I would suggest looking into a perforated vinyl wrap for the windows or maybe a mirror limo tint, your windows are not that big so the install would be easy and it’s always on that way. Of course cardboard is easy on the budget;)
That hadn't occurred to me...would one of those solutions provide complete privacy at night with a light on inside? It seems like something I can see out through from the inside during the day, one could also see through from the outside when it's dark outside and illuminated inside...
I did just buy a piece of coroplast to cut out replacements for the cardboard for a little cleaner look. :-)
@@softroadingthewest the mirror tint would probably work at night the perforated would not from my experience with it on my old van.
@@dvonehrlich A mirror tint was the first thing that came to my mind after watching those curtains.
It's a permanent solution and it'll look clean👍
One advantage to curtains or other physical window coverings is the insulative properties...it traps a buffering layer of air between the window and curtain. On my last trip, I was astonished by the cold pockets of air that were behind the curtains, and it only got down to maybe 40° those nights. The rest of the interior was perceptibly warmer than the air which was in contact with the windows. Since I do prefer winter over summer camping, that is another factor I need to consider. :-)
Great thought process! Really thankful for your video. It's refreshing to see people be minimal and functional first. Looking forward to the progression. I have a similar cap, and i insulated and soundproofed it with some Noico products.
Excellent for inspiration. I've been camping in my lifted Forester and it's pretty good. However, I've decided to move on to a truck. Don't know whether a "4 wheel camper" will be the goal or not but this offers a nice direction at a fraction of the cost.
Granted...this is nowhere near as nice as a 4-Wheel Camper...no matter how well you build it out inside, with no pop-top it will always be a stooping or crawling scenario. I'm happy with this though as a replacement for my tent. I could see, as I get older, that I might be inclined to move to a real camper I could actually stand up in.
FYI....for those of you that have a Mr. Buddy heater, and carry it uncovered, you are inviting faure of the heater to work properly and give you many years of use....dust and dirt will get into the ceramic holes and cause your flame to flutter and not heat up correctly.....The Mr. Buddy heaters are fantastic heat sources but it is imperative to keep them covered at all times....the best carrying case is the original box, as it does not take up a lot of extra space to store it...and combined with the "egg carton" packing spacers make a sturdy carry all and protector.
Love the clothes bins.
Sweet setup man! The truck and camper is what brought me to your channel, excited to see how it evolves.
Liking this setup and would love to see an updated video on it. I as well am using a contractor cap for my build.
Updated video is here:
ua-cam.com/video/otneHvp6aNY/v-deo.html
WHY BUILD IT OUT? THE INTERIM SOLUTION IS WORKING VERY WELL.
Exactly. I hope he doesn’t force himself into building something just for the sake of keeping up with UA-cam. He keeps almost apologizing for that. I’ll take function over form anyway. And I’m seeing plenty of function already. Although I would insulate that canopy.
sometimes building stuff out is more fun then using it!
Oh I'm already not happy with this for several reasons. :-) Sure, it's functional enough to allow me to get out on some treks over the coming months, but it's lacking in many ways. I really needed the sleeping platform in there first to help me visualize how everything else would work, but now that I've used it, I've discovered several things I should have built in BEFORE I built the platform, which I cannot do now because then the sleeping platform itself would have to get changed...etc. There is a TON of wasted space currently and I'm already annoyed with needing to shift multiple totes around to get at something in one of the more recessed totes. :-) No, I really needed a temporary build in order for me to be able to fully design a setup I will be happy with and then build that out in the right order.
