@@schizophrenicprojection5126 Eric's build looks somewhat doable for the average guy with basic handtools. THIS... Is by a master craftsman. Def out of MY abilities, lol!
Certainly doesn't look like your typical DIY camper van build. I don't know what your profession is but it is well engineered and thought out. You definitely have great skills.
Construction Engineer, I would say. Although I love the meticulously planned seemingly Simple Build, but it's totally beyond me skillwise or moneywise. It's going to be on my wishlist ❤❤
Right...I'm like how would I do this??? I have no building skills at all...electrical setup🤯 Well, I am still glad I came across this channel in 2024. I am currently converting and documenting my journey on my channel and I am looking for inspiration for my build.
@@rouseyournicholls Good luck with your build and journey. You can learn so much on RUclips, just do your research and take your time and enjoy the process. You will be fine. Once you finish you will feel such a feeling of accomplishment. It will be worth it. Stay safe.
You, sir, are a craftsman. All the wood boards are perfectly, cut, rounded, and sanded. Also, very nice cable management of all the electrical components.
This guy clearly knows what he's doing. I love how much attention to detail was considered in this build. Toyota themselves couldn't outfit a minivan with so much functionality in a finite space. Very nice work. Looking forward to your videos from the road!
This is by far the best minicampervan I seen so far that is well thought out and practical. The level of detailing is way above most DIY campervans in RUclips. Most other van built focus on the cooking but without the sink and other essential items which make car camping more enjoyable. Well done.
I've been watching car, mini-van, and van builds for several years. This is the cleanest build, most efficient, and has everything one wants and (may not realize) needs. Magnificent!
Thanks, Michele, I appreciate your comment, and perspective. I hadn't seen many build videos before starting mine. Maybe that's why it's a bit different.
Exactly what I want to create for my 2013 Ford Econoline E-350 XLT passenger van. We still use it weekly for our large family with daily chores and not ready to gut it and convert. I've seen many video on conversion but they all start with a gutted vehicle. Your system is very adaptable for our van. Great enginuity! You can van camp and still have a vehicle for everyday use. Super job, thanks for sharing Bruce.
It is not the cheapest by far, this is so amazing. The design speaks volumes from engineering and carpentry workmanship shown. It is an expensive design, if contracted out, you can bet it is never done before, and the custom made like this is more than most newbies can afford. It is a dream van built, thank you for sharing this video. You inspired all of us. Have fun traveling.
Beautiful Build Brother, such detail! I struggle with all the electrical so everything I build is really basic. Impressive van job! God Bless America! Uncle Jeff!
Bruce, I am nearly speechless... Your work, imagination, stunning! I live in a paid off three bedroom home in the burbs of Sacramento and have seriously considered van/truck life as the years ahead are now fewer in number. I lost the last dozen or more to illness... Bedridden much of that time. Today, out of bed, healthy, looking to ‘live’ life anew, I’m having to figure out how to live this life while at the same time keeping regret, feeling sorry for myself over that loss, at bay. Losing a dozen+ years has been tough but I cannot allow myself to dwell on it... My focus needs to be on rebuilding a life, living... and as Clint Eastwood once said, “Don’t let the old man in.” I’m currently selling off and giving away much of what I own, currently vehicle shopping for the potential ‘van/truck life’ life... There is a beautiful 93 F-250 diesel I’m considering, but, admittedly, vans would work better for such a life. I’d considered briefly Siennas, (AWD), for their reliability but shifted more toward the extended Ford E-250/350 as they provided more space. You’ve got me thinking about Siennas again. It’s just me... I’d pull out the passenger seat and utilize that area. I’m 6’ 4” but I’d be just fine with a 20” width bed... (thinking out loud) Bruce, again... wow! That’s an incredible build, the best I’ve seen!
I can offer hope and ideas. First, keep looking forward. There's so much to do in life, no matter which stage you're in, that dwelling on the past will get in the way and slow you down. A campervan build is great therapy. There are tons of questions to work on and the solutions take time to execute. This next piece of advice doesn't work for everyone but I apply it all the time: Don't always look for the easiest, fastest, or cheapest way. Sometimes is okay, but often you'll find more joy in a more thoughtful solution. Choice of vehicle depends on your priorities and how flexible you are with them. Every vehicle has their pros and cons. I value the low cost of ownership (COO) and the maneuverability of the minivan above all other factors. Low COO comes from long term reliability, low cost of repairs, and low fuel consumption. Obviously, the main con with a minivan is space, but if you figure out how to do the things you want and are flexible with your comfort level, the space is acceptable. However, living full-time in a minivan is not something I've thought a lot about. It might be challenging but if it's outfitted carefully, it's totally doable. Chin up, enjoy your upcoming chapters, best of luck!
What an artisan, beautiful van build! Right when I thought that a mini van was too small to buildout right! 😱Would love to see some photos/short vid from the road with the van filled/equiped out to get a feel for daily life, thanks again for sharing!!
@@nomadnomad3109 and if it is his dream what of it? Would you approve if he aspired to be a doctor? Would that get your seal of approval? Fuck out of here trying to make someone feel dumb or less for having a dream.
I have watched nearly every stealth van video on RUclips and this never ceases to amaze me. Have you considered making the Sienna a full-time camper? The fact that everything is removable and you can pretty easily change between camper and stock minivan is incredible, but seeing what you could do with a full, permanent build out would be fascinating. Thanks for sharing your skills here. It really raises the bar!
