Delica Camper modifications

[nxski]

So I'm planning a year long trip around North America next year and in addition to some mechanical modifications I'm looking at putting in some features to make it a bit more camper friendly. I have a design for a folding bed / couch to fit between the front seats and the rear bench. I've also noticed that some people have installed a wall of sorts between the front seats and the rear passenger area. I like this idea but am having trouble figuring out how the front seats would fold back to access the engine!? Does anyone have pictures of this system at work or have information on how this would be done? All I can think of is to have the 'wall' free standing and on rollers...

PS. I think this post probably should have been listed in 'delica modifications' however I do not know if I am able to do this now that I've created the posting or how to do so if I can. Sorry Falco, I know you like to keep things organized...

[mararmeisto]

PS. I think this post probably should have been listed in 'delica modifications' however I do not know if I am able to do this now that I've created the posting or how to do so if I can. Sorry Falco, I know you like to keep things organized...

I moved it for you.

As to the many possibilities for camper mods, this site has lots to choose from. I've not seen the "wall" you speak of, but what about a simple curtain? I would think the separation is more about closing off the sleeping area from the looky-loos who might try peering in through your windshield, but other than that I could couldn't say why someone would want something more solid. I do know a lot of people are always on the hunt for the rare-ish front curtain - Moon Machine had one, but I could probably count on one hand the others I saw.

[nxski]

One of the reasons I like the 'wall' idea is not only that it separates but also that I can install speakers, a tv, etc in that space. I just recently saw a nice one in one of the albums on here but can no longer find it unfortunately, nor could I figure out how to access the engine bay with said design. I believe TardisDeli has a curtain across there, and I test drove one with the track but no curtain. Other than that they do seem rare and as TardisDeli suggested, a curtain stuffed into the air vents will suffice in terms of privacy.

[thedjjack]

I like my slide out design:

http://www.delica.ca/forum/first-delica ... 7549.html

For the front window I use two windshield sun blockers...That way I have the front seats for gear bags.

[nxski]

I like my slide out design:

I like your slide out design as well. It seems a bit too ambitious for me though and I like the idea of a 5 seater with an easily removable bed platform. Also if I figure out a way of putting a 'wall' in with tv and sound system I'll want the seats to face forwards for a less painful viewing experience.

[BCDelica]

If you take the rear curtain track off a wrecked Delica, and carefully bend it, it works as a front curtain when mounted to the air duct channel behind the front seats. Save the little rollers too.

Cheers

[Jordan]

Here are some shots of a rig with a bulkhead. Long wheel base from member "Pokon4"






Not my rig so I don't have any info. I wonder if the whole sub box/bulkhead is removable for engine access.

[mararmeisto]

I couldn't say how that driver accesses the engine bay, but I do recognise that the sliding door is on the wrong side...

That's quite the set-up!

[thedjjack]

Just anchor the bulk head to the hinge so it moves with the seat for engine access? You might need to add a clip at the top to stop it from flexing with driving (3 clips to undo for access).

[nxski]

That was one of the ones I've seen. For LHD Delica / Vanwagons is there a lwb model? Or am I missing something here?
Either way it would seem that the whole wall and bulkhead would either have to hinge somehow to slide backwards. As there is a lot of weight and fragile equipment in there I would imagine hinging it would be tricky. I suppose I'll put in the folding bed / couch first and see if I can't attach a wall to the back of that somehow and have the entire unit on a power bar so it can be plugged in and removed easily.

[fexlboi]

That was one of the ones I've seen. For LHD Delica / Vanwagons is there a lwb model? Or am I missing something here?

Yep, European l300 came also in long wheel base.

[nxski]

That was one of the ones I've seen. For LHD Delica / Vanwagons is there a lwb model? Or am I missing something here?

Yep, European l300 came also in long wheel base.

Any word on if some of those have made it over this way? That would be quite the machine!

[thedjjack]

As there is a lot of weight and fragile equipment in there I would imagine hinging it would be tricky.

That is not a lot of weight for a hinge. Look at a Cabover truck...the whole cab pivots on a hinge. If electronics can handle the ride in the Delica the hinging will not affect them.

I would hinge it as I see it way more risky pulling the wall out. Plus, you want easy access to a motor.

[nxski]

I don't doubt that a hinge would hold it or that the equipment could handle being hinged rather that it would need a solid place to hinge from and I would rather not be making any permanent changes to the vehicle. I like the idea of being able to return to stock at any point if so desired. I think a good rolling / sliding system would make it easy to move and would provide for a large platform as a stand. the only difficulty would be if the couch / bed was folded out. As ply-wood is cheapish I imagine a trial and error session may be in order.

[thedjjack]

Get the grinder out...we have enough stock form Delica's....

(I think the stock hinge could handle it...just a few L brackets....)

I like cardboard for trail and error (you can brace it with scrap if needed)

Cheers