Blank Slate 4WD Toyota Diesel Van

I like your build so far it looks like a fun project so far.

For your end shelving I would consider metal wire shelving units. You can install hinges on them so it will easily lift up plus you can secure items under the shelves too. They are very strong and pretty light too and do not need any bracing in to the floor in the middle. Plus it only takes a few minutes to lift them out. This photo is with the last section folded over for easy access.

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Charles M said:
I like your build so far it looks like a fun project so far.

For your end shelving I would consider metal wire shelving units. You can install hinges on them so it will easily lift up plus you can secure items under the shelves too. They are very strong and pretty light too and do not need any bracing in to the floor in the middle. Plus it only takes a few minutes to lift them out. This photo is with the last section folded over for easy access.

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Thanks Charles! Really enjoying the build process and the creativity aspect.

That’s a fantastic idea! My plan at the moment is a solid wide drawer. A man RV company (Mor/ryde) makes one that I have been eyeing. The idea is to build a pull out kitchen on it space for a Dometic fridge.
 
I had thought about a slide out kitchen but, opted to build one outside so I can close the rear hatch and keep the cooking smells out of the sleeping area.
 
Yes the cooking smells had crossed my mind but the tray slides out nearly 3 feet and with enough ventilation the smells should be fine.
 
Charles M said:
I had thought about a slide out kitchen but, opted to build one outside so I can close the rear hatch and keep the cooking smells out of the sleeping area.
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On a side note are you running any Renogy products? Solar etc? I thought I had seen a setup in your Tahoe build thread and wondering if you could comment on your opinion of the products.
 
BCADV4WD said:
On a side note are you running any Renogy products? Solar etc? I thought I had seen a setup in your Tahoe build thread and wondering if you could comment on your opinion of the products.
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I don't have a very heavy electrical load in my rig my fridge can run for two or three days with no problem and we seldom plug anything else in unless underway maybe a light getting ready for bed. The fridge also has a battery minder to let me know if voltage gets to low and goes into a limp mode first then shuts down if voltage gets to low.

I do have three 45 watt solar panels I have never used and most likely never will. They are too big and I have no place to mount them it is very low on my priority list for now.

For my power I have two of the largest batteries I could fit in the stock battery trays and they are hooked together full time. Installed as a parallel distributes the amount of discharge equally to both batteries. If I was going to sit in one place for more than a few days I would simply disconnect one to keep it charged enough to start the rig. I may get a small roll up panel big enough to charge a battery in the remote case of them getting to low to start the truck. Or I may just buy a mini battery jumper. I do have a few 2 KW Hondas generators if I think I will run a lot of power on a trip.

If I was going to sit in one place for more than a few days without starting the rig I might consider something but, even then if you just start the motor for 20 or 30 minutes it will charge batteries up pretty fast.

Figure out how much power you need and for how long then add a 50% buffer and determine what you need. You have plenty of room for a secondary battery for a solar unit if you choose to go that route. Do not use a lead acid battery inside they are safer when vented outside so you wont have a gas build up inside. Most solar units are using other types of batteries.
 
Charles M said:
I don't have a very heavy electrical load in my rig my fridge can run for two or three days with no problem and we seldom plug anything else in unless underway maybe a light getting ready for bed. The fridge also has a battery minder to let me know if voltage gets to low and goes into a limp mode first then shuts down if voltage gets to low.

I do have three 45 watt solar panels I have never used and most likely never will. They are too big and I have no place to mount them it is very low on my priority list for now.

For my power I have two of the largest batteries I could fit in the stock battery trays and they are hooked together full time. Installed as a parallel distributes the amount of discharge equally to both batteries. If I was going to sit in one place for more than a few days I would simply disconnect one to keep it charged enough to start the rig. I may get a small roll up panel big enough to charge a battery in the remote case of them getting to low to start the truck. Or I may just buy a mini battery jumper. I do have a few 2 KW Hondas generators if I think I will run a lot of power on a trip.

If I was going to sit in one place for more than a few days without starting the rig I might consider something but, even then if you just start the motor for 20 or 30 minutes it will charge batteries up pretty fast.

Figure out how much power you need and for how long then add a 50% buffer and determine what you need. You have plenty of room for a secondary battery for a solar unit if you choose to go that route. Do not use a lead acid battery inside they are safer when vented outside so you wont have a gas build up inside. Most solar units are using other types of batteries.
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Good suggestions! Appreciate it! The van really is just a weekender and won't be lived out of full time so I want something light but that is able to run my fan, LED lights, fridge, etc. I also would like to keep it as compact as possible. I figured I would pick up the Renogy DC-DC charger with MPPT with the option of going solar one day. Like you id look for a panel that can roll up and then charge my secondary battery if needed.

Realistically I will be driving to the trail head to bike so the alternator will do majority of the charging. Unlikely that the van will just sit.

For the secondary battery I have chosen an Energizer 100Ah AGM deep cycle battery. I like the idea of lithium but its too pricy for what I need.

I may one day attach an inverter but not right away.
 
First off I hope all your overland folk are keeping healthy and keeping up with your social distancing. Here is how I have been keeping busy with my isolation on the home front.

Nothing like a little birch flooring. Too bad its all going to get covered. Until then its nice to look at!

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This has been a moment I have been dreading from the moment I decided on installing a maxxair fan. After the first drill hole it gets easier!

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Enjoy the down time folks and keep healthy. As a frontline healthcare member in Emergency I cannot stress enough to keep up with social distancing until this Covid19 is under wraps!
 
I really love this van you got. It looks like a great platform for a really cool build. Being a 4WD it should get you anywhere you want to go as long as its not rock crawling.
Does it have a 2 speed transfer case or just single speed? If it is a single speed, you might think about some kind of selectable locker to assist if you plan to go off road much.
Anyway, I will keep an eye on this great build.
 
oldmopars said:
I really love this van you got. It looks like a great platform for a really cool build. Being a 4WD it should get you anywhere you want to go as long as its not rock crawling.
Does it have a 2 speed transfer case or just single speed? If it is a single speed, you might think about some kind of selectable locker to assist if you plan to go off road much.
Anyway, I will keep an eye on this great build.
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Thanks Scott! Its been a pretty fun project and with all the forced self isolation its given me tons of time to stay home and get it built out. Hopefully in time for the nice weather.

It has a single speed transfer case however it is super low in 1st gear. Pretty well crawl low. It is just as easy to start out in 2nd gear from a stop light than 1st as the 1st gear is so short.

Thanks for following the build!
 
Progress is slow.... actually wiring is slow haha. Up to this point I have ran all my wiring for my LED pot lights (2 in the rear hatch for the kitchen, and 4 in the main overhead with 1 below for the gear area. Fan has been installed. Today I finished the fab job on my magnetic panels, wrapped in Denier fabric. Trying not to get ahead of my self.

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Finally getting closer...

Interior is nearly complete. Still need to get the slider tray ordered and installed. The bed height is temporary at the moment and will be raised to accommodate a Dometic cooler height. The new bed height will allow access to the right hand side wheel well storage compartment.

Big ticket items to be purchased are the pull out cargo tray, 2 person seat, and roof rack.

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