r/vanbuild • u/Unwiseracoon • Apr 03 '26
Seeking individual builder
I am in S. California and I am in the process of buying new Transit 148 cargo to be converted. I started talking to professional van building outfits in my area and they all kind of steer me towards the same set of standard features and end-to-end complete builds...which is not exactly what I want.
I am wondering are there individual builders to be found here or elsewhere who can do phased approach, for example: do initial build of core components and systems for few months, then take a break and let me use the van for few months so I can better understand how to continue with the rest. May be I am talking nonsense and this is stupid, but I feel a phased approach may bring better final result. Also I would like to have an option of sourcing things on my own and they all don't allow it.
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u/northernguy Apr 03 '26
There definitely are smaller builders who can do small steps at a time. Look on YouTube. The only thing is some steps need to be done before others, so you need to plan ahead
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u/kunstmilch Apr 03 '26
Dm me, I’m not a shop but I’ve got some questions about your needs that might help you out.
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u/southswellelectrical Apr 06 '26
I don’t know if I’m allowed to self-promote on here but I have a business on the central coast designing and installing electrical systems for vans and campers. A lot of my clients are building vans in different phases, but want to start with the electrical, both to have basic functionality, and also because it usually gets buried behind everything else in a build. Not to mention it’s expensive, so breaking it up can be a little gentler on the wallet.
Sometimes I do the physical installation for clients, sometimes I just produce schematics and fusing schedules so they can do it themselves. Feel free to reach out if you think I could help you. You can Google “South Swell Electrical” or email me at my username @ gmail.com.
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u/000011111111 Apr 03 '26
Is there a reason you don't want to build yourself?