Living in a Van for 4 Years! | Van Life Tour Lifted Chevy Express DIY camper conversion
Living in a Van for 4 Years! | Van Life Tour Lifted Chevy Express DIY camper conversion
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Frank and his cat Sunny live in this lifted converted 1998 Chevy Express van. Frank has renovated the build multiple times to fit different needs, and now it is built out to fit just him and his cat. He built it as a 4 seasons camper capable of going off road to explore the less touristy places, with R-14 rockwool insulation, a diesel heater, listed suspension, and upgraded tires. He has plans for a small woodstove, but for now he gets by with a under 200$ diesel heater off amazon ( https://amzn.to/33MkZRV ). He has solar, a battery bank, a kitchen, storage, skateboard decor, and much more! If you enjoyed this video make sure to subscribe and share it with your friends.
Franks Social Media.
https://www.instagram.com/thegoldenmullet/
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I like your solar setup.
dang jonah hill lost a lot of weight 😂😁💚
For a decent bath,heat water,plug up your sink,put a couple of good size wash rags or,i use kitchen towels,soap one and the other soak in just the left over water and use to rince off.
Works good and feels more like a real bath.
Also takes less than 1 gallon depending on how dirty you are. And short hair,is an advantage….just saying.
Awesome build
Do you think you can help out Matt VanlifePlus with his diesel heater? He’s in Aberta CA It’s really acting up. YouTubers helping each
other. Great content Forrest, thanks
Dude’s pretty funny. Seems chill
Really nice carpentry and design. I like his the diesel heater is gravity fed. Quick tip – for hot water, electric tea kettle, works fast, minimal power draw. Super cute van/home.
We’ve met Frank one time in Northbay. We love his van; very clean and very organized. And Frank is such a great guy. Nice to see the new lay out and the renos.
Outstanding job…live your life💕
Sweetie kitty 🐈😺
Fellow fulltime vandweller her. I live in a chevy express with my 3 small dogs.
I would love a closer look at the way the diesel heater was installed in the door area.
I’ve been trying to survive a Michigan winter without a diesel heater even though I have one in storage.
I was just really unsure of where to install it. I wish mine was extended because I would have installed it in the extra 20" space between the wheel well and side door.
Anyway I would love to see the holes where the intake tube and exhaust are installed. I’m a little bit scared to cut more holes in my van, but wish I had installed the heater now that I’ve been roughing single digit temps overnight.
Thankfully I have some insulation helping me, but I definitely dropped the ball on fully winterizing the van.
I was having too much fun in the summer and fall then winter finally took its toll. I sleep most days cuddled up in my sleeping bag with my 3 dogs. I’m hoping to break out of this laziness this spring and get back to tackling van projects.
How do you keep Sunny from running away? Did you start when she was a 🐈🐾 kitten?
I swear man, Canadians got the right idea. Forresty Forrest, Chrome, Jeffie Bear, that one cat lady. I so want to live this way. The only thing holding me back is myself to be honest.
Sonny looks like he has the best life in his home.
His philosophy/ vanlife philosophy is precisely what the government does not want. They want debt, taxes, control. You are too debt-free and happy 🤣😅😂 God bless!
I have the same diesel heater but the clicking noise will eventually get to you.
Love this guy’s attitude, he’s got a clear head on his shoulders. Like his van setup, like the counter tops, gross that he can’t take showers, wet wipes just don’t cut it, I found that out myself. And I can’t forget his absolutely gorgeous cat! Very enjoyable video. My best to this guy hope he & his cat have a great life.
Very smart man. Mentally his thinking is right on and healthy. I love the lighter wood in the van and the set up is perfect.👍 His cat is beautiful too. Peace to him. He seems like a really nice man…….. Yes the furniture is replaceable but that cat isn’t…. More people need to think that way…
👍🎄📹
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I read it all.
Hey, chrome has a guy getting ready to come down and do van tours in the USA. Of course he "sending his guy.". Lol
I don’t know where you are tho. U might be in Canada.
Might be a good connection for you to help market you and your junk.
Not that u need any help….lol.
Me and my 2003 f350 are so basically basic in st. Louis. I’m not full time iny van, but I "play van" on the weekends. If ya need anything around st. Louis, hit me up.
