Smart Car Camper Van Conversion - Full Build
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- čas přidán 7. 06. 2024
- Max McMurdo is back in the workshop with another camper van conversion. This time he’s trying to create the world’s smallest micro camper van using his convertible smart car. Could this be the perfect vehicle for solo camping?
To do this he’ll need to raise the suspension, fit off road wheels and tyres, add a roll cage and a roof tent. Follow the full build and find out if Max is able to make the car of his dreams.
If you enjoy this video don’t forget to check out his Ambulance Camper Van conversion.
• 🚑 Max McMurdo's Ambula...
0:00 Introduction to the Smart Camper
1:17 Removing Trim and Bumpers
3:44 Adding a Lift Kit
6:26 Off-Road Tyres
9:15 Fabricating the External Roll Cage
10:13 Installing Roll Cage
11:52 Lights, Waffle Board and Off Road Essentials
12:56 Adding the Roof Tent
17:04 Finishing Touches
#vanlife #adventure #offgrid #microcamper
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I love how chaotic and "unofficial" this is🤣. Not to mention the fact that you actually checked all the main boxes for accessories/off-road builds and needs! I also love how it's all a miniature version too lol
Chaotic and unofficial is my mantra! 😂🤙🏼
and you do it so well
You might even say it was... smart ;-)
As a young teenager, this was one of my favorite cars. I just thought it was endlessly unique. And now as someone who loves camping in their 30s, I am in love with this car all over again! Incredible build, and great video!
Awesome! If your second favourite car is a VW beetle we have another build on the channel you might be interested in 👀
never mind the those who are laughing or labeling you whatever negatives, just by thingking outside the box, thats amazing, WORKING on it, thats even more greater,,, god bless sir
Well said!
I saw a Smart car camper around 10 years ago.. it had a full-length bed for sleeping on the passenger side, and a full kitchen out the back hatch, it was for sale for like $3,500 at the time in Los Angeles.
Great idea! And probably a lot less work then building an external roll cage
Love the build!! 😍 Only issue I perceive is it's small wheelbase and foot print, with a top heavy tent would make it a challenge in traffic getting passed by a semi truck. Lest we forget THAT Top Gear episode lmao 🤣
😳 No motorway driving for Max
Looks brilliant and loved watching the full conversion. Would love to see you using it!
Coming soon!
No you dont.
Can’t wait for this to be in Rocket League.
OK, credit goes where it is deserved. Very well put together video, the editing is great quality and Max and the fabricator do an amazing job. I was surprised it was produced from a tool company! Props for great content, commenting to help the algorithm along!
Thanks that so nice of you, have you checked out our Ambulance camper build? if you enjoyed this you'll definitely like that 🚑
@@SilverlineToolsTVthey are good 👍 aspecialy yours 😁👍
There's an American woman who's converted her Smart Car to a camper, and she has a bed where the passenger seat was located that extends to the tailgate.
This allows her full length sleeping inside her car, I saw it featured on the Cheap RV Living CZcams channel.
Great idea, thanks for sharing!
Looks great in person too, I was lucky enough to see a few of the stages of the build.
The 3rd visit of the new massive build is coming on nicely too 👍from what I saw yesterday
Downright SWEET!! Amazing work!!
Thank you! Have you seen the Ambulance? That's pretty awesome as well 🚑
Is it silly? Is it awesome? Can't it be both? Love it! Now I want one for my car. It could haul my kayak!
Right on both counts!
Thats "exo-skeleton"-rollcage was a brilliant idea to mount the roof tent
Thanks, looks great as well
Absolutely ridiculous - LOVE IT!!
🔥🔥🔥
Flipping Awesome.
Wish I'd kept my old Smart for 2 and done that.
Brilliant 👍🏻
Already done a quick search on Auto trader 😍
Thanks Andy 👍🏼
Best looking Smart I`ve ever seen! Great Job!
Couldn't agree more, you working on a camper yourself?
Crikey .. what an amazing job you did on the Smart.. everything is right on... love tires.. must be good in winter... wow.. this is just perfect I find.. and hats off to you mate.. love it!!!
Thanks 👍 Have you checked out Max's latest build? A VW Beetle Pick up!
@@SilverlineToolsTV oh no I didn't but I will go see that.. thank you
Definitely worth a watch and more on the way soon!
Awesome project! Inspiring for DIY! Love your spirit!
