DIY Van Conversion WALLS | Framing & Door Panels

This video walks you through the process of framing, troubleshooting, and installing the walls of your van. There are many options for walls - some go with tongue & groove, plywood, or shiplap. I chose to stain natural shiplap for a cozy cabin feel!
Enjoy!
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We are Linnea and Akela. In May, 2020 I purchased our 2016 Ram ProMaster, Togo, to become our full-time home. With this van build, I am using my stubbornness and drive to show individuals that they, too, can convert a campervan BY THEMSELVES and ON A BUDGET, with a lot of learning, rolling up the sleeves, and getting to work.
Our goal is to inspire individuals to chase their dreams. To break from societal limitations and live the life they truly desire. And, to GET OUTSIDE!
SUBSCRIBE for van build details, wanderlust travel, and the truth about van life with a big german shepherd!
Follow on Instagram: @linnea.and.akela

[@ashleyuranga3565]

'Everything takes longer than I think it will" has been my build mantra :)

[@MrJoshuadh81]

The music alone is worth watching your videos😊

[@Image8O4]

Omg thank you so much for the details on the sizes of the nuts bolts plywood etc. This is the first video I've seen with good detail. Of course it took a woman to actually do this. The men just automatically assume everyone knows what their talking about. I plan on doing a van by myself and i'm not a handyman so I need all the explanations possible 😅! Thanks much appreciated!

[@bensids]

I’m loving watching your videos to help with my van. There are things I was planning on getting people to do but watching you has given me the confidence to give them a go myself, you’ve shown that anyone can do anything, so inspiring! Thank you so much!

[@bitminerbob6731]

There are no mistakes, just opportunities for learning. :D You're doing such a great job!!

[@triunnawalker1117]

I'm so proud of you. I have a van and seem to be having such a hard time with my electrical. Videos like yours and other females keeps me inspired .

[@draco8581]

i will be rewatching this series after i finish

[@chartmann43]

I’d give anything for a circular saw! lol! I’m just working with a jigsaw doing EVERYTHING with it! And I’m doing my van conversion alone too! It’s exhausting, emotional and so much work! But fun at the same time. I have a chronic illness that causes a lot of pain, but this working on my van has been helping me forget about my pain. lol! You’re amazing! 😊😊❤❤

[@stephaniejosine]

Also wanted to say thanks: I was thinking about using rivnuts for my framing and walls, but was worried about ending up with a bulky bolt head sticking out... I didn't realise flush bolts existed until I saw yours!! It's a steep learning curve.

[@rickalyssa]

Great work. I especially like how you started the video with a bell pepper, then after some stress I spied a box of Cheez-it's on the bed. Super relatable. haha

[@Delfitrillo00]

I believe your van at the end will look wonderful 👌🤩

[@tonyjxn]

Never seen anyone eat a bell pepper like a apple before.

[@Pjaeck35]

Came to the comments to make sure I wasn't alone in this

[@kurtspants1754]

Y’all don’t do that? I do eat it like an apple

[@ameliecash8497]

I do

[@dennis.teevee]

lol ditto

[@hellohumanity5558]

isnt that a capsicum..

[@weirdboyjim]

Thanks for putting me onto Rivnuts, they are handy! Glad to hear the van is a bit more cosy now.

[@bertfisk1194]

You are an inspiration, my wife and I are going to do this in a few years when we retire, she won’t let me try a build because I have no skills, lol. Builders are $25,000 to $55,000. I love watching your videos on how real you keep it.

[@kuhelss]

Skills are teachable. I didnt know anything when I started but now I am a self taught carpenter. You can do it

[@danzbeard]

Definitely appreciate the transparency, and the extra effort (quite an understatement) put forth to show everyone the build.

[@rhyssegraves4757]

You should make playlist of all videos in a row

[@gianttravelsbyvan9670]

Good call on the 1/4" skins for the lower doors, and using Rivnuts! Good call on the spar verathane to be UV resistant.

[@samanthabecerra217]

dude i love binge watching your vids they make my day

[@Linneaandakela]

Aw thank you so much!

[@emersonwright2035]

Me: Going to the comments Everyone in the comments: why does she eat a bell pepper like an apple

[@maryw3989]

Because she can 😊

[@aarongoodwin4845]

Love how you are doing this project! You got some skilz!

