DIY Japanese Kei Mini Truck Camper Build 

Thanks for the love! Honda element gaming camper video coming soon!

for the table you should 100% skin it like your van with that iconic black/ white topography design. Would be a cool accent and a good callback to home.

I appreciate the fact you finished the whole interior in one video!!

After she's done, get her lifted on a car lift and spray the underneath of the living space with Rhino or any other type of heavy duty liner. If this is going to go the distance in all places you will need it. Maybe even a foam spray insulation.

Talk about skilled labor. These men are awesome builders.

The build turned out great honestly really excited to see the wave of new videos and content in it!

I respect you of all van lifers Ryan. Your quick cut editing would not be easy but it keeps the pace going at a solid rate and must take a while so thanks for the extra effort you put in for the viewers comfort.

Just found your Kei Truck Camper build! Everyone is doing ProMaster, Transit and Sprinter camper vans, glad to see a small build that has to limit its weight!

Oh my goodness, I was wondering what happened to the Kei Truck. Congrats, Ryan!

Your mini camper came out awesome bro. Congratulations on the new vehicle.

I’m my opinion the bench next to the sink is wasted floor space. You already have a bench/bed, so why 2 bench’s. A vertical closet in the corner would have been a better use of space there and then put a tv mount above it. Just my 2 cents.

For the swing-out table, you could go for a splash of color, a red or orange table. But that is just my opinion.

stoked for the first camp vid in this thang

I'm now an adventure motorcycle camper so I wouldn't get much use from a kei truck camper, but after watching this series and the kei camper videos from Mike Festiva and Olympic Overland, I'd love to build a drop in camper for my 4WD Hijet. I'd make it 7 feet long so there was a generous cot on one side with a small propane two burner stove in front on the other side. I'd make it from 1" rigid foam with fiberglass hand laid over the foam (aka a Foamie). I'd keep it super simple with no windows, but I'd max out the top with solar panels and might even make a pull out solar patio roof. No windows, but maybe four cameras on top looking out in all directions and a large TV inside with the ability to have a virtual window or split screen security view of all cameras at once. Most of the weight (LiFePO4 battery, inverter, water, propane) would be in the front to keep it stable. No cab over design. Just a simple low rectangular box to keep it simple.

If you still have it, the part you cut out for the sink. You could use that as a sink cover and a cutting board. Router for making a lip to lock it in place and a small hole to lift it out.

Ryan - I believe there's only one option for your table option(and might give your interior just a bit more personality) and that's a Jarrod Tocci Lagun multi colored resin table with LEDs

I broke my jaw a week ago and have been binging all of you videos. Im really enjoying all your cooking videos even though I’m on a liquid diet 😂. Got lots of ideas stacked up from when I can actually eat real food again though! Love from Buffalo NY 🤘🏻

I have to admit, I discovered this guy about a week ago and I've been watching all his videos, there's some great stuff in there! But in the nicest way possible, and I hope its interpreted that way, Ryan is like the live action version of Ned Flanders!

Here's an idea for your table.... the design on your counter as you walk into your van (I'm sorry, I can't remember the name of the place it is from) would look beautiful. You then have that element from your van in your mini build. Just something to ponder 😊 🤷‍♀️

Hi Ryan I think you should put your topographical map on your Laguna table! I love the way everything turned out and can’t wait to see your first camping trip in it! 👏🏼🤩👍

Sweet build for sure, I’d wrap the whole truck and camper in a vinyl wrap with that map you always point to in your van. Think it would look amazing.

What I like about build videos like this is the ingenuity, like having to devise how the bed is going to work and it makes you have to really think what essentials you really need to make it work.

Such a brilliant and skilled young man. His parents should be so proud.

One idea for solving 2 issues; mount a rail on the middle spacing on the ceiling and mount your table as mobile arm on that rail. You can pull it over the bed when you watch tv, or at the cooking station to see a list of ingredients etc. Even right next to the window if you are outside

It came out way better then I thought! Congrats on the almost finished build.. This is something that if you were to raffle off, I would not mind purchasing a few ticket entries to... food for thought.

Nice job! And I'm so glad you addressed the gap in the roof lining. My OCD was shifting into 8th gear lol. Safe travels, bro!

I really like the trim on the outside it makes it feel more unique and custom built

As far as a fridge, there are coolers - like regular picnic coolers, that you can pug in and they act like a fridge. But MUCH lighter and portable. Coleman makes one that I've seen.

