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This is the story of how a 1989 Ford camper van has been modified and modernized into an off-grid solar motor camper. Or as Sharrieff Fareed of the DualEx/YouTube Channel calls it, an off-grid solar tiny house in a van.
So he acquired the van and used his DIY skills to carefully convert it into a modern tiny home (in a van) for a total of only $3,500 (including the cost of buying the van) and then turned around and sold it for $12,000 (after several months). You can always see what he’s up to next on his YouTube, Instagram, and website where he offers his Campervan Conversion Guide eBook.
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Modernized 1989 Ford Camper Van Tiny House Built For $3,500
Believe it or not, the engine actually makes its way into the cockpit in these vans!
This is what it was like when he acquired it.
Like many rehabs, it started out, well, not-so-great. Not bad, but not great.
So DualEx started the project by ripping everything out of the van so that he can have a fresh slate to work with.
It’s a process.
One screw at a time…
To get the van to its bare bones!
Including, of course, removing the old flooring.
Preparing it for new floors. Exciting!
It’s so fun to bring life to something old.
It’s nice to be handy, too. But hey, those who are handy, were once not! It all starts somewhere.
One of the scary parts of the build. Cutting a hole in the roof for a fan! What if you mess this up?!
Fortunately I think he measured twice…
As you can see, the fan install was a success.
Then it was time to insulate the walls and start building out the furniture inside the van.
Going to definitely need some solar panels.
After days and days and hours and hours of work, it really starts to come together.
Putting the kitchen together seems satisfying.
There’s a bed, built-in benches, storage, and a kitchen… It’s really turning out!
Once finished, you would never guess it’s a 1980’s van from the inside. Incredible! People pay BIG BUCKS for rigs like this brand-new.
He was able to re-create a similar value to a newer class B motorhome, for a fraction of the cost.
A modernized 1980’s Ford Campervan!
It even has high-tech gadgets built-in, like a cabinet that charges your phone (wirelessly), rear security camera, and a projector system for entertainment.
Oh yeah, and the solar panels to keep everything powered 🙂
Pretty awesome, right? He turned what would be an ever-aging camper van, and modernized it with new technology as well as a complete interior rehab!
VIDEO: How It Was Built For Only $3,500
VIDEO: Urban Stealth Camping With The Finished Van
Did you like this van conversion?
Highlights
- He bought a used 1989 camper van
- He spent a total of $3,500 to buy the van and materials to convert it
- He used his own labor to convert the van and flip it for $12,000, making an $8,500 profit for all of his time and expertise
- The van has high tech features like wireless phone charging built into the furniture, security camera system, and more…
Learn more
- Video #1 | Video #2 | via DualEx/YouTube
- DualEx’s van conversion guide ebook
- His woodworking business
Our big thanks to DualEx for sharing!?
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More Like This: Vans | Van Dwelling | Videos | Jenna’s Campervan Conversion Adventure in Great Britain! | Mat and Danielle’s Budget Off-Grid Camper Van! | Mat & Danielle’s NEW, DIY Van Conversion (Beautiful And Genius)
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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through one of our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Alex
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very nice now all it needs is some kind of composting toilet so when that bear scares the p*ss outta you you can stay in your van.?
LOL
That is so cool!! You did a fantastic job.
Good luck when you embark on your travels 🙂
Fantastic!
Nice job but confused as to how he made an $8500 profit as the price of the van is how much? Is this the new accounting technique?
He spent $3,500 on the van and fixing the van, and then sold it for $12,000.
His math is fine. $3500 + $8500 = $12,000
Amazing job! Your ideas & execution are flawless. ?
I’m a huge fan! I’ve been following him for quite a while. The main reason I enjoy his builds, is due to his skills, patience, passion, and reliability. I hope he continues to do well.
If he had made a table and put one inch edges on the seats, he could use the table as part of the bed and put the cushions on top of the table.
Oh clever!
Madd, Cool, Sick Love it! Aloha
Great job!! Looks pretty comfy and organized. Hope you have some great adventures in it.
This is real nice seeing step by step. He knows what he is doing. Never seen a teeny tiny fridge before. Is cute. Looks like plenty of room in the van. Had no idea he does builds. Hope to see some of his work again.
Picture shows a Ford Van but a comment in the story references a Chevy van. Hmmmmm????
You’re right! Thanks, Mark, I’ll fix that mistake!
Next time you build one n want to sell it, can u email me please?
Better yet, can we “order” a similar custom-made vehicle from you?!
WOW! I had no idea how to do a van makeover. Still wouldn’t try it….BUT want to know more. Thanks for this video and article. It starts with the Superman T-Shirt? I’m going with WONDER WOMAN. BUT Superman works! I love the makeover. YOU GO!
This is so cool. No need to spend $100K on a high-end custom Sprinter with this guy around. Great to see someone doing high quality work for a more affordable segment.
Yes I love seeing the budget builds!
Very nice van conversion, well executed with very well thought out design. Kudos to you sir!
Very nice job. Hope he saved the captains chairs and the back seat that folded down into a comfortable bed.
Really amazing work! Good job!
I love the idea it is awesome for that price and u did an awesome job well done