I have seen a few threads with 4Runner camper builds but nothing all out full conversion. If someone knows of a thread or has pics please post. I am considering a few long trips solo or with my partner and the idea or renovating a 4Runner seems like a fun challenge.
I am looking for ideas for a solo build initially. Here is what I have come up with:
Stripping the rear seat and front passenger seat completely...
Bed 30" x 70" - built on the driver's side out of 2x4's and a thin plywood top 6" off the floor with 2 plastic bins underneath for clothes. Where the rear seat used to be and the foot well would be storage for food and cookware. The plywood top would be cut to shape around the wheel well with the memory foam mattress cut three dimensionally to fit tight against the exterior driver's side.
This leaves a little more than 21 inches of floor space between the bed and passenger side wheel well.
Sink/Water The spare tire would be mounted on the back with a Rigd Ultraswing
UltraSwing Hitch Carrier for 4th and 5th Gen 4Runner - RIGd Supply
This allows for a fresh water tank under the vehicle with a smaller grey water tank. A small sink and faucet can be installed just above the pass. side wheel well. The Faucet would be a shower head with a long enough hose to pull out and hang on the rear hatch when open, serving as an outdoor shower with shower curtain attached to the rear hatch enclosing the shower.
The issue would be drilling holes and creating a "thru hull" in the floor for the water lines (in/out).
The water pump and heater would be something similar to this
I added a water tank to my 4Runner! - YouTube
A Camplux propane heater and water pump. Connect this to the propane tank mounted on the rear of the vehicle. I do not envision myself ever cooking with propane inside so the propane tank would only be connected for water heating while the back hatch is open and really only for showering or cooking outside on the Rigd table.
Cooking- I have thought about installing a small swing out table large enough to hold the small stove I am considering:
https://jetboil.johnsonoutdoors.com/...asecamp-system
The small table would sit on the wall just inside beside the sink. This would enable me to use it as a meal prep area while inside the truck for cold meals and as a base for the Jetboil stove while cooking standing at the rear of the vehicle.
Fridge- Where the front pass seat was I would install a plywood platform to strap the fridge on. Smittybilt fridge/freezer.
Toilet- SereneLife Outdoor Portable Toilet, should be enough room for this beside the rear pass door in large sealable bag perhaps. Hopefully mostly used outside but in the event of a #2 emergency there should be enough room if it is placed where the rear pass seat was.
Power- still in the planning stages but a dual battery setup with a rooftop solar panel flush mounted behind the sunroof.
I would like to keep it as normal looking as possible to avoid attention and not look like a camper. The Straw foot Hat window covers are pricey but probably more inconspicuous than the weather tech set.
With the Rigd swing on the back I would install their fold down table and possibly a bike rack/hitch attached to the back of the swing.
The rear area with the hatch open serves as a shower/bathroom with the shower curtain installed around the hatch. Also a great cooking area.
I think there would be enough room inside to comfortably watch a movie on the laptop before bed. Without the rooftop tents and other stuff mounted on the roof I think this would not stand out as a camper.
I would stay in a few airbnbs along the way but there are areas where camping makes more sense. I have three trips in mind. Alaska to Baja and up though Colorado and back east. As much of Europe as possible depending on the 90 day EU visa foolishness and lastly South America. This might be just Chile and Argentina due to safety concerns in Bolivia, Peru and Colombia.
Sorry to start a thread with no pics but I'm looking for ideas. I can't be the first one who has thought about completely stripping a 5th gen 4Runner and building a camper.
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