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 |
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