Converting a van

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Guangzhou

Trad climber
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Topic Author's Original Post - Dec 28, 2014 - 12:23am PT
Long time I haven't posted. Been busy with grad school and work. Also dealing with horribly cold winter that has no vertical ice and now snow. (Mongolia)

Anyways, playing with the idea of buying a used Sprinter van and having it converted into a camping vehicle for climbing trips. My wife and I would be living in it most summers. (Eight weeks)

Anyone know someone who does conversions for a living?

Van I am considering is a 2009 Dodge Sprinter Dodge Sprinter 3500 Dually Wheels High Ceiling Mercedes Turbo Diesel 170' Cargo

Ideally, I would buy it from here in Mongolia, have it sent to who ever does the conversions so it is ready when I arrive in May or June.

Any advice welcome.

Eman
MarkWestman

Trad climber
Talkeetna, Alaska
Dec 28, 2014 - 12:31am PT
http://www.personalizedvans.com

This guy did my van and his work is clean and solid. Quality.
Located in San Jose, CA.
Guangzhou

Trad climber
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 28, 2014 - 12:42am PT
Thanks. Any pictures of your van handy?
MarkWestman

Trad climber
Talkeetna, Alaska
Dec 28, 2014 - 01:13am PT
Visible are "Transit top", solar panels, and propane, all done by Gary:



Two years in and everything remains solid and works perfectly.

Gary's work is impressive.
Dr.Sprock

Boulder climber
I'm James Brown, Bi-atch!
Dec 28, 2014 - 01:52am PT
just buy a sleeping bag,
Guangzhou

Trad climber
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 28, 2014 - 07:23pm PT
Thanks for the photos. Cost? (If you don't mind sharing)
MisterE

Gym climber
Bishop, CA
Dec 28, 2014 - 09:24pm PT
^^Just ask.

http://www.personalizedvans.com/contact.html
Guangzhou

Trad climber
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Topic Author's Reply - Jan 3, 2015 - 05:52pm PT
Thanks. Shopping around. Maybe I'll find an already converted van, but if not, I now have a place that can handle it.
couchmaster

climber
Jan 3, 2015 - 08:13pm PT


Mr E had a great thread on converting his van: http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/563313/Stealth-Climber-Van-Conversion-OT-lots-of-pix

A bit old, dating to 2008, but still real good stuff.
Bad Climber

climber
Jan 4, 2015 - 06:49am PT
Me love van/camper threads. Boy, I was shocked to read Mr.E getting only 14mpg on the hwy. Ugh. Still, super sweet conversion. If money isn't much of an object, I've always been taken by Westfalia conversions to Subaru engines, the so-called Vanuru. I don't have a link right now, but a company in Santa Barbara use to do it. You get the convenient size, ground clearance and classic styling of an early 90's Westy but the reliability, power, and mpg of the Subaru! A brilliant idea, IMHO. I finally gave up on VW after our very expensively refurbished Eurovan started blowing parts. We put a ton of cash into this rig thinking we'd have it forever. Blew a water pump outside Moab in August--had to tow 90 miles. Later at Lover's Leap blew a cooling hose that we were able to patch up with some odd-ball hose picked up in S. Lake. It held for a while, but the legit replacement cost over $300! I'm soooooo done with VW. Drive a Tundra longbed now and tow a pop-up trailer. 17 mpg on the highway, yo.

Yeah, go Sprinter or something similar.

BAd
John M

climber
Jan 4, 2015 - 08:43am PT
I have been wondering when someone would do a slide out van. Not that I could afford one, but its a cool idea. I just wish it wasn't based on a volkswagon.

First version

[Click to View YouTube Video]

newest version

[Click to View YouTube Video]

John M

climber
Jan 4, 2015 - 08:50am PT
the fact that it slides out is what I like.. And that it can still be used to haul stuff when not camping.

I don't like all the putting stuff together, like the tables. I would not use those. Plus the bench doesn't look comfortable. I like to lounge. The first version has both front seats turning around, which looks more comfortable, but only seating for two.
Saugy

Mountain climber
BC
Jan 4, 2015 - 03:11pm PT
I'm looking to do the same.. As soon as I find a sprinter that I can afford!
Found this site while searching..

http://sprinterlife.com/our-home
MarkWestman

Trad climber
Talkeetna, Alaska
Jan 4, 2015 - 03:17pm PT
Sprinters definitely have superior gas mileage, but good luck finding an empty, unconverted shell for under 20 G's that doesn't have over 200K on it. Then you need to convert it.

My van is a Ford E250 and on the highway, using cruise control and keeping it around 55-60 I get almost 18 mpg.

That isn't awesome but it also just makes me plan my trip itineraries a little more intelligently, not so much back and forth. The other nice thing about Ford is that almost anyone knows how to do the repairs (although I haven't had any yet as the van only has 32K on it) and the parts are widely available, and generally much cheaper (especially compared to VW's!).
Guangzhou

Trad climber
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Topic Author's Reply - Jan 10, 2015 - 07:48pm PT
Thanks for sharing.

Shopping around on ebay and craigslist

Eman
Don Paul

Big Wall climber
Denver, Colorado
Jan 12, 2015 - 09:54am PT
I just took the seats out and tossed a sleeping back in the back, a few clear plastic storage crates to keep the basics. Drill holes in the side panels and use bungee cords to fasten down the crates if you want. I like being able to easily remove all that and haul stuff around, furniture, construction materials, whatever. My caravan is perfect for this, also relatively small with good gas mileage and easy to park.
Guangzhou

Trad climber
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Topic Author's Reply - Jan 12, 2015 - 03:03pm PT
I use to have a pick-up with camper. I basically moved things back and forth like you, but now, I live overseas, so I would only use this when I am in the states for climbing trips. three weeks in winter eight to ten weeks in summer.

Wanting something more practical and comfortable. My wife is especially focused the comfort level.
crøtch

climber
Jan 12, 2015 - 07:53pm PT
Check out Nick Rochacewich's conversions. I've seen some of his work in person and it's really impressive.

https://www.facebook.com/nick.rochacewich
Guangzhou

Trad climber
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Topic Author's Reply - Jan 13, 2015 - 02:56pm PT
Thanks. Unfortunately, I can't see the post because I am not a facebook user.
EdwardT

Trad climber
Retired
Jan 13, 2015 - 04:03pm PT
Forget all that conversion non-sense.

Get one of these:


From $85,476, winnebagotouring.com

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