Send me epic build guides and kickass vanlife tips
Send me epic build guides and kickass vanlife tips
Welcome to the Gnomad Home family! But wait - you're not done yet!
We sent you an email to confirm your subscription (if you don't see it, check your "promotions" folder). Click on the big orange button in the email and you're all set!
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Our Rig
- Year, Make & Model: 1996 Chevy Express 1500
- Body Style: High-Top Conversion
- Purchased From: Craigslist
- Initial Mileage: 101,000
- Name: Gnomie (...Tiara on weekends)
Cost Breakdown
Vehicle Costs
Purchase Price: $1,500
Pre-Inspection: $250
Taxes and Reg. Fees: $320
Badass Off-Road Tires: $800
Misc Mechanical Work: $800
TOTAL: $3,670
Conversion Costs
Building Materials: $2,500
Solar and Electrical: $2,000
Plumbing System: $300
Appliances and Fans: $1,400
Mattress and Bedding: $200
Misc Items: $200
TOTAL: $6,600
Vehicle Costs
Purchase Price: $1,500
Pre-Inspection: $250
Taxes and Reg. Fees: $320
Badass Off-Road Tires: $800
Misc Mechanical Work: $800
TOTAL: $3,670
Conversion Costs
Building Materials: $2,500
Solar and Electrical: $2,000
Plumbing System: $300
Appliances and Fans: $1,400
Mattress and Bedding: $200
Misc Items: $200
TOTAL: $6,600
Total Cost of Vehicle and Conversion: $10,270
Walls and ceiling: ¾” Polyisio Foam Sheets
Floor Insulation: Reflectix
Door Panels: R-19 Fiberglass Batts
Cracks and Fill-in: Great Stuff Gaps and Cracks Spray Foam
Insulated Curtains: Insul-Shine Batting and Fabric
Reflective Windshield Covering: Eclipse Sunshades <--- Buy using this link for a 3% discount
Walls and ceiling: ¾” Polyisio Foam Sheets
Floor Insulation: Reflectix
Door Panels: R-19 Fiberglass Batts
Cracks and Fill-in: Great Stuff Gaps and Cracks Spray Foam
Insulated Curtains: Insul-Shine Batting and Fabric
Reflective Windshield Covering: Eclipse Sunshades <--- Buy using this link for a 3% discount
Floor: First Laminate, then Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
Subfloor: Mold-treated 3/8" Plywood
Walls: ¼” Plywood
Ceiling: 5/16” Cedar Paneling
Stain: Varathane and General Finishes Gel Stains
Topcoat: Minwax Wipe-On Polyurethane
Floor: First Laminate, then Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
Subfloor: Mold-treated 3/8" Plywood
Walls: ¼” Plywood
Ceiling: 5/16” Cedar Paneling
Stain: Varathane and General Finishes Gel Stains
Topcoat: Minwax Wipe-On Polyurethane
Solar Panels: Renogy 400-watt Solar Kit
Batteries: VMAX 155-ah Deep Cycle Batteries
Inverter: Xantrex 1000-watt Inverter
Battery Isolator: Wirthco Battery Doctor 125A/150A
- Refrigeration on the Road: The Best 12V Portable Fridges for Vanlife
- Epic Guide to DIY Van Build Electrical: Wiring and Installation
- The Best 12V Power Inverters for DIY Campervans and RVs
- Vanlife Essentials: Installing a Smart Battery Isolator
- How We Mounted Solar Panels on a Fiberglass Van Roof
- How to Build a Plywood Battery Box for a DIY Van Conversion
- How to Build an Easy Portable Solar Panel Mount out of PVC
Solar Panels: Renogy 400-watt Solar Kit
Batteries: VMAX 155-ah Deep Cycle Batteries
Inverter: Xantrex 1000-watt Inverter
Battery Isolator: Wirthco Battery Doctor 125A/150A
- Epic Guide to DIY Van Build Electrical: Wiring and Installation
- The Best 12V Power Inverters for DIY Campervans and RVs
- Vanlife Essentials: Installing a Smart Battery Isolator
- How We Mounted Solar Panels on a Fiberglass Van Roof
- How to Build a Plywood Battery Box for a DIY Van Conversion
- How to Build an Easy Portable Solar Panel Mount out of PVC
Fridge: ARB 50-qt Fridge Freezer
Stove: Dometic ORIGO 3000 Alcohol Stove***
Vent Fan: Fan-Tastic Fan 7350
***The ORIGO 3000 is significantly cheaper on Amazon UK than on any US sites. Shipping is fast and cheap, too. We paid about $175 for the stove and shipping, whereas US sites sell this stove for over $300.
Fridge: ARB 50-qt Fridge Freezer
Stove: Dometic ORIGO 3000 Alcohol Stove***
Vent Fan: Fan-Tastic Fan 7350
***The ORIGO 3000 is significantly cheaper on Amazon UK than on any US sites. Shipping is fast and cheap, too. We paid about $175 for the stove and shipping, whereas US sites sell this stove for over $300.
Water Tank: 14-Gallon Stainless Steel Fusti Tank
Faucet: Whale Systems Telescoping Faucet
Foot Pump: Whale Systems Gusher Galley Mk III
Sink: Kingston Brass Stainless Steel Bar Sink
Tubing: ½” and ⅜” Beverage Tubing
Drainage: 5-gallon Plastic Container
Water Tank: 14-Gallon Stainless Steel Fusti Tank
Faucet: Whale Systems Telescoping Faucet
Foot Pump: Whale Systems Gusher Galley Mk III
Sink: Kingston Brass Stainless Steel Bar Sink
Tubing: ½” and ⅜” Beverage Tubing
Drainage: 5-gallon Plastic Container
Build Your Van
The Ultimate Van Build Guide
Planning a van build? Read our free guide. We cover just about everything you need to know - from planning, to insulation, to solar and electrical, to picking appliances, to essential tools. Get started today so you can get out there on the road!
Vanlife How To:
Your Complete Guide to Life on the Road
Interested in vanlife? Read our free guide. We cover everything you need to know - pros & cons, bathrooms & showers, where to sleep, making money on the road, FAQ - and more!
Send me epic build guides and kickass vanlife tips
Send me epic build guides and kickass vanlife tips
Welcome to the Gnomad Home family! But wait - you're not done yet!
We sent you an email to confirm your subscription (if you don't see it, check your "promotions" folder). Click on the big orange button in the email and you're all set!
To make sure you see all of our emails, go ahead and add gnomie@gnomadhome.com to your preferred contacts.
Thanks for following along!