The other big piece of that is that I want the final, long-term solution to be in modular pieces I can (reasonably) easily remove to regain the full cargo space for other around-town truck duties. I was unable to address that need in this first hasty setup, as it is very thoroughly bolted to the truck. :-)
Finally, I have some ideas for eliminating the diagonal bed approach, which would make this whole thing SO much better, but that's going to be far more involved than I could dive into right away and still get back out into the backcountry. And I want to see, after using the diagonal sleeping setup for several trips, if I'm still motivated enough to pursue eliminating it or if I find that I'm happy with it as-is. :-)
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT- I HAVE A DECKED SYSTEM IN MY 5 FOOT BED TACOMA. ITS BEEN WORKING PRETTY GOOD. YOU CAN CONVERT ONE OF THE DRAWERS TO A SLIDE OUT COOK STATION. YOUR STOVE (ALTHOUGH IS GOOD) YOU MIGHT CONSIDER A SINGLE BURNER BUTANE/PROPANE STOVE. THAT WAY- YOU DON’T NEED A LARGER PROPANE BOTTLE ESPECIALLY SINCE YOU USE A BUDDY HEATER. REFILLABLE PROPANE BOTTLES ARE A GREAT ALTERNATIVE.BECAUSE YOU TRAVEL IN AREAS WITH WATER- CONSIDER THE 5-GALLON FILTERED WATER SYSTEMS LIKE AQUA CUBE OR SIMILAR. THEY COST ABOUT $300 BUT THE CONVENIENCE IS TREMENDOUS.
@@softroadingthewest Eliminating that diagonal bed setup would be clean and good looking!
You should have the Cut up plastic pantry be on a shelf that rolls out but with legs that can swing down and sit on the bumper mounted table so easy access and a higher workspace
Everything is looking great! 1) I love the set up you have now. 2) Your repurposing game is on point! I wonder if bolts or screws through the flat strap you you mounted for utensils....several screws to keep utensils standing up? Seems like insulation will be a fall/winter consideration...it’s nice that the structure beams are exposed...makes it nice to install foam board insulation and then cover..like Primitive Outdoors! Overall, rig is looking awesome!!
LOL, when you were showing the table I was wondering if you could close the door. I guess I got my answer. I like that you are showing this is where I am at. This is what I like and what I don't like and this is the direction I am going. Looking forward to seeing more of your changes.
Dude, I love you bro and this is why I'm telling you to stock a First-Aid kit and a fire extinguisher. Be safe brother, be safe.
All good, both are in my truck. :-)
Well done. I am very impressed with your build so far.
Got a solar panel for our Jackery! Prime deal $50 off is nothing to sneeze at! Thanks Donald. Your subs from Lowell
This setup is getting better and better. I’m super impressed with how much stuff you can for in the back of that truck. I need a truck!
Compromises...this thing doesn't stand a chance of going some of the places you can go in your Wrangler. But compared to the Forester, I have to admit, it feels amazingly luxuriously spacious, even with the dinky 5' bed. :-)
You may want to check... On my Gladiator the shell is attached using the bed utility tracks with a special clamp. I'm sure there is similar clamp that uses the rail system on your rig.
For the kitchen utensils in the door can you use a piece of aluminum angle? Attach the vertical leg to the aluminum strap already there and have the horizontal leg go into the void where the utensils are now. You could drill or cut holes in the horizontal leg to accommodate the handles of the utensils you want to store there.
Great run-through Donald. I can relate...been through it with the golf/rabbit build and now playing the same game with the Pajero/Montero. It's trial and error until it's comfortable 😆👍🏻
Enjoying the journey with you😉
Loving the build so far
For trimming foam, one of the best tools you can use is an electric carving knife.
Indeed; alas I don't have one. I cut my new foam just today and used a serrated bread knife as I've done with foam in the past. I'd have rather had an electric carving knife, but it worked out fine and I now have my new mattress in place. :-)
I got my electric carving knife for projects at a Goodwill for a couple of bucks. Worth every penny.
Looks like it will work great for you. I would round the overhead alum corner and wrap it with pipe insulation and zip ties to protect yourself.
Corner has since been rounded off. Still managed to conk myself pretty good while camping last week, LOL. Padding may indeed be in order. :-)
Great ideas! Awesome presentation ! Thank you.
Cool! Can't wait to see it when you get it the way you want
You could insulate and panel the cap for added comfort
Put magnets behind your utensils and add a tiny magnet strip to the aluminum. You could gorilla glue the metal stripp or something like that. Just a thought. IKEA has great magnetic strip appliances. I’m sure gorilla glue would withstand the heat and not melt
Use a silverware holder from a dishwasher for utensils you can attach it using self tapping screws with a washer right to that door.
This is awesome, thanks for sharing!
Make your cook table on the outside of the door so that it folds down from the back of the door
You can make it so that you can move the door to any position open or closed
It’s coming along nicely.
Thanks Stacy!