This how-to series is a comprehensive guide to a DIY camper van conversion. But, DIY isn’t mutually exclusive with Instagram vans from professional companies. You can build a van yourself with rock solid function and polished aesthetics.
These articles cover a camper van conversion electrical system, body modifications (e.g. window and fan installation), plumbing, creature comforts, and more. It covers design and layout for traveling with kids.
Creature Comforts (e.g. port-a-potty, cell signal booster)
Kids: Designing a van and traveling as a family
The start: cutting the first holes in the sheetmetal! Here, for windows.
Looking in from the sliding door. Full (double) size mattress
Porta-Potty slideout. Rule: liquids only!Fridge and slide-out pantry.Slide-out pantry.Under the sink. 1.3L Camplux water heater.Clothing storage in overhead bins. Jacket storage on the back doors. Great extra insulation!Shower pan in floor. We can hang a portable hula-hoop with shower curtain from the ceiling and pull a hose from the sink galley.Shoe rack.Control panel.LED color lightstrip under the galleys. Extremely useful at night so you don’t blast the rest of the van with white overhead LEDs to pee. Lagun table arm. We made the table top ourselves.Cabbunk bunk for our son! He loves it!Empty garage. Electrical and batteries housed over left wheel well, back of refrigerator protruding in center, and 30gal water tank over right wheel well.Everything that can fit in the garage. More than you think!2x MaxxAir fans, 4x 100W solar panels.2x 2,200 lumen pod lights on side. 27,000 lumen front lightbar!
Specs
2018 Ford Transit 250 high roof, mid-length (148″ wheelbase), Diesel
Quigley 4×4 conversion + BF Goodrich KO2 tires
SumoSprings + SuperSprings added suspension
400Ah lithium (2x 200Ah batteries)
400W solar
3000W inverter
Recessed ceiling LED lights + undercounter LED lightstrips
All-aluminum welded framing with steel angle iron for wheel well boxes/bed support
Swivel front seats
Refrigerator 3.7cu ft
Portapotty
Cell phone signal booster
Wifi signal booster/aggregator/broadcaster
Interior shower: shower pan + break-down hula hoop curtain
Seats 4; sleeps 2 in full-size bed + 2 kids in hammocks
T-vent windows on driver and passenger side
10ft awning + rear ladder
Exterior 27,500 lumen LED lightbar + 4x 2,200 lumen pod lights
Conversion Build Cost
We didn’t skimp on anything in our camper van build. We want to travel in luxury, with solid components that will last through upgrades, and creature comforts like a cell signal booster. You can certainly go cheaper.
Total: ~$100k
Conversion: $35k
Van incl. tax+fees: $50k (2018 van bought in 2018)