If you love the idea of building something with your own hands and putting in the time, effort and sacrifice required to create something special, then this is the story for you! We are going to let you in on EXACTLY what its like to make one of these bad ass mobile kitchens.
We started in 2018 as a personal project for our Japanese imported RHD Delica, as we went on a cross-country USA camping trip, and built our first generation kitchen. We had some fun conversation along the way, ideas and interested folks on the instagram. Some people have been following us ever since and we welcome you to check that out on @totoro_from_japan. In that one we did everything from scratch in the garage, we figured out materials, paint, hardware.
The next summer some local friends and online friends were asking if we can help them do something with vehicles mobile kitchen wise. We did a couple things, then we helped my good buddy make a 4runner kitchen, and at the same time build our own kitchen design for our the new land cruiser. We share a passion for exploring off-road areas, and we are no longer able to digest only hot-dogs.
It was pretty funny trying to work with your friends designs, and as a result we had a literal blast doing it so I am going to tell you about what it takes to make a mobile kitchen right. Of course we can help you do it too.
Okay to the 4runner build. The finished product garnished a lot of attention, we each designed something, and we just build exactly what my wacky friend wanted, we maybe helped him scale it back just a touch, and draw the designs up in a way that were readable for the auto-cad machine.
The planning and execution work:
- You need to take the measurements of exactly the area it will fit into
- Make sure your seats recline, and any access ports are considered
- Consider mounting, are there any existing anchor spots
- Start drawing some sketches on napkins
- Make a first draft on some graph paper and re-measure the external sizes in the vehicle to make sure its going to work.
- Visualize the finish, the cuts how you want it to mechanically work
- Add that cut level of detail to your graph paper
- Consider what parts you need to order, will they work with the details above, make any corrections you need to
- Get your wood cuts design ready and engage the CNC vendor
- Weld a sub frame that can hold this together, now you know whats being cut so you have real measurements to work with as the wood comes back to the shop
- Assemble any hardware to the subframe loosely
- Receive the wood cuts, and complete the assembly
- Mount to the vehicle
In the end, if you do the work to design something you will likely be as ecstatic about it, and the finished product as my friend was. That design is ready to be printed on the awesome 4runner trails with a sliding cargo tray platform. You can check it out in person and see if you want to use it or make modifications. We have some recommendations :)
Making this passion into a business has taken a while, and yes it's been difficult, but honestly mostly fun. Having friends helps us to reach more to be friends, so that is where you join us now. And it is also a monumental event for us. Today we celebrate our very first online sale! woohoo! So happy to have you along for the ride.
This company is a passion project, we make a high quality yet affordable kitchens for your overlanders or off-road rigs. We are now a real business and we are excited to be part of this world of van lifers and overlanders.
Thank you so much for your support on our online store!
./BJ Landers Team
PS. Feel free to share your own experience about buying from us. We'd be happy to hear back from you!