You can move that Air Bag module.. Just disconnect the battery. Then make sure you mount it on top of the Pedestal somewhere else. And don't delete the Rear AC\Heat.. As you can buy so many different air vent combinations for them from Conversion vans. I see them in Salvage yards all the time.... Just get some AC foil tape to seal the ducts off good..
I'm encouraged to see you made the IKEA rail work in an Econoline. I bought the rails but pretty much gave up on using then in my Econoline. Now, I'm going baack to the drawing board.
Honestly it was not hard. The mounting brackets were the hardest thing to get. 2nd hardest thing was to get the brackets to comfort to the shape of inner wall. Let me know if you got questions
@@MikeAndTheGreatOutdoors Thanks, I'll be revisiting this. Mine is a conversion van and some of the inner wall was cut during the conversion. You are right about the brackets being hard to get. Even with the SKU I couldn't find them on the IKEA site and phoning customer service got me nowhere. I finally bough them from e-bay.
Nice van, good man and thank you for the video. Change whatever suits your taste but keep the percolator. 57 here and have been using mine over 40 years at home and camping. No special tools, ingredients, electricity or language needed. Lol.
Great job Mike! You're always gonna think of stuff you wanna add. But you got a nice build and you're getting out there and enjoying our beautiful country! Nothing better than that!
Just watched your video and i love your fancy basic build. I have an econoline 150 and really love my van. It has a basic build as well, similar to yours and the bench and cabinet as well. I chose to have my cabinet near the doors for cooking and the sink to be a shower as well. I also love the bench there so i can look at the ocean, lake etc as im sitting relaxing. Thanks for sharing. I know it was last year but i really enjoyed it.
@@MikeAndTheGreatOutdoors I didn't film but i have pictures. I didn't do the work myself. But the first van builder did not do what was contracted, finally my handyman finished it for me so I could do some traveling. I'm ready again to make some changes/upgrades.
Howdie, neighbor!....I don't live too far from you...just up the road in Va Beach. I turned my 2013 Transit Connect (small van) into a camper van and I love it! Lived in it for a year and then covid struck so it grounded me a bit, now-a-days I've just been using it to camp until the shenanigans calm down. I like your build and I think as you use it more, you will figure out how it will best work for you. I made small changes along the way as I understood what worked for me and what didn't. Happy camping and see ya down the road!
Hey there. I took the van out last weekend to newport news park for 2 days, all systems good. I met two other RUclipsrs there. Lots of fun, and thank you. My build is pretty simple. Maybe see you around!
Great intro. I just got one just like yours except extended version. Laying out now. Looking for the right IKEA bed to do the same great idea bed! Thanks for sharing
That van looks like mine but my van is a 2001, it’s not in great shape like yours though, I do want to get a better one though. It was our church “ Musicians van that we used to carry our instruments in and the sound system too, it’s been mine for 7 years now.
My wife and I want to camp in our van, not live in it. Your van looks great. Your Bed is smart and that first meal of your looked delicious... Congrats, have fun, take care.
@@MikeAndTheGreatOutdoors likewise, I just sold my 30' RV, after owning it for 20 yrs. I had a 15" trailer before that. My sons are gone now, so our E-150 will be just fine for my wife and I. Best of wishes.
Great video. Love the IKEA bed idea. Here in the UK there is so much IKEA stuff available, even on the second hand market, so this is a neat idea with the variable width etc. Subscribed :)
I like your van build. I have a Ford E150 higher top 1998 van with all windows. My husband can’t understand my need to have my glamping stuff, lol! I want to do a side seat like you have but to put some of my longer items like my Clam Outdoor shelter, my aerobed and my tent if we decide to sleep outdoors. I do a lot of Mexican cooking so that bin may be able to hold all my pots and pans. Thank you for your ideas! You’re a great dad to help your son out for his hike too!
@@MikeAndTheGreatOutdoors I’m deciding between the jackery 2000 or Bluetti 2000 for now as I don’t want to deal with installed solar panels, batteries, charge controller, etc, etc cause it’s too complicated!
