Nissan Pathfinder SUV Camper Conversion Self-Build

a tour of my home on wheels. any questions? feel free to post below. and follow me on instagram and/or twitter: @slim_in_81. #pathfinder #SUVlife #traveling

[@OuschiMouschi]

Nice! I'm converting my Pathfinder in less than a month so it was nice to find this video!

[@lilflipesg]

thanks! glad it helped.

[@mattbarker1923]

That’s a sweet setup. The roof netting was inspired! Like also how you created that marine ply shelf for those boxes. I have been toying with getting a van and converting it for van life, but I’ve been seeing a lot of these Pathfinders and they look a fantastic alternative. Still part it in a car park bay, has capability of off-road, huge 80 litre fuel tank, and it just seems so criminally underrated. Love what you have done, it’s really inspired me to go down this route now. There’s such versatility with the seats - 7 seats, 3 banks of seating, or remove/fold down/get creative with for solo travel. SO MUCH possibility !!! Thanks again, best wishes from England and safe travels dude.

[@lilflipesg]

yeah, the gas mileage vs. a sprinter as well as the hidden-ness of pretty much parking it in any lot is what sold me on it. the only real trade-off is the lack of sleeping space compared to something more roomy.

[@mahmudsmith]

I love it! I just bought my second one a week ago that was a 1998 and not as capable as this one or mine. I love the freedom and possibilities you’ve given me ideas for. Because this plus trailer and a motorcycle :))

[@lilflipesg]

Mahmud Smith hey. sorry about the delayed response. i actually originally thought about buying a teardrop sleep trailer to pull, but then i got worried about it limiting my places i could go off-road and camp. anyhow, cheers. happy travels.

[@pathfinder4586]

U did a great job utilizing the space gave me some good ideas thank you yay pathfinder crew

[@lilflipesg]

i think my OCD helped me create the entire space, ha. but i’d like to see yours when you’re done.

[@vanlifenomadfirekeeper]

I have a 2007. I took out my seats, completely today. With the seats in. I couldnt sit up very much. I have the jackery 1000 with two 60 watt panels. Ordered one " 100 watt panel today. We have the same ' pathfinder, same color.. taking the seats out helped a lot. I like how you hang your tubs above your feet. Great idea to save space. Been living in my pathfinder fore three weeks in wyoming . I got a 3' memory foam " queen size. Folded it in half. Great bed. I got a 12 volt electric blankit from walmart camping supply area. I put it in my sleeping bad and i stayed warm at 7 degrees (-: thanks fore the video

[@lilflipesg]

i have the same issue with being able to sit up, i kind of do it while slouching - which isn’t great. when you took the entire seat out (as well as hardware i’m assuming), was it a fairly level surface to throw your bedding on? that’s the main reason i only took out the bottoms and laid the top parts down.

[@RickFisher]

Brian. I haven't taken out my seats but I think the way you did is best. Unless you build a platform.

[@pathfinder4586]

It's cool u mentioned Idaho btw that's cool I am from there

[@lilflipesg]

was on the snake river when i filmed this, for about two weeks. had to flee for warmer weather then, but shall return to explore more - specifically the sawtooth mountains first.

[@jazzymadeitable]

thanks great idea

[@lilflipesg]

all about the inspiration for others!

[@tinabeane]

Really nice and organized setup. Do you follow SUV RVing? Your back shelf and plastic totes look like what he uses. Looking to do the same thing in my Santa Fe. Subbed, looking forward to following along on your travels.

[@lilflipesg]

tinabeane hey there. i’m not familiar with him, but i’ll check his channel out. i like seeing other SUV setups, since most that travel full time seem to be in vans. be sure to let me know when you eventually do yours - love to see it.

[@sgt_paskie_1017]

Nice

[@lilflipesg]

thanks!

[@Pooooooops]

I know we're getting old when a guy that sounds like a dad says "this is where I keep my Gameboy"

[@lilflipesg]

💀💀💀

[@RickFisher]

Getting old is not a problem! Not getting old! That's a problem!

[@audidasauto]

Hey man.. great car, nice build Can you tell me how long is the trunk, with the seats folded? Is it possible to fit 2m - 79 inch long stuff inside, straight not diagonal?

[@lilflipesg]

you definitely couldn’t fit something that long inside. it measures just over six feet.

