hi everyone. I recently purchased a 1993 Ford Aerostar XL with 153,000 miles on it for 500 dollars. Runs GREAT. My son would like to convert it to a camper van and live in it sophomore year of college. Yes, I have tried to talk him out of the idea of living in a van for all the objections you are probably listing right not. Unfortunately, I can not get him to change his mind. Therefore, I have decided to join the crazy train and do this right. I know I need to tear our the paneling and the floor, insulate, frame, put in a roof fan for ventilation, lay down at least two or three outlets than can handle high wattage, have some basic plumbing (water pump, waste tank, SMALL clean water tank, a small sink that doubles as food prep, small hot water heater, small refrigerator/ freezer, microwave, and breakfast station. Also, some basic RV toilet in case he has an emergency or possibly an area that is a shower above/ toilet below. also, he is 6 foot one inch and I want him to be able to stand in a portion of this. My thought was to add height and use part of it as a sleeping loft. Not sure yet. Also, I want to make it capable of using solar power on some future date. I have priced everything out and it will cost about 4000 for materials if I bought on amazon. I'm thinking I can save a lot from that by going to junkyards, habitat for humanity Restore, etc. I have enough capability that I can do the majority of the framing, insulation myself, can put down flooring and tile too. A couple guy friends will help with the wiring, framing and plumbing in return for some home cooked meals and a little cash. My son goes to school in Morgantown, WV. Its fairly mountainous and doesn't want an RV or something he would have to get a CDL or different license for. What are your thoughts? I know I will have to be clever with the design so I can fit all this in his space.

 

there is no space for all that. Even sleeping will be a stretch.

Leave it empty behind the front seats if he wants to sleep in it.

 

Agree with Jose A. No way to get all that stuff in there and sleep in it too. You're starting with a van that's too small. Look for a older "Class B" motorhome / van conversion with all those things already installed which were custom made to fit.

 

DFord, especially if it is a Shorty Aerostar, But even the extended body is not big enough.

 

Camping with it empty is tough enough. Not big enough. I would find a very small RV for 4k.

 

I've lived in an extended version for a bit. It wasn't great. Your best bet is to sleep between the wheel wells on an air matress or memory foam pad. You can build plenty of shelving on the sides, above the wheel wells. I would also build in a way for him to sit upright, maybe with a fold-down desk, for studying. Make it rear facing and you can mount a small flatscreen at the rear that will swing away or fold up. Alternately, build a 4×8 surface over the wheel wells for sleeping and use the area underneath for storage. Think of building the back of his van as you would a tear drop trailer. He's not going to have a toilet or shower and a refer is probably not going to happen either. Truck stops have some really cool items for food prep though, so you can look in to that. He can use the gym for showering etc. and snack on nonperishable goods in the mean time, or use a small cooler filled with free ice from the cafeteria.
Whichever route you go, please keep us posted, with plenty of pics. I'm planning a very similar remodel myself and would like to see what you come up with.
Good luck.
Gator