Nice job Donald. Way to go with reusing wood and uni-strut parts. A sense of pride and accomplishment on your project. Always can change things as you go too.

I love the way you do your builds with the materials that you have. A lot of people such as myself don't have endless money to build extravagant rigs like a lot of other KZfaqrs do. Much respect!!

Donald, your interior build is Amazing! Very down to earth and crafted nicely. Excellent example of using recycled materials, thrift materials, and logical building techniques. Bravo

I enjoy watching these DIY vids to see how your brain works because you are creative and determined. May I suggest you buy a router? With all the wood projects you do, having a router is a game changer. A trim router would be a good place to start and they are cheap. Get a 3/16" or 1/4" roundover bit and 1/2" bearing guided bit and you will wonder how you built without it - rounded edges, repeatable parts with a template including nice clean drawer pull holes etc. Just my 2 cents. Carry on!

Nice work! One tip I got from a build thread for using a hole saw to cut holes (and radiused cutouts): Cut part way through the wood, flip over and use the pilot hole to cut through on the other side. This prevents the tear-out on the back side when drilling through. That should work with your spade bit as well. Once the point goes through, stop and go in from the other side. Another option is to have a piece of scrap wood underneath the hole to help prevent the tear-out.

I like how you used the bed rail as a fixed point to get the project started, and your subsequent use of materials you had to hand. It’s a great example of how limiting yourself can encourage creativity.

Looks great Donald! The most important part is if you are happy with it, otherwise you can modify it as your needs change or evolve. Again great job!

To fix your cubbies alignment, instead of using one point of contact with the magnets, use 3 so you can set them to sit flat. Hope that helps.

You never cease brother. Great way to utilize space.

Nice upgrades Donald👍

Go DONALD Go !! For your spade bit, either drill a tiny pilot hole first, or just drill halfway through your plywood, then flip the same plywood over and finish your 1 inch opening. If I express myself properly in few words, mush less sanding to do after.

Nice job on your camper build! I am in the process of building a bunk for the back of my truck. I'm also creating a 'charging station / nightstand' that I will use to charge my camera gear, headlamps, and batteries. It's fun to see how everyone designs to meet their own personal needs (and style too). I had previously built a teardrop trailer so I have a few tools at my disposal that have helped me along. I tried my bunk out during a camp-out last weekend and I got so much satisfaction from sleeping on it. One amazing feature I never realized as I was designing the bunk...it's at the exact height where I can look right out the side window and see the stars stretching across the night sky! Now I don't want curtains! 🙂 I'll be doing a couple of videos on my build as well. As you so accurately point out, we are not building furniture. We are not producing them to sell to the public. We are making them to meet our person needs. Recycled materials? Perfect. A corner that isn't exact? Not a problem. Thanks for sharing!

Nice work Donald!! Apparently I'm among many who absolutely love what you've done here. Appreciate you taking the time to show us exactly how you went about things and explain or express why too. I think you may have really nailed the wedge-camper build-out, although I eagerly await to see what you do for the kitchen component(s). "Simply" beautiful Cheers!...from North Vancouver

Nicely done as always!!! I love how you are not afraid to make your own items and make them work for you!! You are awesome!!!!

Over-engineered to (almost) perfection. Donald- built and Charlie approved. I like it. You know, if you were a real friend, you would build one for me. too... Just so you know, it's Sunday morning and I'm currently out camping by the river in my nearly-restored 1959 Shasta Airflite trailer. The drawers in it are wood-on-wood and are still working fine after 64 years!

re -- showers October, 2022: We acquired a Craftsman 20v four-gallon garden-sprayer. We boil a couple gallons of water on the Coleman propane two-burner, and pour it directly into the hopper, then top it with ambient water. . With a stand-still house shower-wand spliced on the hose, one person rarely uses more than a couple-three gallons. ProTip: * although you think you will use only part of the hot water, always start with a full hopper... a hot shower can be mesmerizing and addictive. . We like Craftsman 20v tools. Our collection of batteries operate our: * chain-saw * DA orbital sander * impact driver * weed-whacker ... and probably others, as well. . We also use the garden-sprayer for worshing the dogs. One year, twelve months, zero issues. . Craftsman has a three-year replacement warranty. . [edited to add] kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qJdmerlynceRg2g.htmlfeature=shared

Looking great Donald. It’s starting to look like a comfy home.

