Interior build costs...

[tgreening]

I've not gone on a few trips because "the van isn't ready" when reality is, i can slam an air bed in the back and go camp just like i would off the back of my motorcycle, only out of the wind rain etc.

i have to go back to what the van was supposed to be for me "a steel tent" so today i started drawing up "plans" for simple in my head.

This right here. Many folks spend so much time devising and refining and implementing the "Perfect Plan", which turns into a never ending cycle, that they never end up actually DOING. I'll pass on the Perfect Plan, opt for Plan Good Enough, and hit the road.

 

[Jb1rd]

Dirt Baggers Unite!!!! I am just happy to have a bad mamajama of a 4wd van and have checked my wants and desires drastically. Last night the barrage of BS hitting the US political circuit made me realize that my van problems are sooooooo trivial yet it also provides to a great distraction from it all (which seems to happen every election cycle) however, this year is exceptionally ridiculously asinine and shameful. I am dumbfounded that these 2 chuckle heads are the "BEST AND BRIGHTEST" that our country can come up with ******?!?!??!?!!!!

This right here. Many folks spend so much time devising and refining and implementing the "Perfect Plan", which turns into a never ending cycle, that they never end up actually DOING. I'll pass on the Perfect Plan, opt for Plan Good Enough, and hit the road.

well put.'

I've come to grips with my "conversion' not being as wild or in depth as id "like" it to be in my head.

I've not gone on a few trips because "the van isn't ready" when reality is, i can slam an air bed in the back and go camp just like i would off the back of my motorcycle, only out of the wind rain etc.

i have to go back to what the van was supposed to be for me "a steel tent" so today i started drawing up "plans" for simple in my head.

 

[boardrider247]

I have taken a piece by piece approach to building out my van.
I plan a trip and pick two or three projects to complete before the trip. This helps keep me in check and the projects small enough that they are not overwhelming.

As for the cost's to have a sportsmobile/CCV/Outside van do a conversion. Well just look at their wait list. They may be charging more then you want to spend but the market seems to be willing to pay and all of the better known outfitters seems to have a backlog of work.

 

[shenrie]

don't have to break the bank to get a usable camper. like you said, you got a coolass 4wd van, everything else you can consider a bonus! we built ours out to be a people hauler with bench seats from a wrecked van. a trip out to the rv junkyard got us a 15 dollar table.

then we figured out that using the table between the seats as a platform and the air mattress we used in our tent fit perfectly in between the 2 rear seats. wala, we had a super cheap way to camp out of the van.

then we sold a racecar and ordered a ccv top. a few buddies and I installed the top and made a smb style bedframe. now we sleep up top and still have all the seats for a people hauler. be resourceful and you can get a pretty handy rig that can be used for dual purposes. it isn't perfect at any one thing, but it does a lot of things for us really well for very little invested.

 

[Jb1rd]

This is what I am after, thank you all for the awesome words of wisdom, NOTHING will ever be PERFECT I am stoked on the daily when I walk out and see my beast, it is smile inducing and THAT is such a valuable yet under rated quality in this life!!

we sold a racecar... it isn't perfect at any one thing, but it does a lot of things for us really well for very little invested.

 

[Accrete]

Greetings,

I think that ~$25K~ is mostly doable for an EB. In our combination DIY (Insulation and fabric walls) and Pro interior (Van Specialties of Portland Oregon) with 24" fiberine solid top we have ~$15K~ (this includes the cost of top install). This was done in stages as we had a wood mock up DIY interior after putting the insulation/walls in, then after a couple seasons had VS do a pro install after removing our mock up. We were able to pay cash for all the mods over ~3 seasons (plus the additional ~$7K for the Aluminess bumpers with exterior galley kitchen during the 6th season).

Best wishes on the build.
: ) Thom

 

[Jb1rd]

Accrete,
Your Cabinets are sooooooo close to what I have imagined in my head, love it!!! Now the hard part is figuring out how to do a set similar to that that is on a quick release type of system so the units can come out and large items can go in when needed as a utility vehicle, or come to terms with becoming the guy who asks his friends for a "favor" :sombrero:

 

[VOODOO7.3]

Voodoo, believe me I know what you are saying, I owned (or I should say it owned me) a high end contracting company for many years, and the spectrum of price varies widely. I understand that specialty items are just that, and that niche markets drive their own price, however, building simple things like cabinets and welding brackets and such should not command such a premium just because it is going in a vehicle., RV, boat etc... Does scribing an end panel take time, absolutely but enough to justify charging 3-4 times more than a standard cabinet, I think not. With the recent surge in "#VANLIFE" enthusiast maybe an established company like Goose Gear could come out with an expandable line of product for vans and the E platform in particular, something that you could buy a piece at a time but know that it will integrate with the pieces you have already bought, and not have to buy the whole enchilada at once. As for the suggestion of working overtime to pay someone to do the job, well to be blunt, NO! I already work more than I want and what time I do have left I want to spend with my wife, family and friends, so something has to give and unfortunately right now it's the expectation of having everything I want, and the way I want it, and just focusing on what is needed to achieve the above goal of spend time with those I love and care about.

Jb1rd, I said I like the advice of another post, because for SOME people, that is a good way to get their van done quicker and enjoy it with family. Some of my friends are good as gold but are better at camping than building! I don't know what all these companies are charging exactly, but I agree some are sky high! I didn't say that applies to you, because I don't know your skill set. So far, the only mass produced interior products are almost all contractor related. I agree, it would be great if some modular type cabinets were available at a reasonable price! I've often wondered why it took until fairly recently for even better looking contractor shelving to become available. FWIW, I have been slowly building my own, but it hasn't really been family time yet. I usually put in an hour or so each night after kids homework, practices, etc! Not sure how you are configuring yours in the long run but the part I found most frustrating was the changing sidewall contour! It's not difficult for me to scribe a curved upright panel, but you know it takes a-lot more time when they are all different! I guess it doesn't apply to the Sprinters and new Ford's but what might make the most sense for the curved types, would be a commercially avalable wall kit that leaves both sides parallel and the same contour. I found it real helpful to do just what you said, make mine in modules. That way if needs or usage changes, I'm not in there with a sawzall! If there's any plus to doing the whole build gradually yourself, for me it is being forced to use it some and see what is needed next! Cheers!