Cost And Labor Of DIY Camper Van Conversion

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

Completed

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!

Build Journal

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

In Progress

FarOutRide-New-Van-2021-Ford-Transit-AWD-Blue

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.

Build Journal

ITEM ^{_{(click to view Build Journal entry)}}	COST ($ US)	LABOR (hour)	WEIGHT (lb)
Exterior
Wheels upgrade	1,400	0	?
Larger all-terrain tires upgrade	1,200	0	?
Roof rack & ladder	2,590	4	95
Rear Door Platform	1,495	3	36
Rear Door Bike Rack	319	1	4
Rear Door Tire Carrier	1,195	3	30
Nudge Bar	895	1	20
Motorized Antenna Tilt	200	2	1
Awning
Cell phone signal booster
Air Lift Suspension Kit	1,945	10	80
Mosquito screens
Climate Control
Roof fan	460	6	20
Bunk window	700	6	12
Thinsulate
Low-E
Floor insulation
Air heater (Espar AS3-B2L)	1,650	25	16
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
Subfloor (plywood)
Vinyl flooring
Others (adhesive, etc.)
Walls & Ceiling
Paneling
Swivel Seats
Driver	399	1	30
Passenger	399	1	30
Kitchen
Cabinet (driver side)
Cabinet (passenger side)
Overhead storage
12V refrigerator
Others
Living room / Dining room / Office
Lagun Table (Passenger Seat)	280	1	13
Headliner Shelf	469	1	2
Composting toilet
Couch / composting toilet’s cabinet
Bedroom
Bed Platform (work in progress)	765	6	90
Bedroom Storage
Garage
Slide-out-bike-rack
Others
TOTAL	$16,361	71h	479lb