I found the video you took of this part of the build out to be more informative than many I've seen on youtube. I have a slide-in shell model - which is very different space wise - BUT I now know how I'll build a retainer for one of my water jugs. Awesome work both on the storage unit and the video.

Donald, I am always amazed at what you come up with. That looks great! Take care and be safe!

That's is incredible! I love that you have the ability to stand at a counter when you are inside. It looks like a really useable, smart configuration.

Nothing beats watching this vid, at a campsite by a warm fire. Thanks for the inspiration.

Looks nice Donald! Rockler sells a tape, they call it Nylo-tape friction free drawer slide tape. I used it on my drawers in my 120 year old house. It’s been about 15 years and still working great!

re -- slides We and our caravan chums were in Baja years ago. A neighbor on the beach (not any of us, none of us have factory RecreateVehicles) broke the supports for the slide-out room... burning up the tiny motor in the process. . A bunch of us removed the slide-out, inverted it, then glued/stapled linoleum sheet to the underside. . Re-installed, the slide-out/in could be hand-moved by the owners, saving the vacation. [edited to add] The linoleum easily slid across the carpet with little friction! . An aside: Experienced travellers usually have: * zero slide-out rooms * zero carpet * zero factory RecreateVehicles.

Looks good. I think you should install sliders so the drawers open and close smoothly. But not bad. I’m in Vancouver and a carpenter if you ever need a hand. Keep up the great videos

This is awesome. I’m having serious storage space envy. I love how practical you are. Using tons of supplies you have saved or sourced for next to nothing. This is functional, well thought out and going to really improve your adventures.

Great stuff man! I have a coworker in Eugene for the weekend and I told him if he saw your truck to say hello

Great video Donald...

Looking Good! A couple things that may make things easier for future builds. -Put a piece of scrap wood under where you drill. Drill on a hard surface through your panel into the scrap wood. It will make a much cleaner hole on the back side. -After you figure out where your doors will be on the plywood, first screw the hinges on where you want them then remove them and then cut out your door. Then reinstall the hinges. The gap should be perfect all around the door. Thanks for the video! George.

Donald, the water jugs are consumables, in other words they break...so, instead of working hard to make a snug fit for the present jug (that you may not find an identical substitute for, when it cracks), you may consider stainless U shaped cleats and bungee cord. It works miracles and adapts to all sorts of jug shapes. Nice use of your new awning!

Put some wax on the runners of the drawers. You’d be surprised how much better they run. I used strips of an old cutting board which makes it even easier. If you to spend some money, there is a thick plastic tape (the name of the material is something like tfl, if I am not mistaken) on the bottom of the drawers! Thanks for sharing! A lot of great ideas that I am happy to steal!

I like your setup! I just have got home from a six day trip and met a guy from Colorado who has a Tacoma with a 5' bed and a GFC camper. His setup is very similar to yours - he's been living in it full time now for the past three years.

Great job ! I especially like that you design and build all you own equipment an recycle materials you already have at home!

Nice addition to the “tofu topper” 😀

Looks great and functions as designed. I saw another video where they used Teflon cutting board cut into strips to use as slides for drawers.

Keeping it simple and use what you have. The best way to build out your kit is my philosophy as well. Good work. Your blue water jug may experience abrasion wear from the plywood edge during off road driving. Foam edging around the plywood inside edge may help.

Nice work, Donald. Been a sub/fan for a long time. I was so stoked when you got a truck and even more when you got the camper. Hope to see you out there someday. 🤙🏼

Nice work Donald! Quick tip- You can use a furniture paste wax on the bottom of the drawers and the runners to reduce the friction by a lot so that they slide much better. Minwax Paste Finishing Wax works like a charm.

Nice buildout! Really like how you made it useable from both inside and outside.

The cat seems to approve of the project.

Look into drawer slide tape. It’s cheap, thin enough that it probably won’t ruin your drawer clearances, and will make them run much smoother. I used it for my stove drawer in my Subi build because I didn’t want to give up the room for “proper drawer sliders”.

Nice job Donald! If the alignment of the drawers bugs you you can make a simple slide and track on the bottom of them out of 3 lengths of wood one attached to the drawer like a keel and 2 attached th the base.

