CHOOSING A VAN
The result of choosing a van and building it out can be as unique as a fingerprint. If you have been researching this topic for a while, as you gather inspiration and information about the way others have built out their van in the past, you will see how there are infinite possibilities of types, styles, and build outs that all these kookz are coming up with. It is really inspiring. If you find and proceed with an existing layout that works for you, we can almost guarantee that it will still be unique, to you. Every DIY build is a unique creation that someone manifested through time and energy.
What is your Budget?
One of the main deciding factors of your van choice is: What vehicle falls within your budget?
If you are wondering, “How much should I budget for a DIY Conversion?” We have created just the tool for you! We kept track of every van related purchase and made a downloadable budget spreadsheet to give you an idea of the expenses you should account for when framing a realistic budget. Also, you can use it as a tool to stay on track, by keeping track of every purchase in the van with this spreadsheet. It will tell you where you are over budget and where you have some money left over to use towards other things. You can download that below!
Download Free Budget Tool!
This free spreadsheet is the spread sheet we used to build a VW Vanagon on a budget. It is a great starting point. We are coming out with a Sprinter size spreadsheet soon!
Start with what you have
Also, if you are into this life and don’t have a van or the money to buy one, you don’t necessarily need a van to live the life on the road. You can always start out road tripping in what you have, find out what you want and must haves, or see if you even like the lifestyle, or save for your next rig, if it seems adventurous enough for you!
There are truck campers, truck camper tiny homes, tear drops…we’ve even seen some really cool Honda element build outs—they are actually some of our favorites! We had a friend @lyncesweet that lived in her Toyota Yaris. In our early days in America, to build back our saving from traveling abroad, we started out in a Subaru Outback, before we found a Sprinter that was within our price range and had low miles. It really felt like a mansion after doing #Subylife. If you are keen on this lifestyle, you’ll definitely make it happen with whatever you can.
If you are keen on this lifestyle, you’ll definitely make it happen with whatever you can. In this section, we will go though all of the research we did before choosing a model that fit our lifestyle.
Got a Subaru and want to get on the road fast? We have all the measurements and supplies you need to build it out and get on the road quick, here.
VW Van
If we are talking camper vans, the nostalgic VW most likely comes to mind. It comes to mind because it is the O.G., it’s iconic! They have a cult following for a reason. These things are great. We had a 1987 VW Vanagon and built it out on a budget.
We’ve never experienced so many genuine stoked strangers smiling and waving or throwing the peace sign when we would roll thru. People love the VWs! So these vans hold their value. Expect to either put in some love and mechanical work for a great deal or throw down a pretty penny for an “older” vehicle.
If you are mechanically inclined or desire to be, this could be for you. A lot of VW owners are pretty familiar with the engine compartment. It’s not that they aren’t reliable, they are. It’s a simple engine, before they got all techy, with their sensors and computers.
If you can get a Westfalia with a pop-top, your van will be move-in ready. You won’t have to build anything. We’ve met 3 Boys on the road with a Mastif in a Westy traveling all the way to South America. So you can fit, at most, 4 people both driving and sleeping, which make them pretty awesome to get started. But these can run anywhere from $8,000-$25,000…I’ve seen some models (Syncro, 4x4, with a Subaru Engine) of the VW van go for $70k+. And while you can get some deals, I wouldn’t say these are the most budget friendly. But if you are into mods, and heaps of available aftermarket accessories to pimp it out, this is for you!
Sprinter
Whether it has a badge of Freightliner, Dodge, or Mercedes, they are all Mercedes, wearing domestic badges. Mercedes would have their vans built in Germany, disassembled, and shipped to South Carolina to be re-assembled to avoid the 25% chicken tax imposed on imported Sprinters. Chrysler, Dodge, and Mercedes were all owned by the same people for a little bit, which also helped with avoiding the import tax, if they assembled it locally and slapped a domestic badge on it. We found this out the hard way. Our EIS (Electronic Ignition System) went out. Our key wouldn’t turn over. It was like we had the wrong key. We had to get it towed. We called a nearby diesel mechanic and they told us to call Dodge, since it was a Dodge, because they don’t work on Sprinters. We called Dodge, they told us to drop it there and they would have a look. They called us back to tell us we would need to have it towed to Mercedes, because they don’t work on Sprinters. He explained, when they broke up with Mercedes, all the computers to diagnose them were taken back in the split. So we used the last tow with AAA to get it to Mercedes.
As you can see, these guys need some specialized mechanics, if they are needing repairs. Sometimes the repairs can seem to break the bank, as well. So have a nice cushion in the bank for untimely breakdowns. We haven’t had too many, but when we do, we say, “Sometimes rent is due.” This forum is a great resource for all things Sprinter, including community recommended mechanics WORLD WIDE!
