DIY Bakkie 'camper' project

[MrTolbos]

After testing our new ‘camper’ for a month in Botswana I’ve decided to share the build and ideas. I used a Toyota Hilux Single cab 2.4 SRX 4x4 as base. I installed a long range fuel tank and the following extras:

On the outside of the canopy:

1. RhinoLite canopy and three blank kitchen units:


2. We built our own kitchen compartment that holds 99% of our kitchen utensils:
(see post #30 for some changes)






Drawer1:



Drawer2:
(see post #30 for some changes)


Drawer3:


3. The small drop down table hooks onto three bolts, and supported by two extendable legs:
(see post #30 for some changes)














4. The bin also simply hooks into place by inserting the threaded rods into the holes in the canopy:




5. The electrical box and extended kitchen:
(I didn’t add an inverter because we have bought 12V chargers for all our camera and computer equipment)
(see post #26 for the updated electrical box)




6. In each door I added a LED strip that only lights up the immediate area around the bakkie, not blinding your neighbor:
(see post #26 for the new LED lights being used)




7. Recovery gear, medical aid, fire prevention and bigger tools:
(see post #30 for some changes)


8. Plugs for solar panel cable, one on each side:
(see post #30 for some changes)




9. Bottle opener:


10. Bundutop tent and bunduawn:

[MrTolbos]

On the inside of the canopy:

1. The drawer system I built from 25mm connect IT tubing, 50x50 aluminium angles and 1.4m slides: (see post #30 - how I added brakes to the slides)

Slide1: 2x fridges


Slide2: 4x crates for food


Slide3: 4x crates for spares, consumables and camera equipment


Slide4: wood or big weekend chairs can go here




2. Drop down holder for the regular table and 2x 120W semi-flexible solar panels: (see post #30 for changes to the new solar panel)


3. 2x 100Ah lead crystal batteries, air compressor and air tank: (see post #30 - cargo rails being used to fasten cargo)




4. 2x 60liter water tanks:


5. 2nd Spare wheel:


This pulley system (mounted in the roof) is used to lift the wheel up, which is surprisingly easy: (see post #30 - this system was changed)


Then the wheel is lowered onto a drawer (which is also the drawer for clothes):


6. Drawer for clothes: (see post #30 - this system was changed)




7. Quick connect air fitting for inflating tires: (there’s another quick connect air fitting on the other side of the canopy, on top of the electrical panel)


8. On demand water tap: (see post #30 - second pump and tap being used)


9. Protective flat plate on tailgate, for work area:


10. Storage space in the cavities: here we store our two regular chairs, the drop down table, collapsible wash basin, madkon braai, braai equipment, big socket set, fishing-rod-spotlight, 3kg gas cylinder, 20liter diesel and bags of charcoal.




11. In this area we can store additional gas cylinder, wood, beer, boxes of wine... (see post #30 - cargo rails being used to fasten cargo)

[MrTolbos]

On the inside of the bakkie:

1. Permanently on backup camera and GPS


Reverse camera mounted on canopy:


2. UHF radio and USB/12V plugs, mounted behind center console:




3. USB and 12V plugs mounted inside top cubby hole:


5. Additional USB mounted in front panel:


6. LED Bar (FOR OFFROAD USE ONLY):


(see post #30 for some changes to the layout)

[dfdekock]

Lekker om so ‘n mooi toegeruste bakkie te sien MrTolbos. Gee goeie idees vir die toekoms se planne! Dankie vir die deel!

[renier_c]

Baie mooi gedoen! Kostes?
Wie het al d laai vir jou gebou? Of het jy dit self gedoen?

[BNaude]

You really have a wonderful setup Mr. Tolbos. Great build.

[MrTolbos]

Baie dankie julle , ek hoop julle kan van die idees gebruik

Kostes?
Wie het al d laai vir jou gebou? Of het jy dit self gedoen?

Ja ek het die laaie self gebou van 25mm connect IT en 50x50 aluminium angles. Ek het probeer boekhou vam die kostes van die laaie, maar die papierwerk het halfpad deur weggeraak... Ek skat die 4 laaie agter was in totaal R10k gewees, waarvan die 4 stelle slides al klaar R7000 gekos het.

[0000ms]

Baie netjies Mr

[hatjohan]

Wow!
Het jy 25mm square aluminium vir die ConnectIT gebrik, of die staal tubing wat hulle verskaf?
Is dit stewig genoeg of sou jy eerder vir die 48mm gaan?
Watter drawwer slides het jy gebruik?

[MrTolbos]

Het jy 25mm square aluminium vir die ConnectIT gebrik, of die staal tubing wat hulle verskaf?
Is dit stewig genoeg of sou jy eerder vir die 48mm gaan?
Watter drawwer slides het jy gebruik?

Ek het die 25mm aluminum tubing gebruik, regtig oor sterk genoeg. Ek het alles vasgemaak met M5 boude. Elke slide is op 8 plekke vasgemaak, in totaal is daar 24 vertikale 'pilare' in die laai stelsel.
In my opinie is die 48mm 'n overkill en sal baie spasie mors.
Ek het die 1416mm slides by Eclipse/blum in Port Elizabeth gekoop. Furnlock het dieselfde slides maar dan moes ek vervoer koste by betaal.

[walkabout]

Excellent Mr Tolbos, thank you for all the photos and explanation.

Your clearly know more about this and vehicle electricity that the average person! Enjoy.

[hatjohan]

Ek het die 25mm aluminum tubing gebruik, regtig oor sterk genoeg. Ek het alles vasgemaak met M5 boude. Elke slide is op 8 plekke vasgemaak, in totaal is daar 24 vertikale 'pilare' in die laai stelsel.
In my opinie is die 48mm 'n overkill en sal baie spasie mors.
Ek het die 1416mm slides by Eclipse/blum in Port Elizabeth gekoop. Furnlock het dieselfde slides maar dan moes ek vervoer koste by betaal.

Baie dankie!

[BroJ]

Very nicely done Mr Tolbos. Please can you tell me what rear view camera you using..............Many thanks

[MrTolbos]

Please can you tell me what rear view camera you using?

Wish I could, but unfortunately it’s a no-name cheapy that I bought through LA Sport in Port Elizabeth, but so far it's doing its job really good! It’s not something they normally stock but they sourced it on my request.

You can also have a look on takealot, they had some nice units a couple of months ago

[ismail]

very nice, well done and well thought out.
I like the lightbar placement.

[mikeml]

Great space utilization! Well done!

[Woolf]

Nice. What happened to the FJ?

[MrTolbos]

What happened to the FJ?

Still have the FJ, for now. Still an incredible joy to drive, will try and keep it as long as possible. The plan is to take it for a Namib Faces tour next year

[Woolf]

Good to hear because you seem to have put a lot of effort into that vehicle as well

[Tobie4x4]

Sjoe, stunning outcome. You have the skills I can only dream about.