I was doing the same thing… with what I was doing with the van I wanted two to three days of power. I run a 12 volt freezer, and the microwave. Working on a better shower now. Keep me posted on your build, would love to see the progress!
New subscriber here... I'm looking for inspiration how to convert Ford van. I am working on getting our Hotel van Econoline 2010 passenger type... Thanks for your layout of the bed. I'm 5''7" and I can position my bed like the way you did...👍
I’m planning a build and I got a Chevy express that looks pretty much like yours because of the windows I didn’t get a cargo van because I wanted the windows but because of the windows I do lose a lot of space on the sides so I did like to see how you did your build and gave me some ideas ,
A few adjustments and you'll be happy. I would have offset the sink for more space. You'll be thinking about things as you use it, the changes are usually ongoing, great job. I have a window van, looking to do something like this. Happy trails!
Totally agree. I ha e the flip up shelf on the left side of the sink. Dont do a lot of cooking inside. Ive since added a 2000 watt pure sinwave inverter and two lithium ion batteries and a microwave lol. Good luck on your build, would love to see it.
@@MikeAndTheGreatOutdoors Cool. Can I ask how many AH the batteries are and what kind of longevity you're getting out of them while using your microwave and any other appliances? Also, is that the Bouge RV 30L fridge? I'm looking at getting one of those. Great build!
@@Viajero69 thank you again, the chest is a refrigerator/freezer. Can not do both at the same time. Got a video on still working great. Usinf 2 100 Ah LifePO4 lithium phospate battries. Ihave not run the batteries down yet. I also upgraded to a 200 watt inverter. I have not run the microwave more than 30 mins at a time. If the do run low I can start the van to charge the house batteries.
Thanks for the tour! I’m in the planning stage of converting a ‘97 E350 Superduty, a former ambulance (somewhat raised roof but not a box). Your use of an IKEA bed looks like a good solution! What’s the approximate width of that part of the van? It looks like you sleep diagonally. Also, was that a specific IKEA bed, or rails that are used for several beds? Looking forward to updates!
Thanks for watching. I have a video on how I built the bed. Here is a link for the bed rail www.ikea.com/us/en/p/skorva-center-support-beam-galvanized-90124534/?gclid=CjwKCAjwzaSLBhBJEiwAJSRokgjah3l_jn9jO4QoykSvmOcr6ZubUKC3fGyL6bTTdLZNcYbLkHTyYRoC1o0QAvD_BwE You need to go to customer service for the brackets, they can be hard to get. Width is 72", I'm 5'9 so I fit length wize. I use a "full" matress which fits snug. Just installed a microwave in the van. Share updates on your build!
Thanks for watching! I'm 5'8, my wife and I sleep wheel to wheel and I have a couple inches to spare. I have another video on just the bed if you want more details.
Thanks for watching. Main reason ont to have carpet, is it's easier to keep clean. Lots of traffic in a d out of the van.dust pand snall broom, makes for sasy clean up.
Thanks for watching Hal. So not totally sure how the 2000’s are set up. Mine had the rear a/c, it had a vent tube that went from the top of the rear a/c, up the drivers side rear corner, and connected to the roof vents. I wanted my be at or below the windows. The vent tube on the rear a/c was two tall for me to put my bed that low. So there is a pretty big chamber where the fan is on the rear a/c. I used a hole saw, I believe it was 3”, and cut a hole down towards the fan unit. I then cut the top part down to below the bed. I cut a piece of wood that fit tightly in the original vent, and left some room to put spray foam. I found a piece of pvc at lows that fit the hole I cut. I epoxied the pvc pipe into the a/c unit. I attached a dryer hose to the pvc pipe and ran that forward from under the bed. Works great hope this helps,
@@MikeAndTheGreatOutdoors I was asking about installing your aftermarket fan in the ceiling and cutting through the a/c duct up there. Sorry I wasn't more clear. Yours looks like mine.
