Hey Shane. My girlfriend and I did put this one together ourselves and do so for different vehicle we get while travelling. But unfortunately this was in Canada and we are back in Australia for now so can't really help out. We found that recycle centres in Canada will almost always have a wood pile with perfectly good free wood waiting to be burnt. The complete kit (including the homemade curtains made from thrift store fabric) would have cost us about $25 in hinges, screws and wire etc, from the $1 store. If you have the time, it is fun to play around and change things to see what best suits your car and how you use your vehicle. But other than having the time to make it up yourself, I am not sure where to look. Sorry. If you need any more info, let me know. I am happy to help where I can.
can I just pay for this dude to make one for my truck and ship it to me? I live in my explorer with my child and this would make it a little easier. the easy put away makes it hella awesome.
cierra heath Hey I am sorry but I dont have an explorer anymore to get measurements or testfit etc. I am in Australia now also, so the postage would be massive. I wish I had taken measurements so I could send out the plans to build from but I didnt. Sorry. I have a similar conversion for a Mitsubishi Montero that may give you more ideas to tackle the job - ruclips.net/video/aQNuZIiTyno/видео.html Best advice is to keep it simple. Test it, adjust it. Then test and adjust. We lived out of the Montero in South America for 11months and there is always something that can be ajusted a little to create more space or ease of use.
Could have just turned the Explorer around so the sun was behind you... Anyway, I really liked my 2nd Gen (95-01) for this. Seats folded flat - no wooden structure needed. Full 6' long and about 3.5' wide. Throw down a futon pad and some blankets and you're set. Should have kept it instead of the Jeep GC. Oh well.
TermiCobraKid, sorry I have take so long to reply. I unfortunately don't have the measurements as we would measure a piece, cut it and check. Often the same piece was cut a few times while the idea of the finished product was still forming in our heads.
Yeh heating is a bit tricky with simple setups like this. We just finished a 11month trip driving through South America with a similar camper (with a couple mew ideas - ruclips.net/video/aQNuZIiTyno/видео.html) , but we were on the Bolivian Salt Flats at one stage in negative degrees celcius and then on the Colombian Carribean Coast another time at +40 degree celcius. We found the cold didn't bother us once the curtains were closed. The car shell kept it quite nuetral with our body heat and with the curtains closed it worked as a double glazed window to some extent - you could feel the difference in temp when you put your hand behind the curtains. However dropping below -10 celcius might start going too far. The heat though was a problem for us as. I would suggest connecting up a second battery with an inverter and isolator so you can run a small fan in the back and it would be fine. We didn't have the inverter and were trying to run a cheap fan off a USB power pack and it wasn't worth it. The battery, inverter and isolator are easy enough to install and means you can run one battery flat and it will still start the car off the other battery which will then recharge both. (You can also recharge your computer and cook roast in a slow cooker👍) You may be able to find a heating solution with this also if your inverter is big enough and the heater is small enough, just be careful that it is fire safe.
Wondering if you build those camper kits for the Ford Explorer. Or do you anyone that does build them. I would love to purchase one for a 2003 Ford Explorer.
i understand this is 6 years old but mannnnn, u saw that build right. he just cut plywood and added two hinges. You could build this with a sheet of plywood, 4 screws, a 2x4, and a hand saw.
Great job! Quick, simple, and easy. Except in my XLT the back row would have to come out because it doesn't stow all the way down :( I can take it out though and store it and I will still be able to fit 6 rather than 9. Now to find a cushion that doesn't cost an arm and a leg ;) I'll probably just use reflectix cut to size to suction on all the windows instead of fussin with curtains as that seemed like the longest piece and not completely blocking out all light... Some questions: what is the black edging along the plywood? Felt to keep it from scratching/catching? is the head piece folding out on top of the seats or just beyond them (ie is it supported there)? does the main base mostly wedge in there between the seats so that there is no need to mess with the hinged legs or do you tighten/brace them?
Hey Al Genero, sorry I hadn't checked my video for ages to see your comment. yeah we had a fair amount of spare time to play with the curtains and do some sewing once before it started to snow and there was no snowboarding to be done haha. We popped off the inside trims and found spots to anchor the wire around screws etc for the curtains, but suction should do the job pretty well. the felt stuff we used was little sticky back carpet squares from the dollar store cut in strips with small nails hammered in for more support. The head support section has the little legs resting on the seat. We made the kind of a wedge shape because we didn't want to rest any weight on the actual head rests of the seats and with the 45 degree angle it focuses the weight back to the seats instead of straight down. Also we only added the hinged legs to make it easier to slide into place for one person. once they were in place the can't fold up unless lifted because of the rear seats and can't move forward because if the middle seats. the hinges themselves don't do anything and if you werent taking it in and out all the time it would be just as easy to make solid legs. Another quick thought without seeing your car, if the back seats don't fold down flat you may still be able to build the frame over the top and just have shorter storage boxes. obviously clearance is an issue when building it too high and without seeing it, it may not work at all. just a thought. Hope I am not too late and you can still use something of this post. have fun
***** I just got an 02 XLT myself and am planning to build something like this too. If I get it done before the winter, I'll post it with measurements.
Very nice build! Like how you can put it in single handedly. Got a 98 only has 2 rows of seats, will consider your setup, so easy to work with!
Best part is you can easily use the back seats.
Hey Shane. My girlfriend and I did put this one together ourselves and do so for different vehicle we get while travelling. But unfortunately this was in Canada and we are back in Australia for now so can't really help out.
