Oh yeah it's so much better building your own van! Then you know how to fix it too if anything breaks.

Thank you! Lots of hard work went into it for sure. My favorite vehicle I've ever built/ owned!

Thank you!

i went ahead and laughed at your comment, thanks

Thanks 💯

Thank you! I'll definitely check out some nicer batteries once these hit the bucket

@TaylorVanBeek just make sure you don't totally drain them, or you'll kill them, but you may already know that. We did that a couple of times. Luckily, it still fell under the one year warranty, so we just took them back to Walmart and got a replacement. For what you need to power up, the battery bank you have is definitely enough We're running appliances like a microwave and an air conditioner so when we finally had enough we invested a lot in our solar system. You have a great setup.

Thanks! It's my favorite vehicle I've ever owned for sure!

Thank you! Cheers!

Thank you! First time building something this in depth!

Thanks!

Thanks man! And I never ended up filming the rest of me building the van. Wish I would have! One thing I recommend if you're building out a 1500 awd is to do the 1/4 inch tongue and groove instead of the 3/4 inch like I did in my van. If I were to build another camper, I would have done the 1/4 to save weight. This build is heavy in my rig but it is a 3500 so it handles the weight fine

Thank you! 😊

Yeah I guess I meant budget in the sense of a full 4 seasons camper van that's a permanent build haha I've camped in this van in -18 degree weather. And it's got every amenity needed for full time living other than a shower. But I'd love to have a quigley conversion! I'd like to do bumpers on mine also! If this wasn't my daily driver, I'd do a high roof

@@TaylorVanBeek your van is absolutely beautiful bro, I'm not to savy on material pricing thats for sure lol, everything is getting expensive and 5 g isn't a bad price compared to many other builds, and yours looks great man! Probably the coolest clean express I've seen, I dream of Quigley, winch bumpers, and high tops at night bahahaha 😂 not too sure about a high top in the Washington cascades though, seems they get in the way and can grow leaks from the backwood bumpy roads...

Yeah I do need to clean those up ASAP! And I do have a carbon monoxide detector but totally forgot to mention that!

Thank you! It was a fun project to build for sure!

Happy new year!

Thanks and for sure! That'd be awesome

Yeah I think there's a company that makes one but it honestly doesn't bother me at all that the tire stops the door. It opens up enough for me.

That’s the plan!!

She's still with me! She's in almost all of my camping videos. About to start putting some more content out here!

@@Ruddy918 yeah it’s a lot for sure. It’s my daily driver so I wanted the passenger van so it didn’t look as creepy haha

Thank you!

If I was closer, I'd help out haha but this is by far my favorite set up i've ever done. And since it's a low roof and a passenger van, it's perfect for a daily driver. I don't own another vehicle haha

@@RyanNagy thank you! And I installed a 40amp renogy charger so when the van is running, it charges the batteries. I’m never in one spot for too long so that set up made the most sense for me

Thanks!

I'm going to start getting back at it! I miss getting out there and making content!

If you want to send me a message on instagram, “taylorvanbeeek”, I can send you some pictures of the back. I just used tongue and groove wood and screwed it into the metal. Then tucked the wires behind the wood.

I did do the whole build myself. I was on a time crunch before I was leaving on my trip so I did not have a chance to film the rest of the build. I wish I would have.

Thank you!

I’ve only got like 5k into upgrades. Not that much money. I just worked and saved it up.

Thanks! And I've honestly never noticed the smell of diesel inside the van. The tank is sealed pretty dang good. Was afraid to keep the tank outside with how cold of areas I was going too. Didn't want the diesel to gel.

@@TaylorVanBeek facts…

Yes, you can still see in. You'd need really dark tint to not see any lights through the tint at night. During the day, you can have lights on and not see anything no matter how hard you try to look through.

The bed is 54 inches wide by 75 inches long. It's a full size mattress. I'm 6'1" and fit on the mattress great.

No, I've got a buddy who builds vans and he said that solar panels do almost nothing unless if you have a bunch of them. He told me if my battery bank is big enough and i drive a decent amount, I wouldn't need them. Ended up saving like $1000 not putting solar panels or a solar charger in this build. It would take me 2 weeks of off grid living before my battery bank ran out. If My battery bank was completely dead, it would take around 12 hours to fill them back to full charged. I've got 480 amp hours of battery bank with a 40 amp charger.