Oh sorry, well as I described above, I rerouted the A/C under the brd, so the roof a/c ventes are not used. I had removed the headliner from the van. Mesured like 12 million times before I started my cut. I originally had not planned on putting the headliner back in. Changed my plan snd decided to use it. The underside of the headliner is thin fiberglass, the port the are flows through is also fiberglass. The roof vent went in the middle. I'm pretty sure if you could get creative and route some flexible hose around the vent. Good luck!!
Www.discountvantruck.com. If your doing the econoline, I would recommend getting the heavy duty model they offer. The owner Is direct and to the point when you talk with him. Thanks for watching
I haven’t yet. I am careful with having limited light at night. I make sure all foods are closed tight and dish’s cleaned. I am working on some screens. Thanks for watching!
@@MikeAndTheGreatOutdoors View the beginning of your video and look over your left and right shoulder, the water colour is drastically different. Just curious as to why? Sorry, I forgot, FJB!
You can move that Air Bag module.. Just disconnect the battery. Then make sure you mount it on top of the Pedestal somewhere else.
And don't delete the Rear AC\Heat.. As you can buy so many different air vent combinations for them from Conversion vans. I see them in Salvage yards all the time.... Just get some AC foil tape to seal the ducts off good..
I was thinking about doing that. Eveworked out. Thank yiu for watching
I'm encouraged to see you made the IKEA rail work in an Econoline. I bought the rails but pretty much gave up on using then in my Econoline. Now, I'm going baack to the drawing board.
Honestly it was not hard. The mounting brackets were the hardest thing to get. 2nd hardest thing was to get the brackets to comfort to the shape of inner wall. Let me know if you got questions
@@MikeAndTheGreatOutdoors Thanks, I'll be revisiting this. Mine is a conversion van and some of the inner wall was cut during the conversion.
You are right about the brackets being hard to get. Even with the SKU I couldn't find them on the IKEA site and phoning customer service got me nowhere. I finally bough them from e-bay.
Yeah I had issues good luck with your project
The old fashion perk pots that you put on the stove make a much better robust pot of coffee.
Totally agree! Thanks for watching!
Dang right!
Nice van, good man and thank you for the video. Change whatever suits your taste but keep the percolator. 57 here and have been using mine over 40 years at home and camping. No special tools, ingredients, electricity or language needed. Lol.
Thank you, and thank you for watching!
Great job Mike! You're always gonna think of stuff you wanna add. But you got a nice build and you're getting out there and enjoying our beautiful country! Nothing better than that!
Much appreciated..thanks for watching!
Like the bed set up. Glad you have windows, so many don't. I'm closterphobic.
Thank you for watching!
You're doing great! You can change things around and it won't cost you a fortune. I'm a new subscriber.
Awesome! Thank you so much! Thank you for watching!
Just watched your video and i love your fancy basic build. I have an econoline 150 and really love my van. It has a basic build as well, similar to yours and the bench and cabinet as well. I chose to have my cabinet near the doors for cooking and the sink to be a shower as well. I also love the bench there so i can look at the ocean, lake etc as im sitting relaxing. Thanks for sharing. I know it was last year but i really enjoyed it.
Thank you for watching! It was a blast to build. I love simple. Do you have a video of it?
@@MikeAndTheGreatOutdoors I didn't film but i have pictures. I didn't do the work myself. But the first van builder did not do what was contracted, finally my handyman finished it for me so I could do some traveling. I'm ready again to make some changes/upgrades.
Howdie, neighbor!....I don't live too far from you...just up the road in Va Beach. I turned my 2013 Transit Connect (small van) into a camper van and I love it! Lived in it for a year and then covid struck so it grounded me a bit, now-a-days I've just been using it to camp until the shenanigans calm down. I like your build and I think as you use it more, you will figure out how it will best work for you. I made small changes along the way as I understood what worked for me and what didn't. Happy camping and see ya down the road!
Hey there. I took the van out last weekend to newport news park for 2 days, all systems good. I met two other RUclipsrs there. Lots of fun, and thank you. My build is pretty simple. Maybe see you around!
