High-spec fully Off-grid Ford Transit Conversion

It is with a heavy heart that we are selling our beloved camper van, as the only thing more heartbreaking than parting with it is to see it sitting around not being used and only getting older. We’ve found ourselves living between two hemispheres and unfortunately with all the moving around (ironically) there just isn’t room in our life any more for it anymore.

This was our ‘sanity project’ during the covid lockdown, that kept us busy during a difficult time and stopped us from going completely stir crazy. We then lived in it for the summer in France before escaping to Indonesia, during that time the van was securely stored in the UK. We just can’t bare to see it parked up for yet another winter.

Before reading any further, if you are tall, this van is not for you. We are 5’7 and 5”5, and we built this van for our use, not to sell. You will not be comfortable if you are much more than 5”10/11.

So there is the back story, on to the van itself…

The van:

Ford Transit 17 seater minibus (originally) – Was a school bus (service history and maintenance intact) and as a result the van itself is in immaculate condition.
2006
135,000 miles (260km on Taco)
Diesel engine
Mid-height (2.4m without roof bars)
Full service history
Double rear axel
Speed limiter 62mph (from experience, you wouldn’t want to drive faster anyway!)
Registered DVLA camper van – a process we completed ourselves after various applications and reweighing of the van, reclassified under 3.5T. Can be insured with camper van/motorhome insurers (currently Adian Flux)
3 x keys – 2 with chip, one spare for access only (we have had these made as backups)

Work done on the vehicle:

Brand new MOT
Brand new service last year including oil change (barely used since)
Brand new windscreen + wipers – to replace previous cracked one (which wasn’t an MOT failure)
2 x brand new batteries – replaced after the winter storage
Recent bodywork touch up on wheel arches

The conversion:

The conversion took us roughly 6 weeks to complete. Billy is a trained carpenter from Australia who is used to building high end houses, the quality of the conversion reflects his attention to detail. The conversion was done entirely by us, so we are able to answer any questions at all about all stages of the build. We documented the entire project by GoPro too, so there are videos and pictures of the van at all stages of the conversion. All materials were purchased from Wicks, and all Oak was planed from one large 4m piece of Solid Oak. There was no scrimping on systems fitted in the van, as you can see from the technical section it is all high end, with the best product chosen for each system.

Non-technical:

Fully insulated with two stage insulation – housing standard rock wool along with moisture barrier
Fully sealed
AIKO fitted roofbars with extendable ladder for access
Bulkhead – fitted by us for security/comfort
Storage – Under-seats, bedroom cupboards and living area included seagrass baskets, rear ‘garage’ with individual storage baskets
Partition walls to bedroom
Vinyl flooring fitted throughout
Tiled splash back (backboard, grouting, sealing and silver trim
Two ring hob with large (full) gas canister hooked up
Sink with tap
Custom made cupboard doors throughout
Custom made (by me) seat cushions with zips (easily washable)
Custom made (by me) curtains throughout
Self contained toilet with door and full length mirror
Oak finishings throughout
Oak table (removable)
Oak window sills – all planed to fit
Oak kitchen bench
Custom 6” Memory foam mattress – 4” foam/2”memory foam topper
Simple Human fitted bin
Auto-carpet throughout
Dulux paint used through (3 coats)
All Oak received 3 coats of Danish oil treatment
Maston + White magnetic utensil holder
Secret/Concealed high value goods storage
FULL kitchen set up – Pots, pans, cutlery, utensils, chopping board, cups, plates, bowls… etc
Fruit Hammock

Technical/Systems:

Battery: 220Ah AGM Leisure battery (START)
Solar system: 310W Solar panel fitted with Victron MPPT 100 | 20 smart solar charge controller (can be controlled by your phone)
Inverter: Edecoa 1500/3000W + fitted remote control
Split relay
2-Way Mobicool compressor fridge (chest style, with control panel access)
Thetford PortaPotti 165
70L Fiamma water tank
Spare 25L grey water tank/extra water storage
Shurflo 30psi water pump
Demand valve shower linked up off back (non-heated, designed for rinse off only)
Mains hook up with 25m lead
Fuse box with everything fused
System isolation with fitted Kill-switch
Main LED lights in living space, bedroom and toilet
LED strip lights fitted on separate systems throughout (warm white)
Lighting control panel
Sequoia Table system

This van really is one of a kind, and will have to be seen to be believed. We are biased, but we truly believe you will not find a higher quality van conversion on the market.

We are only looking for very serious enquiries for our van, and ask you to respect the price. It reflects our hours of painstaking hard work, the years of skill and all our love that was poured into this project, be assured there were as many tears as laughs during this build, as I’m sure anyone reading this will appreciate.

If you have been dreaming of van life, look no further. There really is no time like the present, and the best time for Europe van travel is fast approaching!