Beautiful home. ❤️ I especially like its wheels and shape. Very cozy inside 👍 Cool water tank hack 👌
I love you man. I could connect with everything you said about life/lifestyle on a spiritual level. I hope one day I can afford a van and build myself a home. Thank you for this video.
My man is happy as hell. Seems like such a down to earth guy. Taking combat showers with pride earns brownie points.
this guy is great! love his attitude.
Awesome build. Lots of talent. Thank you for the video. Blessings to you.
Such wisdom in a young mind!
Nice. If you turn the crates towards you for access, you can build a shelf/counter above it.
I have CPTSD and generalized anxiety disorder and I completely understood when he said "the pressures of everything else". This is why I have been looking into vanlife myself. Why are we forcing ourselves to meet the expectations of the world? This effects mental health of the ones who know that there is MORE to life than working a 40+ hour week and paying bills. Money = time. But your time = your life. Spend it wisely. This young man is!
👋🏼 Hi Sunny!! 🌞🐱🌞
I just started following you on IG. Thank you so much for this video 🙏 I can totally relate to what you’re saying and am constantly fantasizing about doing the same thing. We’re just mainly doing weekend trips, and I’m slaving away at a super super stressful job for the money. You’ve done a fantastic job with your van, and Sunny is beautiful and has that same peaceful energy👌👌👌 We paid Dave and Matt for our build in a 136 wb Promaster and are extremely happy with it. We have a composting toilet and a collapsible shower that make us self-contained. They gave us an electric heat sensor that heats up a 7 gallon water jug super fast. Have you tried that? Happy travels…
👍
I’m 3 years in Jeep Grand Cherokee. Tight fit.
I’ll be full time in the van by April 1, if not sooner. Can’t wait! Getting rid of my possessions has not ben an issue at all. It’s actually been liberating.
As a dog mom, I respect anyone who loves treasures & respect fur babies. It shows more human compassion. Great setup for u & Sunny. A very cute name btw. Sunny is lucky to have & vice versa. Safe traveling & Live happiest!!!
Frank’s Whole Out look and Take on life n’ is awesome ! He’s fully self contained… Yet steadily evolving…- :)) ! Smart’ handsome’ and in touch with the main important philosophical root’s of life… And know’s love … Pluse ‘ just letting it " love ‘ flow is the best way to ( i.e. his kitty) and plant. To love. As Well as his life learned lessons in helping him in a great Van build out. Rock n roll on Frankie !!
I wish I was 1/10th as happy as this guy. Keep living your best life man.
Enjoyed and found myself glued to what you said about things. I like what you have done and it kind of directs me as to I want to make my van. I put it together quickly,and got on the road. I didn’t have and don’t really have the money right now to redo mine as I want it. But I have learned a lot from you. I’m older and can’t do what I use to, but have tried to make up my mind as to what I want for a vehicle, and for now, I guess I’m staying with my van. I raised the roof as a first step. I wanted enough room to walk and relax at a desk. I’ve tried several different ways of layouts. This gave me the option of trying what I’ve done before I build it for sure. Thanks again, and may God bless and guide you! Thanks! Rick PS. I like the fuel milage I get that I haven’t gotten with anything else!
Love your vibe! ❤️
Love this guy.
What a wise gentle soul! Gorgeous kitty! ❤️
Beautiful build. Very stealth 🙏🌈thank you for sharing ✨
What a nice guy..wish him all the best…
His grandfather is a werewolf?!
I think that be the type van I’d get plenty of room. Adorable kitty 🐈. So wow I had to edit my comment this guy is excellent he has a pure Golden heart & spirit.
This guy is awesome! He has his head on straight
👍🌲📹
How do you work when you have a cat? Even after investing thousands of dollars for the electricity, air conditioning, and a heater, would I just leave my cats? I am thinking there should be a way for me to monitor the indoor temperature from anywhere, and using a camera connected to the internet. Am I missing something? Does anyone have some ideas?
Thoroughly enjoyed your van tour. Well done; best of luck for many more years.
What a legend!
no toilet or shower is a no can do. tethered to public restrooms and going to bed dirty after hikes/work outs/etc. nay
What an incredibly likeable dude.