Fantastic! I absolutely love your work. I had a 2011 Sienna but foolishly traded for a Winnebago ERA motorhome. After 8 years I’m now looking to get a 2020 Sienna to continue my travels. This kind of DIY conversion would be ideal for me. Thanks for sharing!! 👍
I'm a Sienna owner. This is inspiring and would love to have my rig set up like this. I lack your skills (electronic & wood working) but share your passion. I liken my situation to a painter, staring at a blank white canvas, afraid to put the first dab of paint on. If you decide to offer plans I would be interested. Your work fantastic. Enjoy!!
I would be interested in plans too! I just bought a 2020 Sienna so can't do a conversion right away and still need the passenger seats, but this design is by far my favorite. The attention to detail and clean clean handy work, especially all the wiring, is amazing.
I'm also a Sienna owner and work a 'remote' job. I'm literally buying materials and the last tools I need to start converting my van starting this weekend. I have a 6 week road trip coming up in October and plan to have most of it finished by then. I'll be recording everything and will have plans available. I will setup a different channel but will be sure to let you know when it has content. Btw.. love my Sienna!
Mark I'm in your boat. I'd love to do this but the electronic skills are a no,lol, I could possibly do the woodwork. This is an awsome Sienna. I have one but we are using it for our dog van and have all our dog club equiptment in it. However this is something I'd love to do.
My wife and I took the earliest retirement possible at 55 without loosing out our minimum pension in 2006. I built my first Camper Van out of Toyota Previa without consulting anyone nor youtube. I have now been on a 12 year 2011 Toyota Sienna Camper Van bought in 2010, and after 103 days Alaska road trip in 2018 and countless 60-90 days West Coast and East Coast Trip including many wilderness regions in Canada. I can say that my wife and I can travel full time in a Sienna Camper. Today I happened to see your video posting. I admitted I will copy your ideas and improve my setup in 2 parts: 1/ Ventilation. 2/ Solar charging system into my 4 AGM 90Ah Batteries for 5,000W inverter due to serious cookings while moving + 5.3 Gals Potty + Anytime Fitness Lifetime Membership that you know what for :) My next new Sienna Camper will have all Lithium Batteries. Again, Thank you for posting this well designed, well organized works for all to see.
Good for you, retiring early and getting out on the road in a simple way (relatively speaking). We also retired early (53) and have been enjoying the simple pleasures that a minivan camper has to offer. Ours is working well for us but if I were to build another, I'd be interested in the new Sienna hybrid but only after I figured out a way to modify the integrated center console so that it didn't block access to the rear. I would love the mpg and cabin AC.
I’ve got a 2019 Sienna SE. It is amazing to see what’s possible with some imagination and ingenuity. I’ve got a lot of the former but lack on the latter. Really like what you did. Very thoughtful and clean design.
WOW. Super clean, efficient, well thought out, engineering and craftsmanship. 5 star Sienna buildout. Thanks for sharing! Gives me great ideas and guidelines... and a bar to shoot for :)
Patience and a ton of skill = Better execution than any RV company could EVER offer!.....I wish I had one or the other :(. This Man should offer kits for sale, and I would most definitely buy it! The only difference would be a single bed for me.
I didn't think this build could get any better than your previous version but this blows me away. I'm an architect and I rarely see this kind of beautiful thoughtful and elegant detailing. My wife and I are campers sidelined since her MS got worse and I've been thinking about a way that we could get on the road comfortably to do some traveling. We'd need a porta-potty in addition to the bed. It looks like there's room for one. This is one amazing retrofit made all the more wonderful by your eye for design and detail and your craftsmanship. Congratulations. Enjoy!
I truly appreciate your comments! Yes, there’s room at the foot of the mattress for a portapotty. We use a simple Luggable Loo. My wife actually “loves” having it so convenient.
I thought your last setup was already great. The updates are absolutely amazing! Well thought out details. Can tell you are passionate about building the Sienna
Super impressive! I have a sienna van occupied with the twins car seat. I want to covert the van just like yours when the van retires as the family hauler. I am subscribed now Thanks for the great inspirational video!
Magnificent work! I love your design aesthetic. And your execution is very well done. How would you like to come to Humble Road? You. You're the guy! I need you!
Well, George, it's an honor just to receive your comment. You are far and away my favorite campervan builder & channel. Mostly, I think it's your straightforward way of communicating to us and your depth of thought in each build. I've got a ton on my plate for the foreseeable future but I'd love to pop into your shop to say hi someday when I'm passing through the area. I'd certainly get a hold of you beforehand. Thanks for writing.
Love the detail! And everything is so precise. The screens are a great idea! Thanks so much for taking the time to share this with us. Have a wonderful trip! I'm looking forward to hearing how it goes. 👏🏻👍🏻❣🌄🏞
Really, really nice build. Would like to do something similar with my Element. Thanks for sharing. (Bookmarked this one for future reference.) Happy travels!
Most of the Sienna campers I've seen have been very rudimentary and only somewhat functional. This is BY FAR the best I've seen. Really excellent use of space
You will definitely have more business than you can handle if you ever decide to do this professionally or as a side hustle. There are some companies that do a nice job converting small vans like the RAM City vans, but are on the West Coast. And I'm not sure they would fit in my garage with my kayak rack on top. A minivan like this would be so perfect for single and couples traveling. Best minivan build I've ever seen, and I have seem most on YT.
