Micro Camper Build in a 96' 4 Runner Part 1.

Here, I take you through part one of my Toyota 4 Runner Micro Camper Build.
Buy Window wind/rain guards here: amzn.to/2Xwr3EP
Buy gas strut for lift back here: amzn.to/2Jk25on
Buy Hitch Step here: amzn.to/2XvAYzB

[@ThaGr8Cornman]

Stellar build! Got off the tv into the phone just to comment... got some skills

[@digitalcamera3237]

Hello Steve, i've looked at dozens of overland vehicle builds specially suv's... i have to say the approach you've take with your 4runner makes a Lot of sense. have to say sleeping at floor level and having more head room is what ai find the Most appealing. Who needs less head room? Not me. Well done! Thank you for sharing, Frank

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

Cool, thanks

[@lil----lil]

You get it. Storage is ONLY 1/2 of the battle. The other 1/2 is accessibility. Equally crucial.

[@arnelagustin8837]

Glad to see you back yet with another project!

[@johnpossum556]

I like how you always take a slightly different well thought out twist on what others are doing. Can't wait for part two!

[@1987FX16]

Looks great, can't wait to see how you finish everything out. I like how well you planned and documented your setup. Love your videos.

[@HumbleRoad]

Ahhhhhh! Reminds me of the good old days with Explorer Steve! Glad you're back with another project!

[@billmcroberts6566]

Steve, your attention to detail always amazes me.

[@waltschannel7465]

Super cool, Steve! I'll watch it later. No time now but saw this in my feed and had to "thumbs up". OK, watched on the evening of the 9th. Even more impressed with what you've done!

[@mani_r_29]

Great to see you back! Looking forward to the follow up video 👍

[@jamescabaniss2760]

I love watching you fix stuff up, your repairs, and your upgrades. I wish I had your ingenuity (and your great tool supplies and garage, lol). Also it takes a unique individual willing to do all these upgrades. Great videos, nice camper van! Your urban stealth camping and your fix-ups are my favorite videos.

[@Bk-uz3pk]

Great job. Love the simplicity and preciseness of the project

[@tangocharlie9291]

Liked as soon as I saw the bed on the floor. Dig it.

[@dososos]

Wow looks great Steve, looking forward to seeing how you put in the cabinets.

[@crownfoam]

Glad to see you back Steve! I look forward to seeing part 2 of this project. This is my favorite channel!

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

Part 2 ought to finish it up. Then....road trip.

[@supercooled]

I forgot about this channel. Came back to the scene because I’m bhuyung my first 4x4 and this got recommended.

[@brianjasinski]

I have to say I really enjoy Cosmo. Nice job

[@taeparkfilm]

I don't think I've ever left any comments on KZbin till now. This is amazing and you're doing an awesome job!

[@moniquechristiansen6202]

You are so right about the storage. I love this!

[@adventureswithgnomie6553]

Can't wait for part 2. Good use of space.

[@eldorado5686]

So this is what you've been up to ! Awesome, man!

[@whocares4464]

Just got my 99 4runner and I'm loving it!

[@lisah7304]

brilliant build Xplorer Steve, informative and fun to watch

[@nanchesca3950]

Great video!! I agree with you, I prefer the headroom and it sure makes it easier getting in and out

[@nikolasb6007]

probably the best setup for an SUV. great job!

[@VidVoyeur612]

It's my first time watching any of your videos and you know what I appreciate? You've avoided simulating your enthusiasm or excitement like many KZbinrs do. Looking forward to more project vids.

[@karenmullen3210]

Good idea about the Masonite and you reminded me I need hatches. You solved some issues for me. Thanks

[@Pellefication]

Best micro conversion by far!

[@gsmotivate3378]

Wow that looks great!

[@livindalife5356]

Very well made video. Good job, Steve!

[@jetcitysinatra7300]

Cool beans. Love the way you took this into a new direction. . .

[@Therian_Lola_4.3]

Good to see you back in action I was missing your content.

[@cecilyt006]

From the build to the editing....nicely done!

[@hapkijo9713]

Being a 3rd gen owner and all around Overland enthusiast, this build has wanting to do the same thing. Great job!

[@Nomad1957]

I love it,I am working on converting a dodge durango into a micro camper and your ideas have helped me greatly. Thank you.

[@mrmontebuilder]

I really like this!!! Looking forward to more of this project. Thanks for sharing!!

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

It is fun to custom make something.

[@robertmcevoy24]

I sold Toyota’s for years I must say great idea for a awesome vehicle great job !

[@knockknockbusted]

Retired guys are awesome 👏.