These vans have been around for a while, they are kind of the O.G. boxy high-top van of their kind, which means, if you are shopping used, you can sometimes find these within your budget. These are all diesel engines too. So, when you see a near 20 year old van with 200K+ mileage and the van seems kind of expensive. Just know that diesels hold their value because they are known as, “Million Mile engines.” Most Diesel Mechanics will say at 200K, the engine is just breaking in. So expect to pay a bit of money, if you are looking at these. But, you get a reliable pretty customizable van, with headroom and plenty of room for storage, as well as a vehicle/home for the long term.
2019 Sprinter Dimensions
Dimension graphic via: Sportsmobile.com
Again vanlife is what you put in, and these can be a pretty big project, if you plan to DIY your van build. We have plenty of T1N and NV3 Sprinter Build resources here to make the project easier on you!
If you are on a budget, Sprinter may not be the ideal choice. They have a higher upfront cost and higher repair cost, as well as needing a specialized mechanic. But, we are usually on a pretty tight budget (because that elongates the trip) and we make having a Sprinter work. I like to think because it is relatively efficient on gas. So, it will save you money over time or balance out. I always think about that when our van homies are in their Econolines or other cargo vans, they always complain about gas prices and their embarrassing MPG. But hey, who knows?!
Other High-Top Vans (TransiT & Promaster)
The Ford Transit and Dodge Promaster are the US domestic versions of a Sprinter. They both have enough head room for Tall people to stand up in and they too have tons of customizable space for any layout you choose in Step 2. While these models are newer and haven’t been on the market as long as the Sprinter, it may be harder to find one, used, in your budget. If you are planning on building your van from brand new, these are much cheaper, upfront, than the Sprinter. Unless you pay more to get an Eco-Diesel model, these are all pretty much gas engines, which means, they are known to not go as far as a diesel engine. But, they require a less “specialized diesel or Mercedes mechanic.” We’ve noticed that the Promaster and the Transit do not have as much clearance, as the Sprinter. The Sprinter is king when it comes to ground clearance. Especially in the Promaster, something on their rear axel hangs way down taking away a lot of ground clearance. The 2020 Transit now comes in AWD, for all those that want a high top, gas, domestic engine, that is AWD. The Sprinter use to own this market, but it looks like Ford has finally put out an affordable competitor. We were so excited about it that we went and test drove one and made a vlog about it here comparing the 2020 AWD Transit with the 2020 4x4 Mercedes Sprinter. We were excited about these because they are Ford’s; most all mechanics can work on them, they are cheaper to repair that import vehicles, and because they are gas engines, no DEF system, because Diesel is already expensive so why pay for another fluid on top of that every time you are at the gas pump. If you want 4x4, not AWD, Quigley is still doing conversions for them. Plan to pay around $10k+ for the off-road conversion.
2020 Ford transit- Dimensions
Dimension graphic via: Sportsmobile.com
2019 Dodge Promaster - Dimensions
Dimension graphic via: Sportsmobile.com
Here we show you how we built our van for under $6,000, including the purchase of the van. We break it down in sections to make it easier to follow along.
NVC3 Sprinter Van Conversion
Here, you can browse through all the topics and phases of our Sprinter build. And you can find just about everything you need to know about converting your Sprinter. We have links to products and step by step how to's and videos. Be sure to check out our YouTube channel for more videos!
VAN TOUR: Engineer Builds Ultimate DIY 144" Sprinter Van | Shower, Hot Water, Guest Bed, Bikes & More!
Because these are domestic vehicles, they are cheaper to get parts and find a mechanic as they are more simplistic and require a simple mechanic, rather than a specialized mechanic. But, as we have been doing this lifestyle for almost 4 years, at the time of writing, and we have met quite a few vanlifers that bought a Transit, off the lot, and a couple in particular had quite a few issues with them. One friend’s van, wouldn’t even shift into first to accelerate at a green light, randomly at 6,000 miles. The diagnosing took a while and it had to go back several times to finally get it resolved. They had to Air-BNB a place to live while it was in and out of the shop. While some people choose to buy brand new vans to have the piece of mind that they have a reliable, modern, new vehicle, that is just part of the vanlife. There will be untimely breakdowns and mandatory repairs, in any vehicle, right when you aren’t ready for it. You will just have to roll with it.
The Standard CArgo Van
These are all over the road so they are easy to blend in if you are trying to go stealth and do some urban living. The standard cargo van category includes the popular Ford Econoline, Chevy Express, GMC Savanna, Chevy G20, old Dodge Ram, and the old Chevy Van. Most of these vans haven’t changed much and share parts for generations of models. So parts and service are relatively cheap and easy to find a mechanic. We have a friend in a G20 that says, “When a part goes out in my van, I can just go to NAPA and empty out the change in my pockets for the part. Bet you can’t do that in your Sprinter!”