@@TaylorVanBeek Okay good info. So basically you need to drive about an hour a day to keep up, roughly. As in 12 hours for two weeks. Since your van is not too extra big, that would not be too bad on the gas mileage. I drive an hour a day in my car just going around to the supermarket and fast food lol. Although, I think if you have the batteries already, which you say you do, if you got even like 400 W up on there, which would not be too much money, I think it would help. Probably cut your driving down to half an hour a day. Which is a lot more doable. Your type of setup would definitely be good more for like a road trip though.

@@saratemp790 the problem is the solar panels aren’t expensive, the solar controller is pricey. But I’ve got roof rack bars up there now and always have things on my roof so the solar panels wouldn’t help much. I drive every day regardless anyways

@@TaylorVanBeek yeah if you're always driving then you don't need them. Makes sense.

It's just 4 deep cycle 120amp hour batteries. It's a little overkill but it works great for my set up in my van. I've got a renogy charger hooked up to the batteries to charge them while driving. The batteries are hooked up to a fuse box and all the 12v is hooked up to the fuse box.

Sliding all the way. Originally I wanted swing out doors but I got a good deal on this van. So glad I have the sliders. Makes it way easier to get in and out of in tight parking spots.

It still helps maintain temperature way better than no insulation. Also quiets the drive way down while going down the highway.

Yes, a 5k would do plenty. I'd honestly still go with a 3k. My 5k on low cooks me out. I was in the Sierra Nevada mountains and it was -18, I still had the heater on the medium setting and it was in the 60s inside of my van

@@deecar3096 outdoor shower and I either go to the bathroom in the woods or I use gas station/rest stop bathrooms

@@FightTalk101 thanks! And no, you would not fit fully on the bed in this one. The mattress is a standard 74” long. I’m 6’1” and it fits me perfect

Right behind my drivers seat

I haven't had a single issue with the window tint. Only part that's not legal with the window tint is the driver and passenger window. Every other window is allowed to be that dark. But yeah, I haven't been messed with yet.

It's just 2x4 framing and some tongue and groove on top of it. Very sturdy and convenient to have another place to sit while camping.

I appreciate it man! And I'm down here in Florida

So what would you have done differently with a low roof GMC Savana van? I feel like this is about as good as you can do with this model van. It’s got 12v heat, an oven, fridge, rooftop fan, power to power all of your accessories, etc. the interior build only cost 5k. The total Investment with purchase of van, lift, wheels, tires and interior build is 17k pretty dang cheap for what this thing consists of. It’s not like you can put a shower on the inside of a low top van. What else would you add?