[@kellykelly7747]

LOVE the build and choice of vehicle! 👍❤

[@TheBeastlyswagger]

just now seeing this for the first time and I've done something very similar a few months back! first time I've seen someone do the same thing as me!

[@lawrenceconstantine7735]

Holy crap he lives and breathes nice, to see you put one up looks like all is well in Vegas world.

[@ExpediteTravels]

Wow now that's thinking outside the box 😎👍👍 I love it

[@TheWwbartman354]

Happy to see you again! Nice work so far!

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

Hey Bart.

[@ColinTonkasdad]

Always agreat watch, and attention to detail... excellent . Cheers from sunny UK.

[@naps3386]

I spent one night in the back of my 99 4Runner with a small chick, and slept horribly. Not enough leg room. But taking out the seats looks like you solved that problem. I solved the problem by dumping the chick and staying in a tent like I originally wanted to do.

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

That was a good short story.

[@thetruejuanalto]

you know , the tent should have been big enough for both the chic and you....

[@naps3386]

Juan Alto It was “too cold” for her to sleep in a tent is what she said. I learned not to argue, just send them down the road if they don’t like to do what I like to do.

[@OspreyFlyer]

Okay, that's funny (and practical)! 👍😂

[@helenellsworth9556]

@@naps3386 you we're wrongly match

[@gegazaidd]

Good to see video from you ,nice job

[@OspreyFlyer]

Thanks for the information! Great ideas! 👍

[@wolfsmith2865]

Great build! Save for the side compartments, we did the same for my buddy's jeep Cherokee. We built a hinged deck that lifted, allowing access to the footwells and rear seat mounting area. This gave him a platform to sleep on and lots of storage beneath.

[@jeremyellmer3925]

Makes me miss my 98 expedition so much. I never got the chance to really convert it, but what I did do was comfortable and easy. And the second row seats came out with a simple release of a lever :(

[@RippSnortin]

Looks great. An ARB type awning is a good addition. Really ties it together.

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

Hmmmmm...

[@plutoplatters]

rain guards...are the BEST. (along with the circular mirrors that go on mirrors so you can see EVERYTHING on your sides.)

[@jayingram5279]

Awesome. Your knowledge and presentation style made me a subscriber three minutes in. Love the build and methodology.

[@cpta03]

I really enjoyed your video and it brought back some good memories. Before starting a family , I did a similar build on my 1975 Datsun truck with an insulated camper shell. It was a lot of fun on long weekend camping trips. Now that I am retired, you’ve given me inspiration to make another one. Thanks and I look forward to your adventures with the 4 Runner camper!

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

Thanks Steve.

[@allenh7835]

Steve is smarter than the average bear. Well planned design !

[@otiswinters3674]

Thank you Steve for showing and explaining the actual cargo space length of the 4Runner. I am slightly taller than you, so I now realize that unfortunately, the 4Runner does not provide enough space for my wife and I to camp in. Sleeping in between the wheel wells looks like its less than 48 inches and probably best suited for only one person. Looks like purchasing a teardrop and 4Runner is a better fit for us. Keep up the great work you do!

[@aquiconfeya]

I admire an intelligent man, cause it’s a great way of saving money. I owned a Subaru Forester and I like your platform idea. Greats videos of yours. Thank you 🙏

[@sues3177]

I'm going to do similar w my forester.🙏🙂😊

[@daveevans8256]

Great video thanks for sharing with us all. 👍🇬🇧

[@redroadrunner1545]

Love it. I have a 97 toyota with a decent sleep and storage set. I only used one piece ply and some pine I had around. I'd like to get a shell and turn it into a trailer. I do have mine elevated over the wheel wells. Wife and I with a dog fine. Thanks for sharing

[@ricks.1318]

Steve .... You ARE "alive" ......... :) :) :) Been a while brotha ... We ALL missed ya !!!!

[@mcgintytom]

Excellent! As usual.

[@REMAX_CCA]

My build is also without platform, and with storage on one side. I love the extra headroom! My rig is a Hummer H3.

[@TomTomTom87]

Hummer? you joking or nah

[@AridersLifeYT]

great video, matured and straight to the point. thanks

[@shiftintohigh5564]

Love the license plate!!! Great build!!! Looks great!!👍👍👍. **** I am glad you kept the original wheels, they add to the character and provenance of vehicle of that vintage and condition. I wondered what you had been up to, hadn’t seen a video, this explains it. Usual Explorer Steve quality and craftsmanship. Nicely done good sir.👍👍👍. This is as cool as the Dodge Explorer!!👍👍👍

[@stealthexpressvan8475]

Great idea and presentation, Steve.

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

I like stealth too.

[@bubbamunchie2844]

Awesome, can't wait for the road trip footage 🤘🏼👍🏽

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

Oh. Soon.

