Adding Roof Top Accessories to My 4X4 Van Build

Adding Roof Top Accessories to My 4X4 Van Build

I am converting my 2002 Mitsubishi Delica in to a small, 4×4 off-road mini camper van for one. In this video I complete the exterior of the van by adding a roof rack, tilting solar panel and some spot lights to illuminate the outside area.

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๐Œ๐ฒ ๐•๐š๐ง’๐ฌ ๐๐ฅ๐š๐ฒ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4FOvDADCkBkNv2ukzD75l8E_ZWKAeZrN

๐’๐จ๐ฆ๐ž ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐†๐ž๐š๐ซ ๐Ÿ๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐•๐š๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐ & ๐•๐ข๐๐ž๐จ: ๐˜“๐˜ช๐˜ด๐˜ต ๐˜ค๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ๐˜ต๐˜ข๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ด ๐˜ข๐˜ง๐˜ง๐˜ช๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ข๐˜ต๐˜ฆ ๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ฌ๐˜ด.
Roof Box: https://geni.us/roofbox
Black Aluminium Profile: https://geni.us/ProfiledAluminium
Slam Locks: https://geni.us/SlamLock
Door Hinges: https://geni.us/DoorHinges
Maxoak EB240 Battery: https://geni.us/EB240
My Diesel Heater: https://geni.us/DieselHeater
24v to 12v Transformer: https://geni.us/Transformer
Reading Lights: https://geni.us/yCkUEL
Aluminium LED Cases: https://geni.us/LEDChannels
Carpet & Adhesive: https://geni.us/Carpet
Custom Cut Wooden Doors: https://geni.us/WoodenDoors
Bike Chain Stuff: https://geni.us/PipeBracket
Custom Made Cushions/Mattress: https://geni.us/DkyR
Main Video Camera: https://geni.us/for-video
Aerial Footage: https://geni.us/aerialfootage
๐— ๐˜† ๐—™๐˜‚๐—น๐—น ๐—ž๐—ถ๐˜ L๐—ถ๐˜€๐˜ ๐—•๐—น๐—ผ๐—ด: http://bit.ly/tomsgear

๐Œ๐ฒ ๐‹๐š๐ง๐๐ฌ๐œ๐š๐ฉ๐ž ๐๐ก๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ ๐ซ๐š๐ฉ๐ก๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ค: https://thomasheaton.co.uk/product/my-book/
๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ž ๐–๐š๐ญ๐œ๐ก ๐ฆ๐ฒ ๐„๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ซ๐ž ‘๐Ž๐ง ๐‹๐จ๐œ๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง’ ๐‚๐š๐ญ๐š๐ฅ๐จ๐ ๐ฎ๐ž: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4FOvDADCkBkzwcsW_GQuaYi5I3Zr2lV7

๐˜๐จ๐ฎ ๐Œ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ ๐›๐ž ๐ˆ๐ง๐ญ๐ž๐ซ๐ž๐ฌ๐ญ๐ž๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐“๐ก๐ž๐ฌ๐ž:
Online Photography Course: https://f4roadtrip.com
My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatonthomas/
My Website: https://www.thomasheaton.co.uk
My E-Book: http://geni.us/onlocation

๐“๐ก๐ž ๐Œ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐œ ๐ข๐ง ๐“๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐•๐ข๐๐ž๐จ
Why Do You Still Hurt – Martin Hall
British Indie – Victor Ohlsson
Just Do (Instrumental Version) – Martin Carlberg
๐˜ผ๐™ก๐™ก ๐˜ฟ๐™ค๐™ฌ๐™ฃ๐™ก๐™ค๐™–๐™™๐™š๐™™ ๐™›๐™ง๐™ค๐™ข ๐™ƒ๐™š๐™ง๐™š: http://share.epidemicsound.com/t2V7R

#LandscapePhotography #VanLife #Delica

50 Comments

  1. Oleg Gordin on September 24, 2023 at 2:42 pm

    Hi Tom. That’s means that the two hands on the right place. Respects!!!

  2. Michael Amos on September 24, 2023 at 2:42 pm

    Cut a grove down the center of one of the joined panel hinges, use a bolt and wingnut, and you’ll have an infinitely adjustable panel tilt! E viola! Also, before you build in storage behind the passenger seat consider the charm of using a temporary lucite box for whatever, SO that you can always move it to then throw in a "last mile" transport solution in the still free space… if not an actually bike. Awesome build, really enjoyed the series.

  3. Monty Craig on September 24, 2023 at 2:44 pm

    Methinks you might need a bit wider driveway… great video series man!

  4. Philip - Money Mongoose on September 24, 2023 at 2:44 pm

    Nice job. I could not bring myself to drill a hole in the roof of my car. Isn’t it possible to route the cables around the outside of the car somehow?!