Thanks, you converting something at the moment?
Looking forward to seeing this beauty on the road!
Keep and eye on the channel this Sunday! 👀 We might have snuck a few surprises in as well.
Amazing Max! Fab conversation !
Thanks!
You’re not left with much storage in the car so how about a small off road looking trailer or even a teardrop caravan.
Great idea!
Smart cars are not homologated for towing though.
@@johnleaver1868 where there’s a will there’s a way, I’m sure he’ll figure it out 😉
I think keeping it as minimal as possible is better.
He'd be better of getting a larger car then, i think this is pretty neat
That was fun. Looking forward to the adventure video.
Thanks, keep an eye peeled on the channel next week 👀
Me too! 😂🙌🏼
Amazing! Love it!
Couldn't agree more! If you liked this you should check out the ambulance conversion as well 🚑
Incredible!
Thanks!
this is one of the best custom builds ive ever seen!!!!
Have you seen the Beetle Pick Up yet?
no????@@SilverlineToolsTV
Thank you 🙏🏼
This is amazing! I would love to experience this myself, if only I had the skill and welding buddy like you
We all need a welding buddy! Why not start small and build up to something like this. We're sure you're more than capable 👍
This looks really sick. Love it!
Thanks, if you liked this you should check out the VW beetle pick up conversion
Amazing project...I have no words.
Amazing projects was a pretty good summary, not sure you needed many more. Thanks!
Absolute little beastie. There are two things I wanted to mention. #1, those spots where the roll cage sticks out behind the door are quite nice, though I worry about water ingress. Perhaps it's nothing, in the grand scheme of things! #2, the placement of those grip tracks is perfect, and really adds to the look. All around epic adventure vehicle.
It’s a 10 year old Cabriolet. Water is going to get in regardless.
Thank you 🙏🏼
Thanks, you working on a camper yourself?
@@SalvoDan you do have a point, sir.
It's perfectly illegal to drive something like this on public roads - if you don't have a camping spot in the back yard... Going out on the public road with this car only on the trailer is again not a valid option so it looks good, it works well but it's useless . Who is camping in the backyard??? Or who attaches another 1000kg to the tent?
I'm glad you didn't have to "faff about" (nice UK English there!) thanks to your sun roof. I love eccentric mods like this. Thanks for showing it off.
My favorite part was the mulling over whether it should open over the driver side or passenger side ... because strangely I found that I too had strong feelings about the answer - and couldn't make up my mind either. 🙂
Any closer to making your mind up?
If you enjoyed this video, check out our ambulance camper as well! 🚑
@@SilverlineToolsTV - I wanted a Smart Car back in the day -- back when there was a waiting list for them. The price has come down quite a bit in the meanwhile. I now have a GEM car ... which is smaller than a SmartForTwo.
But now that I saw how much room there is underneath, I think it doesn't really matter which side. I'm inclined to say passenger -- so you can unload and get to the ladder more directly.
Personally, I find when I want to sit in my car -- just for the sake of sitting -- like on a chair -- I prefer to sit on the driver side, even if I don't intend to drive. I like the familiar feeling more than the freedom from having a steering wheel in your face.
I love this build. I have a 2013 Scion IQ that I've been modifying over the years to be a capable overlander. Love camping with it, I can fit into any spot and go almost anywhere. Gas mileage isn't as good as the Smart, but it's still decent.
Sounds awesome, got any pics? We'd love to see your build
Looks great. Top work Max 🔥🔥🔥
Thank you 🙌 Have you checked out the ambulance camper? 🚑
That is awesomely class build boss I loved it. How I wish I have that cool SFT OFFROADER. 😍😍😍!!!
Thanks! 👍 If you liked this you should check out Max's latest VW Beetle Pickup Build
Superb idea and brilliant work
Thanks! Who knows what his next project will be... Any ideas?
Thank you 🙏🏼
I love my tiny car. Parking in LA is no problem.
Perfect vehicle for that!
Awesome build!
Thanks! More adventures to come 🏔
"First car to have interchangeable panels," maybe for your country but in the States we had the Pontiac Fiero in the 1980s that could do something similar since the panels were plastic too but not entirely like the Smart. These resulted in improved crash test results, and they were also easily replaceable according to a post.
Still loved the video and you being a madlad to do that instead of just lifting a Smart is brilliant. Maybe trying to put a tow hitch on the back and get a hitch cargo carrier to hold more stuff outside.
