Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

Hi again.

After 6 months away from my truck I had plenty of time to think about ways to improve it and my first mod after being back at the wheel was in form of some well needed organization.

So I built a drawer system that incorporates a kitchen and plenty of storage. It's constructed using 1/2" plywood so fairly light but plenty strong. I didn't want to loose storage space so didn't use the typical sliding rails. Instead I made some 1/16" hardwood tracks that the drawers slide on. I just coat them with wax and they work great. The bottom right drawer has a removable plastic sink, storage for cooking utensils and the stove. There's an opening at the front of the drawer to run my propane cable. The 5lbs tank is hidden to the right of the drawer.

In the upper right drawer it's mostly cooking pans, plates, bowls... That drawer is shorter as it bumps against the back bench while the bottom one slide underneath.

The left drawer is shallow at the back but full height at the front so I have enough room to have a long axe, recovery and safety gears... I can even put two wvo cubies in there!

On top there's a storage box that while opening creates an extra shelf, great while cooking. I can also move that box to the front to support the bed (between rear bench and captain chairs). It's narrow enough that I can push it to the right and have leg room while sitting in the captain chair facing backward. It also leaves enough room to have the captain chairs facing forwards with leg room.

Finally I made a foldable bed platform that stores to the right of the captain chair and doesn't obstruct the air vent. If I don't use the storage box to support the bed I simply use my cooler that has the right height. The bed has the same width as a fat Thermarest and works great. I can keep the back rest of the rear bench up and still have 6'3" of sleeping room. With the back down then the captain chairs can both face back and a second platform can be added to have room for 2 adults way taller than me...

I've been using this system on my return trip across Canada and this weekend while camping and I would not go back to my old way! It's been working awesome. It's really nice not to have to search for anything, it all has it's place. The system is also secured as it is locked under the rear bench and can also be further secured with the existing rear bench nuts. As for the storage box I secure it for the moment with a tensioner belt.

But pictures are always better than all this bla bla bla

David designed a great system, we had the privilege to view it whilst camping this past weekend. I am in cupboard envy. Just slide the cooking drawer open, and start the propane stove, the 5 pound propane shorty container is build in to the right of the drawer (in the curved spot aft of the wheelwell). He had Boiling hot water for tea before others got their stoves unpacked. The width of the drawer is ikea kids toy shelf bucket wide, which is the green kitchen sink, clever.

The absolute BEST idea is that where the bottom of each plywood box drawer slides against the box frame, David has inserted HARDWOOD strips (the darker wood strips in the photo) so the drawer slides smoothly without any effort as the soft plywood can't dig into the hard wood. Even though he had heavy camping gear in the left drawer it was no effort to open.

In rain, the open back door provides a roof over your head while cooking.

Storage drawers are invisible when delica is in normal commuting mode, so less theft risk.

Very cool David. We love camping with such an organized person.

i got a false floor similar to that in my rear. works really well to hide my valuables and to organize tools on the go!

Very clever design David !

I was going to ask how the length of the bed was, but *cough*, that's probably unnecessary ;)

Seriously though, this is a great setup, and it was good seeing David cooking at the back of his van the other day with everything where he needed it... still not sure about the apron and rubber gloves though...

looks like us camper types need to have a DELI gathering....
if something happens soon, count me in!

well done.

Jaz wrote:...still not sure about the apron and rubber gloves though...

Was the apron rubber too? Yeah, that WOULD be creepy.

Sweet setup though. Very well engineered. Did you draw up some plans or was it all by-guess-and-by-golly? I'm sure the more 'handy' of us could figure it out from your pictures, but for the others...

mararmeisto wrote: Did you draw up some plans or was it all by-guess-and-by-golly? I'm sure the more 'handy' of us could figure it out from your pictures, but for the others...

I am of the "Others" orientation...but with a well laid-out plan, I can build it. And i MUST HAVE YOUR SYSTEM!!! hehe.
I had taken out the rear bench of my van, and essentially built a big box frame - ain't pretty, but it works - because i needed to come up with something quickly (three days!) for my wife and i to head to Tofino with our two dogs (can anyone say COZY!!??).
Planning a trip down south this coming spring, and think your system just might do the trick! There's no Home depot here in Revy, only a Rona and a Home Hardware (both of which are out, yes OUT!, of simple pine studs! WTF!? So supplies are limited..time, however, is not.

Thanks,

Well, I built this in one day. I simply took inside measurements and went along trying to maximize the space. I did think it over for a few weeks prior to that though, mostly figuring out what would be the most efficient way of doing it. Then when I started working on it at my dad's place who's got a big wood shop and loads of experience it simply all came together. So thanks dad! (yes, I got helped out along the way...)

I can take measurements and post them if that's what you're looking for. As for supply it's quite minimal, really! 1/2" plywood, glue, brad nailer, some hardwood or plastic for the sliders and a few hinges, that's it!

Nice Job!

Very european look to it.

flyfishn wrote:Nice Job!

Very european look to it.

Must be 'cause the concept was thought while I was in Europe

delicat wrote: I can take measurements and post them if that's what you're looking for. As for supply it's quite minimal, really! 1/2" plywood, glue, brad nailer, some hardwood or plastic for the sliders and a few hinges, that's it!

Measurements would be sweet...pretty please? I'm trying to wrangle some friends into some winter-time projects ("help me build this, and i'll help YOU build something!"). See how it all goes. And my wife just gave it the stamp of approval!

Chris

TAIT wrote:

delicat wrote: I can take measurements and post them if that's what you're looking for. As for supply it's quite minimal, really! 1/2" plywood, glue, brad nailer, some hardwood or plastic for the sliders and a few hinges, that's it!

Measurements would be sweet...pretty please? I'm trying to wrangle some friends into some winter-time projects ("help me build this, and i'll help YOU build something!"). See how it all goes. And my wife just gave it the stamp of approval!

Chris

almost time again for another Deli meet?
then you can paw away, and measure it up.

almac wrote:

TAIT wrote:

delicat wrote: I can take measurements and post them if that's what you're looking for. As for supply it's quite minimal, really! 1/2" plywood, glue, brad nailer, some hardwood or plastic for the sliders and a few hinges, that's it!

Measurements would be sweet...pretty please? I'm trying to wrangle some friends into some winter-time projects ("help me build this, and i'll help YOU build something!"). See how it all goes. And my wife just gave it the stamp of approval!

Chris

almost time again for another Deli meet?
then you can paw away, and measure it up.

Count me in!!!