Send me epic build guides and kickass vanlife tips
Send me epic build guides and kickass vanlife tips
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
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
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
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