Yes, there’s certainly great potential in affordable minivan conversions. I’m just sharing ideas with everyone as a way of staying away from becoming overly busy with a business. I’m enjoying retirement. Thanks for commenting!
great conversion. I really love your storage cabinets. I wanted to give you a head's up about something you might be interested in. I have a 13.5" wide 12V fridge. I was frustrated that I could not fit it between the two front seats, for a lot more storage in the rear. I did some experimenting, and I actually was able to fit it, by removing both inside arm rests, and also these two long pieces of trim on the inside of each seat. Only took about 15 minutes. I anchor the fridge by using a cam strap between each handle and the floor anchor. I added some insulation and felt on top, and two custom cup holders, and I now have a great arm rest and a ton of storage in the rear.
Condeat - Thanks for the tip, I’ll keep it in mind as an option. I removed the factory console between the front seats to make room for a fridge but then decided we like the easy pass-through from front to back. There’s always trade-offs. Thanks again for the tip!
You could easily sell your plans for these. Ive been wondering how to attach and wire a solar panel to mine for camping, and this is the best solution ive seen.
Very Impressive with the electrical part of the van build, love how you used the vertical space and ideal to keep everything up off the floor, and love the vent thing would love to see a video on how you did that.
You are amazing, Bruce! If I ever did a build like this, it'd work, but it would look horrible. (Mostly duct tape.) Yours is just so polished that it doesn't even look custom. You're a true craftsman. And you've got labels, lol! I totally dig how you've handled the electrical system with the shore/battery segregation. And such lovely shunts you've got! Besides not doing it as well, the only other thing I would have done differently was use switched breakers instead of fuses, although using fuses gives you some room to "learn" while on the road, provided that you've got an assortment of spares, in case you needed to swap from a troublesome 15 amp fuse to a 20 amp fuse. Ya can't do that with breakers, can you? Hmmm. Maybe you are smarter than me. Yes. You are.
When I saw the name and title of the video come up in my Recommended videos, I knew it was going to be good. You did not disappoint. The solar panel mounts are great; especially like the use of Sugru! Any thoughts about making the mount tilt-able, and/or removable? I'm not sure the added complexity would be worthwhile in your case (short term camping?), though removability would enable you to park in shade and locate panel in the sun. The air plenum + fans + window screens = awesome! The electrical system, super impressive. Do you have more ideas on modifications you want to make? Hope your road trip was enjoyable!
Don Yates Thanks for commenting! I was originally going to build a tiltable solar panel and designed a relatively simple way to do it, allowing tilting in either direction (left right) using hand knobs for loosening and tightening the struts. But I decided to first go with a fixed panel just to tryout the roof mount first and learn more. I had figured I could easily hook up an additional portable flexible panel in parallel at some point to increase power generation.
As for more changes, I’m thinking about building slideout drawers for the table/footboard inside and for a mini-kitchen out back. Totally unnecessary, just more bling I suppose. I’d like to do something to the mattress to make it easier to put in sofa mode. I usually get ideas while we roadtrip around so stay tuned.
@@BruceParks Thank you for the response. Speaking of the mattress... I've been curious how the Milliard has been working out for you, in regards to comfort and durability. Or is it too early to tell?
We’ve spent a total of five weeks on the Milliard mattress and so far it’s been fabulous. We sleep as well on it as anything we’ve slept on anywhere, including home and hotels. Maybe we’re weird but we love it.
Wow, thanks! I appreciate your comment. It's been a while since I've done an updated walk-through so I'm gathering thoughts on what to include next time. Thanks for inspiring me.
How much would it cost if someone were to pay you for your labor and parts to duplicate this setup on another sienna? Ballpark price. I always hear people say they can build stuff way cheaper than an RV company can. I cant/dont want to tackle this level of work but I'd hire a skilled talented craftsman to do it.
Ballpark materials $1200 for electrical (minus fridge), $800 for all other parts. $1,000,000 for labor, haha🙂. I spent maybe 8-ish weeks total working full time on it. The next one would take 1/2 the time, possibly. But I can’t see being available to build anymore right now, sorry!
@@BruceParks I don't know if you'll see this or not, but offering plans is the trick. Do one set electronically. File for copywrite, sell the plans online, done, passive income. I'd happily spend $75~100 to not figure out the interior contours, AND I'M a woodworker, hahaha.
I so appreciate the attention to quality and just doing things...properly. Obviously a lot of thought and contemplation went into everything you’ve done. If you ever embark on a new project and wish to sell this one, please keep me in mind as a buyer! Seriously.
Such a nice clean build - really sweet. You really made the most out of the space you have. The tent rod for the curtains is ingenious! In my van I have an indoor outdoor temperature gauge, I tucked the outdoor sensor (wired) in the rear bumper.
As a young dad just venturing in to van ownership, I'm glad that hopefully someday I can convert it to something like this when all the kids are out of the house!
@@BruceParks I understand the challenge well. I did something similar myself (way less involved, more short-term--just one summer road trip), but after the nine-week journey we removed everything from the truck and it was impossible to tell there were ever any changes made. Really happy to see I'm not the only nut out there!
