This really took me back! In 1987, I bought a brand-new 4-Runner that came STOCK WITHOUT THE BACK SEATS! It was a factory-made, carpeted deck from the tailgate to the back of the front seats. I built a narrow, elevated bed that had a 10-inch cavity underneath which I used to store my suitcase and other stuff when traveling. Sadly, I had to sell it a couple of years later. I have often looked, unsuccessfully, to see if Toyota still produced them with no back seats. Thanks for your great video!
T Mason, from Wikipedia: "During 1984 to 1986 many 4Runners were imported to the US without rear seats. With only two seats the vehicle could be classified as a truck (rather than a sport vehicle) and could skirt the higher customs duties placed upon sport and pleasure vehicles. Most had aftermarket seats and seat belts added by North American dealers after they were imported."
Really looking forward to the rest of this build out. I also don't like how those bed platforms are too high. The shelving on the side makes good use of the space. Looks like an Ikea build. Good job Steve!! :)
Hello Steve, i've looked at dozens of overland vehicle builds specially suv's... i have to say the approach you've take with your 4runner makes a Lot of sense. have to say sleeping at floor level and having more head room is what ai find the Most appealing. Who needs less head room? Not me. Well done! Thank you for sharing, Frank
Great to see my favorite RU-vidr back at it. I was thinking yesterday that it’s been a while since you had a video so nice surprise to wrap up the weekend. Good to see you again.
Xplorer Steve DIY true but once I stumbled onto your channel (via a harbor freight search lol) I was intrigued by the camper van and started from the beginning so for a while it felt like you were posting everyday. Always good to see what you’re working on next. 👍🏼
I think that the Reflectix will work good on top of my Tundra's bed liner which has 1/2 inch deep grooves the whole length for airflow. I'm getting some great ideas from your videos.
I liked the idea.... right up until you covered the fuel pump access. That may hurt you in time and frustration in the future. Hinge type to be able to access it would have been another alternative. I know most people drop the fuel tank, I modified mine to where I can literally pull the pump and Sending unit out from under the seat.
Good video. And thank you for wearing socks. Just an FYI....I think that there are LAWS meant to enforce against smugglers, especially the drug running mules, which prohibits secret compartments being installed into vehicles. And you seem to have made a few of these. I've read this from Van Dwelling forums, so these are people who lives 24/7 and for 10+ years in a van, all over the country. His channel on YT is Cheap RV Living or something like that and his name is Bob.
This build is awesome. I am doing my own rendition of this. Did you actually screw the frame down to the 4runner with self tapping screws? I’m trying to do the same build without drilling any holes. But if I have to, I will. If you did, did you use silicone to cost the screws and holes afterwards?
I floated mine other than screws to end brace with a 1x2 added and one L brace screwed to transmission hump. edit Late reply but may help a new viewer. Video was almost 2 years old when i found it.
I spent one night in the back of my 99 4Runner with a small chick, and slept horribly. Not enough leg room. But taking out the seats looks like you solved that problem. I solved the problem by dumping the chick and staying in a tent like I originally wanted to do.
Juan Alto It was “too cold” for her to sleep in a tent is what she said. I learned not to argue, just send them down the road if they don’t like to do what I like to do.
Nice build! Yeah, it seems like 99.99 % of people build a platform ABOVE storage to sleep on. If you're in a hightop van, or box truck, that might be okay. But in an SUV it doesn't make sense. I first saw the low bed idea on SUV RVing, and knew that was how mine would have to be. I've got a Honda Pilot, and will likely remove the 2nd & 3rd row seats to gain as much vertical room as possible. The rooftop rack is a must, no doubt.
this is one of the very best conversion videos! One question - how did you secure the subfloor, or did I miss this? With some sort of glue? Thanks for posting
Please don't be offended but I thought that dummy was a real person when you 1st put him on the screen lol Gives a whole new meeting to the word blockhead
Welcome back, Steve. I hope your summer is off to a good start. Why the micro camper when you have the luxury on wheels, Xplorer? Are you not happy with it?
I'm scratching my head wondering your intended use for this project. I doubt you're going to replace the Dodge Explorer 12:41 with it. You'll get less heating condensation using a Platinum type heater rather than a Buddy. One request, don't take three months before the next post. Take care Steve.
I love watching you fix stuff up, your repairs, and your upgrades. I wish I had your ingenuity (and your great tool supplies and garage, lol). Also it takes a unique individual willing to do all these upgrades. Great videos, nice camper van! Your urban stealth camping and your fix-ups are my favorite videos.
Steve you do a lot of good work ... I'm look now for some kind of van not sure if full size or minivan... I might need you to help me build it ...... just kidding... (but it would be nice ) ... I live by Rainbow and Washington... but work by warm springs and Gilespie.... I thought I seen you few months ago in your Ram .... maybe it's was maybe not anyway you do great job at building things .... keep up the videos
Excellent videos! Steve! I live in Dallas TX area and I have a old Chevy Van conversion, do you take 3rd party project? I like to see how you can make this van interior look more modern and useful. Appreciate you!
You are absolutely right on the money about the bed situation. I say the same thing when I see these people build platforms. It wouldn’t work in my Jeep renegade for sure. I wouldn’t be able to get in at all if it’s high. And how much storage does one need? I wouldn’t think it would be too much. I would keep very minimal.
im wondering how much weight was added to the vehicle and what was the loss of mpg to said van after it was completed...do you have a video for this after a few months?
I would LOVE to try doing something like this. Even though I am very tall I saw another person who was close to my height(I'm 6' 9") who was able to make it work in his 5th Gen 4Runner. For me, as long as I can make a space to sleep in a pinch, I'll be happy. As far as doing a project like you have, unfortunately, I do not have any wood working tools and I am not sure I want to delicate myself to a project buying tools. I have seen people do it without building for temporary setups, which is what I would be using it for.
Google "tool library" or "maker space" + your area. You may be able to pay for a months access to the tools and the space to build what you want. A lot of times you can find people with a little know how who may be willing to help you in those spaces too.
You can take the passenger front seat out for camping. I am ‘only’ 6’5” but I plan to take the passenger front seat out of my 4 door Jeep XJ Cherokee for enough room to stretch out. I like that approach over a center bed between the seats.
Thank you for this. Thumbs up and Subscribed. I would really, really like to do this in my 2015 RAV4. I'm trying to figure out how though, as I’m an older lady on disability with no tool skills (or tools for that matter!). But this is the way I’d like to do it. So thank you for giving me hope and a template. Best wishes.
It's my first time watching any of your videos and you know what I appreciate? You've avoided simulating your enthusiasm or excitement like many RU-vidrs do. Looking forward to more project vids.
Super cool, Steve! I'll watch it later. No time now but saw this in my feed and had to "thumbs up". OK, watched on the evening of the 9th. Even more impressed with what you've done!
Why wouldn't you just stay in the Xplorer? Ok, I get it ...a nice alternative, but is the Xplorer hard to drive or was it an economical decision to take a smaller vehicle?
Hello, can any one Help me. I need Air Conditioner In my car most of the time. So what can I do? like do i have to buy a portable AC and run it on Inverter generator. or i hve to use my car AC.. Please Guide me.
I'm 6'2 so Japanese SUVs are no point for me.... thankfully my hyundai trajet van gives me like 6'5 and that's with the passenger seat all the way BACK.