Great idea, maybe we'll do a part 3 after all
Yep, and Saturn vehicles continued this tech after the fiero was killed off.
This is amazing! Funny that just yesterday I was thinking how cool my Chevy Spark would look with a lift kit. Great video. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Have you checked out the Ambulance camper? 🚑 Think you'll enjoy that as well!
There was someone else that did a lift kit and put off road tires on a jeep renegade. At least that one has 4wd.
Wooooah such a great conversion!!! nice job
Thanks!
Best built i ever saw.
Best wishes and always a good voyage from Germany 👍👏👏👏
Wow! thanks, if you liked this you should check out the Ambulance camper as well 🚑
Fantastic well done.
Thank you! Cheers!
i dont know why ive always loved the smart cars.... this makes me really want one as everything else i own has big tires
big tires make everything better
Excellent video indeed! The Smart is a cool, quirky head turning little car. My Girl Friend has the open top version like You, and it is one cool (little) piece of kit. Quite a safe car, well designed, well thought out and very reliable too. Loved the way you raised the car's suspension and the conversion, that was just awesome!
Thanks! Was a fun build and more from Max on the way
Incredible ! I WANT THIS TOO!
Don't blame you, it's a beast
the fact they put a rollcage around a _rollcage_ is the best part of this vid tbh
Absolutely loved it. Great storage in your kitchen unit and everything was so well thought out. I would have been thrilled to see the tent out. Can you do that for next time ?
Check back at 13:00 today 👀
@@SilverlineToolsTV I’ve made a reminder in my phone 🤩
Love it! If you liked this have you checked out the ambulance conversion as well? 🚑
Love this channel and that Smart Car
Thanks, have you seen the ambulance camper as well? 🚑
It’s ridiculous, I love it!
Couldn't agree more 😍
the smartest smart i have ever seen
I've always wanted a winch but not sure having one on a smart car is the wisest idea. 😆😂🤣 that nearly killed me 😆
Don't want to get stuck 😅
That s probably the wisest offroad mod put on this car. Maybe the only one
What an amazing crazy idea!! Cant wait to see you camping
Just give Max a spanner and let him build!
Planning lots of adventures 🤙🏼
Absolutely fantastic. 💯💯
Thank you 🙌
Saturn had plastic removable panels years ago, but love yourbuild.
Reckon you could make a hybrid Smart-Saturn by swapping panels?
I like the rugged, urban warrior, go anywhere look but you know you want 4WD!!
I have a Fiat Panda 4x4 0.9 twinair they have a really cool 4x4 system, very effective and very capable, they're like little mountain goats 🐐
I've always wondered about turning it into a little micro camper!😁👍
Go for it! we'd love to see a fiat panda off roader!
Looks Fantastic
Thanks! If you liked this you should watch the Ambulance camper and VW Beetle Pickup Conversions
It does look nice!
Very! Have you seen the ambulance camper as well?
Totally rediculous. I love it!
us to 😍
I thought it would be a wasted effort, I was wrong and I really like it.
OMG. It is perfect!!
😍
This is so cool and inspiring. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
So glad! You thinking about making a camper?
The winch really is the ribbon on.... whatever the hell this thing is :D - Utterly bonkers, I love it.
Funnily enough utterly bonkers is what we were aiming for
I love the freedom you've in UK for doing this. In Spain you need to pass an storm of regulations and controlling. Enjoy it.
What regulations please? I'm building a micro camper in a berlingo van that's removable with no modifications to the car.. everything held down with straps, etc so I don't have to deal with the regulations here (Barcelona) but do you have any links or reading material that can help with info please?
Absolutely brilliant!
Glad you enjoyed it, have you seen the Ambulance camper as well? 🚑
10/10 what a fun idea
Thanks! If you liked this you should check out some of Max's other builds on the channel
60 MPG, I mean 20. LOVE the build! I do wonder the MPG now, though
Love an optimist 👍
I wish you can create another content to showcase how the rollcage was made.. im actually building the same project with a suzuki alto..superb project!
Awesome, how's your build going? We'd love to see 📷
Very very unique design, maxed out every usable inch of the smart car.
Thanks! More to come from Max soon
I smiled the whole video 😊 Brilliant, just brilliant!
I signed up to receive the first wave of Smart Cars in the U.S. and loved the little guy.
Amazing, have fun with your Smart car!