THANK YOU very much for telling me about this video. I do like the upgrades and I believe I will be using some of them in my build. I really like the ventilation and the screens. My solar isn't quite as complicated as yours but I like your layout. I will be using quite a few of your ideas in my van. I have a 2101 Dodge Grand Caravan and of coarse I will have to design to fit my van but that is the easy part. I am quite handy at making things just sometimes a little short on ideas of what to build. Thanks again for sharing your ideas as now I know what I need to do I love the idea of how to install everything without drilling a lot of holes for screws.
Wow! I love the attention to edges and general organization. I just purchased the Pacifica Hybrid, and researching YT for my build - what you have here is lovely.
That wiring was a thing of beauty, multi functional design throughout this build and is still one of the most ideal builds I've seen for a Sienna... even 3 YEARS LATER! GREAT JOB and please give us viewers another update of this build for 2023 with any changes/ fixes you've come up with
You're reading my mind. I'm planning on doing a fresh walk around this spring. There's been a lot of changes, and experience, to share. Thanks for the suggestion!
Winner of the best DIY sienna van camper ever!
you should see foresty forest youtube channel
Check out Eric Enjoys Earth. I’m going to take the best of each!
Exquisite Craftsmanship and Design Elements.
@@schizophrenicprojection5126 Eric's build looks somewhat doable for the average guy with basic handtools.
THIS...
Is by a master craftsman.
Def out of MY abilities, lol!
@@gardnerberry113 out of abilities too..but an inspiration to do better!
Certainly doesn't look like your typical DIY camper van build. I don't know what your profession is but it is well engineered and thought out. You definitely have great skills.
I'd say he was an engineer
Construction Engineer, I would say.
Although I love the meticulously planned seemingly Simple Build, but it's totally beyond me skillwise or moneywise.
It's going to be on my wishlist ❤❤
Right...I'm like how would I do this??? I have no building skills at all...electrical setup🤯 Well, I am still glad I came across this channel in 2024. I am currently converting and documenting my journey on my channel and I am looking for inspiration for my build.
@@rouseyournicholls Good luck with your build and journey. You can learn so much on RUclips, just do your research and take your time and enjoy the process. You will be fine. Once you finish you will feel such a feeling of accomplishment. It will be worth it. Stay safe.
Amen. The man's a DIY God.
I smell engineer in this build! Nice, clean, and simple
big time... gifted with imagination
100%
Electrical engineer with woodworking / cabinet making hobby for sure
I wouldn’t say simple lol
smells good!
You, sir, are a craftsman. All the wood boards are perfectly, cut, rounded, and sanded. Also, very nice cable management of all the electrical components.
yes I agree. we'll engineered and executed
This guy clearly knows what he's doing. I love how much attention to detail was considered in this build. Toyota themselves couldn't outfit a minivan with so much functionality in a finite space. Very nice work. Looking forward to your videos from the road!
This is by far the best minicampervan I seen so far that is well thought out and practical. The level of detailing is way above most DIY campervans in RUclips. Most other van built focus on the cooking but without the sink and other essential items which make car camping more enjoyable. Well done.
You might like this one to. This is my other favorite build I have seen . ruclips.net/video/vNmS4otUQEQ/видео.html
This is not something that a newbie can built.Man, you bring this camper van into a serious level. It took a lot of effort and commitment.
I've been watching car, mini-van, and van builds for several years. This is the cleanest build, most efficient, and has everything one wants and (may not realize) needs. Magnificent!
Thanks, Michele, I appreciate your comment, and perspective. I hadn't seen many build videos before starting mine. Maybe that's why it's a bit different.
You should build kits for this and make some money!
Subscribed!
I will pay! Probably have to take out a loan. It all looks so expensive. You're a genius. Sell a step by step book for home van building 101.
Yes i agree i will hire him for my own conversion ..
I’d pay for this too. It’s so clean.
@@TheMattScharbach~ Me too. My 2004 Toyota Sienna is screaming for a build like this. WOW! Awesome job!
My 2006 is waiting in line.
Beautiful craftsmanship and attention to detail. I've been a carpenter for over 20 years and am quite impressed.
Exactly what I want to create for my 2013 Ford Econoline E-350 XLT passenger van. We still use it weekly for our large family with daily chores and not ready to gut it and convert. I've seen many video on conversion but they all start with a gutted vehicle. Your system is very adaptable for our van. Great enginuity! You can van camp and still have a vehicle for everyday use. Super job, thanks for sharing Bruce.
And the Oscar goes to? ......... OMG, best conversion ever, awesome configuration , amazing job, congrats!!!
Wow, thanks, your comment made my day!
Got my vote for best in mini class by far********
The best and cleanest diy setup I've seen so far for the Sienna.. Love it!
Now I gotta go get myself a router.. 🙃
It is not the cheapest by far, this is so amazing. The design speaks volumes from engineering and carpentry workmanship shown. It is an expensive design, if contracted out, you can bet it is never done before, and the custom made like this is more than most newbies can afford.
It is a dream van built, thank you for sharing this video. You inspired all of us. Have fun traveling.
This is fantastic! I love the window screens and the bulkhead hooks and curtain rod! The design is exquisite!
Fantastic, that was the word I thought of and then I read the comments, so many other people said the same. Thanks for sharing, have a GREAT trip.