​@@TaylorVanBeek A high top. I would add a high top roof. I'm in the market for a 25/3500 express/savanna extended right now, and I see 2006'ish vans for like $6,000. Sure I don't want a rust bucket, or a can of worms, but I still think a good deal is out there that would free up space on that same budget. I found a company that makes a 24 inch aerodynamic high top for American full size vans for like $4,000 not including installation (HTV - Hight Top Vans company in Washington). I Just hope I can find an installer that would help me for like $1,000. Van $6,000 + top $4,000 = $10,000. Tesla battery modules for power. 5.2kwh/250ah battery modules go for $500 each. I want 4, but I'll start with one first. No solar. Solar is too expensive. Just upgraded alternators. A 4,800 watt alternator is $400. I'd run GFCI outlets in the van. I like that you kept the stock heat and air. I would do something similar, so I want a passenger van to start with, or I'd be adding the stock blower to a cargo van. The heat and air would be stock in the front, but the back would have a diesel air heater for $100 as we know, but I will also duct in a 12v aftermarket AC system for another $800, use the stock blower with some DIY vents, and intergrade it all together. No visible protrusions outside, and no wasting gas on AC. Similarly I would get 6 inch max fans not 12 inch ones, because of their low profile. I'd have a shower in the van. Hot water from a diesel water heater $270, and a plate heat exchanger $50. I'd plumb a shower sprayer in the ceiling, and faucet mixer into the side of the high top. Could technically have one in a low top. I'd seen a girl shower inside of her civic, and I said there ain't no way she's gonna be outclassing me, just because my van ain't a sprinter. I can do better. I'd use curtains for the shower stall, not solid walls to leave the space in the van more open and versatile. I would only use Reflectix for all of the insolation; floor and walls and ceiling. You used away lot of space with pink foam, 2 inch wood boards, and tongue and groove planks. My interior finish would be more like the luxury conversion van builders did it, but just with better materials. Nice leathers, and high gloss wood finishes. Mimicking the aesthetic of a yacht, not quite a limousine, and somewhat like a private jet. The finish pieces would be dual functioning pieces just like how they are in a conversion van interiors. They function as covers for things like electrical panels, air ducts, and factory window sills. Saving space, weight, and making it look intended not accidental. I would have a cheap rubber floor at $100, on top on the Reflectix. Floor drain for the shower. Am considering heating mats for the floor but not sure. I would add a 65 gallon water bag at $35 for a fresh water tank, as they save space, and do not need to be vented. No gray water, black, cassette or composting toilet. Just a cheap collapsing toilet and male/female urinal bottle. You found yourself remaking the same thing that a sofa bed is, but just in DIY form, with thick wood, and taking up a lot of the space. I would just use a factory made van sofa for my bed. The nice luxury ones are like $1,300. A cheap one is like $5-600 though. A cheap amazon folding study desk at $140 for my initial countertop surface sits next to the bed. Something more fancy later. On that table sits a collapsing sink, USB water tap, and single burner induction total for another $80. A 4cu.ft fridge for $170 sits between the desk and the drivers seat back. Fortifying things like Hvac, plumbing, and electrical, make it easy to run appliances that make van life convenient. I would then add a mini clothes washer at $50. A mini clothes dryer at $600, and a mini dish washer at $100. The build stops there at about $15-17,000 until I move in, and start saving up again. More upgrades will ensue. An engine swap for LS 6.2L or 6.6L, cold air, exhaust, HHO, ECU tune, LSD/Locking diff, GM 10 speed transmission, 3.08 gear ratios, wheels, tires, aluminum bumpers, light bars, bull bar, wench, flood lights, truck horns, bumper tool box, spare wheel rack, CCTV camera system, dead bolt door locks, security window film, onboard air compressor, magnetic ride control dampers, launch control, full digital gauge cluster swap from Cadillac escalade, braum alpha x racing seats, roll bar hoops, graphic wrap with company logo, and social media handles. Through, and through, it's got to be a great whip when it's done.

Yessir I am!

Awesome can't wait to see more of your Florida adventures.

The van came that color from the factory. And I don't have a link for the headlights but if you go on amazon and type in "Chevy Express Smoked Head Lights" they should pop right up.

@@nniicckk1223 because it looks cool…never heard of that being illegal. As long as they can see the taillights illuminate, that’s all that matters. And these lights illuminate very bright.

nope, interior height is around 4.5 feet

about 13 on the highway and 10-11 city

@@KNoxTratZ Fuel Kranks

Yeah not where I live at in Florida. Born and raised. I've had limo tint on every vehicle I've ever owned and only been pulled over once. Got a warning and still never took the tint off. If I get pulled over, I just roll the windows down. Only the front windows matter. You can have the rears as dark as you want.

@@marcussmith4913 I really don’t want to sell it. I mean I wouldn’t turn down $30,000 but I’d rather not sell it. This things my baby haha

@@TaylorVanBeek I hear ya... where can a regular guy find something like this already built? I do not want to buy an RV.. those things are thrown together junk. I want to buy something someone like you has built with their hands. Used it and can assure me it works and will last. Unlike an RV that you drive off the lot and it starts falling apart right away =] I Have heard so many stories. Anyways ya if you know a market place I could look at appreciate you. Plus the size of your rig is perfect ya know.

@@Macskinny76 there’s some videos of me starting the build but I stopped filming while building. But I definitely built it from the ground up. I’ve got some pictures and videos on instagram in the middle of the build

Yeahhhhh I didn't think that one through haha

@@TaylorVanBeek I try not to do that much. It makes my head hurt.

@@ParadoxdesignsOrg 5k to me seems like a budget. You see how much people spend on sprinters? 100k plus

Haha ok good night karen

Lay off the haterade douche

@@user-fi7bp1gb7z haha please explain how I’m a fake?

@@beYourOwnCrowd upfitsupply.com/product/vantech-h3-ladder-rack-system-for-chevy-express-gmc-savana/ here’s the link for these exact crossbars

​@TaylorVanBeek Wow ty so much for your response

@@Thedudenurse in Florida, you can have whatever darkness tint on the windows behind the passenger and drivers window. But up front, it’s not legal. I haven’t had any issues with getting pulled over. Probably because it’s a van.

Sure thing, my email is Taylorvanbeekhomes@gmail.com.