Family of 5 Converts Small Van for US Travel
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I mentioned in my previous post that I was driving my husband nuts with all of my van conversion ideas, well the reason behind this was he knew that all my pinning meant hours of work for him.
Here is the problem, for him, great marriage choice on my part, he is so crazy talented and can literally create ANYTHING, therefore I had no limits and he knew it!
I went from Sprinter Vans to Class B Vans, 90’s and 2000’s Conversion Vans, I was all over the place. Now, this is the first time I am letting this secret out, the real choice between the vans was which one was he going to say YES to first?
Dustin (my husband) is the guy who LOVES the challenge of finding the old car/truck/van that someone else has left for dead, and make it come alive, and this became my strategy to get a YES to vanlife!
I was on Craigslist and found a 1992 Ford Econoline that looked to be in good shape, had a rebuilt engine with only 11,000 miles on it but needed a new transmission. I mentioned it to him, and just like I knew he would, he said, “sure let’s go look at it.”
The rest is history, as soon as he saw the challenge of bringing it back to life, it was ours!
Let the conversion began, or more like, let my Pinterest board come alive!
It was such an amazing project, the entire family got involved, some of us were more of a bother than a help and that was the fun in it!
We ripped out the carpet and replaced it with laminate flooring…
We pulled out all the wood, sanded it down, and stained it…
Built a kitchen with a sink and oven/stove…
We installed mason jars for food storage above the sink…
Installed a ventless propane heater on the door
(YES Jim Fine & Dave Hanson we also bought a smoke and carbon monoxide detector)…
Dustin completed all of the electric work…
Installed a 12V TV…
Purchased a Jackery Portable Power Station…
Purchased a 12V Fridge…
We were ready to go MINUS THE TRANSMISSION!
What about the transmission you ask?
Well, we had found someone to do our transmission, and let’s just say some people are still learning lessons about honesty and integrity, and we apparently were the family to help teach them this. It has been 7 months as I’m writing this post and we are still without the transmission and out the $2,800. With that being said, I am confident that this mechanic will do the right thing eventually and in perfect timing our van will be out on the road!
AND don’t you worry, remember my husband’s obsession with old vans, well he found us another one!
6 Comments
Engie Leigh
Very cool! We are planning on hitting the road in April for a month and have talked about getting a small van/mororhome to sleep in. Very good article.
Suiter FamLife
Yes, the small van for us was the ticket, so convenient! Enjoy your trip in April, nothing better than making memories on the road!
Shannon Turske
I am always so intrigued by van life, tiny homes, and bus makeovers.
Pam
Wow! I’ve always thought this would be a fun way to travel, but I have to admit I’m not up for the challenge of redoing one myself. Impressive.
Denise
I love this! I just got a van and a conversion kit but it’s simple. What you have all done is incredible. Love the ventless propane heater as that is always a challenge when there isn’t access to power. Thank you for sharing!
Erin
This looks great! We are thinking/planning/dreaming (?) of converting a van as well, but most that I see don’t have kids seats in them. Yours looks great!