[@jillianhouston7663]

I love your vids I watch each and every one of them ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@HVCollective]

Your positivity is contagious !

[@bettyvanwhite6745]

Girl...you are like an answered prayer for me. I've been wracking my brain on how I would do all this by myself and voila -your youtube video popped up on my list. You are a true testament that video is so much richer than just words and photos. I now know that I too can do a van build out. Thank you ! You're doing an awesome job with your videos and your van. From a MN neighbor.

[@margiesvanmori]

This is so helpful lol. I am building out a 1988 chevy van now and I'm so glad there are people out there like you that make instructional videos so I don't have to build it having no clue

[@userwl2850]

I've watched 10 of your videos back to back now. You are an absolute darling. Damn I wish I was 30 years younger. You do amazing work by yourself with no experience. Amazing lady you are. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍

[@Linneaandakela]

Thank you so much!!

[@FreedomAfterTheFight]

Lol i eat bell peppers like that too! Thanks for sharing, sister! Very helpful for me 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@johnbroystonjr23]

Hey Linnea & Akela!!! You do a terrific job at adapting and overcoming challenges that you face along the way during your build-out. I'm really proud of you and what you have accomplished along the way. I watched ALL your videos in two days and am looking forward to seeing more of you in your journeys. Keep up the good work and Thank you so much for sharing. 😎

[@Linneaandakela]

Thank you so much!!

[@gkling33]

Best. Series. Ever.

[@JP-fe2mv]

Super cool van. I am currently converting my Chevy express for van life. I been in my van for 2 years. It put a roof over my head when my world feel apart and I will NEVER go back to the house or apartment again. I love traving and being on the road. Maybe soon I can do my own video lol

[@ExpeditingAmerica]

New subscriber here. I travel with my pup “bubba Joe” in my sprinter van. Thanks for the video as I’m redoing my walls

[@gbkeyes]

You have the heart of a craftsman, with a bit of artisan in the mix, too. Thank You.

[@k_blyth8803]

Every video i watch you just amaze me with your progress. Thanks for sharing x

[@angelicavillanueva5912]

Lol the bell pepper munching sounds sounded like a cartoon, but I just wanted to say that your videos are not only super inspiring, but also entertaining! Keep it up, I’m so excited for you 💕

[@brittanypearce5845]

I’m so happy I came across your channel. Your videos are gold. So excited for you! So grateful for the information!

[@ednunez4020]

Doing a promaster build right now and your videos have been immensely helpful in giving me confidence about daunting steps.. I like you show your mistakes and make them visible, shows the time/effort unpredictability of building out a van which I’m also learning from 😅

[@tomb374]

I am so thoroughly impressed. You are so genuine and seem to be pretty much uninhibited with what anyone may think about the whole process...and why shouldn't you be..? If I may make one suggestion it would be about protecting your eyes while using power tools. I'm a journeyman lineman and mechanic and have seen lots of eye injuries from power tools and have had a few myself over the years. Injuries make for bad guilt trips and set backs when they happen. Not to mention your eyes are so pretty. It would be nice to see them kept that way ;) It's almost going to be a sad thing when your done and someday quit posting...

[@edwinbailey4479]

You are freakin amazing! The way you work those power tools and figure out what needs to be done. Wow 🤩. I love watching your dyi videos. You are truly an inspiration . I just started my van build and watching you gives me confidence and hope that I can do it. Thank you so much for sharing your adventures 🙂

[@songkim3939]

So much progress and the van started looking like a cozy rig already. Nice work👍🏻

[@Linneaandakela]

Yes! Thank you!

[@fernandovicente8232]

Congrats from Brazil! You are doing a great job and doing alone!!! Keep going, no rush, no stress, just do it.🇧🇷

[@evesullivan2476]

my fiance and I are just starting our own build out on a promaster. Your videos have been such a help. Proud of you

[@WizardsBastard]

The more ideas I get from videos, the harder it is for me to implement anything. I’ve become more indecisive than I’ve ever been. Maybe I’ll have the first van with walls of duct tape, at least then I could say that I had made a decision and accomplished something with my build.

[@patrickjobling8676]

Jurrrst wanna thankya mzz pilgrims ..furr the time you take to film and bring us freeloaders along furr the journey ..much appreciated..😍😎😁pip pips

[@RecklessRobbie]

It's so great to be able to go to sleep with a plan for what you are going to do the next day. I hadn't noticed how true that is for me until you mentioned it. It has been so great following your progress since I am about a month behind you with my own build. Keep it up you are doing great!

