Hi, I’m Dave. I own Dave in Action and
this is how we build adventure vans. step 1. Plan and plan and plan some more. You
want to have an overall vision before you start any work. You’re going to want
measurements and sketches and diagrams. Inspiration photos are great too.
Skipping this step may result in time-consuming and expensive lessons.
Step 2. Gut the van meaning remove everything. Anything removed from the
van should be saved for later. You may be able to reuse or resell any extra
parts. Remember kids safety first. If you’re dealing with
an older van you may run into rust. You’re going to want to fix that. Step 3.
Frame. Inexpensive two by fours and self-drilling screws, not self tapping,
are the way to go here. Step 4. Electrical. With the walls bare
now is the time to run your wires. You want to do this after framing to reduce
the chance of running a framing screw through a wire.
Step 5. Insulate. Installation provides sound dampening and temperature control
in your van. The best method is the one in your budget. Fiberglass and foam board
from your local home improvement store are the most cost effective. Other
options are available such as denim heat shield, film back adhesive foam, and
Reflectix. A little internet research will provide a lot more information on
the insulating properties of each. Step 6. Floors and walls. In this van the floor is
going in as one piece because we’re reusing the original floor as the
subfloor. If you don’t have an original floor use half inch plywood. Large
sheets of cardboard are great for making wall panel templates. Remember, measure
twice, cut once. Step 7. Finish electrical. If you’ve
planned properly you should be able to hook up your switches, lights, outlets, and
finally the battery. A voltmeter is a great tool to have in your kit if you
find yourself troubleshooting any issues. Step 8. Bed. Build your bed platform. The
height is dependent on what you plan to store underneath it and keep in mind
headroom for sitting comfortably on the bed. Our bed platforms are built out of
tube steel for strength and weight savings. Step 9.
Cabinets and kitchen. Cabinets are just boxes. The quality of your cabinets
depends on straight lines and square corners. 3/4 plywood is good for the
exterior structure and half-inch works well for shelves. Step 10. Enjoy. It’s time
to move in, go on an adventure, live the dream. I hope this helps all you do it
yourselfers out there and for those that are interested in having a van built you
can find us at daveinaction.com. As you can see by the status of my
breath, it’s cold out. If you enjoyed this episode like the video, subscribe to
the channel, share it with a friend. If you want to be a baller, join the
Patreon page and if not, I still love you, but until next time I’m going to
drive to New Mexico because at the point of filming this
I’m in basically Frisco, Colorado, but I’m headed to Taos. By the time this will be
posted, I’ll be in Taos, New Mexico. Peace!
First like
great video!
Love the info
this was great!
And how I choose my van? I'm looking for a gas economy one but I have no idea where to start, please help.
Very good info, but when you referred to us as kids, I had a very big laugh.. lol. at 59 years old, nearly 60, you appear to be a kid to me. But carry on, you have many, many years to grow old and wise. :-)) ✌
10 th ☄️
Very cool. Great layout of the process in a quick concise format. That's basically our 1,2,3 plan we had when we built our camper for Overlanding The Pan American.
Any one have an idea for how much a van like that would cost?
love this video man great job
STEP 11 – Start Living The Dream!
My ex police Renault master is nearly finished , watch this space guys : )
Great video man. I've been looking for a van with an interior height of above 6'6 so after flooring and ceiling, I can stand up straight at 6'3… I've yet to locate something in my budget. The search is ongoing. My girlfriend and I will have either a converted van or tiny house by end of 2017 (as long as finances play out the we we plan). I'll be saving this video, in case I find a suitable van!
Really enjoyed this video!!
you're truly deserve more subscriber dylan,
Much better quality then the factory made conversion I bet.
Can you give a ballpark of what you charge? Say someone comes to you with their van…. an average interior production?…. Website was pretty…. but no real information.
Awesome video!
Can't wait to do this on my own, I graduate in May. Hope to have something like this a year after that!
Man, this makes me want to quit my job and just gooooooooo for it in nature.
