FULL DIY VAN BUILD from Start to Finish | Our Epic Van Life Conversion
FULL DIY VAN BUILD from Start to Finish | Our Epic Van Life Conversion
See our DIY camper van conversion from start to finish! We converted a used 2015 Ford Transit with a high roof and 148″ wheelbase. We used all natural materials and non-toxic materials like hemp insulation, cork flooring, low VOC paint and varnish, and a lot more! We wanted our van to be as comfortable and functional as possible so there’s a bed that transforms into a couch and dinette, a bathroom with a privacy wall, loads of accessible storage, and more! We hope you enjoy seeing behind the scenes of our off-grid tiny house on wheels being built. It was a lot of work! Please keep in mind that we’re not professional builders and we experimented with this build quite a bit. Definitely do your own research before building your own van!
SHORTCUT LINKS
01:35 Planning and Prep
03:29 Roof Vent
04:02 Subfloor
04:46 Framing
05:34 Window Frames and Inset Shelving
05:58 Insulation
10:07 Wiring
10:38 Walls and Ceiling
11:52 Furniture
15:35 Bathroom
16:59 Solar Power
18:14 Bed and Dinette
20:28 Overhead Storage
21:41 Floor
22:07 Finishing Touches
PRODUCTS
AFFILIATE LINK DISCLOSURE: the product links below are affiliate links, which means we earn a fee when you make a purchase using one of the links below.
We also received the Apex solar power generator, Inergy solar panels, Separett urine diverter, and the Oru Haven Kayak for review.
Inergy Solar Power Products
https://glnk.io/p5q/exploring-alternatives
*please note: a discount will be applied at check out
Separett Urine Diverting Toilet Seat
https://amzn.to/2TAgtO3
Oru Kayak
https://oru-kayak.kckb.st/exploring
Whale Marine Foot Pump
https://amzn.to/2vLs8O3
Desert Patrol 6 Gallon Water Container
https://amzn.to/2BbhrcN
Maxxair Roof Vent
https://amzn.to/32DLxz3
Roof Vent Flange Adaptor (Ford Transit)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Transit-High-Mid-Roof-Vent-Adapter-/132298128172
Dometic 12-Volt Fridge
https://amzn.to/33UMmUm
Berkey Water Filter
https://amzn.to/2PqocwS
Folding Shelf Brackets
https://amzn.to/2qCyUGf
12-volt Computer Fan (used as toilet fan)
https://amzn.to/2olIf4n
Hemp Oil:
https://www.homesteadhouse.ca/products/finishes/hemp-oil-finishing.html
Hemp Insulation:
http://naturefibres.com/produits_english.html
Cork Insulation (recycled granulated):
http://www.corkstore.com/Products/Granulated-Cork_2
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE VIDEO
Our Full Van Tour
Swivel Table by Back to Reality
Toilet Fan by Vanessa & Adam
Our Solar Power Setup Video
Our Cheap & Easy DIY Plumbing
Far Out Ride Ford Transit Conversion
https://faroutride.com/ford-transit-camper-van/
Thanks for watching!
Mat & Danielle
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STAY IN TOUCH!
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Blog: www.exploringalternatives.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exploringalternativesblog
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exploringalternatives/
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COMMENTS
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We want our channel and our comments section to be an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome to watch and to contribute. For this reason, comments that are inappropriate or hateful will be reported and/or deleted.
Please discuss and debate with respect, and report inappropriate or hateful comments directly to YouTube
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SPONSORS
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We occasionally include paid sponsor messages/integrations in our videos to help fund the channel. We do our best to work with companies and organizations that offer products or services that are in line with our values, and that we think would be interesting and useful to you, our viewers.
We will always disclose if we’re promoting products that were given to us for free, or if we’re including a sponsored message in a video.
For business or sponsorship inquiries, please email us at danielle.is.exploring@gmail.com
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CREDITS
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Music & Song Credits:
All music in this video was composed, performed, and recorded by Mat of Exploring Alternatives.
Editing Credits:
Mat and Danielle of Exploring Alternatives
Filming Credits:
Mat of Exploring Alternatives
Great Job! Thank you.
Really helpful; thank you…
I have been in my van full time for over a year. This is probably the closest design to mine. I have a fixed bed that is higher for more “garage” space. And I have the toilet under the bed and a couch where their bathroom is. But a pretty good design for full timers compared to 99% of all other vans I have seen
Transit, Promaster, and Sprinter vans are getting much harder to impress with utilization of space. Most of these designs are carbon copy and unsure why people post rehashed content.
