Living in GMC Savana Camper Van:

[@faceinthecrowd5810]

I converted my 97 savana conversion van to a weekend camper and we really enjoy it! I did selective gutting leaving the factory insulation and panels while stripping out the weird cabinets allowing more useable storage and my aftermarket design vibe to shine. As a custom carpenter I have built cabinets and completely changed the space from the passenger hauling 90’s party boat. With further exterior mods and paint as well as some 5.7L performance mods my van is not the typical white box I see everywhere. After so many miles over 12 years with this family friend I don’t get excited over a promaster, great vans are built not bought!

[@upthehappyeveryday3890]

Where do I see more if this build I can’t find it please

[@upthehappyeveryday3890]

Where is the next video ??????

[@markgoodrich1723]

Seems the peeps who know something about van conversions think you made a mess of your van! But at least you know good music! Thanks for that jam!!

[@Jeanmarie19855]

So where is part 2?!?

[@NunoSerrenho]

I'm looking at buying one of these so thank you for ripping yours all apart so I can see its innards without having to do it myself, which I would never do. Why not just get a cargo van? Way less work... You got an update video on what you ended up doing?

[@shelbyandmargaret]

It was almost too painful to watch you take apart the interior of a clean, comfortable, beautiful van like that. I will stay tuned because surely you have some real skills to show off. I would have simply added a porta potty, water jug with hand basin, portable stove and some pillows and called it a day with that beautiful van.

[@gypsypurl5574]

My thoughts exactly!

[@shelbyandmargaret]

Thank You:)

[@upthehappyeveryday3890]

Where r the follow up but does please put link in comments 😊

[@daveball9]

I like how you took the passenger seat out, I have been thinking about doing that to my van for a while. I never have passengers, and it would give me a lot of extra room.

[@GuidedWithLight]

where is part 2?

[@WizzRacing]

I'm pimping one out this year. Going to go full tilt on conversion.

[@PremiumFuelOnly]

why not just buy a plain work van to begin with?

[@nicomas2471]

because you get what you get sometimes

[@sailingsolar]

Cool music. It appears you're just starting out, from the dates. Do you have a time frame on the conversion in mind? Great first day, you got a lot done. Good job.

[@DavidSandel]

sailingsolar I actually ended up selling this van after I did all this work. You can see the new van in a more recent video. I'm currently out of town for the next 3-4 weeks, but I hope to finish it by the end of December, if not sooner.

[@affliction91six]

Your videos after this are different van. Did you decide not to use a conversion van?

[@DavidSandel]

Yes. As stated in the video after this one.

[@paulstephens9274]

I have 2004 hitop Savana my head touches ceiling. Going install fan then will have only 1/2” for adequate insulation . Instead of existing ceiling considering as thin as possible cedar t&G or 4x8 panel. Insulation options. 1/2 polyiso foam board one side foil faced or 3/8” Ultratouch foil faced denim. It would be much easier could roll it out attached to back of cedar avoiding need to glue polyiso up . Trying to deflect hot sun hitting roof keeping it cooler yet some heat in in winter. Foil side up or down, against the fiber or air gap which means headroom issue and hassle. What do you advise

[@ShikamaruTKD]

i am converting a 97 hi top. If you are not going to be in cold climates then I would just skip the insulation. its not going to do much with out running A/C. insulation will keep the heat in more than it would keep it out. I am not even planning on installing a roof vent. I will fabricate a fan into one of the rear pop out windows. the best way is to park in shaded areas and have shade on the outside of the van. thanks to this guy ripping his van apart, now I see our vans already have insulation. make custom inside window covers with reflectix. My van already has rear A/C ducting from the conversion company so the ceiling is staying as is. upgrade as needed . good luck

[@paulstephens9274]

LeoTkdMT well I do live in Colorado and winters do get cold.it be nice to have some insulation. Perhaps use 1/2” polyiso that I have on ceiling maybe helping with sound deadening and foil side reflecting heat up ( may need little air gap?). Also considered 1/4” cedar having some ins factor. the walls are finished and really don’t want tear them apart. Appears some fiberglass is stuff in places..after all the jerking around I’ve done not accomplishing anything at this point just need do some cool stuff hoping to get $14k for it. Have base cabinets sink and elec pump,. Nice bed and comfy seating with pull down screen projector with high end sound system then hope to use it some while for sale. Btw seeing as Maxair is out of stock I thought of the window fan too. Every window is operative so plenty ventilation. When I turn in ac it cools the rear down some. Will be doing reflective window covers like you said and call it a wrap

[@ShikamaruTKD]

@@paulstephens9274 I see, look into sheeps wool for insulation from Havelock wool. id stay away from stuff that uses glue. your van set up sounds nice. did you go with a sideways bed or long ways?

[@paulstephens9274]

LeoTkdMT I still haven’t made up my mind which way the bed should go as with this whole project 🤨. If I only had a guy that I could rely on to help make this happen. I have cut a 8” mem foam twin 39x74” mattress to 60” to fit sideways -add cut piece lengthwise or use as backrest. Also trying to utilize for seating 4” tri-fold memory mattress 39x72” Two sections @ 39x26”, and shorter one 39x22” perforated in middle so can stack as backrest. With 60” side to side not enough room leg room in between as couch’s and would take up most of the van with 24”+ 12” base cabinets. Have tried every which way trying configure height variations ie stack 2 on a 10” base for 18” seat height (short folded pieces as back rests next to mattress height of 28”. Multi options with where table fits. Cutting a 39x26 section to 18 and 10” would work better for narrowing couch? Btw what fan are you going with for window, and I just did help wanted FB post anyone needing some quick cash. I have garage, tools and even open bedroom for few days. Shoot me email and I’ll send ya some pics

[@ShikamaruTKD]

​@@paulstephens9274 If you are under 6 feet, sideways bed is the way to go with storage underneath, , mine will be 6 feet x 35 inches sideways with an option to extend an extra 20 inches out. I am sure you will figure it out. I will be using the endless breeze fan and the 02 cool smart power fan. one fan venting out and the other pushing air in with custom made screen on the rear pop out windows. I too have not started my project, just doing my research and planning. my email is [e-mail]

[@ZoTime747]

Nice! Where the update videos?

[@lowgravityascents]

I sold that van and bought the white one in a different video. Then I had to leave for a month for work. Updates coming soon!

[@paulstephens9274]

Just had surgery recently and need help with my 04 hitop savana. Could you be willing to help me

[@explorerexpressvan463]

So you buy a nice high top GMC van to buy a low top Ford van?

[@DavidSandel]

Explorer Express Van Yes

[@DavidSandel]

***** The high top was great, don't get me wrong. But the van itself had engine problems and wouldn't have lasted more than a year. So I sold it and bought the Ford. And while the ford is a low top, it actually has A LOT more room than the Savana. Plus, after having the Savana for just a short time, I would NOT want another conversion van. You would lose so much heat through the windows.

[@rmbarnes672]

changing the engine would have been less work))

[@jaymeez]

Why rip apart the beautiful van?

[@brbrerolling]

OMG, I'm buying a cargo van. LOL

[@carllarsen6234]

How to destroy a nice van to crappy music...

[@891alonso]

what a waste, why did you buy a conversion van if you wanted a cargo...that's like buying a Mercedes an cutting the roof to use it as truck..

[@magnificentobjectstarfish]

boring ....