Drawer System (Delicat copy/redesign)

[nvanadm]

Here is my version of delicat's drawer system with a few modifications. We've already taken a road trip to the east coast (New Hampshire and Maine) and it worked like a dream!

Here is what we did to build it...

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Our drawers with guide rails.

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Starting to actually look like storage drawers.

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[nvanadm]

More pictures...

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Adding the drawer fronts.

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Adding a usable working countertop.

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[nvanadm]

More pictures...

Counter top done!

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Our bed support...We found that when using a futon mattress you could feel all the bumps in the seats, so we decided to build a support.

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We made 3 x 18" sections so that we can fold it up and store it on top of the drawers in the back if we needed the seats for other passengers.

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We also designed a cooler holder with storage underneath. The tall leg support is also on a hinge, so that it folds up for easier storage.

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[nvanadm]

More pictures...

And here is the finished product with handles installed and painted to match the grey interior.

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We also found this mosquito net that fits almost perfect in the van around the bed. We didn't buy ours at Crappy Tire, but I did see the exact same one there. This allows us to be able to sleep with the windows (and sometimes doors open).

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There are little hooks on the corners that fit perfect in our vans.

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Here is a photo of how we can use the top of the drawer as a countertop. Using a futon mattress instead of an air mattress allows us to put the seat up no problem. It also converts the bed to a fancy chaise lounge for watching movies on a rainy day.

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[RichD]

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Really clean job! Lovin it. I nominate you for Best Use of Plywood in a Delica Weekend Conversion.

Norm Abram would approve of the copious use of pocket screws! I heart Kreg jigs.


I especially like how you got the triple-fold sleeping platform to stow behind the bench.

[nvanadm]

I especially like how you got the triple-fold sleeping platform to stow behind the bench.

It seems so simple now that's it's done, but it did take a lot of thinking to come up with it. We knew we needed to be able to have ALL seats accessible just incase of company. And one or two pieces of plywood wasn't going to be realistic to transport or store.

[jessef]

Great job. Very clean !

[trialsmaster2]

What a fantastic set up! I'm pretty sure that it's one of the few drawer systems that combine storage drawers and a sleeping area, while keeping all of the seats too. Nice work!

[RichD]

it did take a lot of thinking to come up with it

Oh I know... There are a lot of different ways you can go and everyone has different priorities of how they want to use it. That's why its so fun to see what other people have done!

In our setup, we ditched the captain's chairs, slid the bench all the way forward and maximized the void behind it. All our water and food goes in the top box (pantry), and we stowed all our camping gear and three milk crates of sundry below. Tools on the left, propane tank on the right of the box. Under the bench seat is where we stow the stove and kitcheneries, accessible from inside. We didn't even bother hanging the drawers because we already have a redesign in the works, with a flip-out kitchen so we can get into the pantry while cooking.

As for the sleeping platform, ours was bifolded and worked great. But we've already given it away (I'm sure it will do the rounds amongst local Delica peeps) as I've got a quad-fold design in the works which will collapse into a table.

Seeing your post has given me renewed enthusiasm about the project.

[chrisbouchard]

clearly im missing something here, but how do you make your back seats lie flat?! ive owned my van coming up on 2 years and not once have i figured this out...

your work looks great, makes me want to one-up my off-cut 2x4/old OSB bed frame i have in there currently!

cheers to all.

[RichD]

clearly im missing something here, but how do you make your back seats lie flat?!

I have the same van as they do and the same model rear bench. The levers on the bench allow full motion forward as well as back, not quite 180 degrees.

I suspect that there may be more than one model/configuration. Take a look at the hinge; there may be a stop that you can remove.

[Luna-Sea]

Excellent work!
The triple folding boards rocks!
(not too much more of a stretch to make it a table 4 sure)
Also it is worthy of note those water
jugs fit nicely in the side door step.
x2 on kickass use of a pocket holes jig.

Thank you for posting.

Right On!

[fexlboi]

Very nice work indeed!!
What kind of plywood did you use to keep the weight down?
If you like your mosquito net higher, use rare earth magnets with hooks from Lee Valley on the frame below the crytal lights. Works great and can be remove very quickly.

[delicat]

Well done!

Glad to see someone picking up my old design, there was a fair amount of thinking involved at the time! Mine is now owned by some cool girl working up North. I hope you realize it was patent pending... I'll send you the bill later on! hahaha

There's so many ways to get a decent living space out of a Delica, this vehicle is a great platform!

Cheers,
David

[RichD]

What kind of plywood did you use to keep the weight down?

Looks like birch ply, same stuff I had at the shop on Wednesday.

Birch weighs more than fir (more plies, more glue) but its sure nice stuff to work with.