Where can i buy it need a home myself
That’s a great video. I live in Japan, but I’ve remodeled my car. Cars provide infinite enjoyment.
Wait did I miss something? Is there a shower?
You could invest in buying a second fridge now while they have them.
People like you guys make me feel so useless haha Amazing work guys!
This is great. Love it
Where does one dump their compost toilet?
Nice idea
I’m making it in Korea too and it’s helpful
I think maybe Spray Foam Insulation would had been better for the whole van .
I have build my bus by myself too😍
So what’s the price range?
How much is it to buy a van like this
What an artist you are!!! Sew beautiful!!! I got so many ideas and inspirations. Now for the Tour!!! Happy Trails!!!
Put insullation between legs see how does it hold it scratches isnt
Would you say skipping the insulation is the best bet?
Wow! I’m impressed! I have a ton of experience building and every tool known to man and great space to work. I just started and I have literally stood inside the van and scratched my head for two days. Nothing is plumb, square, or level. That scribe you did at the front I did it backwards and quit! Tomorrow I try again! You two are awesome!
I’m curious how much the van weighed after the conversion?
I’m looking for some help from patreons. Im wanting to do this but I don’t have the money. If I can get some donations to do this. I will buy a van and fix it up I will live in the van and travel the country and stay in each city for a week. I will also make videos each and everyday and post them of my travels and of the build. If anyone is interested in helping me please contact me.
16:20 I feel sorry for whomever is walking by 🤣
awesome project.. nicely done.. which brings me to ask, why would anyone dislike this vid.. its clear you arent pro builders..
ur all about natural stuff but ur renovating a carbon generating van… pretty ironic
This is so beautiful. I have the same van, and have done a "no build" set up in mine. Thank you for such a detailed video with your processes so well detailed! I would love to perhaps have mine done like this one day! I have a question, it seems like the wood would be very heavy. Does it cause any issues with the um, driving strength of your van engine? (I hope that made some kind of sense) and does it lower gas milage? Thank you if you get the opportunity to reply.
great video! thanks for sharing what went wrong as well as what went great!
How much was it to do this?
may I ask How many days this project take with you guys?
what are the dimensions for the bed?
Can use water with UV reactive dye in a bucket of water then us a light to follow the trail . What I did for the sailboat ⛵️
Simply Fantastic…!!! Really enjoyed watching your build, great job. 👏👌
We recently purchased a 2020 Ford Transit Extended HR. Thanks to you we did our best to pressure wash and locate the leaking points. Believe it or not we had a few even though the van was new. The mystery leak you had in your van was probably due to a poorly welded joint. That was the case with our van. Once it was welded, they also added silicone to the plastic trim along the side which was another source of our leaks. This video was a great help to us and we thought we would share our experience. Cheers!
Not professionals? LOL!
Is that a L2H2 Van
Looks like van life has become like tiny house. Bunch of yuppies and douchebags.
Best conversion yet, nice van, looks so neat and tidy, plus you have a bathroom , that’s excellent
I haven’t read thru everything. Have you started using a small dehumidifier? It seems like that’s what you need. I don’t think there’s any way to fully stop the condensation.
Thank you for sharing. Great job!
Do you think it’s better to have more insulation on the ceiling than the floor? Or 50/50
Spray foam is the way to go, no air leaks or gaps and it gives you that barrier you are looking for. This is what is used in all custom RVs
I learned so much from this. Thank you!
do you work as an event technican? i realy like the speakon used for the solar.
Actually, you could shellac the cork if you want to keep it natural.
thanks for adding the cost!
If u can sell this, so what’s the price for the whole car like that???
I haven’t finished watching the video yet – saw the intro and had to come comment immediately.
Thank you for the clear, concise and honest approach to the video along with the incredible organization you put into the shortcuts! I can already tell this will be an amazing video. Thank you for documenting your process and sharing with us!
You came up with some great ideas. One thing you might consider doing if you build another, use 3/4 plywood to build everywhere you used 2×2. A box made with 3/4 plywood and no frame is crazy strong.
Thank you for watching! The full tour of the finished van is here if you want to take a peek: https://youtu.be/4p-GG5eenUk
Thanks for a fantastic video loaded with great ideas.