Micro Camper Van Build / 2012 Ford Transit Connect Conversion

All of my previous van videos: bit.ly/3miT6Vd
Lump's theme song: bit.ly/2HxFTsQ
🚙..... Onward!

[@beeb1293]

I love this because it seems actually doable. So many van builds cost so much and have more than needed. This is perfect because it's actually like you're camping and not driving a luxury home on wheels

[@ekdaufin1485]

And it’s not her home so that makes sense.

[@ekdaufin1485]

No toilet?

[@brandonjoseph1489]

@@ekdaufin1485 you don’t need a toilet. You need a plastic bag. I did this got 6 months. You shit in the bag. Then dispose of it.

[@peaceformula5830]

@@brandonjoseph1489 Imagine if a million people shit every day into a plastic bag per shit every day. Thats 30 million plastic bags. Fuck the environment right bro? You must be American

[@michelle.doesthings]

First person I’ve seen with a fire alarm/carbon monoxide detector. Smart!!

[@muddyboots7753]

Hi, I am one of those people of the internet. Finally a simple, realistic, affordable design. I don't think it is right when they cram so many stuff into their van again, when the idea of the van was to simplify their lives.

[@giannahoffer5792]

Finally, a realistic minimalist that I look up to that is also afraid of fire...and not obsessed with candles 👩🏻‍🚒

[@poopscoop6215]

Seriously

[@TripReviews]

Yep! There are tons of van conversion videos but a lot of them are pretty elaborate and get away from the simplicity of camping. Years back I had an Aerostar, loved it! Taped screens over the sliding side windows, took the seats out and threw a couple of 4” thick foam mattresses to sleep on in the back and set up a dining tent outside. Great for northern fishing trips.

[@lowwastehighmelanin]

I love candles but fire in a vehicle is just a BAD TIME lol

[@PhoonigaN]

I like that you didn't go crazy on wiring all sorts of batteries to stuff you kept it simple with one battery and a solar panel. With just a laptop and small gadgets. That's how I would do it. Simple.

[@gabrielborjas7923]

The Lefiemobile is here!!

[@gloriosaagdeppa4834]

Can yougive me the cost? I would like to do the conversion to my 2013 Ford Transit Connect XL

[@FaceLifeOpenMinded]

Omg I think you’re my twin. Well to be accurate you’re the twin of the person I aspire to be. I’m interested in everything you’re already doing: minimalism, keto, being disciplined, wearing a “uniform”, even the van life! I’m just struggling with taking my first steps. Glad I came across your videos!

[@keishabryant4650]

Genius. It was a billion freaking dollars. Thank you I have to subscribe this is one of the smartest builds ever. People have made this so scary and intimidating more than living in a home you really can't afford or a freaking mega house on wheels. Thank you

[@joshuamoore8560]

Well done Lefie! Simone Giertz herself will be proud. Also, kudos for referencing the Presidents, not enough people do that in their videos. So now that the van's done, I suppose you'll be moving to the country... where you'll eat a lot of peaches. (I had to do it.)

[@cluebug]

And getting a kitty on her foot!

[@brentgooch5213]

This was amazing! Not only the Can but the delivery was extremely entertaining.

[@effortukate]

Love your personality, aesthetics and charisma! Your videos always bring me great comfort. Thank you for this, Lefie. Greetings from Russia!

[@kojiur]

You might consider using a threaded insert on the "garage" door screw. Removing and re-installing the normal screw directly into the plywood could cause the screw to fail as the plywood gets more and more worn down.

[@DeliberateNRandom]

Even Velcro would work here, or snaps, or cabinet door friction catches, but do whatever you please. You could always use longer screws down the road.

[@Ritwika-Saha]

Finally the van video is here! It's amazingly planned out and I bow down to your hard work, technical understanding and organisational skills.

[@pamelaadkins6152]

I love your van, thank you for the tour...You did an awesome job...Happy trails...

[@k-mac5511]

Nice build and overview. Love the American flag, couch/bed, plaid curtains. Taking notes. Saving this video full of great ideas.

[@MsTemptation]

This is one of THE best builds I've seen in a micro camper van. Awesome job.

[@CamperVan-K]

Thanks for sharing. Inspiring. You have a calming voice which is nice to hear in these troubled times.

[@matterdotoo4726]

Nice voice to a radio station. And nice wheels home too. Take care, from Portugal!

[@nimakhaleghy4508]

Wooooow, congratulation from uk 🇬🇧, Iran🇮🇷 and Spain 🇪🇸 . We loved it. Great job.

[@lorethehobbit]

This is exactly the van I want to convert after I go to university! It’s super helpful to see how you chose you lay everything out, makes it seem possible - even though it’s such a small space compared to most other van life vehicles 🚐

[@tegmapat11]

Great build! Camping is living outdoors, so only the necessities are needed and you nailed it!

