[MiniCamper]

Hi,

New member here would like to get some input.

Like many people I don't manage to get away form work as much as I would like and it is often difficult to be organised enough to get out amongst it.

So I started looking at camper vans for the ability to just jump in and go away for the weekend. Now I live in a 1 bedroom apartment in inner Melbourne so I realised pretty quickly that there really wasn't anything out there that would fit my car space.

I have a 2009 Jimny so I figure why not do something completely unrealistic and try and turn it into a self contatained camper van.
The Jimny has a 2 inch lift and tough dog suspension kit and ARB bull bar and is an auto.

I want to do this without changing the vehicle a my primary car so no roof tent and no trailer as I have no where to park it.

Criteria/ wishlist as follows:
Retain use of both Front seats.
Space to sleep one lying down inside
Dual battery (with Solar charging) inverter for charging accessories
Fridge
Extra Fuel
Winch
Plumbed in water tank with shower head.
Rear Fly screen
Table
A much storage space as can be fitted.
New Stereo system.
Low profile roofrack cage
A method to have a camping hammock slung from the car if there are no trees.
Rear door is dinged

Possible extras:
New wheels and tyres (largest I can get without having to change anything mechanical)
anything to give the engine more omph
Lighting upgrade there are HID headlamps but could still do with more visibility.
Long Range fuel tank

Although I would like to do this myself I have to be realistic there is a limited amount you can do in an apartment I have no tools to speak of and am constantly way for work so I figure I will pay someone to do a a lot of the work for me.
Ideally I would like to only use the roofrack for sporting gear and Fuel everything else needs to fit in the vehicle
Budget: $5000-$10000
Time frame: want it done by Christmas

Does anyone have anybody they could recommend that could do this kind of work in Melbourne.

Also anything you guys would add to the wishlist? Any other advise sensible or otherwise?

Cheers
Matt

[laurie]

I think you may be biting off more than you could chew . sleeping inside will be your biggest problem
Have you thought of an awning and a camp stretcher ?
Dual battery with solar not such a problem as long as the roof rack does not cover the panel
you may need it for the winch and fridge anyway
plumbed water tank . 20l plastic can with caravan pump tap ? or $6 plastic bottle with tap from the supermarket .
shower could be a 12v cig lighter powered camping shower in a bucket of water you have heated with your kettle / billy
nice fold / roll up table is cheap and easy
don't need a hammock when you have a camp stretcher or the rack to a heavy tent pole with multiple ropes and pegs.

larger wheels and tyres will make you wish for even more power so you would need to balance your needs there
lighting go LED
a jerry can or better 2 x 10 l squat cans for roof loading would be easier and cheaper than a long range tank ( but not better )

my camper van is 4.8 m long .
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=49889&p=871567&hilit=trip+to+tough+truck#p871567

[got_bar_work]

3 sec Pop up tent and good self inflating air bed. U wont have enough room to sleep and have the gear in the car. Get a good custom draw set . U can get heat exchangers for the shower that mount under the bonnet

[MiniCamper]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the info but what I am trying to do here is a small spaces thing- Make a tricked out micro campervan from a Jimny. I have swags, tents camping hammocks etc. this isn't about making things cheap or easy it is about seeing what you can do with a small space.
Here is an example of an SA Jimny that goes along these lines
http://www.bobocampers.com/ENG/Discover ... %20ENG.htm
I want to follow the same lines just without the rooftop tent.

There is plenty of space to sleep down one side with the passenger seat folded down boat bunks are often smaller than this.
Here are some example sleeping platforms that have been done in a Jimny.
http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/suzy ... nd_item_en
http://auszookers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=28327


So Really looking for a recommendation for the following in melbourne:
Auto Electrician to do dual battery system (Preferabley under the bonnet) also lighting pumps
Interior fitout draws bed platform etc

Cheers
Matt

[pete_79]

Check out Zukenutter's build thread for an in-car sleeping platform.

If you want one of those 'tourer' Jimnys already done you should check out carsales, there is/was one on there all done for you ready to go. It's been there for a loooooooong time, he's probably negotiable on the price by now.

[99tomota]

It's definitely not impossible.

[striker99]

I had hoped to do something similar with my Jimny when i first got it...but practicality won out. I find it soo much simpler to just throw a swag or tent on the roof and not worry about it. Can setup under an awning too.

[99tomota]

Yeah I have been thinking of going the awning tent direction... Although you can sleep in the jimny in a pinch. Being short helps though..

[MiniCamper]

Well things are in progress...or at least I have started buying things. I have also found a guy who is willing to build a custome storage unit that will also comprise the bed.
I will start posting what I chosen for water, battery, fridge etc as things arrive.

[zukenutter]

My Jimny Camper setup

http://auszookers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=16667

[shep]

I am thinking of buying one of these

http://www.jayco.com.au/range/j-pod/

[zukenutter]

shep wrote:

I am thinking of buying one of these

http://www.jayco.com.au/range/j-pod/

That's pretty cool

[shep]

zukenutter wrote:

shep wrote:

I am thinking of buying one of these

http://www.jayco.com.au/range/j-pod/

That's pretty cool

I have a kickarse hard floor camper but the jimny has no chance of towing it.

[Mike57]

Doesn't look like the suspension is built for anything except bitumen roads. Only 490 kg though is pretty light.

[shep]

Pretty easy to fit Aussie made eye eye springs and shackles. Can be done for under $200. Another $300 will give a parallel bearings and brakes.