[@scandl01]

My favorite channel. You make it look so easy, even with the do overs :) I'm currently building out my own van (Ford E350) and can totally relate to all the frustration and everything being more complicated and taking longer than you think. I was supposed to have mine done by end of summer... and here we are... still working on it in the cold with no garage.

[@CharliEdwards]

How long has it taken you so far?

[@scandl01]

@@CharliEdwards I bought the van in July 2019 & had to gut and clean it. Then worked on the build here & there, while working fulltime and skipping the cold months, since I have no garage. Really wanted to be on the road fulltime by now.

[@peteh2357]

Your videos are genuine and awesome! ie: I enjoy watching and learning from your presentations.

[@brendacalderon9445]

I'm here 2 years later, so filming was good cause I'm sure your getting paid for these. Idk why your not bigger because your videos are the best. And I've seen thousands KZbin van builds. So filming may have taken longer but in the future ahead it will continue benefiting you💗

[@christopherfitakvlogs]

Love the cabin look. Got me a 2022 mercedes 2500 sprinter for expediting and my sleeping aria going to have that cabin look as well 😊

[@surfrealtor]

You have given me a lot of great ideas through your build. Its great to watch the engineers with a shop full of tools blow through their van build but you have run into so many of the same hurdles I have and are putting together such a cool van! Thanks for sharing the journey!

[@michellestratford9753]

You are such a craftsman! I totally would have picked up cheap, light bead board sheets for my walls, ceilings, doors, etc. which looks the same but isn't nearly the same quality 😄 I would, of course, never admit that to you or other perfectionists, lol. Great job as always!💖🚙🇨🇦

[@ew8032]

It looks good, I like the the walls

[@aradiantjoy]

Cozy! Can’t wait to see what’s next

[@Linneaandakela]

Thanks!!

[@NYR14477]

I so feel for you when you came across the door lock problem on your slider. I was like noooooooo but happy you didn’t let it get you down that much. 💪🏾👊🏾

[@LadyTSurvival]

Good tip using strips of plywood instead of furring strips.

[@stevenpower8457]

Good video, as always, but I have an important question. Do you eat the seeds and inside parts of the red pepper too? I've never seen someone do that, and think that I've been wasting it unnecessarily for all these years.

[@doubled3082]

Linnea, you videos help me relax after work...Ha. LOVE getting a notification on a new video. Oh, my wife loves your coffee mugs as well. Be well!

[@hals1fineday]

I know nothing about this... I'm a chick. I just bought a shuttle van and I'm using your videos as a guide. Ty so much !!!

[@markthesun2140]

Its very cool how you are doing your van. i am learning a lot from your build. i will use some of your ideas on my van Thank You!!! Mark...

[@stephaniejosine]

I love that you're eating a pepper like an apple! I do the same

[@meighanrosef8027]

Love all your videos, will be referring back to them once I'm ready to get a van to convert it.

[@earthishome1866]

Awesome build. Love your videos

[@JessRayne]

It’s really coming together! Can’t wait to see next weeks video 😊

[@johngrant1337]

It is all in the finish product and what you have finished look great.How it is just cabinets and trim ( you can use carpet, cloth and canvas for the trim) and for the back splash think of metal, laminate and fiberglass panels mount with glue to the wall, ( it will be easy to clean and replace) Like I said to you in the beginning your work is great ( I have seen pro - van builders work not look as good as your work) I can't wait to see the finish product !(P.S.I look forward to your next van!!)

[@NoLimitVanLife]

It is so difficult to film everything in build a van. I know what you're going through because I'm doing it to but your van is looking very nice. The Rivnuts are so awesome. Since I got my rivnut tool my installations are so much nicer and more durable.

[@Linneaandakela]

It sure is! I’m glad you are loving your rivnuts - they are so great!

[@nataliesantoroart4534]

I'm a potter and I love seeing all the handmade mugs you drink from!!

[@Linneaandakela]

You are?! Handmade mugs are one of my weaknesses... they are the one thing I am hell bent on keeping in the van! Do you sell your work?