We found that recycle centres in Canada will almost always have a wood pile with perfectly good free wood waiting to be burnt. The complete kit (including the homemade curtains made from thrift store fabric) would have cost us about $25 in hinges, screws and wire etc, from the $1 store. If you have the time, it is fun to play around and change things to see what best suits your car and how you use your vehicle. But other than having the time to make it up yourself, I am not sure where to look. Sorry.
If you need any more info, let me know. I am happy to help where I can.
can I just pay for this dude to make one for my truck and ship it to me? I live in my explorer with my child and this would make it a little easier. the easy put away makes it hella awesome.
cierra heath
Hey I am sorry but I dont have an explorer anymore to get measurements or testfit etc. I am in Australia now also, so the postage would be massive. I wish I had taken measurements so I could send out the plans to build from but I didnt. Sorry. I have a similar conversion for a Mitsubishi Montero that may give you more ideas to tackle the job - ruclips.net/video/aQNuZIiTyno/видео.html Best advice is to keep it simple. Test it, adjust it. Then test and adjust. We lived out of the Montero in South America for 11months and there is always something that can be ajusted a little to create more space or ease of use.
Could have just turned the Explorer around so the sun was behind you...
Anyway, I really liked my 2nd Gen (95-01) for this. Seats folded flat - no wooden structure needed. Full 6' long and about 3.5' wide. Throw down a futon pad and some blankets and you're set. Should have kept it instead of the Jeep GC. Oh well.
What good setup what were your dimensions for the foundation i have 2002 Ford Explorer XLT v6...and this would be awesome
Sorry I never kept the dimensions. I just cut them each time as I put it together. Checked and recur if needed.
Love this!
TermiCobraKid, sorry I have take so long to reply. I unfortunately don't have the measurements as we would measure a piece, cut it and check. Often the same piece was cut a few times while the idea of the finished product was still forming in our heads.
Yeh heating is a bit tricky with simple setups like this.
We just finished a 11month trip driving through South America with a similar camper (with a couple mew ideas - ruclips.net/video/aQNuZIiTyno/видео.html) , but we were on the Bolivian Salt Flats at one stage in negative degrees celcius and then on the Colombian Carribean Coast another time at +40 degree celcius. We found the cold didn't bother us once the curtains were closed. The car shell kept it quite nuetral with our body heat and with the curtains closed it worked as a double glazed window to some extent - you could feel the difference in temp when you put your hand behind the curtains. However dropping below -10 celcius might start going too far.
The heat though was a problem for us as. I would suggest connecting up a second battery with an inverter and isolator so you can run a small fan in the back and it would be fine. We didn't have the inverter and were trying to run a cheap fan off a USB power pack and it wasn't worth it. The battery, inverter and isolator are easy enough to install and means you can run one battery flat and it will still start the car off the other battery which will then recharge both. (You can also recharge your computer and cook roast in a slow cooker👍) You may be able to find a heating solution with this also if your inverter is big enough and the heater is small enough, just be careful that it is fire safe.
great job...
How tall are you?
I am 170cm
Wheres the kit? 2011 ford explorer
Hey! I have an 03 and I want one of these. What does it cost, shipped? DM me
Sorry Sean Nanny,
I am in Australia now and don't have the vehicle to rebuild. But if you have a go at it yourself I am here to answer any questions
Neat Video!
Wondering if you build those camper kits for the Ford Explorer. Or do you anyone that does build them. I would love to purchase one for a 2003 Ford Explorer.
i understand this is 6 years old but mannnnn, u saw that build right. he just cut plywood and added two hinges. You could build this with a sheet of plywood, 4 screws, a 2x4, and a hand saw.
Great job! Quick, simple, and easy. Except in my XLT the back row would have to come out because it doesn't stow all the way down :( I can take it out though and store it and I will still be able to fit 6 rather than 9. Now to find a cushion that doesn't cost an arm and a leg ;) I'll probably just use reflectix cut to size to suction on all the windows instead of fussin with curtains as that seemed like the longest piece and not completely blocking out all light...
Some questions: what is the black edging along the plywood? Felt to keep it from scratching/catching? is the head piece folding out on top of the seats or just beyond them (ie is it supported there)? does the main base mostly wedge in there between the seats so that there is no need to mess with the hinged legs or do you tighten/brace them?
Hey Al Genero, sorry I hadn't checked my video for ages to see your comment.
yeah we had a fair amount of spare time to play with the curtains and do some sewing once before it started to snow and there was no snowboarding to be done haha.
We popped off the inside trims and found spots to anchor the wire around screws etc for the curtains, but suction should do the job pretty well.
the felt stuff we used was little sticky back carpet squares from the dollar store cut in strips with small nails hammered in for more support.
The head support section has the little legs resting on the seat. We made the kind of a wedge shape because we didn't want to rest any weight on the actual head rests of the seats and with the 45 degree angle it focuses the weight back to the seats instead of straight down.
Also we only added the hinged legs to make it easier to slide into place for one person. once they were in place the can't fold up unless lifted because of the rear seats and can't move forward because if the middle seats. the hinges themselves don't do anything and if you werent taking it in and out all the time it would be just as easy to make solid legs.
Another quick thought without seeing your car, if the back seats don't fold down flat you may still be able to build the frame over the top and just have shorter storage boxes. obviously clearance is an issue when building it too high and without seeing it, it may not work at all. just a thought.
Hope I am not too late and you can still use something of this post.
have fun
Do you sell this?
This would work great in my Expedition due to more room. :D
Hi! Do you have the measurements for this? I go everywhere in my 02 XLT and really wanna build this
***** I just got an 02 XLT myself and am planning to build something like this too. If I get it done before the winter, I'll post it with measurements.
Really want to see the video, but the music was too ridiculous
Jack Johnson? It said that it had muted the music due to copyright.