  5. Firdaus Amin on September 24, 2023 at 2:46 pm

    Just one problemโ€ฆ

  6. S. Jo Zig on September 24, 2023 at 2:47 pm

    Awesome

  7. S M on September 24, 2023 at 2:51 pm

    Duly impressed-followed all 4sections. I was thinking, perhaps, while at it, youโ€™d like to take few more days off and write a step-by-step Manuel and sell them. Iโ€™d buy it in heartbeat, $500.00

  8. UK Deer, Wildlife And Nature on September 24, 2023 at 2:52 pm

    Hi i watched murrays skye film and then subscribed to youre channel ๐Ÿ‘ ive watched youre skye film and then all the van vids and you did a great job and now i want a van too!! Im a wildlife film maker so it would be awesome so thanks for inspiring me

  9. PETER FRITZ on September 24, 2023 at 2:53 pm

    Ugh! Pulling out trim to run wires scares the sh*t out of me. Youโ€™re a brave man.

  10. Ewan on September 24, 2023 at 2:53 pm

    Loving that lockdown hairstyle ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿคญ

  11. Priyank S on September 24, 2023 at 2:53 pm

    You have created a home away from home

  12. Gwyn on September 24, 2023 at 2:53 pm

    Just finished watching all the van build videos – WOW brilliant! So many good ideas, excellent source of materials / websites and entertaining too! I have been looking for ideas for when I get rid of my rock and roll bed and replace with a more practical / space saving modular version and these videos have really inspired me. Thank you. (Confession: I did laugh out loud when you spilled the diesel, could see what was going to happen – shouldn’t have laughed – sorry ๐Ÿ˜Š ) Right I see I have a few more videos to get through – subscribed.

  13. LoLGiKtv on September 24, 2023 at 2:54 pm

    U can get frige 12v dc brand apricool

  14. spidersj12 on September 24, 2023 at 2:55 pm

    I would have put the outside lights that you have attached to the storage box, back to the roof rack ends, but create a 90 degree pivot option so that you can get the lights pointed to the side like you wanted but will not have that shadow that your storage box mounted lights still have a bit of. You’ll want to have some kind of locking mechanism both for when the lights are parallel to the roof rack side bars, as well as perpendicular when they’re being used when you’re parked. Did you do a full water proof test of the hole in your roof after mounting the 3-way electrical box?

  15. 320dak on September 24, 2023 at 2:55 pm

    Excellent work on your build!๐Ÿ‘ Scary part was drilling a hole in the roof! My sister and brother-in-law wanted a fantastic fan in their brand new van with 67 miles on it. They cutout a huge square hole in it. Fits well!

  16. Huckleberry on September 24, 2023 at 2:57 pm

    I think you should take this as your side job! You are quite talented at converting van!

  17. Thomas Heaton on September 24, 2023 at 3:00 pm

    If I reply to your comment. Make sure my name is highlighted and has a tick next to it. There is a spambot out there claiming to be me, leaving comments about Whatsapp and Bitcoin. I’m certain no one here would fall for it, but just in case.

  18. Kadachiman on September 24, 2023 at 3:01 pm

    Hey mate, great build.
    I don’t think you really gained anything from the adjustable solar panel as the wattage gain will be very very minimal, so not worth the effort of adjusting it each time.
    Perhaps you can borrow a wattage meter from someone and do an actual measurement difference with flat panel vs tilted panel when the sun is setting or rising.

  19. Martin Cotter on September 24, 2023 at 3:02 pm

    Hi there, not sure if itโ€™s been asked so apologies if it has. Can you tell me why you decided to supply your heater with an internal tank? If the van is a diesel why not take it from the main tank or mount the aux tank external to the vehicle? Diesel if very smelly. Kind regards Martin.

  20. John Yang on September 24, 2023 at 3:05 pm

    I want to say to make sure you flush cut the ends of those cable ties. They can cut you if you happen to run you hand or any body part against them.

  21. Henk Van de Goor on September 24, 2023 at 3:05 pm

    Another "vantastic" video ๐Ÿ™Š I tell you: your van built is darn solid, detailed, and cool!

  22. 1134Bigguy on September 24, 2023 at 3:06 pm

    Nice job! Videos are great!

  23. Noel McElwee on September 24, 2023 at 3:06 pm

    Dude!โ€ฆ.. what Thule roofbar kit did you use??

  24. Sheila Kaye on September 24, 2023 at 3:08 pm

    Loved watching your 4 part build! Yes, the details are magnificent! Thought you might like to know the roof box link goes to other small containers, but not the gun case…

  25. Roy Paul Carter on September 24, 2023 at 3:10 pm

    Very nice.