@@SilverlineToolsTV I sold it (for a profit) because when they first came to the States the demand was so high and there was so little supply that I was getting cash offers on it. I loved the lil fella while I had it. Not much of a match for the big trucks here though (go ‘Merica 🙄)
Renault an Citroen back in the days also used 3 bolts to mount a wheel... 🙂
Good to know, Thanks!
I love it. I think it's exactly what Colin Furze would do with a smart car. Except his would probably also have a flame thrower.
If we made a flamethrower, it probably would 🔥
Thats just amazing dude
Thanks, you working on a camper yourself?
you created a power-wheels camper the kids can use out in the yard! awesome
Looks as tall as it is long. Not sure the physics adds up to a safe ride. But it looks awesome!
It doesn't really go anywhere fast these days
I liked the look with the roll cage added!
Have you tried it out yet Off Road? I bet those Back Tyres rubbed.
We have, maybe you'll see a little off roading this Sunday! 👀
I’ve tweaked them slightly 👌🏼
Okay now I've seen it all!
That looks so 🔥🔥🔥
Have you seen the Van tour video? a few extra surprises in that one...
@@SilverlineToolsTV Nope, but now Im definitely going to check it out!
Great stuff, love it!
Definitely worth a watch! There's the ambulance camper as well if you're still left wanting more Max 🚑
@@SilverlineToolsTV Absolutely! thanks for letting me know love the channel 👍👍
unreal. that was awesome.
Thanks, have you seen the ambulance camper as well? 🚑
The best is open it over the front and having the option to support the tent within the footprint of the car for Germany important for legal reason ;-)
That's a great idea!
Love this and have been wanting to do it for a couple of years now since I’ve had mine any chance of the roll cage plan’s and the parts list of what you used 🤞🏼
Go for it! We'll ask Max if he has any plans
@@SilverlineToolsTV did you manage to get an answer from max if not it’s fine but what size and thickness is the frame made from ?
Such a fun little car and idea
Thanks, definitely ready for a few adventures now 🏔
How cool is this?! Looks like a moonrover!
Next big adventure 🌕
Just loved this. Would love to have the parts list. Where can I get this.
Thanks, we'll ask Max for a parts list, sure he's got a shopping list somewhere. You thinking about converting something? 🚙
I could absolutely see that in my driveway. ....
Would look good
Looks freaking awesome! I want one!
You and me both!
Sold! 😂🙌🏼
i had a black smart car. It had some electrical gremlins, but I loved that car.
Very nice, looks like it'd be a lot of fun.
Maybe have the roof tent opening over the rear door where you do the cooking? (Height permitting? although I would use a high stool)
Nice Idea!
BMW Z1 had all removal panels. Renault used 3 hub studs for years. Pity it is not road legal due to the front tyres being wider that the arch extensions. I liked the project just loathe factual inaccuracy.
Peugeot and Citroen also used 3 stud wheels, I was about to suggest that it was a French thing, until I recalled working on a Daf 33, almost 50 years ago, which also had 3 stud wheels
the colorswap is so cool and fun💟
It's a great feature!
Brilliant video. I'd happily spend a weekend away in that. Liked and commented to help the algorithm.
Amazing! thanks for the support 😍
I love my 2006 Smart car and I'm sad to have to give it up soon. This video is BRILLIANT!!! I love what you did and wish I had the know-how and budget to do the same. Good on ya!
Thanks! If you liked this you should check out Max's Beetle conversion
This being lifted and with so much weight well above the roof will probably flip over very easily. Besides that yes it looks cool
It's all about appearances 😎
It does have a roll cage...duh
When it flips over it turns into a sleigh. Boom, one more feature.
Amazing job!
Thank you!
That’s awesome!
Isn't it just!
The cage is cool however the front lid can no longer be removed due to cage design.
You can remove it, it's just far more difficult that it used to be 👀
Looks really cool but a lot of weight for a tiny engine 😁
You can go fast or you can go anywhere! I know what i'd choose
Nice build. You Mad Maxed it.
😄
That is epic bro..... smiling at how good it looks
Cheers, have you checked out the ambulance camper yet? 🚑
6:42 the Renault Kwid use only 3 screws also
Thanks, good to know!
For off reading use you might want to use smaller wheels and tires for more suspension travel
Good thinking!
BRILLIANT!
Thanks, can't believe how well it turned out!
EPIC!!! I wish I had this!!
🙌