Your designs are sound and well thought out. And... they are executed to perfection. Well done!
Beautiful Build Brother, such detail! I struggle with all the electrical so everything I build is really basic. Impressive van job! God Bless America! Uncle Jeff!
Wow! You did an amazing job on this conversion. I'm duly impressed!
Bruce, I am nearly speechless...
Your work, imagination, stunning!
I live in a paid off three bedroom home in the burbs of Sacramento and have seriously considered van/truck life as the years ahead are now fewer in number.
I lost the last dozen or more to illness...
Bedridden much of that time.
Today, out of bed, healthy, looking to ‘live’ life anew, I’m having to figure out how to live this life while at the same time keeping regret, feeling sorry for myself over that loss, at bay. Losing a dozen+ years has been tough but I cannot allow myself to dwell on it...
My focus needs to be on rebuilding a life, living... and as Clint Eastwood once said, “Don’t let the old man in.”
I’m currently selling off and giving away much of what I own, currently vehicle shopping for the potential ‘van/truck life’ life...
There is a beautiful 93 F-250 diesel I’m considering, but, admittedly, vans would work better for such a life.
I’d considered briefly Siennas, (AWD), for their reliability but shifted more toward the extended Ford E-250/350 as they provided more space.
You’ve got me thinking about Siennas again. It’s just me... I’d pull out the passenger seat and utilize that area. I’m 6’ 4” but I’d be just fine with a 20” width bed... (thinking out loud)
Bruce, again... wow!
That’s an incredible build, the best I’ve seen!
I can offer hope and ideas. First, keep looking forward. There's so much to do in life, no matter which stage you're in, that dwelling on the past will get in the way and slow you down. A campervan build is great therapy. There are tons of questions to work on and the solutions take time to execute. This next piece of advice doesn't work for everyone but I apply it all the time: Don't always look for the easiest, fastest, or cheapest way. Sometimes is okay, but often you'll find more joy in a more thoughtful solution.
Choice of vehicle depends on your priorities and how flexible you are with them. Every vehicle has their pros and cons. I value the low cost of ownership (COO) and the maneuverability of the minivan above all other factors. Low COO comes from long term reliability, low cost of repairs, and low fuel consumption. Obviously, the main con with a minivan is space, but if you figure out how to do the things you want and are flexible with your comfort level, the space is acceptable.
However, living full-time in a minivan is not something I've thought a lot about. It might be challenging but if it's outfitted carefully, it's totally doable.
Chin up, enjoy your upcoming chapters, best of luck!
Absolutely beautiful! Everything is so well thought out and neatly built. Thanks for sharing!
What an artisan, beautiful van build! Right when I thought that a mini van was too small to buildout right! 😱Would love to see some photos/short vid from the road with the van filled/equiped out to get a feel for daily life, thanks again for sharing!!
Very simple, economical and elegant. That's what sets this build apart as a masterpiece. Awesome work. Thanks for sharing.
WOW...what a brilliant design and beautiful build-out!! LOVE the labels and directions on the components--you thought of EVERYTHING.
I really love your van build!clean, simple lines! The electrical system-WOW-it’s like a powerplant!
This is just amazing! My dream is to have a Sienna to live in full time. I have zero mechanical knowledge, but love your design and videos.
Your dream is to live in a vehicle? Like what you aspire to have over all else?
jason camper .hi ! Mr. Jason I look to purchase you plan. Do you sale them? Thank you . Great video.
@@nomadnomad3109 and if it is his dream what of it? Would you approve if he aspired to be a doctor? Would that get your seal of approval? Fuck out of here trying to make someone feel dumb or less for having a dream.
I have watched nearly every stealth van video on RUclips and this never ceases to amaze me. Have you considered making the Sienna a full-time camper? The fact that everything is removable and you can pretty easily change between camper and stock minivan is incredible, but seeing what you could do with a full, permanent build out would be fascinating. Thanks for sharing your skills here. It really raises the bar!
Building a full time camper would be loads of fun. I haven’t planned anything at the moment but I’m not ruling it out. Thanks for asking!
Fantastic! I absolutely love your work. I had a 2011 Sienna but foolishly traded for a Winnebago ERA motorhome. After 8 years I’m now looking to get a 2020 Sienna to continue my travels. This kind of DIY conversion would be ideal for me. Thanks for sharing!! 👍
What an outstanding build! You sir, are a true craftsman.
I'm a Sienna owner. This is inspiring and would love to have my rig set up like this. I lack your skills (electronic & wood working) but share your passion. I liken my situation to a painter, staring at a blank white canvas, afraid to put the first dab of paint on. If you decide to offer plans I would be interested. Your work fantastic. Enjoy!!
I would be interested in plans too! I just bought a 2020 Sienna so can't do a conversion right away and still need the passenger seats, but this design is by far my favorite. The attention to detail and clean clean handy work, especially all the wiring, is amazing.
You and me both. I have a Prius and would love to eventually move to a 2015 Sienna.
I'm also a Sienna owner and work a 'remote' job. I'm literally buying materials and the last tools I need to start converting my van starting this weekend. I have a 6 week road trip coming up in October and plan to have most of it finished by then. I'll be recording everything and will have plans available. I will setup a different channel but will be sure to let you know when it has content. Btw.. love my Sienna!