[@ahyungrocks5509]

Missed the crank windows. This build is awesome. I can definitely use many suggestions here onto a minivan for a solid platform/floor.

[@cyeugotswag]

Looking like a great build! Entertaining video too

[@asphaltgypsy868]

Amazing, as always!

[@bambihargrove6499]

Looks nice so far.

[@naruemonrorick6205]

You’re so amazing! You could fix things!!

[@tinabeane]

Really looking forward to the rest of this build out. I also don't like how those bed platforms are too high. The shelving on the side makes good use of the space. Looks like an Ikea build. Good job Steve!! :)

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

I thought so too. Too cramped.

[@markreynolds3850]

Very nice job explaining things.

[@pandanuscreekfilms6841]

that was great and I liked the look of your setup, thanks very much

[@artysa.blackwood4261]

Amazing, nice work !

[@galacticom]

thx Stevel.. I really like your design... that ceiling height is important.

[@SilverTurtle65]

Excellent video with great instructions

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

Thanks ST65

[@BADD400]

Very cool Steve

[@NoProGoPronto]

Ahh, when Xplorer Steve has another DIY project going, life on KZbin is great again. Nice to see you back Steve 👋🏽😃.

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

Hey NPGP You going to Camper-con this year?

[@NoProGoPronto]

No, I'll just keep watching all the fun from this side of the computer.

[@CMAG]

Cool build!👍🏻

[@alanross3435]

Great video ( as always ) 👍🏻✌🏻️

[@msafirimhehe]

Very good! Enjoy the camping experince..

[@markreynolds3850]

Nice job!

[@beths9232]

Really like your build here. The reason I built mine on a platform is I'm sleeping two.

[@trufantom21]

Awesome video Steve.

[@elementgypsy]

Great job! I'm re doing my Honda element and you gave good ideas! Subed

[@dalton-at-work]

i would absolutely pay money for plans on that flat floor setup! i agree that's way better than the elevated floor setups.

[@darrencole2000]

I'm a big fan of flat roof trays, if you need the storage for outdoors gear then put it up on the roof, get a couple of space cases and strap that down. My overlander had a rooftop tent on a full length flat tray, it gave somewhere to store spare fuel outside of the vehicle which is really important if you've ever transported a jerry can of fuel anywhere. it also carried our water, some 60 litres of the stuff, absolutely vital to make the most of the space inside the SUV.

[@weetreebonsai]

Looks good!

[@JoelBebo]

Thanks for sharing! I’m in the middle of doing something similar to my land rover discovery 2.

[@thomasbrustad5596]

This is a great idea!!

[@DIYManiacJohnP]

Congrats on the new camper. Hope the Xplorer went to a good home

[@parksguy3018]

I always enjoy your videos.👍😀🇨🇦

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

Thanks Parksguy.

[@irishseaswimmer]

Great vid. Thanks for sharing.

[@KB-ld7jw]

Great upload. Thanks

[@davidmanen5495]

Great video!

[@donwyates]

Nice build! Yeah, it seems like 99.99 % of people build a platform ABOVE storage to sleep on. If you're in a hightop van, or box truck, that might be okay. But in an SUV it doesn't make sense. I first saw the low bed idea on SUV RVing, and knew that was how mine would have to be. I've got a Honda Pilot, and will likely remove the 2nd & 3rd row seats to gain as much vertical room as possible. The rooftop rack is a must, no doubt.

[@markreynolds3850]

Thanks for sharing this video, interesting build.

[@markhammons01]

What you've done looks very simple, even though you planed it out very well. you might think about adding one of those portable battery/compressors , i've got a black and decker one that will jump start you'r car , inflate tires and it's small enough to go underneath in you'r cubby space.

[@dinoquintana4319]

Pretty smart man.nice simple very practical design.

[@chrisgreene9147]

Great to see my favorite KZbinr back at it. I was thinking yesterday that it’s been a while since you had a video so nice surprise to wrap up the weekend. Good to see you again.

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

I am not the most consistent YTer.

[@chrisgreene9147]

Xplorer Steve DIY true but once I stumbled onto your channel (via a harbor freight search lol) I was intrigued by the camper van and started from the beginning so for a while it felt like you were posting everyday. Always good to see what you’re working on next. 👍🏼

[@ChasinSimplicity]

Great job! Well thought out

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

Maybe this will teach me some simplicity.

[@ChasinSimplicity]

Xplorer Steve DIY ha! You’ve embraced it. I have considered a similar build with my 3rd gen 4runner but I don’t have the skill set you have. I’m thankful you did this now maybe I will give this a try! Can’t wait for part 2+