Feraldrift E150 Budget Van Build for <$2000

[FeralDrift]

I want to do a Camper Van build that is beautiful, functional, and will cost me under $2000 for the complete build. I'm off to a good start, I bought my 2004 E150 4.6L with 85K for only $5700. The van already has a limited slip rear end so that will save me on the cost of a rear locker. I need this van to do some minor desert and forest road offroading and to get me up and down the beach so a LS rear end, All Terrains, a Highjack, and some traction plates should give me all the traction and clearance I need. I also need this van to double as a rarely used work/cargo hauling van so I am designing everything to either fold out of the way or be easily removed. In the last couple years I have been gathering recycled lumber and materials for this build to not only save me money but I also just really enjoy repurposing garbage and making it into something beautiful. I am already a few months into the build and so in the next few posts I will highlight the slow progress I have made. I am very excited to show my work over the course of this project. I have learned so much from the contributors to this site over the last several years. I'm hoping that others can learn from my build like I have learned from so many of you guys.

 

[FeralDrift]

I started with the flooring. I wasn't really sure how to insulate over the metal ridges so cut insulation strips to fit in between the ridges and fill insulation to cover any gaps then topped it all with another sheet of insulation board. I screwed in the subfloor to the van floor and sandwiched in the insulation. I used a total of 3 sheets of isulation board and 2 sheets of plywood. I got lucky and found 200 sqft of beautiful scrap hardwood oak flooring for $10 and glued and tacked it in to the subfloor.

 

[FeralDrift]

Next I needed to build the bench seats over the wheel wells. I didn't want any wasted space so I built in little cubies wherever I could and I designed the benches to fold up and out of the way when not in use. The bought 2 60" stainless piano hinges for $20 each for the benches. 4 Seat belts cost me $22. I picked up the wood for free from somebody throwing out a huge shelving unit. The screws, nails, wood glue, primer, and paint I had lying around as leftovers from other job.

 

[Corneilius]

Following. Couple of your latest pictures don't work for me...

 

[FeralDrift]

Following. Couple of your latest pictures don't work for me...

Thanks Corneilius, I think I figured it out this time. Still learning this platform.

 

[FeralDrift]

Finished the cushions for the van and the cross supports for the bed. I had to make 8 little custom dowel pieces that would hold up the angle iron cross supports and screw them into the benches. In the pics you can see them unpainted. The backrest upholstery is stapled to pieces of free recycled wood and the seat cushion apholstery is sewn all around and has a 48" zipper in the back. The upholstery and zippers were very expensive totaling $140 for 5.5 yards of 54" fabric but it is totally worth it. I am super happy with how everything turned out.

 

[225]

Me likey.

 

[Oldcarnut]

Nice scores and good work. At this rate you'll be good with the budget.

 

[philos]

Nice.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[mtnbike28]

very clean!

 

[Bbasso]

Do I see a PBR?

 

[borison]

Nice looking interior, strong work.

 

[FeralDrift]

Do I see a PBR?

Heck Ya, There hasn't been a build day without one!!! Haha