[@fairoaks42]

What screen did you get to go over your sunroof? I was looking on Amazon but they are not big enough for my 2006. I was going to buy some screen and magnet strips snd make one

[@lilflipesg]

actually bought it on eBay, but very generic. essentially just went off measurements. it fits it tight. checked, and this specific seller is out of them. but, it’s nothing more than heavy duty mesh with magnets sewn in to the border. can take a picture of it if you’re interested.

[@carolessner8164]

Did you remove the seats or just fold them down? I just got a 2012 Pathfinder - she's beautiful. I will be traveling in her very shortly!

[@lilflipesg]

Carol Essner hey. sorry for the delayed response. so i removed the bottom part of the seats (what your butt would sit on) and then folded down the backs. i tried it with leaving the bottoms in, but it made it not level. does your 2012 have third row seating?

[@veryboringname.]

@@lilflipesg Wow, you can just remove the bottom and the top will sink in flat?

[@lilflipesg]

@@veryboringname. yup, only way to really do it.

[@veryboringname.]

@@lilflipesg I just removed the seat bottoms in my 2005 Pathfinder R51 and it's actually not much flatter than it was before (it was already pretty flat), but there's now more room for my mattress to fully fill up the space lengthwise. Perfect. :)

[@lilflipesg]

@@veryboringname. nice. also, i was able to find a bit more storage space under the seat. with the bottoms out.

[@tb-xy7lg]

How tall are you? I am wondering if it is comfortable for someone who is 6'2? Thinking of getting a Pathfinder. Awesome setup!

[@lilflipesg]

i’m 6’7, so you should fit somewhat comfortably in there.

[@rstarsurfer]

thanks for the clip. just a question, how long is the distance between the driver seat and the rear door?

[@lilflipesg]

the rear door as in the back hatch? well i’m 6’7 and i just barely fit in there laid out, so it’s right around that length. i can get exact measurements tho tomorrow if you want them.

[@rstarsurfer]

@@lilflipesg thanks for the info. i do not need the exact measure. thx

[@imdatdude8224]

What tires u got and is it lifted or no

[@lilflipesg]

@@imdatdude8224 nothing special on the tires, just 17-inch michelins. and no, it's not lifted.

[@DylanGarciaaa]

How’s the reliability been, I have a Pathfinder as well. Only one major issue in reliability has happened to me.

[@lilflipesg]

sorry for the delayed response. but yeah, no major issues yet (knock on wood). i'm at about 213k miles, too.

[@jakeyjakey101]

Are all of the seats removable ?

[@lilflipesg]

Al yeah, but i just removed the bottom seats of both rows. makes it more level when putting a mattress on top of them.

[@pablozuniga3622]

Does your kayak wobble a lot? I see that I have the same crossbars as you and mine just bend with the slightest push on my kayak

[@lilflipesg]

Pablo Zuniga hey. i’ve traveled around 18k miles with it on top all over the US and canada, and never had a real issue with it wobbling. of course in high winds, it does pull me a bit - i can feel that. but that’s not regularly. my ratchet straps are pretty tight on it. do you use ratchet straps as well?

[@pablozuniga3622]

Brian Bowden I use the ratchet pulleys. But I’m starting to think it’s just my Yakima kayak racks because I have another unbranded pair and they don’t budge at all

[@lilflipesg]

yeah, that could be the case. i bought mine off of ebay, simply because they were half the price, and they’re unbranded.

[@ingridlahaye8107]

Just curious why you didnt take your back seats out? Wouldnt that give more room?

[@lilflipesg]

i took the back seat bottoms out, just not the tops - which made it lay perfectly flat. i guess i could taken the tops out too, but then i would’ve had to take out all the metal hardware that keeps the seats in place. it would have given me like a couple inches more room, but it wasn’t worth it to me.

[@ingridlahaye8107]

@@lilflipesg oh I see...great to know...i thought the seats come out. So by taking out the bottom seat does that give more storage room?

[@lilflipesg]

@@ingridlahaye8107 not really, it would actually take away a couple small hiding holes for other items i stuff away.

[@veryboringname.]

Is the trim OK with the feet of the shelf resting on it?

[@lilflipesg]

the trim has held up well over the past two years it has been in there. other than the initial holes i drilled in them to bolt down the shelf. the only real issue i have had is that the legs of the shelf have started to splinter, likely from all the off-road camping i have done that shakes it a lot while driving.

[@frank44magfrank80]

How does the back shelf slide forward when braking

[@lilflipesg]

the back shelf slides nowhere, it’s bolted to the inner frame of the SUV.

[@SMafam5]

I’ve seen some no build minivans that make the shelf supports by using cup holder inserts.