In searching for these types of vans, we realized it is so hard to find a van with under 100k miles. There isn’t a ton of head room. So plan on sitting while in your van, unless you get an aftermarket high top installation, which will really increase your living space.
If you are looking for an AWD/4x4 off road cargo van edition, Chevy Express and GMC Savana, sometimes come in AWD. So look out for those. Also, the Ford Econoline will sometimes come in a 4x4 (sometimes diesel 4x4), but be prepared to pay a pretty penny for even a 1997 model.
Kieth (@vanjesus666) and Emily (@itsmeemmib) left South Carolina to adventure out and live life on the road. They bough the E-150 and did a DIY Budget Conversion to make the road feel like home.
High-Top Conversion Vans
Some of these are pretty cool, affordable, and ready to go. Most of the conversion vans are pre-fab travel vans. They have the bench to bed in the back, with two captains chairs, over head lighting, TV/VCR combo (you can remove and have lots of useable storage space). So if you are on the budget and would rather spend your money on traveling, these might be great vans to start with. Because there is some extra headroom, if you wanted to tear out and DIY your build, we’ve seen some pretty cool ones that are comfy within a nice budget.
@charcotravels graduated from University of Florida and decided to take a gap year traveling around in a van. He took a conversion van and did his own conversion perfect for him! We love this up-cycled budget build!
There are also, high top Econolines that in their past use they were an ambulance (these can be a nightmare electronically), a “church limo” or a handicap passenger van, complete with a high top and a lift. Because these vans have a lift and do serve a purpose outside of “lots of headroom in vanlife,” they are usually priced a little higher due to the working lift that you probably don’t want to keep, unless you don’t want to bother throwing it out and you leave it on to be an outdoor shower platform! Oh, I don’t know, there are infinite possibilities!.
Because these are “travel” vans, it seems that the owners really used them to go on occasional road trips, these vans seem to be relatively more common to find with lower miles, in a decent price range.
Class B&C Campervans
These are pre-fabricated, probably rarely driven campervans. What is the difference between a Class B and a Class C? Well, Class B campervans have RV amenities built within van bodies, while the Class C campers have an RV looking body built on a van or small truck chassis. They both have prefabricated layouts, with showers, water tanks, kitchens, sometimes multiple beds, fridges, everything that you would find in a classic RV, you will find in these. They are ready to be lived in with little to no modifications needed.
Some may have very low miles, but beware of neglected maintenance. Sometimes there is a lot and sometimes all you have is a dead battery.
Our first attempt at nomadic living a while back we purchased a 1985 Toyota Dolphin, which I would classify as a C. We started to remodel the bathroom and soon figured out this low mile vehicle (only 50k) had been parked in the drive way more then it got out on the pavement. There was a couple leaks that rotted out most of the framing. So, we had to scrap the project once we tore it all down to the frame. One day, maybe, we can turn it into something.
School bus living
Skoolies seem like the most nostalgic gypsy wagons out there. The long ones have so much space to really customize a tiny home on wheels. While they don’t have a ton of headroom, most can stand up in a school bus. I have seen some modifications to raise the roof for taller people and a have a roomier feel.
While you can tetris in all the comforts of a real home, there are some downsides to having a long school bus. You may need a special license depending on what state it is registered. Traveling in cities and finding parking can be really difficult. It is obviously not very stealth, which further narrows your parking options in a city. Not the best for gas milage. These rigs are ideal for a more stationary vanlife, on some land.
Short Bus living is like van life with way more room. You can fully customize including a bathroom, kitchen, bed, and couch usually pretty comfortably. These don’t get the best gas milage on the block. But, you can usually snag one of these retired children movers to convert to a moving home for relatively cheap, but mechanically, I don’t think they are that cheap to repair. There is always a trade off somewhere.
Mini Vans
We have seen some pretty efficient and cool mini van build outs out there on the road. The mini van can be stealth to the max. If you can black out those windows, then you will blend right in for urban stealth camping. There are so many of these on the road, if nothing looks suspicious about your rig, then no one is going to suspect someone is living in a soccer mom van parked down the road. These can be an affordable jump into the van life. While there isn’t much headroom or customizable space, there are lots of things you can do with these vans for a solo traveler. These get great gas milage. They are relatively affordable just because there are so many of them on the market. Lower milage (under 150k) mini vans are not impossible to find at a decent price. Sometimes you get a double slider. (I would just avoid the auto slider doors. When those go out it can be $4,000+ to repair.)
Mini vans are great for those on a budget, traveling solo, wanting to save money on gas, and have a breezy daily driver.
Once you have a van, it is time to Gut, Clean and Paint the van to start your build. If you are happy with your Class B/C Camper or your stock conversion van and you want to just hit the road ASAP, you can skip a couple steps. Otherwise, move on to Step 2.