[@nataliesantoroart4534]

@@Linneaandakela I do!! I'm pretty much all sold out right now, but restock regularly... We should do some custom mugs for you and Akela specially for Togo :)

[@Linneaandakela]

I would absolutely love that! ♥️

[@beeamerica5024]

Good job and it looks good too sorry you had to go back to the cold LOL👍👏🎯🐝

[@veterantraveller-dq4re]

I knew that was St. George! I used to live in Dixie Downs, and Veyo

[@daarkvaala2596]

G'day! I know I am years behind here but I have just come across your build. The rear doors could be boxed in for storage shelves that can hold condiments (sauces/slat/pepper etc). The side door would be great if the top half had a blackboard or white perspex so you can write inspo quotes, todo lists, shopping etc... keen to get through the playlist!

[@anestholiver]

Awesome work!!!!

[@hedleypepper1838]

Awsome you have given me many ideas 😊 thank you ..

[@KrisG66]

Just, like, eating a bell pepper. Baller lady!

[@coreyvaughn7381]

Very impressed with you.

[@Linneaandakela]

Thanks so much :)

[@IamDoogy]

Very inspirational. You have an idea and you’re making it happen.

[@Linneaandakela]

Thank you!

[@loveddbyyou5928]

I love it! It’s coming along great. So happy for you. Oh how I’d love to do this!

[@benoitbenoisbenoistchaine]

Problem google it haha great job .. better than I would do .. so I give it a try to build one ... Now need tools to start

[@cartermoulton]

awesome looks great! please do a video on how you deal with where the ceiling meets the wall! sort of a weird spot i'm struggling with

[@jreedlbny]

That was amazing. Nice work. I'm having issues with those two bump out beams in the van. I haven't covered the yet because I don't know what to do with them. Keep it up. Thank you

[@debil.4655]

I am so glad I am not the only one who eats a bell pepper like an apple. ❤❤❤

[@thndrgrrrl]

This video was very helpful, thank you or sharing your mistakes as well as your successes.

[@shalomzeiger]

Hi Linnea and Akela! Loved watching your step-by-step van build. I'm about ready to start on my own conversion. I have your videos on the ready as a guide. Love the finish product of your van conversion. I have a question though; I didn't see a video on the wall build behind the driver seat to separate your cab from the kitchen area. Do you have a video on that? Thanks in advance for you detailed guide.

[@lindadavies9290]

Your amazing. You are doing a great wonderful job. Found you and now catching up on all your video's.

[@DonkeysYears16]

Great job! It’s really coming together.

[@vanlifenomadfirekeeper]

Looking great.

[@kevvvv1053]

Love you’re vids there so coolll😎😎😎

[@monniquaharmstrong2120]

Good job sis❤

[@salimalzir7806]

genial linea.

[@markramirez33]

Omg! Those yoga pants😮

[@martinpavlik8529]

Nice work 👌😉

[@Linneaandakela]

Thanks!

[@d.9748]

BRAVO!!

[@Vibrant_Goo]

One thing you could do is pre-drill holes and install a rivnut, rather than using self-tapping screws. Really like the trim - looks quite clean. I'm also in WI - hoping it stays relatively warm for one more month. Your videos are helping this (solo female) noob - ceiling is done for me and walls are nearly close!

[@Linneaandakela]

I am also hoping it stays a bit warmer as well! It has been a rough transition from Utah to WI 😅 Glad to hear the build is going great!

[@Vibrant_Goo]

@@Linneaandakela Fewer rocks and more green trees, eh?

[@joserobertocabral2152]

I'm from brasil, like so much your job, kisssssssssssesssssssss

[@DavesGuitarPlanet]

She is seriously like-able :-)

[@Ranglin1975]

Your an angel 😇

[@CalmTurtle2023]

Hi Linnea, would you happen to have a video of you doing the actual framing? I know you said you cut down 3/4”x4’x8’ into 4 inch strips… I know you’re using the rivnuts… can you show some detail on how you “arranged” the framing? Where? And how you attached framing to the angled pieces where the wall and ceiling meet. Thanks. PS you’re awesome! Your videos have been the most useful!!

[@Martin-xr1mo]

The build is looking good!

[@HairBlow]

Awesome

[@robthomas1221]

I've enjoyed all of your videos. Great information and very entertaining. Cheers mate.

[@graceayer7636]

Yay! I was looking forward to this video!!

[@alyssabottom8377]

I love all your videos videos

[@1LikeCake]

ticonderoga pencil are the best!

[@abbeyjane1306]

Excellent video. Thanks