BUDGET
MID RANGE
HIGH END
The budget van is the fastest, easiest and cheapest way to go from work van to vanlife
Advantages:
* Most Affordable
* Minimal Maintenance
* Can Be More Modular
* Easier To Fix Problems On The Go
Disadvantages:
* No Heating (unless £100 diesel heater added)
* More Reliance On Services
* Least Comfortable For Long Trips
* Lower Resale Value
Mid range brings in some great creature comforts to maximise the experience
Advantages:
* Can Run For A Long Time Off Grid For Small Input
* Nice Balance Of Utilities Against Cost
* Fantastic For Long Trips
Disadvantages:
* Probably Doesn't Have Shower
* May Not Have Hot Water
* Build Requires A Semi Decent Skill Level
* May Require Electricians Or Other Professional Input
High end, what can I say it's truly a tiny house on wheels. We got everything y'all
Advantages:
* Huge Arsenal Of Features
* Great Resale Value (provided work done to good spec)
* Life In Van Made Super Easy
Disadvantages:
* EXPENSIVE
* Requires Most Input
* Harder To Perform Repairs + Expensive
* Probably Heaviest Setup
* Conversion Work Is Extensive And In Depth
QUICK BUILD OVERVIEW
Let's start out with tools, you will need some, whether they are bought, borrowed or rented. Most of the work can be done with just a drill and a jigsaw, some hand tools will take you the rest of the way.
You will want to keep the original ply lining but with the budget we are going to want to remove the ply, clear everything out and give it a good clean.
At this stage you will want to choose whether you have windows, a roof vent or nothing at all. This will be the best time to make cuts and fit these.
Next let's grab the polystyrene board insulation (what ever thickness you can fit), cut to size and fill up the walls and ceiling. You can stick in place with the expanding foam and/or insulation stick pins. After this is in and dry, get the vapour barrier up and sealed.
Let's check the floor, any holes to de rust and fill? If so let's sand them back, fill, sand again and paint.
Right we are cooking now, let's grab the ply lining and fit that all back in except the floor which will be swapped for 12 or 15mm ply (use the original floor pieces as a template). I would recommend the floor pieces are painted with a sealant to help increase lifespan.
To finish off the carcass, the flooring will need to be put in with an underlay.
Wow look at us now; a fresh canvas to build our perfect little world in. At this point we have to go a bit shady on the details, this is your space to fill in any way you can and want. You can choose from SO MANY layouts online but remember measure twice, cut once. We still want to keep the budget low.
The fundamentals though are that we recycle what we can whether thats materials, furniture or other parts. We will also want to be more off grid than others, there ain't no extra leisure battery burning a hole in your pocket. So let's go with a basic camping stove with gas canisters then you can even cook outside! A good portable charger for your gadgets and some battery powered fairy lights.
For our plumbing we're going to need a couple of water containers, I like the 20l plastic jerry cans. One for fresh water and one for waste water. As you will want to drink some of that water, you could have a larger fresh water tank. Using some pipe, you could then connect the water system up. From tank, to pump, through the tap, then from sink to the waste water tank.
Really the layout will mainly compromise of a bed, fixed or folding and a kitchen/dining area plus a bunch of storage that can hold all your goodies like bicycles, surf boards, painting easel etc.
The beauty of a DIY conversion is all their variations so get out there, start building and start living.
Maybe you have already had a camper van or used one and want to add a bit more luxury to your experience. The mid range will keep you in good stead even on those longer journeys.
If you have a larger budget for the mid range then maybe you can also grab a few extra tools to help make things easier on the build.
Same as the Budget you will want to strip the van, clean it out and get ready to fit all the things that will require cutting in the walls ceiling and floor. Maybe two windows and a roof vent, maybe even a posh roof vent with a built in fan. We're also going to fit solar panels and lead the cable inside of the van ready for the MPPT. Remember this will probably be the best time to test whether all those parts are water tight using a hose or even bucket of water.
The insulation will be similar to budget, choose the thickest you can fit in for better results but maybe go for PIR board. You can stick it in place with the expanding foam and/or insulation stick pins. After this is in and dry, get the vapour barrier up and sealed.
Let's check the floor, any holes to de rust and fill? If so let's sand them back, fill, sand again and paint. We're also going to insulate the floor so personally I like to stick sealed/treated timber batons to the van floor and insulate in between with PIR board. Over the top will go some 12mm plywood and then underlay and flooring.
So yet again we have another blank canvas that has some lovely features already, windows and vents that provide circulation, solar panels ready to go and maybe even a wheel arch water tank and an under mounted grey water tank that is fitted and ready be connected.
Like before, the internal furniture is up to you to layout, design and build. The only difference is we have to think about building in all the extra goodies like a fridge, leisure battery, water pump, filter, gas tank and much more. Remember to make everything multi functional, space is a premium thing!
The Mid range van will maybe also have a few exterior extras that bring some of the internal comforts outdoors like an awning and maybe even external LED lights.
After all that hard work it won't be long before your sipping pina coladas in southern Europe on a remote beach feeling pretty smug.
Well BLAZES you want the works!? This thing is going to better equipped than inspector gadgets pocket knife!
Exactly the same starting point to the mid range you may be able to afford some nicer tools to help with the build. And getting the van to the 'blank canvas' stage will be pretty much identical. Except you will probably also need to fit and plumb in a shower tray ready to be built around, and you may have bought some more expensive windows and even a Maxxfan roof vent or two!
The differences becomes clear though with that pallet worth of goodies you bought! You will be adding a lot more. Things like an LPG gas system, a beefy roof rack, loads of solar panels, external LED light bars, a motorised awning maybe even an air con unit, but how are you going to power all of this? Well you may have splashed out on a large lithium leisure battery all powered by a very nice Victron setup.
You have spent a large sum of money already but where has it got you, just an empty van?? Hmmm.
Well this is where this all starts to come together, you have chosen your layout, designed it beautifully maybe even in CAD form. You might have also bought high end materials like poplar or birch ply.
Remember take your time you still don't want excess waste. After A LOT of hard work you will eventually have a stunning conversion with a huge arsenal of features.
Compared to the mid range van you may have less open space inside as you have included a shower so yet again multifunctional furniture is a must, but this van will provide hot water more or less on demand, is it really camping at this point? One luxury I relish (other than having a shower) is a permanent full fixed bed but that's totally up to you.
Another thing that is really important with all vans, but maybe even more with vans with many add ons, is safety. Please remember to pack safety items like a carbon monoxide alarm, lpg alarm, fire extinguisher etc. One thing I like about camper vans is the active role you take in keeping your conversion running and in good health ready to tackle any and all adventures. It has definitely made me more competent and appreciative. After using a camper van for a while you will never take certain things for granted again; like endless hot showers, unlimited power and not worrying about where your number 2's go.
This beast will be a bit of a show stopper at the camp site and to other campers you pass on the road. Yes you spent a lot of money but it will all be worth it to come back to your air conditioned van after a long day at the beach and cook a slap up meal in your onboard oven.
SOME OTHER POINTS
I would like to take this moment to say that obviously this information doesn't cover everyone. Nor does it cover every van in great detail, but awesome news, there are some VANtastic conversion channels out there on YouTube, provided by so many amazing people.
I do also want to give a big shout out to Greg Virgoe for helping, not just with info from his videos and from him directly, but, he also helped put together a list of parts that can be downloaded below. I tried to highlight the parts you may or may not need for each type of conversion, but either way it serves as a useful reminder of everything you should need.
Also please try and practice safety where ever you can. Invest in the best quality PPE you can afford for your build and please also get advice/help from qualified professionals where you can.