Mark I'm in your boat. I'd love to do this but the electronic skills are a no,lol, I could possibly do the woodwork. This is an awsome Sienna. I have one but we are using it for our dog van and have all our dog club equiptment in it. However this is something I'd love to do.
If you're a single traveler you might want to see my comment above.
My wife and I took the earliest retirement possible at 55 without loosing out our minimum pension in 2006. I built my first Camper Van out of Toyota Previa without consulting anyone nor youtube.
I have now been on a 12 year 2011 Toyota Sienna Camper Van bought in 2010, and after 103 days Alaska road trip in 2018 and countless 60-90 days West Coast and East Coast Trip including many wilderness regions in Canada. I can say that my wife and I can travel full time in a Sienna Camper. Today I happened to see your video posting. I admitted I will copy your ideas and improve my setup in 2 parts:
1/ Ventilation.
2/ Solar charging system into my 4 AGM 90Ah Batteries for 5,000W inverter due to serious cookings while moving + 5.3 Gals Potty + Anytime Fitness Lifetime Membership that you know what for :)
My next new Sienna Camper will have all Lithium Batteries.
Again, Thank you for posting this well designed, well organized works for all to see.
Good for you, retiring early and getting out on the road in a simple way (relatively speaking). We also retired early (53) and have been enjoying the simple pleasures that a minivan camper has to offer. Ours is working well for us but if I were to build another, I'd be interested in the new Sienna hybrid but only after I figured out a way to modify the integrated center console so that it didn't block access to the rear. I would love the mpg and cabin AC.
I’ve got a 2019 Sienna SE. It is amazing to see what’s possible with some imagination and ingenuity. I’ve got a lot of the former but lack on the latter. Really like what you did. Very thoughtful and clean design.
WOW. Super clean, efficient, well thought out, engineering and craftsmanship. 5 star Sienna buildout. Thanks for sharing! Gives me great ideas and guidelines... and a bar to shoot for :)
More great attention to detail, both in the van and with the video. Nice work.
What a beautiful work of art! I'm in awe. Thank you for sharing your wonderful creation!
Patience and a ton of skill = Better execution than any RV company could EVER offer!.....I wish I had one or the other :(. This Man should offer kits for sale, and I would most definitely buy it! The only difference would be a single bed for me.
Didn't understand anything you said but the results speak for themselves. Really nice job!!!!!
Wow! You've thought of everything. Happy Camping.
I didn't think this build could get any better than your previous version but this blows me away. I'm an architect and I rarely see this kind of beautiful thoughtful and elegant detailing. My wife and I are campers sidelined since her MS got worse and I've been thinking about a way that we could get on the road comfortably to do some traveling. We'd need a porta-potty in addition to the bed. It looks like there's room for one. This is one amazing retrofit made all the more wonderful by your eye for design and detail and your craftsmanship. Congratulations. Enjoy!
I truly appreciate your comments! Yes, there’s room at the foot of the mattress for a portapotty. We use a simple Luggable Loo. My wife actually “loves” having it so convenient.
I thought your last setup was already great. The updates are absolutely amazing! Well thought out details. Can tell you are passionate about building the Sienna
Wow, nice job! So well thought out. Thanks for filming this.
This van setup is flipping amazing, would love a diy series and how to copy everything...lol. Shopping for a van right now.
Go for it! That's why I made the videos, to share ideas.
Super impressive! I have a sienna van occupied with the twins car seat. I want to covert the van just like yours when the van retires as the family hauler. I am subscribed now Thanks for the great inspirational video!
This is a fantastic build out. Wow! Thank you for the detailed share. Have fun on your maiden voyage in it, and happy and safe travels.
Wow, you are pretty talented. The ventilation idea is impressive
Magnificent work! I love your design aesthetic. And your execution is very well done. How would you like to come to Humble Road? You. You're the guy! I need you!
Well, George, it's an honor just to receive your comment. You are far and away my favorite campervan builder & channel. Mostly, I think it's your straightforward way of communicating to us and your depth of thought in each build. I've got a ton on my plate for the foreseeable future but I'd love to pop into your shop to say hi someday when I'm passing through the area. I'd certainly get a hold of you beforehand. Thanks for writing.
Wow! Your attention to detail is incredible. Neat concept with the multiple cpu/pancake fans and side screen. I can’t wait to see more.
You are SO CLEVER! You remind me of my dad, who was also a handy engineer🙂
Love the detail! And everything is so precise. The screens are a great idea! Thanks so much for taking the time to share this with us. Have a wonderful trip! I'm looking forward to hearing how it goes.
👏🏻👍🏻❣🌄🏞
Really, really nice build. Would like to do something similar with my Element. Thanks for sharing. (Bookmarked this one for future reference.) Happy travels!
Catherine dePlour have you seen 5th element campers for inspiration?
Most of the Sienna campers I've seen have been very rudimentary and only somewhat functional. This is BY FAR the best I've seen. Really excellent use of space
That is some impressive design and craftsmanship. Thank you for sharing!
This is absolutely amazing ! You should be doing this for a living. I can’t believe someone would give this a thumbs down.
Wow, thank you!