[@minimalzebra]

The van turned out nice.

[@michelleglidingswan4334]

I like the efficiency of this build. And it looks clean and fresh. A nice meld of elegant with practical.

[@omegajackson]

My fav “van life” video, not smug or over bearing

[@bluelips14]

Yes...some are too overbearing!

[@teetertotter5787]

Looks great! It looks bigger on the inside than I expected from looking at the outside. Nice!

[@davidkaiser810]

Very cute tour of your van. Nice sense of humor and nice build

[@pv4669]

Very nice, quite impressed. A little small for my needs, but a really good use of space and very functional. Lot's of storage. I like your couch/bed. In case of rain (you did say Maine) you always need a normal place to sit for a prolonged period of time (computer work, read a book, etc.)

[@dreamerkiddo]

Very nice! Instead of making the cabinet doors from wood you could also make a fabric curtain that you can slide to cover your things if you'd like 😊

[@davesullivan8073]

This is absolutely one of BEST van build videos I ever seen. No bullshit about these are my hair care products this is where my toothpaste is this is where we pee , Lala blah blah everything in your van is very practical and it’s not the big time Mr. craftsman cabinetry expensive build stuff that a lot of these people do, and everything you have is for a purpose. one suggestion I have for you, how about thinking about using fabric To cover your cubby holes just a couple of pieces of string on the top and bottom with like little curtains very light weight it would make your van look a lot cleaner on the inside too plus hardly any money. Just go to the thrift store to where they have curtains and blankets and other little fabrics heck you could use denim material I’m sure you get the picture. anyway you did a great job and you should be commended.

[@maureenmackey4879]

Very nice. Just enough for what you need. I’m looking into buying a Ford transit connect myself. Job well done

[@janeschiller7299]

Brilliant!! ... the woodwork, the convertability, the name, the stealth-factor of the climb-through-front-seats... love ya work, Lefie😀 From Australia

[@lisamorand9607]

Great build. Good idea with bins and no DOORS they would be in the way. You could put a pretty or basic curtain in front of the storage bins.

[@zitgritski8552]

Grizzled old long haul trucker...great build. My wife and I just discovered your videos. We are in the process of leaving the lunacy that is Portland, Oregon. We hope that where we land, you are our neighbor. Thank you for your videos. You are a beautiful person. P.S., your short hair style really fits you.

[@shakesbits5220]

Finally someone else with the bed behind the passenger seat. I will have to stay in cities fairly often due to work and it feels a little bit safer closer to the sidewalk and with my head to the front rather than the back.

[@blommaontour]

I love your van. Good sized car. I love all your videos - informative, interessting and at the same time often make me laugh. I hope you keep enjoying creating videos but most important: stay yourself.

[@Lefie]

Thanks, Melanie 😁

[@shontaefranklin5610]

Nice build. I am 6'3 and don't know if I could fit a bed in the back long enough for me. But would love a connect for the gas mileage, I don't need a lot, that is why I truly lo b e your build.

[@peaceformula5830]

Awesome. Love the idea of seat covers, essential for when you buy a van from ten years ago :) Good luck to you thanks for making this video.

[@gailhitson6722]

Well narrated! Thanks for sharing your build with us on KZbin!

[@PhiloftheMetaverse]

Nice video Lefie! Might I suggest for your next video a topic on your CPGs/stuff you use to clean/tidy up? I love how your spaces are so immaculate!

[@Lefie]

Thanks for the suggestion, Phil! That's an intriguing idea...

[@PhiloftheMetaverse]

@@Lefie I personally use whatever is cheapest at Whole Foods or whatever Seventh Generation has. Always unscented or citrus 🍊 😆

[@gabejohnson97]

The van looks really nice! I've been looking at transits as a potential base for my first build so I'll definitely be looking more into your videos. Also, your voice and tone are so soothing and genuine. Love it!

[@AnsaIthalSaysHi]

Thank you for your videos. I was reintroduced to you after watching Matt D'Avella's video on wearing the same shirt. You popped up on my recommended and how glad was I to see your videos again! I had forgotten about them (woops). Even with minimalism, I've had the pressure of getting the perfect thing with the perfect fit to me or the environment. This lead me to never making a proper decision about anything. You've changed that perception.

[@rufusbr]

This is the finest small van interior I have ever ever seen!!

[@adeadgirl13]

I have a question. Why didn't you put in a fire place?

[@rebeccascheetz8843]

🙅🏼‍♀️🔥

[@missyblissy90]

Total missed opportunity

[@DeliberateNRandom]

The person who's deathly afraid of fire? I've thought about making an ammo can wood stove. I can get many sizes.