Well Ryan I think it was probably a fun project. Impractical is the first thing that comes to mind,,,but it’s all relative. That rig might be great for a week long trip to limited locations. Small and stealthy. But if you have the money and it was fun,,,good on you bro. I hope it didn’t’ take too much of a dent into your finances. Your sweet spot, in terms of popularity, is in the travel videos you make. I can’t speak to the sweet spot for making money. You have been to a ton of places,,,fortunately, this country is VAST,,,and there are so many places few have been to, your playground is almost unlimited. I hope and look forward to more travel videos,,,find those unique spots that many of us travelers don’t find or know about. Be that inspiration that so many people need to pick up and go.

How has this not tipped over. Amazing build!

you should do a little dometic fridge/freezer up top where the storage space is/or in one of the spaces under your bed/couch! and a magnetic spice wall behind the sink like how Eamon and Bec had their spices in a jar with magnetic tops and it just stuck to the wall! I think that would really save some space and give you the last bits of what you need! also for your table, I think you should do a really cool engraved table of Japan or something!

That dark interior is so attractive, cozy, and soothing. I never realized how great dark walls were until one of my hair salons had them.

Dope finished project. Excited to see a video taking it out in the wild

Hi Ryan, I think extending the topper over the lip of the front glass would give it so much mores space, and adding a mini split ac system like on the outside would be great. Build looks really nice.

"The van is complete" .... "except for this part, oh and i gotta fix that up... yea that needs a touch also.... this will be a project for later.... might redo this part also" ... lmao love it! looks great :)

Outdoor portable shower? Yes and portable loo yes 👏🏽 overall the camper came out well🎉❤

Instantly liked the video after his celebration dance 😂

Also maybe a sliding shade for the side from the sun when you want to hang out with chairs ❤

you're right about te relay for the indicators Older cars use thermal one that use heat to make the "on/off" sequence When you put a led insted of a bulb, less power is consumed so the relay heat faster and goes of faster (i'm not really good in english ud i think you should understand haha) You can put a resistor to consume a but of power or replace the indicator relay by one that is "led friendly" thanks for you vids Geoffrey, from France

I live in Japan and I’ve drive lots of those, probably you will reach 80km/h (sorry don’t know in mph) on downhill if lucky xD. Patience my dude driving it and everything should be fine!

Hi Ryan, maybe a suggestion. Maybe a Pullout Table that can fit in your Xbox/computer while also using that table as your dining table. Maybe you install a wall cabinet for your DVD/Player set as well as your Xbox. As from your previous van video,you can mount your laptop on the wall when not in use.

You have to make a epoxy river topo design for the table. Cut the pieces like topo then epoxy it in the gaps. Would look sweet!

26:31 something about that thumbs up was really satisfying

Let's goo I was waitingggggg

Been waiting for this, lets goooo Ryan!

Looks great for a fun camper to use on short trips from your house, you have done a great job, I look forward to seeing you use it. I'm glad your keeping to your main van though. I know you said this was the final video but an update would be good to see just finishing off the snagging list you have for it. I think you will appreciate the thicker bed by the way, and can't you shave the cushion that blocks the tabletop before you upholster it? Thanks for the videos.

"Check out my finished build! Here are all the things that aren't finished" ;) Absolutely amazing though. Must be a very proud feeling to actually sit in something you dreamt up.

Have you watched some of the Japanese van life videos. They have some cool things that you don’t see in American nomad videos. Btw you have a broadcasting voice and are a great speaker, no filler words which is not easy for many people to speak or story-tell without filler words.

I'm absolutely stoked, great to see this little thing really getting into the final shape, can't wait for the ride-alongs you'll take us with it. For the gaming, I'd probably avoid going full xbox + display setup and just get the Steam Deck instead, but I'm not really an xbox guy to begin with. Great choice of music btw, greetings from over the pond.

Cedar 1/4in tongue and groove plank ceiling with those lights would look great 👍 I’m thinking live edge or butcher block table for the lagoon table

I loved the van as far esthetics, cooking and room. This seems cramped, but hey to each his own🤷‍♀️

Love this project. Excited to see it on the road.

Congratulations! You’ve made the mini Cybertruck of campers! 😋

Your good with that caulk 😉

Keeping the Van the same theme as the Main Van is cool. You could get a little collection going. If I build My own Van one day, I will definitely be taking inspiration from You.

What a dream! Enjoy!

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great video Ryan. However, I'm glad you're not getting rid off your first beautiful van. Simply because, I don't you entertaining for girlfriend, or anyone else in such small quarters. This little van is like a challenge, which you can say I did it. Although, I'm looking forward to see the final reveal.... Abrazos

Looks good. Enjoyed watching. Thanks for sharing.💕

You could flip these. You are really creative.

so cool man you’ve done a sick job

For the led quick flash.... replace the coil of wire in the relay with a longer thinner wire... and it will work as normal.