  26. Patsy Brady on September 24, 2023 at 3:10 pm

    Love how your first trip out was to St Maryโ€™s lighthouse! Donโ€™t see a lot of the North on YouTube but that probably says more about my subscriptions

  27. Nickolas Berdzenishvili on September 24, 2023 at 3:13 pm

    Nice camper man! You did great job!

  28. BeKoz on September 24, 2023 at 3:13 pm

    Have you ever seen an outoodr sunbathing chair? ……they may have a betyer solution for your tilt angle that’s also much easier.

  29. Daniel Miller on September 24, 2023 at 3:16 pm

    Love it!!๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘

  30. Bram van de Klundert on September 24, 2023 at 3:19 pm

    How about the to long side roofracks ?
    It can be 10 cm. shorter both sides, If U have a nasty situation, it’s the difference between a lot of damage ๐Ÿ™ or not ๐Ÿ™‚
    Good luck with the cut in your hand !

  31. Adam Bunney on September 24, 2023 at 3:21 pm

    Awesome job TH.

  32. Dave H on September 24, 2023 at 3:21 pm

    Probably one of the best Delica Conversions on YT ๐Ÿ™‚
    My only concern..?? Have you registered this as a Camper Van with DVLA..??
    Your V5 will have it as something like MPV 7/8 Seater, That is what your insurance is based on…
    But it’s no longer that…
    So Insurance invalid, unless V5 is a Camper & Insurance a Camper, which is usually cheaper, although you use it for business..!!

  33. Patricia Hand on September 24, 2023 at 3:24 pm

    ๐Ÿ‘

  34. Darek K on September 24, 2023 at 3:25 pm

    dedicated grommets are available online

  35. ่ฏ—ไธŽ่ฟœๆ–น on September 24, 2023 at 3:26 pm

    ไธญๅ›ฝๆœ‰ๅฅๅค่€็š„่ฐš่ฏญ๏ผšไฝ ่„ฑไบ†่ฃคๅญๆ”พๅฑโ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”ไธๆ€•้บป็ƒฆใ€‚HAHA

  36. Hatze Schmitz on September 24, 2023 at 3:27 pm

    Amazing Work!!!! =) …but how did you manage fresh air supply during night/sleep ?

  37. Chen Chen on September 24, 2023 at 3:28 pm

    How tall are you?

  38. Matthew Brunt on September 24, 2023 at 3:30 pm

    I would make the pax seat turn around to face the inside of the van. That way you get to use a very comfortable seat when using the van and add a desk that you can access when seated there

  39. TMP Books on September 24, 2023 at 3:31 pm

    Over the past few years, I’ve watched dozens (hundreds?) of van builds, and this is one of the very best. Excellent work.

  40. Dominique Comte on September 24, 2023 at 3:32 pm

    just a stray thought about the gun box : if one of the nuts comes loose, the bolt will fall. if you put the nuts on the bottom, the bolts would stay in the holes with the weight.

  41. Colin Moss on September 24, 2023 at 3:33 pm

    Great vlogs, thanks. One question, Iโ€™ve just watched you attach the solar panel, are you able to use the power oak while itโ€™s charging from the solar panel?

  42. J Lee on September 24, 2023 at 3:33 pm

    Why did you choose to tilt the solar panel towards the passenger side instead of the driver side?

  43. Simon Morley on September 24, 2023 at 3:34 pm

    Mate well done!
    That was truly inspiring and to a perfect level of high quality.
    But where are you going to sleep when your missus wants to come!?

  44. E C Photography on September 24, 2023 at 3:34 pm

    Enjoyed watching this, itโ€™s inspired myself to try do my driving lessons then ๐Ÿ˜ฎ thisโ€ฆ. Lol seems easy but I assume it wasnโ€™t as easy at all ๐Ÿ˜‚

  45. Michael Oliver on September 24, 2023 at 3:35 pm

    From Alaska with love Tom my boy. You are a man after my own heart with your โ€œcustomโ€ mounting hardware for that Bitchin solar panel. Sure there are expensive brackets and hardware out there for the same purpose but your creative split comes out with every corner, nook and cranny!

  46. Gallant Foto on September 24, 2023 at 3:36 pm

    Great job on the van

  47. Darek K on September 24, 2023 at 3:36 pm

    all i would do is spare wheel fixed externally and lpg conversion for fuel efficiency

  48. zumezoom on September 24, 2023 at 3:38 pm

    Maybe you could somehow make a swivel to attach the two legs that help prop up your solar panel so you don’t need to take it off and stow away.

    What a great build! Happy hunting, stay safe

  49. Dave Cooke on September 24, 2023 at 3:40 pm

    I bought a Deli last year. What a beast! Picked up plenty of tips for when I convert mine. Cheers.

  50. Frank Bonilla on September 24, 2023 at 3:40 pm

    Excellent build. Happy trails! ๐Ÿ™‚

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