Envision. Design. Do.
DIY Camper
Van Conversion
Design & do
DIY Camper Van Conversion
You Got This
Conquer DIY Camper Van Conversion
I would like to reassure everyone that there is a DIY vanlifer inside of you. Naturally we have different levels of skill and financial capability but that shouldn’t be a deterrent.
In regards to skill, you might be surprised what your capable of, YouTube is your friend. Speaking of friends they might be intrigued and willing to lend a hand, family too. If they don’t have the physical time to do the actual work, simply acting as an advisor to verbally walk through the ins and outs of a particular aspect of the build is incredibly helpful.
In regards to the financial input, Facebook marketplace is an excellent place to find end of job leftovers. What is required for a van is often similar to what is left from a remodel or new construction. I think it would be fair to say I saved thousands by purchasing most of my materials through places like Facebook Marketplace, Habitat For Humanity Restore, or eBay.
The process is most likely going to take longer than you intially estimate. When your finished you will know why custom vans are priced the way they are, the labor investment is substantial. My van is a Ford E350 hightop, there are no straight lines in these body styles, plenty of custom planning and cuts.
You can start simple, doesn’t have to a full build. Check out Chrome from VanCity VanLife. You can even build your vanlife dream while living in the van, check out Foresty Forest, you can watch his newest DIY camper van conversion come together over multiple episodes. Maybe Vanlife Sagas build series for their newest van build, they have an elevated pro touch steming from the family connection.
If you have the ability to rent a van and take a trip to get a feel for the layout and the daily lifestyle, winner. If you can purchase your van and toss in the basic essentials and head out for a weekend trip or an extended journey through the countryside, winner.
As I have mentioned elsewhere, invest an absurd amount of time watching videos and taking notes. This one step saved me, spared me, from a mountain of misery. On flip side it inspired and greatly improved the design I ended up with. Listening to people’s pros and cons list is invalueable. Knowing what aspects are important to you, what your options are, what others have encountered, really ups the quality of your game plan and final results.
All Out DIY Camper Van Conversion
I Live In A Van
One of the nicest, well organized, and fluid flows through the DIY camper van conversion process. Highly recommend checking this website out.
The walk through is based on a sprinter van conversion but you can apply the principles to any van conversion. This may be a nice tool to use in conjunction with other valueable sources.
Far Out Ride
Check out Far Out Ride’s build journal, a comprehensive resource covering some serious territory. They have broken the build process down into distinct categories that lead to their own sections.
The website is really well designed which makes engaging and staring at it enjoyable. The information is laid out beautifully, is insightful, and applicable.
They provide a nice cost analysis including labor. 2022 they are building out there new DIY camper van conversion.
Parked In Paradise
Walk through the DIY camper van conversion with Parked In Paradise. The building process is more than just building, its the journey, the experience, and the people we include along the way. Finding an information source that feels good to you is important, be sure to give Parked In Paradise a look.
Gnomad Home
Plenty of information to guide you through the van build process. A nice selection of Amazon links to purchase items that go along with any build.
Use the Post Contents drop down menu to select the specific area of interest.
Asobo Life
Excellent table of contents, leading to quality information and resource tools. Definitely another DIY website worth checking out and using along the way.
Quick & Fabulous DIY Van Builds
Two Wandering Soles
Here is a great van build walk through for the quick and simple set up. Simplicity doesn’t have anything to do with the joy or quality of life that can be achieved in vanlife, don’t forget that. Incredible character and sense of home is often found in the simpliest designs, tons of character and unique touches.
Growing into your van over time, making upgrades along the way has major benefits. Living in your van and developing a sense of what you really want and need requires time. Take advantage of this opportunity.
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VanLife Community
Ya don't really know unless you go for it. When you go for it ya might not like it, but if you do, it is something you will treasure forever. The joy, the struggles, the liberation, the isolation, who else understands this lifestyle? Other vanlifers! Share your story, make new friends!