You will definitely have more business than you can handle if you ever decide to do this professionally or as a side hustle. There are some companies that do a nice job converting small vans like the RAM City vans, but are on the West Coast. And I'm not sure they would fit in my garage with my kayak rack on top. A minivan like this would be so perfect for single and couples traveling. Best minivan build I've ever seen, and I have seem most on YT.
Yes, there’s certainly great potential in affordable minivan conversions. I’m just sharing ideas with everyone as a way of staying away from becoming overly busy with a business. I’m enjoying retirement. Thanks for commenting!
great job .but there is no many people can do, seems not easy.
That's very professional craftsmanship in all aspects of the van camper conversion.
as an electrical maintenance guy your wiring for the electrical setup made me happy! I have seen so much shoddy wiring in other van builds
Thanks, I appreciate your comment!
My 05 Sienna with 285K miles still runs flawlessly without having to rebuild anything and this is what I want to turn my Sienna into.
great conversion. I really love your storage cabinets. I wanted to give you a head's up about something you might be interested in. I have a 13.5" wide 12V fridge. I was frustrated that I could not fit it between the two front seats, for a lot more storage in the rear. I did some experimenting, and I actually was able to fit it, by removing both inside arm rests, and also these two long pieces of trim on the inside of each seat. Only took about 15 minutes. I anchor the fridge by using a cam strap between each handle and the floor anchor. I added some insulation and felt on top, and two custom cup holders, and I now have a great arm rest and a ton of storage in the rear.
Condeat - Thanks for the tip, I’ll keep it in mind as an option. I removed the factory console between the front seats to make room for a fridge but then decided we like the easy pass-through from front to back. There’s always trade-offs. Thanks again for the tip!
You could easily sell your plans for these. Ive been wondering how to attach and wire a solar panel to mine for camping, and this is the best solution ive seen.
Probably the best conversion I ever saw. You did a great job!
Holy Moly that is done so well it looks like a fantastic design and build. Start a company that builds kits and become a millionaire.
Very Impressive with the electrical part of the van build, love how you used the vertical space and ideal to keep everything up off the floor, and love the vent thing would love to see a video on how you did that.
Wow!!! Love the upgrades and that ventilation from the outside to get some fresh air is EPIC!!! Watching your videos! Very impressed!
So glad you like the videos! 🙏☺️
Congratulations! You have done a brilliant job. The thought process and mechanics very professional. Thank you for sharing.
You are amazing, Bruce! If I ever did a build like this, it'd work, but it would look horrible. (Mostly duct tape.) Yours is just so polished that it doesn't even look custom. You're a true craftsman. And you've got labels, lol! I totally dig how you've handled the electrical system with the shore/battery segregation. And such lovely shunts you've got! Besides not doing it as well, the only other thing I would have done differently was use switched breakers instead of fuses, although using fuses gives you some room to "learn" while on the road, provided that you've got an assortment of spares, in case you needed to swap from a troublesome 15 amp fuse to a 20 amp fuse. Ya can't do that with breakers, can you? Hmmm. Maybe you are smarter than me. Yes. You are.
I lost count how many times I said "wow" watching this! Amazing job
Bruce, you’re the best!! Thank you for sharing these videos with us.
Speechless. Soooo envious! Sooo impressed! Sooo jealous! Good job!
Thanks so much! Your comment made my day 🙏
When I saw the name and title of the video come up in my Recommended videos, I knew it was going to be good. You did not disappoint.
The solar panel mounts are great; especially like the use of Sugru! Any thoughts about making the mount tilt-able, and/or removable? I'm not sure the added complexity would be worthwhile in your case (short term camping?), though removability would enable you to park in shade and locate panel in the sun.
The air plenum + fans + window screens = awesome!
The electrical system, super impressive.
Do you have more ideas on modifications you want to make?
Hope your road trip was enjoyable!
Don Yates Thanks for commenting! I was originally going to build a tiltable solar panel and designed a relatively simple way to do it, allowing tilting in either direction (left right) using hand knobs for loosening and tightening the struts. But I decided to first go with a fixed panel just to tryout the roof mount first and learn more. I had figured I could easily hook up an additional portable flexible panel in parallel at some point to increase power generation.
As for more changes, I’m thinking about building slideout drawers for the table/footboard inside and for a mini-kitchen out back. Totally unnecessary, just more bling I suppose. I’d like to do something to the mattress to make it easier to put in sofa mode. I usually get ideas while we roadtrip around so stay tuned.
@@BruceParks Thank you for the response. Speaking of the mattress... I've been curious how the Milliard has been working out for you, in regards to comfort and durability. Or is it too early to tell?
We’ve spent a total of five weeks on the Milliard mattress and so far it’s been fabulous. We sleep as well on it as anything we’ve slept on anywhere, including home and hotels. Maybe we’re weird but we love it.
@@BruceParks Please do a road trip to SC.
Wow! What is your profession? Unbelievably impressive.
Hi, thanks for viewing and commenting. I’m a happily retired engineer. 🙂
@@BruceParks Well, that makes sense ☺️
@@BruceParks There are engineers and there are Engineers. You, sir, are definitely an Engineer!
This guy is probably a Senior systems engineer who works on government projects.
His build reeks of extreme quality 👍
Wow! This is by far best set up in a camping van ever! everything is so detailed, you just want the video to keep going..
Wow, thanks! I appreciate your comment. It's been a while since I've done an updated walk-through so I'm gathering thoughts on what to include next time. Thanks for inspiring me.