Great intro. I just got one just like yours except extended version. Laying out now. Looking for the right IKEA bed to do the same great idea bed! Thanks for sharing
Hope it helps! Thank you for watching
Neat build. Love the sink area and bench across from it with the cedar. The bed is a great idea! Tfs
Thank you so much. Thank you for watching !!
I was so excited to finally start building something in my van and herd you say “who wants a 200k mile van” my 02 E-350 has 205k 🥺
Hey! Dont remember saying that. Sorry if I did. Any build is exciting!! Good luck with the build!
E Series are long lived. . Fresh transmissions every so often and keep driving
Totally agree. I'm a mechanic by trade. A properly maintained vehicle can last forever. Problem is not many properly maintain them.
That van looks like mine but my van is a 2001, it’s not in great shape like yours though, I do want to get a better one though. It was our church “ Musicians van that we used to carry our instruments in and the sound system too, it’s been mine for 7 years now.
Thank you for watching! That's funny, my van belonged to a band also!
That cabinet looks beautiful .
Thanks built out of cedar
Happy I found you! I love your van & build! I just purchased a E150! Thank you for sharing! ~Tracey & Miska~👍🤗🐾🐾
Thank you for watching. It was so much fun to buld!! Enjoy!
The sounds and sights of a wild highway
So true!
Very nice build. Simple yet elegant. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you. Work in progress!
My wife and I want to camp in our van, not live in it. Your van looks great. Your Bed is smart and that first meal of your looked delicious... Congrats, have fun, take care.
Oh thank you very much. I have had all types of RV's, to be honest the van is my favorite thank you for watching!
@@MikeAndTheGreatOutdoors likewise, I just sold my 30' RV, after owning it for 20 yrs. I had a 15" trailer before that. My sons are gone now, so our E-150 will be just fine for my wife and I.
Best of wishes.
We are in the same boat my friend. Enjoy camping I have a couple. Mor videos you might be in. Take care.
Great video. Love the IKEA bed idea. Here in the UK there is so much IKEA stuff available, even on the second hand market, so this is a neat idea with the variable width etc. Subscribed :)
Awesome. Thank you so much!
Nice van. Love the layout. Good job. I'm new subscriber. Thanks for sharing. Be safe.
Welcome! Thanks for watching! Be safe also!!
my dream is to get my patch , doing The Application trail, I love your rig.
Thank you for watching!
I didn't see a toilet. You can build a composting toilet for next to nothing and they DON'T smell.
Thats a great Idea. Thank you for watching!
I have it in 2008 with 170,000💙💜🧡 like new.
You can see it. Bravoooo
Awesome thank you for warning
Good information here, I am looking at Ford van with rear AC also.
Thanks for watching. The rear A/c was tricky but worth the work
I like your van build. I have a Ford E150 higher top 1998 van with all windows. My husband can’t understand my need to have my glamping stuff, lol! I want to do a side seat like you have but to put some of my longer items like my Clam Outdoor shelter, my aerobed and my tent if we decide to sleep outdoors. I do a lot of Mexican cooking so that bin may be able to hold all my pots and pans. Thank you for your ideas! You’re a great dad to help your son out for his hike too!
Aww thank you.. i love my van. I have changed a few things since I did the video. Added a microwave, bigger inverter. Thanks for watching!!
@@MikeAndTheGreatOutdoors I’m deciding between the jackery 2000 or Bluetti 2000 for now as I don’t want to deal with installed solar panels, batteries, charge controller, etc, etc cause it’s too complicated!
I was doing the same thing… with what I was doing with the van I wanted two to three days of power. I run a 12 volt freezer, and the microwave. Working on a better shower now. Keep me posted on your build, would love to see the progress!
@@MikeAndTheGreatOutdoors Definitely!
@@cocacolafiesta have you guys started your build?
It’s very nice. I so wish I knew someone who could help me get my van looking livable. I’ve only gotten my floor done and max fan.
You got two big parts done! RUclips was my savor. You will get it done. Btw thanks!
New subscriber here...