Well done. It looks like an extremely efficient build that simply works

I have gotten so many ideas by following your channel. Keep the videos coming.

Wow, Donald, become a really long way since the days of the Forrester. I really like your set up. Great job.

Great job Donald . You are very resourceful in your design and materials . If I could just make one suggestion. At one point you were cutting a piece of plywood with your hand directly in front of the saw , or thats how it looked . Please dont take chances ,we need you to stay safe . Thanks

Outstanding job! Looks Great!

Nice job mate. You can use a thin layer of carpet on the wood or some other fabric so the drawers slide easier

Very functional!!! Turned out great. I really like your DIY overland projects.

This is awesome. Great job! Keep the cat in the videos too. Hell take him on a trip!

Great build Donald! I really enjoyed this one. - Take care.

Very nicely done! Your channel is one of my favorites to watch. I lean something every video.

Great build! Well done!

This looks great and very functional!

Great job repurposing all the hardware and wood. Looks great.

Looks great. Functional

Good job, nice results 👍

Great build Donald! It is very inspirational.

"It isnt fine furniture. I dont live in it." Except you DO live in it! We get it. Just kinda funny!

If you can handle one more bit of drawer advice what I would advise is go find yourself a true beeswax candle and use it like a crayon on both the drawer runners and the floor runners. Don't use a paraffin candle, it just flakes and is messy. Beeswax will imbue the wood over time so you end up doing it less and lees over time as your drawers season themselves so to speak. Top notch series, really enjoying it.

Great build! A couple of ideas for that large center section. Install a large molle panel for hanging things up while you're inside, or, a fold down table/shelf while you are sitting on the bed. Safe travels!

@softroadingthewest, Donald, its a really good looking build! 👍🏼 I like the DIY builds like yours and other channels like Overland Under Budget and Jason's van. I'm not a fan at all of all of the over-priced gear that almost every other cookie-cutter overland channel puts on and in their rigs. As a side note #1: When drilling with a spade bit, drill halfway through the wood, flip it over and finish the hole from the other side. Doing so will prevent the wood from tearing/splintering, and you'll have a much cleaner finished hole. As a side note #2: In that front lower cubby you could buy a surplus military sea bag or laundry bag and attach it to the backside of the cabinet front around the opening with staples or screws and you would have a dirty clothing laundry "chute," or for anything else you might want to stuff in there, and it will keep out the dust. Just a thought of how I would do it. Keep up the great work and videos! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

Did similar build. I cut 2” x however long strips of 3mm thick centra PVC poster mounting board ( i had extra from old jobs) and used it for drawer slides. Glued them to base of cabinet. Added some paste wax and is perfect! Slides like a dream

Hey Donald for your drawers, a really simple slide mechanism is like they used to use way back in pioneer days on furniture and that is a T slide of two pieces of wood use like a square piece of wood stock or the flat piece. Screw to the top of it and then you just make a guy that matches that tea that you screw to the bottom of your drawer. We have one slide on the bottom of each drawer it’s really simple to make can we made from scrap, that allows the heavy draw to slide in and out easier.

get some uhmw or teflon sheet, for drawer runners, attach w/flat head crews counter sunk, no issues with dust, nor using valuable spaceman be cut w/wood working tools

A truly ingenious and inspiring build Donald! Looking forward to the next episode 😁

Great job on your build. Love the recycle reuse attitude.

Very nice. On the alignment you mentioned on the drawer faces. If making them sit flush is what you are looking to do as you say. You can either use two sets of magnetic catch hardware on each, mounted at the outside top rather than just the one. Or... You can glue wood block stops on the backside of the cabinet, allow the blocks to protrude into the opening slightly (3/8 or 1/2 inch) on either side of the opening. As for cabinet top, you might find the metal angle on it annoying if you use it like a counter top, It might be best to just sand the edge nicely and finish it as you would like. Keep up the good work! Its looking good.

Awesome work! It all looks really great! 👍😊👍 I like that you show that recycling is possible.

Fun to watch you figure out and build! You would have done good in engineering!

You could use Teflon strips on the wood on wood slides and it would slide much better.

Great build. Super functional and resourceful. Love it!

