DIY Custom Built Budget RV Full Time Living Solar Inverter Step Van Off Grid modern How To Part 1

In this video we begin to build a Full time living motorhome to travel the country on a budget we will be sharing cost and expenses for all of this. If there are any questions feel free to ask. Also if you have any suggestions or ideas few free to drop a comment I do my best to read all of them! Thanks again for checking this out more videos to come soon!!

[@ermill39]

Congratulations!! You are now a proud owner of a step van RV conversion. There are a lot of people in the community who can give you plenty of help. All you have to do is ask. Hope to here from you soon. Remember: this is YOUR van, .... build it to your specifications. Remember: buy good equipment NOT cheap. It will help you in the long run.

[@sevengrey2408]

congrats on your step van RV build. if you make it out to Arizona in January, we usually have a step van RV gathering there at the RTR event. hope to see you there!

[@jamesiv432]

Seven Grey it’s going to be a long proses but hopefully we are full time living by then! Will note that event thank you!!

[@deamillion9576]

I just purchased a similar step van 99 Chevy P30 Diesel. I hope you will be making more videos! Learned a lot just from this one. Thanks.

[@scottydaum]

I have the very same Step Van, so this should be fun to watch, I started my project a while back and then it got stalled. Hope to get started again in about a month. I AGREE about the engine choice. I can find parts, or a replacement engine in nearly every cornfield or barn in the country. I am also going to investigate the idea of an OVERDRIVE unit to help with fuel costs. I also cringed when you ripped out the aluminum from the ceiling.....lol I will remove mine, and upgrade the insulation but probably reuse the aluminum. Light weight, easy to clean, moisture resistant. Also reflects light but may beed to paint it white anyhow. I am a fat guy so working on the fiberglass roof is going to be a challenge for me. Good call on the conduit for wiring. There is some material called "Dynamat" that we use in custom cars and Hot Rods for sound deadening. Is thin and sticks right to the surface. Kind of pricey though.

[@jamesiv432]

scottydaum I have a couple good ideas in store for the ceiling the replace the dated aluminum roof that I think most people will like! I was also toying with the idea of changing the gear ratio in the rear end once everything is done. I you are concerned with the weight distribution on your fiberglass roof I would recommend putting plywood down to help alleviate the concentration of weight. Thank you from our comment will be checking out “Dynamat”!!

[@Bman10496]

Can’t wait for the next video!

[@jamesiv432]

vFallout in the proses, thanks for your support bro!!!!

[@Krakendome]

Are you going to leave the translucent roofing or go with some other medium? Got to admit I cried a little when you ravaged the interior sheet metal roof. :)

[@jamesiv432]

von whalen thank you for the comment! We are currently insulating it with the 2” foam and then adding a thin aluminum sheet with LED strips in between the tracks. Very excited looks like it will be turning out awesome!

[@Krakendome]

@@jamesiv432 . I am just starting a box van build and it has the fiberglass roof like yours. Not sure if I am going to completely take off the fiberglass or just put the metal roof over it. Looking for a little more strength of the roof for the solar and stuff. Gonna sub and watch your progress. Thanks for sharing.

[@jamesiv432]

von whalen We are currently mounting the solar panels on the roof. We determined we are keeping the fiberglass because we like the idea of the sealed 1 piece design. When I was installing the brackets I was able to stand on the roof in any spot to drill holes for the solar panned brackets (I my self weigh 185lbs). I don’t recommend it depending on the condition of yours but it made me more confident for deciding to keep it rather than replace it.

[@chapter4travels]

I'm shopping for a step van right now and really on the fence about a Cummins 6 cylinder diesel vs Chevy v8 gas. I'm concerned about driving in the mountains and not having enough power. I will be in the mountains every summer. And gas mileage as well. I agree with all your arguments about the Chevy 350, but still on the fence. Any other insight?

[@jamesiv432]

Greg White Hey Greg, my personal opinion is it depends on your mechanical ability and your budget, but mainly the buy. The other big factor was the gas generator inverter so we only have to use one fuel type. They do make nice diesel gensets but for us that was out of the budget. We looked at a 4bt Cummins and liked it but it has quite a bit of rust for us. When we drove it 10+ hours back it had no issue doing 70 mph (empty) on winter fuel. A load will make a noticeable difference. I would say if you are mechanically inclined (diesel) and you can find one that will suit your needs at a good price then go for it. Anything diesel related will be slightly more difficult to buy and more expensive than gas engine parts. Please let me know what you end up going with and if you have any other questions or concerns! Look forward to hearing from you!

[@StashJunkie]

I want to do another step van but I like speed lol!

[@jamesiv432]

FuzeMag haha I completely understand!!!

[@notsoshortbus1651]

looking good thanks for the truck info and the mpg always nice to know, 4l80e trans ? how and where did you get the truck? cant believe the low miles thats great. new sub

[@jamesiv432]

Not so Short bus Thanks for the Sub! I believe it’s the 4l80e trans like you said but I will have to double check, I was able to find the truck on eBay and managed to pick it up out of the border of Minnesota!

[@johnrobinson4739]

How tall is the ceiling

[@jamesiv432]

It’s about 79”-80”

[@10mmfan]

Wool insulation may be a healthy option. Not sure about the cost.

[@jamesiv432]

Skippity Do Da Definitely will check out, but we did get a large quantity of the styrofoam sheets from left over stock. Thanks Skippity Do Da :)

[@notsoshortbus1651]

oh you said northwest,detroit mi. here

[@notsoshortbus1651]

I have a 6 window full size bus w/7.3 t444e and allison trans gets about ten mpg but maxes out at 65 mph cruises around 60mph think id rather have a step van but was wondering about ins, my bus is titled as a motor home so plates are 55.00 a year and ins. around 42.00 a month building a box would be nice

[@bigdog4176]

If your going south you need to get a bigger A/C

[@jamesiv432]

Glenn Crawford Do you think so? Checking out the specs the 5k BTU air conditioners are rated for 150 Sqft which we are under and considering we have a lower ceiling with more insulation than most bedrooms. Plus the solar panels will help keep some of the direct sunlight off the roof. Thanks for your comment will do some more research!!

[@MatthewSemones]

106,700 miles :)

[@jamesiv432]

Matthew Semones No actually everything on this truck is original, even the brakes and tires. With how clean it is it’s very clear that there is truly only 6,700 miles on the truck. Also, it was purchased by us with only 5,800 miles on it with the title, without a odometer discrepancy from a government municipality.