I'm looking for inspiration how to convert Ford van. I am working on getting our Hotel van Econoline 2010 passenger type... Thanks for your layout of the bed. I'm 5''7" and I can position my bed like the way you did...👍
Thank you for watching. The bed was my favorite part. Solid, good storage under bed, and easy to remove if needed! Good luck with your build!
I’m planning a build and I got a Chevy express that looks pretty much like yours because of the windows I didn’t get a cargo van because I wanted the windows but because of the windows I do lose a lot of space on the sides so I did like to see how you did your build and gave me some ideas ,
Awesome! It was a fun simple build and worked out well. Check out the IKEA bed video! Thanks for watching!
Nice job. Using the materials that you had on hand worked quite well. It seems that you addressed airflow and cooling of the space very nicely.
It did work out well. Thank you for watching!
Very cool.... Always wanted to do something like that...thanks for sharing ✌️
Thanks for watching!!
Súper lindo, me encantó tu van❤❤❤
Thank you!
love Virginia , camping is wonderful
Enjoyed your video. You gave me a few good ideas for my 07 E350. Thanks!
Thanks Vick. I have a few videos on it. Just posted one about a porta Potty. Please,subscribe!
@@MikeAndTheGreatOutdoors New subscriber here.
I’ve been wondering if you can install Skorva rails in an E series. Thanks. Velcro was a great idea.
Thanks for watching. Not sure. If they are adjustable in length, I would say yes. Also would look how you would mount it to the side walls
A few adjustments and you'll be happy. I would have offset the sink for more space. You'll be thinking about things as you use it, the changes are usually ongoing, great job. I have a window van, looking to do something like this. Happy trails!
Totally agree. I ha e the flip up shelf on the left side of the sink. Dont do a lot of cooking inside. Ive since added a 2000 watt pure sinwave inverter and two lithium ion batteries and a microwave lol. Good luck on your build, would love to see it.
@@MikeAndTheGreatOutdoors Cool. Can I ask how many AH the batteries are and what kind of longevity you're getting out of them while using your microwave and any other appliances?
Also, is that the Bouge RV 30L fridge? I'm looking at getting one of those. Great build!
@@Viajero69 thank you again, the chest is a refrigerator/freezer. Can not do both at the same time. Got a video on still working great. Usinf 2 100 Ah LifePO4 lithium phospate battries. Ihave not run the batteries down yet. I also upgraded to a 200 watt inverter. I have not run the microwave more than 30 mins at a time. If the do run low I can start the van to charge the house batteries.
Thanks for the tour! I’m in the planning stage of converting a ‘97 E350 Superduty, a former ambulance (somewhat raised roof but not a box). Your use of an IKEA bed looks like a good solution! What’s the approximate width of that part of the van? It looks like you sleep diagonally. Also, was that a specific IKEA bed, or rails that are used for several beds? Looking forward to updates!
Thanks for watching. I have a video on how I built the bed.
Here is a link for the bed rail
www.ikea.com/us/en/p/skorva-center-support-beam-galvanized-90124534/?gclid=CjwKCAjwzaSLBhBJEiwAJSRokgjah3l_jn9jO4QoykSvmOcr6ZubUKC3fGyL6bTTdLZNcYbLkHTyYRoC1o0QAvD_BwE
You need to go to customer service for the brackets, they can be hard to get.
Width is 72", I'm 5'9 so I fit length wize. I use a "full" matress which fits snug.
Just installed a microwave in the van. Share updates on your build!
thanks for the bed rail idea
My pleasure. Thanks for watching!
If you still have the plastic panel cut it to fit behind the bench.
Nice van have fun stay safe.
Thanks! Staring a Sprinter conversion now
Awesome build 👍
Thank you!
Very nice build!
Thanks, still work in progress. Just added a porta potty
nice video and great job on the work.. can you tell me how tall you are (use you to scale) and do you sleep front to back or side to thanks
Thanks for watching! I'm 5'8, my wife and I sleep wheel to wheel and I have a couple inches to spare. I have another video on just the bed if you want more details.
hi i have a e-350 high top i want to add a bed. so where did you order this bed frame from . thank you
Thank you for watching. All parts of the bed are from IKEA. Check my channel. I have a bed installed video.
