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Man Converts Work Van into Stealth Van Dweller (SOLD)


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A dedicated reader just sent me photos and information on his 1982 Chevy Step Van to RV Conversion that he was using for stealth van dwelling and traveling which is now up for sale. (SOLD)

It’s a 3/4 ton single axle Chevy P20 Step Van with a 350 engine. It’s been converted into a fully featured camper that can also be used as a mobile studio or office.

Inside you’ll find a fold down ‘Murphy’ style bed that fits a twin or full sized futon mattress. He’s including an inflatable air bed with a full price offer on the sale.

Man Converts Chevy Step Van into Stealth Van Dweller

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Images © B. Justice

And now it’s for sale. Learn more below:

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Images © B. Justice

See the original listing to check availability and to contact owner/seller: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/rvs/4644712246.html

1982 Chevy Step Van RV Conversion:

3/4 ton Single axle Chevy P20 Step Van with a 350 engine that has been converted to a camper & mobile studio.

Features include:

Fold-down “Murphy” bed can fit a twin or full size futon(brand new inflatable air bed included in full price offer)

Stainless steel sink & ship-lap shower with on-demand water heater & there is even room for a port-o-let if you choose to have one. Propane tank included for the water heater & can also function for a small indoor safe space heater (heater included in full price offer).

15 gallon fresh & grey water tanks mounted on the undercarriage with PEX lines & water pump. Fill receptacle is located on the drivers side at the step.

Table-top mounted on passenger side in the cockpit is a good place to have your breakfast or cook & have a great view at the same time.

Two 12 Volt “cigarette lighter” plug ins (one in the cockpit other in the rear cabin) offer power & can accept adapter for a standard plug in outlet. Two standard bulb overhead lights plus a halogen lamp in the rear provide lots of light.

High counter top, 6 separate cabinets for lots of storage, bench seat with storage, restroom/shower is located under a separate bench seat for multi-functionality & is unseen until you want to use it. Hanging racks mounted on the walls offer additional storage for food, household items & even to hang up your clothes.

Two batteries, one for the starter & the other as auxiliary power to the lights, water pump & as a jump-starter if needed. Batteries are wired so that both get recharged by the alternator when the engine is on.

Welded screen separates the cockpit from the rear cabin & is a theft-deterrent & very secure. Rear doors have steel plates mounted to secure a bar, making this truck almost impervious to break ins. The body itself is steel & dual layered so in the future you could even install a heavy duty insulation.

Floors in the cabin are marine grade plywood for easy clean-up but I would include real hardwood flooring (you have to install it yourself) with a full price offer.

Engine/chassis work that has been done in the past year: Brand new & shiny radiator, new heads, gaskets & rods, new water pump, new belts & hoses, new transmission gasket & filter, rear axle seals replaced, new crankshaft balancer & belt, new starter/solenoid, radiator flush, transmission oil flush, differential fluid flush, power steering fluid replaced; all totaled, over $6,500 in work alone, all in a truck with under 79,000 original miles. Tires are also new, with less than 1000 miles on them plus a new spare tire & wheel(not a donut spare).

One of the best things about this truck is its low-key appearance. No one ever thinks this is a camper that someone might be staying in. It simply looks like a commercial step van that a contractor might use. This makes it great for parking in all types of places that you normally can’t take an RV, like cities with restrictions on overnight camping & it does really well in parking lots because even security patrol thinks it belongs there.

There are some cosmetic dents & dings & it isn’t sparkling clean, but this is one great rig with solid parts & can be made even more amazing. Really, you aren’t going to find anything similar & to duplicate all this would definitely cost more than the asking price(I’m not factoring the labor I put in to this rig). Finances & a family situation are forcing the sale but it served me well as a super-low-cost & low-key way of life in many different states over this country.

Email with any questions or to schedule a time to check it out. Have a couple people scheduled already for Sunday so that or Monday would be a good day. I will be adding more photos shortly. Asking $9,999.00/ O.B.O. definitely negotiable on the price especially for a cash sale. Will also consider a trade + cash for a Toyota Tacoma 4×4. Thank you. (SOLD)

If you enjoyed this step van to RV conversion- great for van dwelling- you’ll absolutely LOVE our free daily tiny house newsletter with more! Thanks!

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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!
{ 8 comments… add one }
  • sc
    September 2, 2014, 5:31 pm

    It’s okay, but I would definitely choose a school bus build on this. The school bus is supposed to be the strongest vehicle on the road and its much longer than this. and no where near enough windows. I dont need to be that stealth.

  • Martha
    September 3, 2014, 5:09 pm

    A school bus wouldn’t be near as stealthy as this van, especially if you would be living out of it while attending school, or if you went to a job every day. The van can be parked so many more places without attracting notice.

  • Amy
    September 4, 2014, 12:55 am

    Really cool.

  • anna
    September 4, 2014, 10:01 am

    The picture with the van in the parking lot at night, reminds me of “Back to the Future” and I expect to see a DeLorean burst onto the scene!

    • Alex
      September 4, 2014, 12:17 pm

      LOL, so true! Didn’t think of it when I first saw it 😀

    • Dan
      September 5, 2014, 1:29 pm

      Exactly what crossed my mind when I saw it.

  • Kaleb
    September 4, 2014, 2:12 pm

    This idea had crossed my mind in the past. Sounds like a good deal. Still lots of potential when it comes to refinements yet to do. ie. rear windows could be treated, insulation and perhaps carpeting on the sides, and more.

    Yes, it could fly under the ‘radar’ but these days there seems to be fewer than in the past.

  • Robyn
    September 5, 2014, 8:39 pm

    I lived in a Step Van for a couple years. My partner had lived in it for four years previously.
    Aside from cold, they are fine stealth campers.
    We had a wardrobe and desk, and a kitchen set up for under a rain tarp.
    Not that much went into making it a house on wheels,

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