WELCOME HOME!
Before we start, we just want to let you know that everything shown below is detailed in our Build Journal: how it’s built, construction materials, products we used, cost, etc. Feel free to take a look:
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Take the tour from a desktop computer for a better experience, or at least hit "full screen" and turn your device horizontally!
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Build Journal
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See On Amazon
THE VAN
We built it from a Ford Transit 2016 High-Roof, Extended-Length with 3.7 gas engine and Limited Slip Differential (LSD).
KITCHEN
The passenger side cabinet features a propane range (Propane System Guide), a sink (Water System Guide), and some precious storage. The driver side cabinet features a 12V fridge (Fridge Guide), a few drawers, and this is where our electrical system lives (Electrical System Guide). At last, we made an overhead cabinet for extra storage.
LIVING ROOM
The living room is made possible thanks to the swivel seats (driver and passenger side). The living room also doubles as a dining room by installing our table (see on Amazon), or as a restroom thanks to our Nature’s Head composting toilet. For privacy, or to keep the temperature acceptable inside the van, we install our insulated window covers.
BEDROOM
Our bedroom features a permanent bed, plenty of storage, and a neat 360 degrees Sirocco fan. The ceiling LEDs are dimmable and are split between two zone (kitchen & bedroom).
GARAGE
It’s not an adventure van without adventure gear..! Our garage is located under the bed and features a convenient slide-out-bike-rack, and a bunch of other storage solutions (for the snowboard, the splitboards, the avalanche gear, the BBQ, tools, etc.) as described in our Garage Article.
SHOWER
We have a propane on-demand hot shower system in the back of the van, and we get some privacy thanks to the exterior shower curtains we made. On the second photo below, you can see the mosquito screens deployed (we also have one for the sliding door).
VIDEO TOUR
We’ll make our own video at some point, but for now thanks to our friend Drew for shooting & editing this!
THE ADVENTURES
We use our van as a basecamp-on-wheels for mountain biking and backcountry skiing adventures. We try to keep our “Tales From The Road” journal updated. See you on the road!
How has your RWD 2016 Transit handled muddy, snowy, rocky/bumpy, loose roads (vs. having 4WD or AWD)?
Thanks!
Hey! Here is an extract from https://faroutride.com/ford-transit-order-guide/:
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OUR EXPERIENCE WITH RWD
Since 2017, we’ve been lucky enough to spend most of our time chasing mountain biking trails and backcountry skiing zones throughout North America. This means a LOT of driving on the backroads, in summer AND in winter. We also use our van quite a lot as a mountain biking “shuttle” on steep logging roads here in British Columbia.
From our experience, a RWD van (with limited slip) is very capable, as long as there’s weight in the back (very important) and with appropriate tires (all-terrain tires or snow tires).
After 4 years driving from Mexico up to Alaska, in all kind of conditions (loose dirt, snow, ice), to access remote locations for mountain biking and backcountry skiing, our opinion is that AWD or 4×4 is NOT mandatory. We did just fine with the RWD and limited slip differential.
That being said, if you’re into the outdoors like we are, we would recommend AWD or 4×4 if your budget allows it. Even if we think it’s not mandatory, it’s a nice feature for sure. Indeed, to access some ski areas, AWD or chains (faroutride.com/thule-snow-chains-review) are sometimes required; installing snow chains in the cold/snow sucks, so we wouldn’t miss this. And even if we don’t get stuck (we actually got stuck venturing in the sand twice, and we confirm that the Maxtrax Recovery Board are a life saver!), having AWD would probably give us a little boost in confidence when we’re far out there.
To better grasp what we’re into and where we go with our van, check out our Tales From The Road and our Winter Vanlife Guide.
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Hope this helps!
We’re starting a Ford Transit cargo van build (high roof and extended length) early next year and your layout is very close to what we have been planning. It’s almost like seeing what our van will look like when we’re done!
What we’ve really been seeking in this build is to have storage but to feel as open as possible inside the van from the front of the cargo space to the back doors. You’ve done this quite well (even with the cabinets on the wall on the driver’s side). We’re planning on not having high cabinets towards the front of the cargo space so that it will really feel open. We have the bed planned for back-to-front so that the whole space will be visible when we’re propped up in the back of the bed. We can put slim storage on both sides towards the back sides of the bed.
You’ve done a wonderful job with your build! My husband and I are software engineers. We don’t plan to do a lot of traveling – we’re not as outdoorsy as you guys – but the van life appeals to us as having a unique style of freedom. We are very much looking forward to it!
Hi guys, such a cool story, and a great build! I’m wondering how much floor-to-ceiling space you were able to preserve throughout the standable space in the van? I’m 6’5″, and would like an all-weather build (so — sufficient insulation!), and am curious if there’s enough clearance to stand comfortably at my height.
Cheers!
We retained 76″ standing height after the full conversion. We’ve got all dimensions here if interested: https://faroutride.com/product/interior-layout/
Cheers,
Antoine 🙂
I’m just curious how many miles you have on this van after all your travels?
We’re at 96K miles, not that bad actually! We keep a log of all the repairs we had to do, if interested: https://faroutride.com/ford-transit-repair-cost/
Cheers
Thanks so much for all the information you have on your site. My wife and I are going to buy a new AWD Transit Long body and do a full conversion with interior shower/wet bath included. We will be traveling off road only about to the same extent that you do for your adventures. We have debated back and forth about whether to get the Dually for greater highway stability in the wind. That being said we love the air lift kit for it’s ability to temporarily get the tail up a little higher. Please tell me how you feel your van performs in windy conditions at highway speed limits, Did the Air Lift improve that? Does yours have Sway bars? Etc.
Thanks!
Steve & Nancy
Absolutely awesome build, great job! My wife and I are in the process of started the build, we’re not ready to take the leap of selling the house just yet, but this will be a test run to see if it’ll be used for weekend trips or long term.
Thanks for all of the information on the build!
Hi guys,
I just felt in love with your van! I have a smaller one but I have decided to buy a bigger one and join the vanlife-team 🙂 I’ve been worried I could not have room for two bikes, but…your layout is just great!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Greetings from Barcelona 🙂
This is amazing. Not only did you build a fantastic van, but also, a fantastic website. It’s overwhelming though. I want this, but could never build it myself. Just a single woman with no carpentry skills. Where could I look to find somebody to build it for me?
The Van Mart / Van Speed Shop
Costa Mesa California
http://www.Thevanmart.com
When are you looking to build? I’m retiring at the end of 2022 and will be starting to look for my van. Maybe we can collaborate online as we build?
Just throwing it out there. Good luck, hope it goes well!