Ay I'm headed to Taos next month for a internship. Hopefully I'll catch ya there would love to sit n chat… Earthships are the future. Lol
excellent!
i'm a german looking to start the vanlife soon, any recommendations for facebook groups and forums, preferably about vanlife in europe and van conversions in general? i always felt like the weird one, lol, but this really feels like another level. i'm ready.
Fairly recent sub'er here… I don't know why it took me so long to find you. Good stuff! Will share. Thanks.
why did you not invite me to taos if you love me!!!? if you still love me? why? oh why?
nice suggestions for doing up a van great advice you guys ought to try doing them up for peoples?
as a business? like?
a peugeout boxer or citroen jumper are also good options if you are in europe not this place full of backwoodsy renegades and rebels who dislike our queen elizabeths reign rule!! of her once fine n american colony! its nice to know that we still have colonists!!
who copy us in europe!!
Show US your van a DNA lifestyle!
plan .. design .. plan & Design some more, a fixed bed is a poor choice, wastes so much space.
hey brother!! im located in santa fe new mexico. taos is so awesome!! <3 not sure if you like bass music… but if you do! theres a show coming up february 3rd in abq at dual brewing co thats going to be awesome!! bleep bloop is playing as well as live painters and other musicians! guna be everything from chill groove to headbangers. <3 blessings on your travel through this beautiful land and hit me up if you want to meet up with a local who knows the area. been living here since i was 6 months old. peace!
deam
Furiously taking notes for when I finally upgrade from truck to van. Thanks for making an awesome video!
Thanks for the video. Help me out with something: Wood is so heavy. Why not replace the original inside panels after insulating?
Beware of the Taos hum 😬
No way, I was one of your original subs when you vlogged from that home in Queens. Glad to see you're growing, awesome'
That was the best vandwelling video I have ever seen.
But how much does it roughly cost (for someone to build it for you versus building it by yourself)?
That looks like the sort of van a serial killer would drive because it provides enough space to fit a kidnap victim.
I am determined to live in my own van again! Thank you for the inspiration!
What is that sink/stove shown in this video? I've seen it before in a different video and it looks really nice. I would love to know the name/model!
Where can I find a sink/stove setup like the one seen at 2:11?
this was fast, effective information. the best tip for an adventure van LIVE YOUR DREAM!!
aahah he's so cute
That sure looks like boxed aluminum at 1:57, but you said steel, I would think aluminum in that dimension would be strong enough
Isn't fibreglass insulation in a confined space likely to be hazardous to your health?
Cowboys! Running wiring through steel body channelling without armouring or sheathing. fire risk waiting to happen. Can tell they are cowboy carpenters, not vehicle builders.
always outstanding content
wait do you live in a van
Did you already do a video showing your van? Because I can't find it. If not, are you planning to do it?
Btw, I recently found your channel and I really like it. Keep it up! 👍👍 Greetings from Spain 🇪🇸
Step 1: Start with a 4×4 Sprinter van
Step 2: You win
another stupid music video, cut the foreign music and just explain please.
Hey, so I live in south-east Asia, where I can say it's pretty much hot all year round. Do I need to have insulation? Since we don't really need it to block out cold or something. I get it, it could be for sound-proof thingy, but really what are other options suitable for us where the sun is out all year round?
Thanks.
NOT FK**ING REFLECTIX!
How to Build a Poverty Van
Actualy you might wanna strip it before you plan because imo a stripped van is the best way to imagineer your travel van.
Can i do in my box car
Its serious man
im fuvking pissing myself over the "AHOY" at the end
he us
used duck duck he's not daft
Shoulda watched this before I did my van!
Great quick overview but what about toilet and shower?
duckduckgo….
My English is not the best but maybe someone has an answer for me….
when do i install the water "stuff" and the shower and all the water tanks and pumpsystem?
ty for help guys <3
Help me build out my van ok?
Haha! You're hilarious friend. Love the vids.
Use fuses and don't die!
👍🇨🇦😃
you sound like the paul brothers