Congrats, the van look great! Excellent video.

The Led bulbs draw less wattage through the keyer relay for your blinkers. adding a resistor into the circuit will draw the propper current to blink slowly. much love..

Been wondering about this. Looking forward to watching!

I really like the little camper 🏁

Nice!!!! 👍🏻 You need a little fridge or icebox.

Woah! It's looking very nice. I haven't watch your RU-vid for 5 month. I was so busy with my classes.

For the Table, you could make it a square with a Chess Board in the top, so you can play chess or checkers without needing to store an extra game board, or maybe you could etch in "the royal game of ur" on the side too if you wanted it to be more rectangular!

I wanna see both the van and the camper out together on a trip. Dope build!

Ryan try rubbing a block of wax between the edges of your bed supports so that when you extend the bed out there will be much less friction. Suggest cargo netting for top storage. Great video content as always! 👍

For the table, you should do the same telegraph design that’s on your shirts/ hoodies and put a mini fridge/ freezer on the shelf where you’re planning on putting the cargo net ….just an idea

Can't wait to see this finished! 😁😁

Absolute beaut of a video! Thank you for the content

The old van is still the winner

Living in Japan, I have seen many, many variations of 'camping boxes' people have put into the bed of their kei trucks. Even amongst all of these, your version is of a particularly high standards. Of course, you have been able to take advantage of local regulations and have removed the truck bed in order to be able to make it both lighter and to gain more flexibility in the build. In Japan, that would require re-classification of the vehicle itself which is a complex and somewhat costly process. Hence why in Japan, the 'camping boxes' are put in the truck bed as then they are classified as 'goods' being carried avoiding any need to re-classify the vehicle. I did something similar back in the mid-1990s with my kei trailer which also falls under the same regulations. Of course, leisure vehicle manufacturers have made cab-con conversions and have gone through the process of classifying the vehicles as a leisure vehicle. Those are a totally different kettle of fish. I have subscribed so that I may see the completed camper and of course, you using it.

I liked this video as soon as I saw the truck mate. That's class enough for that already 😅

Food for thought. Where the wire goes thru the metal frame do you think it needs to be protected? Thinking, when you drive the vibrations are going to cause the romex to wear against the metal and wear away at the wire cover and cause shorts.

looking awesome. those drawer handles are going to rattle like crazy though haha. my camper cab isn't separated so i'd be hearing them jingle all the way down the road

I’d recommend using the same stain on the table, but if you want to do something different, maybe try wood burning a design or logo on it before stain.

Absolutely love your camper van. Can't wait to see your first trip ! Thanks for sharing ❤

Love it. I’ve been tossing around the idea of making a camper build on my 95 Minicab. I love the overcab extension, I might go with a more organic shape. But this is a great build.

Done a great job of covering your liscence plate apart from 6 min 56 in, when you were stepping inside. you might want to edit that 🙂Still love watching your build all the way in Scotland

We are really enjoying your channel, great adventures. We think the rest of the wood should be stained the same colour, looks great!

Very cool build, I like it a lot! Can't wait to see the first camping trip in it and also the new tires lol!

Nice job Ryan, looks great.

Looks great! Excellent progress and innovation!!

would've made the bed longer, otherwise great build!!

Couple surprises with the build. Didn’t expect the bed on the side because you initially planned the bed to be higher up and put a beam across the setup. Also, should’ve had another Jackery sponsorship for the battery setup! 😅 I’m excited to see the final touches and the fully finished build and your first trip!

yesss been waiting for a update on the truck camper!

LITERALLY 7 HOURS AGO I WAS ON UR CHANNEL WONDERING WHERE YOUVE BEEN. I THOUGHT OHH MAYBE HES GONNA POST THE TRUCK VID, AND I WAS RIGHT! can’t wait to watch this :)

I love what you said about having a project start in the mind and then be done. Good job man this is awesome

Looking forward to the first trip in it.

you should design your lagun table top to be the same width as your countertop/flip up counter top and then you could swivel it over to the wall by the flip up part to make a huuuuge table top on that side!

Looking good, Ryan! Nice to see Kyle helping you out😃

Looks good, alot of simplicity.

Awesome build! Plz do a future build with a BUS!

Just an fyi you should put corflute or risers under those flexible panels. Helps with cooling which helps them last longer and lowers chance of burn out or damage to your roof.

looks super nice

mmmm 50 min Video, that's that old school Ryan Content iv been craving.

Ryan! Sick build! I’d keep the table the same to match to be honest!