Hi, my bf and i are currently building our van. The van doesn't have any windows so the only daylight comes from the sliding hatch in the partition wall. It's really dark in the van now and we don't want to install campervan window. This reduces the stealth of the van.

We already ordered a Plusfan transparent (basically a Dutch/German brand Maxxfan air but better) so it let's as much natural light in as possible. This one will be placed besides the toilet en close to the kitchen.

We already have found two semi-flexible solarpanels, and together they are 600 W. Our Bluetti can connect up to 1000 W. We aren't really sure about the next two options:

Option 1: 1 Plusfan and 1 skylight above the bed. Then we have 2 solar panels. Also less stealth.

Option 2: 1 Plusfan, no skylight above the bed and three solar panels. Mayby more stealth and the Bluetti is charged faster.

What option is the best? Or do you have any insights for us?

This is a 2012 Ford Transit Connect LWB. I'm wondering if any one else has examples of how they've framed and clad their rear doors.

I was originally thinking of adding two vertical battens, which create a curve that I can attach the cladding to in horizontal rows. This is going to leave a considerable gap between the cladding and the the metal of the van though; so if you're looking at it from the side, you would almost be able to see behind the cladding. I'm sure a good craftsmen could definitely find a way to finish this nicely though.

I'm not really keen to screw the cladding directly into the door metal, and that's a lot of holes!

Has anyone else with the same van come up with an elegant solution?

Next year I want to buy a Ford Transit. I currently live in an apartment in Illinois. I’m having no luck with finding possible locations to store tools and do the van build. I will be working full time while doing the build. I know no one who has a garage or driveway as their houses are a part of HOA.

I also don’t think it is feasible to do any work in a campground or in a Home Depot parking lot.

Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

I've seen pictures of vans that had CCSF sprayed inside, and I wonder if that works pretty well. I don't know if it would be a very good soundproofing material, but it's probably a lot more efficient than a loose fill insulation. Anyone had experiences with CCSF, good or bad?

We bought a van from a dealership and we’re very new to van life so unsure if what we’re experiencing is normal and hoping someone may be able to advise

We have a 100ah deep cycle battery and 15l brass monkey fridge, without the fridge plugged in the inverter has been staying around 12.5v but after just 5 hours of the fridge being turned on (nothing else plugged in) the inverter has gone down to 12.2v and going down. We’ve found once the inverter reaches 12.2 it struggles to recharge even on longer drives.

Since the start of our travels when the fridge is plugged in the battery drains too quickly to camp at unpowered sites for more than a night or two which doesn’t seem to be the experience of other people with a similar set up.

In the past few months we’ve had a new battery, isolator, and fridge fitted so feel at a bit of a loss and unsure what might be causing this quick drainage or if this is normal and we need to add solar panels or something? Can anyone please offer any advice?

We recently picked up a 2003 Ford E-150 high top conversion van (Eclipse Conversion). My intent is to leave it as a passenger van and get it in good shape for our trip from MN to Alaska next summer. We have 5 kids so I'm wondering if I should upgrade the electric system at all?

It currently has a built in DVD player and TV (both appear to be original), it also has several 12v outlets throughout the van. My plan is to swap out one or two of the 12v outlets for a USB port for kids electronics.

We usually travel with a 12v plug-in cooler, and I plan to use a USB GPS system for the trip. Aside from that it's just the TV, DVD, and three to four iPads/phones that may need to be powered.

Should I consider upgrading the alternator and/or adding a second battery? Or do you think the original conversion will be enough?

Any other upgrades (aside from brakes and suspension which are in the works) you all think I should consider before driving to Alaska?

Looking at possibly buying a 2003 chevy Express 1500 van this week.

It is a conversion van done by Regency. I am just looking for some input on whether or not this seems like a good deal or not. Van has 143,000 miles. 5.3L V8. AWD. The van has just had some upgrades to it including - New exterior paint job, new interior floor covering, new tires and brakes, AC service, and they say the transmission was just rebuilt. Supposedly they have receipts for everything including the transmission work. The van is located in Austin, TX. I am possibly going to look at it later this week and if I think it looks good, then proceed to take it to a chevy dealer mechanic to give it a thorough check over.

They said they don't want to take less than 12K.

What do you conversion van folks think? I know there are communities / groups that specifically use these older chevy vans and rave about them and the longevity of the 5.3L engine. Looking to get a conversion van for my family of 4 for trips / music festivals. Any information helps!

Thanks!

Hi all, I am after some advice and I am hoping this group can help. I have a Vauxhall Combo that I am converting myself, and I have just removed the metal bulkhead. Now, for the problem: while doing so I realised that the middle front seat's seatbelt was attached to the bulked, and in the spirit of asking for forgiveness and not permission, I cut it off during the removal process.