How much would it cost if someone were to pay you for your labor and parts to duplicate this setup on another sienna? Ballpark price. I always hear people say they can build stuff way cheaper than an RV company can. I cant/dont want to tackle this level of work but I'd hire a skilled talented craftsman to do it.
Ballpark materials $1200 for electrical (minus fridge), $800 for all other parts. $1,000,000 for labor, haha🙂. I spent maybe 8-ish weeks total working full time on it. The next one would take 1/2 the time, possibly. But I can’t see being available to build anymore right now, sorry!
@@BruceParks I don't know if you'll see this or not, but offering plans is the trick. Do one set electronically. File for copywrite, sell the plans online, done, passive income. I'd happily spend $75~100 to not figure out the interior contours, AND I'M a woodworker, hahaha.
I know, I know, been thinking about doing exactly that but been too busy. There may be a clearing ahead... Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it!
@@norsefalconer great 💡 idea
@@norsefalconer copyRIGHT, fyi
Are you planning to sell a complete kit?
Hi, at the moment I’ve no plans to sell kits. Too busy being retired 🙂. Thanks for asking though!
I so appreciate the attention to quality and just doing things...properly. Obviously a lot of thought and contemplation went into everything you’ve done.
If you ever embark on a new project and wish to sell this one, please keep me in mind as a buyer! Seriously.
Thanks for the comment. I'll keep you in mind if/when I decide to sell. Cheers!
Amazing conversion. Very thought out , and beautifully constructed. Some great ideas for me. Thank you.
Glad you liked it!
If you ever want to sell, let me know.....🔥😍😍🔥
WOW! What an inspiration. That is one of the best conversion builds I have seen. Thank you for all the great ideas.
Thanks for viewing and commenting, glad you enjoyed it!
Such a nice clean build - really sweet. You really made the most out of the space you have. The tent rod for the curtains is ingenious! In my van I have an indoor outdoor temperature gauge, I tucked the outdoor sensor (wired) in the rear bumper.
A lot of useful info! Thank you for sharing your gifts!
Smart smart smart ! great ideas and very skilled execution. Grateful that you took the time to share with us. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
You are such a smart guy. This build is really impressive.
Brilliant improvements on an already wonderful build! I'm especially intrigued by your ventilation system.
As a young dad just venturing in to van ownership, I'm glad that hopefully someday I can convert it to something like this when all the kids are out of the house!
Best mini van setup I’ve seen so far. Great ideas..professional instal..wow
Looks, great man! Thank you for sharing! I'm looking into getting a Sienna, you have inspired me!
This is an amazingly well configured, amazingly engineered interior; to me, everything looks just perfect. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, George, glad you like it!
It's not often that I comment on youtube videos. I just have to say your mini camper is freaking awesome. Incredibly thought out and executed.👌
Thanks, I really appreciate your comment!
I really appreciate how much you have done to avoid making permanent changes to the van.
Thanks, Mark. Designing this project to be removable without a trace was a rewarding challenge. I appreciate your input.
@@BruceParks I understand the challenge well. I did something similar myself (way less involved, more short-term--just one summer road trip), but after the nine-week journey we removed everything from the truck and it was impossible to tell there were ever any changes made.
Really happy to see I'm not the only nut out there!
WOW That solar set up wiring is a work of art. Amazing.
Serious kudos on this build. Hands down the best I've seen for it's class.
Wow, it's definitely serious! Amazing. I sure wish I had the ability to do this. It's so nice!
The best sienna conversion I've seen. Great minimalist and skilled woodwork you got. You're a Champion Bruce.
Wow, thanks! I'm glad you appreciate the aesthetic I was after. Makes my day!
Mind blown - wow. You are one of the reasons I chose my Sienna! Thank you Bruce.
Thanks for watching, Lisa! I'm glad you found my videos useful. Happy adventures!
THANK YOU very much for telling me about this video. I do like the upgrades and I believe I will be using some of them in my build. I really like the ventilation and the screens. My solar isn't quite as complicated as yours but I like your layout. I will be using quite a few of your ideas in my van. I have a 2101 Dodge Grand Caravan and of coarse I will have to design to fit my van but that is the easy part. I am quite handy at making things just sometimes a little short on ideas of what to build. Thanks again for sharing your ideas as now I know what I need to do I love the idea of how to install everything without drilling a lot of holes for screws.
Wow! I love the attention to edges and general organization. I just purchased the Pacifica Hybrid, and researching YT for my build - what you have here is lovely.
Thank you! Wishing you wonderful adventures in your Pacifica.
You are awesome, what an ingenious build! Thank you for inspiring me. Plus thank you for posting your video to RUclips.
Thanks, Andy, for your nice comment. I'm happy to share the inspiration!
That wiring was a thing of beauty, multi functional design throughout this build and is still one of the most ideal builds I've seen for a Sienna... even 3 YEARS LATER! GREAT JOB and please give us viewers another update of this build for 2023 with any changes/ fixes you've come up with
You're reading my mind. I'm planning on doing a fresh walk around this spring. There's been a lot of changes, and experience, to share. Thanks for the suggestion!
THE absolute BEST build on youtube!! Thanks for sharing.
What an incredible build, I had the same van wish I saw this before getting rid of it for next to nothing.