Okay, so I’ve been itching to get my hands dirty with this whole “SUV conversion” thing. I’ve seen a few of these projects online, and I finally decided to take the plunge with my own ride. It’s not exactly a luxury SUV, more like your everyday, run-of-the-mill family hauler, but hey, everyone starts somewhere, right?
Getting Started and Taking Stock
First thing I did was clean out the entire interior. I mean, everything. Years of accumulated junk, kid’s toys, fast food wrappers…you name it, it was in there. It was a bit of an archaeological dig, honestly. Found a five-dollar bill, though, so that was a win!
Next, I took out the back seats. Most of them just unbolt, but I had to wrestle with one for a good hour. Note to self: invest in a better socket set. Once those were out, the cargo area looked HUGE. Seriously, like a blank canvas.
Building the Base
My main goal was to build a sleeping platform. So I went to my local hardware and got a bunch of plywood and 2x4s. I’m no carpenter, so I kept the design super simple. Basically, a rectangular frame with a plywood top. I measured everything like five times to make sure it would fit snugly in the back.
Putting it together was…an experience. Lots of trial and error, a few misaligned cuts, and some choice words muttered under my breath. But eventually, I had a sturdy platform! It wasn’t pretty, but it was solid.
Creature Comforts
- Adding foam:I put a folding foam mattress on the platform. Thing is pretty comfy.
- Storage solutions: I added some plastic storage bins underneath the platform to keep things organized. Clothes in one, cooking gear in another, and so on.
- Curtains:I found some blackout curtains and used tension rods to hang them up. Instant privacy!
The Finishing Touches
I’m still working on some of the smaller details. I want to add some LED strip lights for ambiance and maybe a small fan for ventilation. I also thought about getting a portable power station to charge my phone and laptop.
It’s definitely a work in progress, but I’m pretty stoked with how it’s turning out. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine. And it’s going to be awesome for weekend camping trips. Can’t wait to hit the road!