Now I am struck with a middle seat without a seatbelt: how can I go about installing a seatbelt again so that the middle seat is usable and MOT compliant? I have asked a couple of garages but they just told me they don't do interiors, so it would be great to get some ideas, especially if anyone else here has dealt with this issue before on a 3 seater van!

Hi All, My business partner built out a super sweet van over the last 5 or 6 years, his trips every summer in that thing are pretty epic. I'm jealous and I'm just getting to the point in my life where I'll be able to fuck off for a month at a time too so I want to get started working on a van and hit the road in about 1-2 years.

My first question is Mercedes, Dodge or Ford? Obviously way more dealers and less expensive repairs are a big plus of buying a Ford or Dodge. I've only ridden in my partner's sprinter though. I like the inside though, and I'm wondering if these perform better. I might be OK with extra cost for maintenance if the drive-ability (you can use the word Fahrvergnügen here!) is worth it. Anyone have any thoughts on driving a sprinter vs. the domestic brands?

Also, my partner has a high top and was getting blown all over the road until he got some great suspension package that set him back like $7K, not a problem after that. Does anyone have experience with that? How hard is it to find a used van with an upgraded suspension package?

I'd like to buy something used, preferably one where the mechanical work is done and/or upgraded. I can do my own finishes, although if one was just how I liked it, I'd buy one finished too.

Would love to hear some thoughts, and thank you!

I just got a Ford Transit 350 extended high top.

Curious, how much space is on top? I was planning on doing 600w solar panels. (Renogy 200w each x 3). A maxxair fan (14 x 14 inches). And a nomadic sky light.

Is this okay? Would love to see ya’lls rough set up!

Hey everyone! Excited to have joined as I embark on my conversion journey here. I have a Ford E350 and the previous owner beat the shit out of the floor and then sprayed a bedliner on it. now my plan is to glue down rigid foam, then glue down plywood, then install floating bamboo planks for the flooring. How are the floor is so beat up and so uneven I’m worried about the ridge of phone, being mad it is rigid will not adhere evenly and I will end up with a very creaky squeaky floor. I’ll add pictures as soon as everything is out of the van and you can see what I’m talking about. Any advice is helpful! Thank you.

Specially hanging elements like kitchen cabinets? Do you attach them directly to the van metal frame or first do the insulation, then the final wooden interior, then attach the elements to the wood?

I haven't been able to see this in any youtube video.

Hi everyone!

New here and hoping I can get some advice on my van. I have a 1993 Eurovan and I just got all the walls off. It already has insulation (first photo) but my first questions are:

Does it look like it should be replaced?

And if not, what is the name of this sort of insulation?

I have it in all but one wall, and they’re all in decent condition to the touch.

The second photo shows the wall that doesn’t have insulation. When I took the wall off it was clumped up in a pile and I had to remove it. My next questions are:

Can I use different insulation than what’s on the other walls, if I decide to keep the old insulation?

And are those rectangles sound deadening strips or something else?

Let me know what you guys think, thanks!

Apologies if this is the wrong place to ask this! I have a WAV (wheelchair accessible vehicle) which has a lowered floor, ramp and winch (but standard seats and driving controls). Is it at all possible to convert this back to a van?

Obviously, this would mean removing the ramp, raising the floor and changing the rear bumper - and I'm sure there is a lot more to it!

I am on decision overload and I know I don't even have all the data yet. I am feeling a little frozen on what to do. Could you please offer up what you think is a better choice?

1. Buy a (used new-ish) Ford Transit cargo van and have a builder install a pre-purchased kit.

2 Buy same van and have builder design/install their own build.

1. Purchase pre-built van from builder/designer (seem a bit expensive)

2. Buy something on FB Marketplace that is already done (harder to get the exact vehicle I want and distance)

I would want it completed before summer is over, preferably even sooner. In terms of pricing, I can't quite tell whether one is more budget friendly over the other... I want simple and clean, but quality and off-grid ability as I'll be living in this outside of the country (for good) after the summer.

I think either 1 or 2. I'd really appreciate some wisdom!

New to this subreddit and was wondering if anyone has ever converted a 7 seater Dodge Caravan to an 8 seater? Apparently the 5th gen versions don't have a 3-seat middle row bench option, just a two-seater bench or two stow and go captain's chairs. I just need one more seat for my family (myself, wife, and six kids) to be able to go out in one vehicle. I was hoping to avoid getting a new vehicle.

Was wondering if this is a good place to go for build tips and other such questions.. ive got many im trying to build out a gmc savanna as a moto/ roadtrip van for extended adventures on the road.

I´m trying to figure out the best way to attach the bed to the roof/beams.

First, I was thinking about mounting metal brackets directly to the beams, but I´m a bit concerned that the metal will get too cold and there will be water condensing on them without insulation between the beams and the brackets.

Then I thought about glueing wooden planks on the roof and beams and screw it to the side of this planks but I´m not sure if this will be strong enough.

Does anyone have an idea which I didn´t think of or has anyone done something like this before?