Below we tracked and categorized the cost and labor of our entire DIY camper van conversion. Although it varies a lot with the complexity of your project (number of features), where you are located, etc., we hope it helps you create an estimate for your own van conversion!
A few notes:
– We didn’t track hardware cost precisely, but we added it to the cost of major components.
– The hours shown are hands-on time spent building the van; we spent countless hours researching and planning (Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, etc.) which is not accounted here…
Ford Transit Conversion 2016
Our First Van Conversion
- T-250 Cargo Van
- 3.7L Ti-VCT V6 Engine
- RWD
- 148″ Wheelbase, Extended Length (EL)
- High Roof
Our first labor of love, this Ford Transit camper van conversion took us throughout Canada, USA and Mexico. 4 years of full time Van Life adventures, unreal!
ITEM (click to view Build Journal entry) | COST ($ US) | LABOR (hour) |
---|---|---|
Climate Control | 3,700 | 168 |
Thinsulate | 1,050 | 20 |
Low-E | 130 | 6 |
Floor insulation | 100 | |
Roof fan | 360 | 8 |
Webasto gas heater | 1,300 | 30 |
Fridge floor vent | 100 | 15 |
Insulated window covers | 500 | 80 |
Floor vent | 80 | 8 |
Electrical System | 4,515 | 86 |
Solar panels | 600 | |
Lithium batteries | 1,900 | |
Solar Charge controller | 225 | |
System monitor | 205 | |
Inverter | 370 | |
Battery charger/converter | 215 | |
DC-to-DC charger (B2B) | 400 | |
Others (wiring, switch, fuses, etc) | 600 | |
Living | 11,135 | 370 |
Swivel seat (driver & passenger) | 900 | 8 |
Awning | 1,300 | 8 |
Floor | 565 | 30 |
Platform bed | 450 | 20 |
Slide-out-bike-rack | 280 | 8 |
Fridge & electrical cabinet | 230 | 30 |
12V refrigerator | 1,275 | |
Overhead storage | 150 | 40 |
Bedroom storage | 150 | 30 |
Sink & stove cabinet | 280 | 40 |
Water system | 1,100 | 40 |
Propane system | 1,000 | 40 |
Composting toilet | 1,200 | 20 |
Wood paneling | ||
Mosquito screens | 1,200 | 0 |
Radio upgrade | 525 | 5 |
Speakers upgrade | 130 | 8 |
Exterior shower | 100 | 10 |
Tire inflator | 100 | 2 |
Garage | 200 | 20 |
Others | 850 | 15 |
TOTAL | $20,150 | 640h* |
* To be fair, we most likely spent close to a 1,000 hours total. There is ALWAYS time lost here and there that we did not account for…
Ford Transit Conversion 2022
Our next chapter
- T-350 Cargo Van
- 3.5L EcoBoost (twin-turbocharged) Engine
- AWD
- 148″ Wheelbase, Extended Length (EL)
- High Roof
Life is about project, so here’s an awesome new project to keep us busy for a while! We should start the conversion early January 2022, the cost and labor will be updated as we progress.
ITEM (click to view Build Journal entry) | COST ($ US) | LABOR (hour) |
---|---|---|
Exterior | ||
Wheels upgrade | 1,400 | 0 |
Larger all-terrain tires upgrade | 1,200 | 0 |
Roof rack & ladder | 2,590 | 4 |
Nudge Bar | 895 | 1 |
Motorized Antenna Tilt (weBoost Fold Up/Down) | 200 | 2 |
Awning | ||
Cell phone signal booster | ||
Suspension leveling kit | ||
Mosquito screens | ||
Climate Control | ||
Roof fan | ||
Bunk window | ||
Thinsulate | ||
Low-E | ||
Floor insulation | ||
Air heater | ||
Insulated window covers | ||
Wall fan | ||
Electrical System | ||
Solar panels | ||
Battery bank | ||
Solar charge controller | ||
System monitor | ||
Inverter/charger | ||
DC-to-DC (B2B) alternator charger | ||
Others (wiring, switch, fuses, etc) | ||
Water System | ||
Fresh water tank | ||
Pump & accumulator | ||
Sink | ||
Water heater | ||
Others | ||
Floor | ||
Insulation is covered under “Climate Control” | ||
Subfloor (plywood) | ||
Vinyl flooring | ||
Others (adhesive, etc.) | ||
Walls & Ceiling | ||
Insulation is covered under “Climate Control” | ||
Paneling | ||
Swivel Seats | ||
Driver | 399 | 1 |
Passenger | 399 | 1 |
Kitchen | ||
Cabinet (driver side) | ||
Cabinet (passenger side) | ||
Overhead storage | ||
12V refrigerator | ||
Others | ||
Living room / Dining room / Office | ||
Lagun Table (Passenger Seat) | 280 | 1 |
Composting toilet | ||
Couch / composting toilet’s cabinet | ||
Bedroom | ||
Bed platform | ||
Bedroom storage | ||
Garage | ||
Slide-out-bike-rack | ||
Others | ||
TOTAL | $7,363 | 10h |