That cabinet turned out fantastic. I agree with the wood on wood drawers. I would have done the same. Nice build!

Looking great!

HI DONALD 👋 IT'S TURNING OUT REALLY NICE ! GIVING ME SOME GOOD IDEAS 💡 I WAS TRYING TO THINK WHAT YOU WERE THINKING OF DOING & SEE IF I CAME UP SOMETHING SIMILAR . I HAVE A A.R.E LOW / WEDGE CAP SO I COULD SEE 👀 OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE TAILGATE AROUND HERE ! PLUS FOR EZ OF PUTTING & TAKING THE BICYCLES OFF 🚲 🚲 & ON WITHOUT A LADDER . YOU'RE GIVING ME IDEAS 💡 FOR A BED & COVER MY SPARE TIRE BUT GET TO IT EASILY . SEE IF I CAN GET THE ALUMINUM BRACKETS LIKE WHAT'S HOLDING THE CANVAS ON MY COLEMAN POPUP CAMPER THEN JUST OPEN UP THE CAP & THE CANVAS HANG OUT THE SIDE OF THE BED WITH BUNGEE CORDS IN CASE OF WIND. CAN'T WAIT UNTIL YOU FIGURE OUT / FINISH YOURS ! BE SAFE ! HAVE FUN ! ENJOYED 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS ON YOUR ADVENTURES 🙏 THANK YOU 🙏

You seem to have a good design, the outside access kitchen stuff coupled with the awning is a great idea. The only issue I can see is your laundry will fall in behind the drawer on the left and eventually block it. you might have to put a partition between the two compartments. Looks good though! I can't help but notice your jigsaw, it looks like the same one my dad had when I was a kid 30 years ago!

As far as the shelves for your side cabinet goes, you might consider using some wicker baskets. I’m using them very effectively in my off-road trailer, and I’m considering having a hanging shelf across the back of the jeep with a few more often times you can find baskets at Goodwill very inexpensively. I repurpose mine for my mothers estate.

Love the new build. I still loved your contractors cap with the extra foot extension to sleep and the pop out side doors. I’m on a budget from my Tacoma but I seriously took that idea to be my main Olander build and I actually found a contractors cap on FB marketplace on the other side of my state for about $1000 so I’m planning to do a road trip and go Pick it up if it perfectly on my Tacoma short bed, I do love the idea of the pop-up tent on top and the fact that it’s all a hard shell but I need something that’s also gonna double as storage for my tools when I’m doing handyman jobs on the side and alsohauling some trash so my idea was to have a lot of the stuff like cabinetry, etc. bed come right out easily as I needed it. Great build keep it coming.

Well done enjoyed the vid.

Loving the build diy videos ❤

Really clever and a great use of available material.

Looks really good Donald. Great job.

nice work donald. ye did great getting what you needed in your build done. especially with all the recycling, upcycling and super discounted purchases. continued travel mercies and blessings. 🕊

Some great ideas!!!

Looking good Donald! 👊👌

Absolutely love what you did with this build. It looks really good. My new midsize truck should be coming soon and this gives me a lot of ideas for what I could do with mine. Great job!

To make the top of the carriage bolts even with the shelf/side surfaces you could have counter bored the holes.

Have you tried using a hole saw for cutting corners? Probably use what ever size you could use for door handles. If you start with the 4 holes, then make the 4 plunge cuts to connect, works especially well when your trying to duplicate multiple corners.

@1:19 Love how the cat looks at the camera like "Whats his problem" lmao

Great job on the build. I have the same idea. Will start building my own for the Tacoma. Nice job again.

It looks fantastic! 👍👍

I'm really enjoying seeing your build videos on the Nissan! Looks great so far! Hapy first day of fall Donald!

Shaping up great.

great build 👍🍺I like keeping it simple

Looking really nice and dialed

biggest heart stopping moment was when the camera fell over and it went to comercial, is the camera ok? talk about an "oh crap" moment. I do like the build out and the channel as you do the type of exploring and camping that I like.

Excellent! This build-out has evolved nicely.

Excellent as always Donald! Manitoba, Canada. (fyi)

Such a great channel…some awesome camper ideas

👍 on the build.

Dude I just met from Telluride CO. He has been living in his GFC for three years,