Nice set up. How do you keep from running your battery down with the doors open for so long?
Thanks for watching!. Fords have a timer, that if the door is open for more that 3 minutes, its shuts power off to the dome lights
Nice Job!
Thanks for watching!!
Where did you order your swivel seat from? I have a 2004 ford econoline
Shopforseats.com
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for watching!
Nice work! Is the e350 any wider than the e150?
Thanks for watching. No, they are the same.
I’ve noticed almost all van lifers have floor instead of carpet,is there a specific reason?
Thanks for watching. Main reason ont to have carpet, is it's easier to keep clean. Lots of traffic in a d out of the van.dust pand snall broom, makes for sasy clean up.
amazing, love it.
Thanks for watching!
Love your channel! New subscriber! Great content! Can’t wait to see your next video!
Thank you mrs c!
I have a 2000 E350 15 passenger window van. I'm wondering how much trouble you had putting a fan through the rear a/c ducting.
Thanks for watching Hal.
So not totally sure how the 2000’s are set up. Mine had the rear a/c, it had a vent tube that went from the top of the rear a/c, up the drivers side rear corner, and connected to the roof vents.
I wanted my be at or below the windows. The vent tube on the rear a/c was two tall for me to put my bed that low.
So there is a pretty big chamber where the fan is on the rear a/c.
I used a hole saw, I believe it was 3”, and cut a hole down towards the fan unit.
I then cut the top part down to below the bed. I cut a piece of wood that fit tightly in the original vent, and left some room to put spray foam.
I found a piece of pvc at lows that fit the hole I cut.
I epoxied the pvc pipe into the a/c unit.
I attached a dryer hose to the pvc pipe and ran that forward from under the bed.
Works great hope this helps,
@@MikeAndTheGreatOutdoors I was asking about installing your aftermarket fan in the ceiling and cutting through the a/c duct up there. Sorry I wasn't more clear. Yours looks like mine.
Oh sorry, well as I described above, I rerouted the A/C under the brd, so the roof a/c ventes are not used.
I had removed the headliner from the van. Mesured like 12 million times before I started my cut. I originally had not planned on putting the headliner back in. Changed my plan snd decided to use it.
The underside of the headliner is thin fiberglass, the port the are flows through is also fiberglass. The roof vent went in the middle.
I'm pretty sure if you could get creative and route some flexible hose around the vent.
Good luck!!
@@MikeAndTheGreatOutdoors That tells me more than I've found on a hundred videos! Thank you.
My pleasure
So where did you get the swivel seat base?
Www.discountvantruck.com. If your doing the econoline, I would recommend getting the heavy duty model they offer. The owner Is direct and to the point when you talk with him.
Thanks for watching
I know what you mean about getting a good van!!
Thank you for watching!
Do you have any problems with bugs like mosquitos and flies specially when you sleep at night?
I haven’t yet. I am careful with having limited light at night. I make sure all foods are closed tight and dish’s cleaned. I am working on some screens. Thanks for watching!
Very nice van!
Thank you sir. Thanks for watching!
link to bed?
Hi, no link all parts bought at ikea. Thanks for watching
The extended E350 have even more weird angles .
Yeah I can imagine. A lot of trial and error. Thanks for watching
❤❤
Thanks for watching!
Why does the water over your left shoulder look puke green/brown, and the water over your right shoulder looks tropical blue? FJB!
Not sure what you're referring too
@@MikeAndTheGreatOutdoors View the beginning of your video and look over your left and right shoulder, the water colour is drastically different. Just curious as to why? Sorry, I forgot, FJB!
Think it's just lighting, shadows, etc.
Parts
Parts?
Gooooooooood
Thank you for watching!
Great build 👍🏼
Thank you for watching!
Where did you buy the faucet and pump?
Both on Amazon. The faucet is actually a hot water dispenser. Thanks for watching!