This is a somewhat after-the-fact build thread. I was quite lazy about taking pictures throughout working on my van but quite enthusiastic about the work! I did not consider showing off what i was going to build because the main goal was to keep the modifications functional, inexpensive, and simple. There was not much concern about aesthetics or finishing touches. As I progressed I realized that much of the inspiration I got for the van from Expedition Portal was from users just like me, not able to throw $50k to $100k at a van for a well crafted luxury camper so I should share my van to either be an inspiration or an example of what not to do :victory:
Spending time outdoors and on the road was something my wife and I loved before a camper van ever became an option. Our first type of camper was a simple teardrop camper which we bought on the cheap. The cab was in good condition, the frame was rusty, and the torsion suspension was seized. This allowed me to teach myself how to weld and feed my desire to create...... it was our van gateway drug!
The teardrop camper:
Quite Rusty:
Removed the rust and sealed with POR 15:
First welding project, tie-downs and brackets:
Replaced the axle:
Finished Product!
Taken on the night we left from virginia, to utah, california, and back home. An epic road trip:
The constant hitching, unhitching, difficulty parking, difficulty backing up, etc led us to seek a budget alternative after a year or so. After scouring the internet we decided the best option for our budget and lifestyle is was a Chevy express AWD. Finding one was difficult but finally a cluster of them popped up in Ohio, they were all bought by an owner of some dealerships out there at a government auction! We grabbed a rental car and drove out from VA to Ohio and bought a 2009 Chevy Express AWD with around 50k miles. We talked them down in price.... quite easily which should have been a red flag as the front drivers side wheel bearing started to go out on the drive home but thankfully it held together! I had to change it in the parking lot of our condo.... the HOA was not very happy but I had no option, any attempt to move was halted by a horrendous grinding noise from the bearings!
Once the van was road worthy we did what everyone else with a camper van does i suppose. We installed some cheap reflectix on the walls, installed a MaxxAir fan on the roof, put in some lights, a battery, a solar panel, etc. Unfortunately I did not do a very good a job at getting pictures of this work.
My Wife, Bee, helping with the fan install
A re-purposed IKEA scratch-and-dent shelf unit used to house fuses, charge controller, grounding block, remote control light switches, isolation solenoid, and the battery.
Spending time outdoors and on the road was something my wife and I loved before a camper van ever became an option. Our first type of camper was a simple teardrop camper which we bought on the cheap. The cab was in good condition, the frame was rusty, and the torsion suspension was seized. This allowed me to teach myself how to weld and feed my desire to create...... it was our van gateway drug!
The teardrop camper:
Quite Rusty:
Removed the rust and sealed with POR 15:
First welding project, tie-downs and brackets:
Replaced the axle:
Finished Product!
Taken on the night we left from virginia, to utah, california, and back home. An epic road trip:
The constant hitching, unhitching, difficulty parking, difficulty backing up, etc led us to seek a budget alternative after a year or so. After scouring the internet we decided the best option for our budget and lifestyle is was a Chevy express AWD. Finding one was difficult but finally a cluster of them popped up in Ohio, they were all bought by an owner of some dealerships out there at a government auction! We grabbed a rental car and drove out from VA to Ohio and bought a 2009 Chevy Express AWD with around 50k miles. We talked them down in price.... quite easily which should have been a red flag as the front drivers side wheel bearing started to go out on the drive home but thankfully it held together! I had to change it in the parking lot of our condo.... the HOA was not very happy but I had no option, any attempt to move was halted by a horrendous grinding noise from the bearings!
Once the van was road worthy we did what everyone else with a camper van does i suppose. We installed some cheap reflectix on the walls, installed a MaxxAir fan on the roof, put in some lights, a battery, a solar panel, etc. Unfortunately I did not do a very good a job at getting pictures of this work.
My Wife, Bee, helping with the fan install
A re-purposed IKEA scratch-and-dent shelf unit used to house fuses, charge controller, grounding block, remote control light switches, isolation solenoid, and the battery.
