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How to Convert a Work Van into Your Own DIY Camper Van!


This post contains affiliate links.

This is a video series that gives you insight into how to do your own van conversion with master woodworker Dipa Vasudeva Das.

He’s the one who converts work vans into incredible (and famous) custom campers like this one and this one.

Enjoy!

Incredible DIY Campervan Conversion Video Series: How This Man Builds ‘Natural’ Tiny Homes Out of Work Vans!

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

If you want to learn how to convert your own van, bookmark this page and use it to start learning! Here is a summary of what you can learn:

  • How to Install Your Own Skylight and Awning in the Van
  • How to Set Up Your Solar System
  • How to Start Building Your Walls
  • How to Paint/Decorate Your Walls
  • How to Insulate Your Van
  • How to Set Up Your Ceiling Lighting and Skylight Frame
  • How to Build (And Insulate) Your Flooring
  • How to Build a Beautiful Entrance/Door in Your Van
  • How to Set Up Your Water and Cooking Systems
  • How to Build Your Kitchen Countertop
  • How to Build Your Own Custom Fireplace and Stove
  • How to Build Your Own Japanese/Zen Style Shelves
  • How to Build Your Own Family Table/Convertible Bed
  • How to Design/Build a Rear Terrace and Window

Table of Contents

There’s lots to learn, probably too much for one sitting! So bookmark this page so you can come back for more! This is basically like a free course/workshop on how to convert your own van thanks to Dipa Das.

Dipa Das does a great job with his work and he is highly experienced but he doesn’t always wear safety gear like we all should. So please invest in and use eye wear and other safety gear to keep your body parts safe while working with power tools and doing construction!

1. How to Install Your Own Skylight, Van Awning and Stripping Interior!

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Video: Installing Skylight, Awning, and Stripping Interior

2. How to Set Up Your Solar System and Ventilation

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Video: Setting Up Your Solar Panels and Ventilation Fans

3. How to Build Your Own Custom Cockpit Door/Wall

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Video: First Wall for the Van – Cockpit Door/Wall

4. How to Paint/Decorate Your Walls

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Video: Decorating and Painting Your Van’s Wall/Door

5. How to Insulate Your Van, Installing Interior Siding, & Chimney/Fireplace Setup

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Video: Insulating Your Van, Installing Interior Siding/Panels/Wall Finishes, and Setting Up the Chimney/Fireplace

6. How to Set Up Your Lighting

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Video: Setting Up Your Lighting

7. Building Your Flooring (Floor Framing, Insulation, and Finish)

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Video: Pine Flooring (Framing, Insulating, and Finishing)

8. How to Build a Stealthy But Beautiful ‘Front Door’ (Entrance) for Your Van

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Video: How to Build Your Own Stealthy But Beautiful Front Door Entrance For Your Van Conversion

9. How to Build Your Water and Cooking Systems (Kitchenette and Shower)

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Video: Building Your Water and Cooking Systems

10. How to Build Your Kitchen Countertop

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Video: Building Your Kitchen Countertop

11. How to Build Your Own Custom Fireplace and Stove

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Video: Building Your Own Custom Fireplace and Stove

12. How to Build Your Own Japanese/Zen Style Shelves

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Video: Building Your Own Shelving for Your Van Conversion

13. How to Build Your Own Family Table/Convertible Bed

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Video: Building Your ‘Convertible’ Table/Bed

14. How to Design/Build a Rear Terrace and Window

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Photos © Dipa Das/YouTube

Video: Designing and Building Your Rear Terrace and Window

Resources

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bqCv_d6oeg&list=PLiCprVuWAz-AsiWRtrQ3CILttRsJcAGy_
  2. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDhLtJUPM96lDhhMgbnSZGA
  3. http://www.divinefactory.net/
  4. https://tinyhousetalk.com/veduna-campervan-work-van-converted-into-incredible-natural-motorhome/
  5. https://tinyhousetalk.com/tag/dipa-vasudeva-das/

Our big thanks to Dipa Das for sharing!

Share this with your friends/family using the e-mail/social re-share buttons below. Thanks!

If you liked this you’ll LOVE our Free Daily Tiny House Newsletter with more! Thank you!

You can also try our NEW Small House Newsletter!

More Like This: Explore our Van Conversions Section

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Alex

Alex is a contributor and editor for TinyHouseTalk.com and the always free Tiny House Newsletter. He has a passion for exploring and sharing tiny homes (from yurts and RVs to tiny cabins and cottages) and inspiring simple living stories. We invite you to send in your story and tiny home photos too so we can re-share and inspire others towards a simple life too. Thank you!
{ 17 comments… add one }
  • Jason
    January 4, 2018, 3:57 pm

    wow this dude can carpenter! Not my style but respect to the skills!

    • Karen
      January 4, 2018, 4:13 pm

      I know, right? I was thinking the exact same thing.

  • Clare
    January 4, 2018, 4:11 pm

    This man is an absolute genius! I have watched all his YouTube videos and the skills and ideas this man has are amazing.
    Definitely bookmark this page!

  • Michael
    January 4, 2018, 7:49 pm

    Wow, this is comprehensive. I did it before and know how much work it is but documenting it on top of this – impressive. This ut isn’t not only a good carpenter but looking on the stove he is a welder, too.
    Not my style but a great way to learn about it.

  • Kim
    January 4, 2018, 9:59 pm

    I’m almost speechless. Wow, wow, wow! Incredible skills and an amazing transformation. Of course, it helps to have a fabulous shop space filled with every tool imaginable and the know how on how to use them! Beautiful craftsmanship. Generous sharing of the process. Thank you!

  • Debz
    January 4, 2018, 10:06 pm

    I think it would be fair to call this “over the top!”

  • BBB
    January 5, 2018, 1:54 am

    This dude is a freaking genius! What a work of art! It’s the most beautiful conversion I’ve ever seen! And he makes it look easy! I want one!!

  • January 5, 2018, 8:29 am

    With so much patience and enthusiasm they build the future, which with the snap of two fingers here is already here

  • J.
    January 5, 2018, 9:23 am

    This guy was using an angle grinder without safety glasses and while wearing sandals!
    He is a good craftsman however. Nice job.

  • damian dolan
    January 7, 2018, 12:16 pm

    beautiful work;^)

  • alice h
    January 10, 2018, 11:50 am

    Very inspirational! I just wonder about the added weight of so much wood. Probably not so good in a smaller van but the aesthetic appeal is amazing.

  • January 14, 2018, 3:44 pm

    Thanks for sharing this information, Amazing skills and creativity here. Very spiritual and earthy. namaste’, rachel

  • robert
    January 22, 2018, 3:07 pm

    thank you very much, very inspiring!

  • Ted Whalen
    April 27, 2018, 5:15 pm

    You sir are a great artist, that’s like the things I use to be able to do, I am 78 yrs old DAV now an had to sell all my equiptment for wood working to move into Gov. Houseing Keep up the great work..Ted

  • Rosie Cummings
    September 25, 2019, 12:00 pm

    We are older and poor. Is there something very simple we can do. Using a van.

  • M JJ
    August 22, 2020, 10:32 pm

    Absolutely amazing! I plan to convert a van in the near future, I will definitely watch more of his videos to get some ideas.
    Beautiful work…I am speechless!

    • Natalie C. McKee
      August 23, 2020, 12:46 pm

      Wishing you a speedy and awesome conversion!

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