[@Stumpybear7640]

The van looks great, Lefie. And I'm with you on the fire thing. Hope you and Lump have many enjoyable days x

[@smartypants1980]

"Remember the Mandatory Fire Extinguisher" is my favorite part of the video, but all is awesome. I like the Peaches song a lot from that band.

[@AmmaLittleOwl]

Thanks for the van vid, Lefie. Glad to see those safety features! I'm working (slooooowwwwwlyyy) on converting an Odyssey. Also planning for open shelves but with curtain panels threaded on bungees like you have in your bin area - top and bottom for maximum security and coverage. Happy trails!

[@Lefie]

Best of luck with it, AmmaLittleOwl! 😁

[@ColinAdventures]

I love the shelves with no cabinet doors! It’s much lighter and simpler. If I didn’t have a piano I would have gone with a van that size.

[@tanndigedan2261]

Welcome Lump! You are awesome 😁, fab van build Lefie. Everything you need xxx

[@MrRobbie545]

What a Solid Build! (in some parts) I would beef up that table as to prevent a Coleman stove from crashing on down and then you will have 🔥 Wonderful and Tidy Build and simplistic. 👴

[@ParadoxdesignsOrg]

pretty slick build! I'm just starting a conversion on a 2010 connect and wow, its crazy how much stuff you have to learn!

[@Claggy53]

Cool set up. You could try rubber on the base of your bins instead of felt. Another option (if you have clearance) is to screw on some lockable wheels at on end of the bins. Awesome, I can see it will evolve over time to fit your needs. Great job 👍

[@thewinterizzy]

I love the emoji edits, had me laughing. 🤣 However long it took to include those portions it was worth the effort for at least one viewer ahahaha. I hope you and Lump have wonderful safe travels!!!

[@Lefie]

OH, GOOD! I was cackling maniacally to myself while editing it all together, so I'm happy to hear I'm not the only one... 😋 Thanks, thewinterizzy!

[@ЮлияЧекменева-л3л]

@@Lefie 😍😍😍

[@h.a.barker412]

LUMP!! Loved that song...😁 Nice build!

[@bradmiller9993]

Nice. I like the interior woodwork....well done. The exterior side table? Maybe not so much. Van looks very sensible and clean. Thanks.

[@crippyandkaatje]

Love this conversion, and your presentation! I learned a lot. I'll check out the other videos and would like to know more about the build. Specifics, tips and tricks. Just today I decided on the Ford Transit Connect since it's a smaller van, a full-size Sprinter is too big and too expensive. I just Googled Ford Connect conversions and yours was the first video I came across. Thanks for the advice and inspiration, and I love the theme, woodwork and your pragmatic approach!

[@FiNe_SiTe]

Love it & love your channel. You're personable & obviously intelligent.

[@strangebirdsir]

Great to see you’re doing well! I love Best Made CO’s stuff! Great addition to an already lovely van. Safe Travels!

[@yesilbursa]

For me, this is the way. Simple and open concept brings so much more flexibility instead of shoving a huge bed and using the underneath as storage.

[@heathermacpherson8489]

I too have a Transit Connect (2010, white ) and I too have built it to camp in. I call mine the DX9. I too have seat covers. Mine have Storm Troopers on them. The DX9 is the type of ship the Empire uses for stormtrooper transport. I have a sticker on the back of a Stormtrooper, it reads "Move Along" I too wear all the same black things all the time. I too have a small (325 square foot ) apartment. I too love the band The Presidents of The United States of America.

[@andreageller4804]

Hey Lefie! thanks for the great tour, great van!!! Can you post a layout with measurements of your van? Thanks, Andrea

[@thisoldbelair]

What an awesome build. Great job, i hope you have a great time with it!

[@SouthysFishing]

I'm going to test drive a 2008 model ford connect on saturday, hoping to pick her up if all is good and will be looking to do something similar, although I have no experience with power tools so it will be a lot of youtube! Lovely van :)

[@dickflinghammer58]

I have the 2012 and your right about the top shelf. I'm 5 11 155 and its easy to get between the seats to the back now. I'm somewhat of a contortionist so I may be able to hack it I'll put up a piece and try it before I build one.

[@interestingfamilyorigin3574]

Only just come across your KZbin channel great video love what you done with your transit connect campervan conversion you done a great job with it I will be watching more of your videos and subscribing to your KZbin channel I'm looking to do a project van ie campervan conversion I do woodwork and metal work any way again loved your video stay safe and well too all the good decent people in the current epidemic and always . Keep up the good work making and sharing your videos

[@jimkrug2586]

Simple build that has everything you need. Well done.

[@goodolfashion]

lovely build and I love your narration style :) Thanks for the inspiration!

[@mikeclare5907]

Enjoyed your video of the build. It is a very sharp and clean project, will be looking closer in time to see what i may incorportate into my build being done in next couple of months on a nissan nv200. Regards Mike County Durham UK

[@whaterfoo]

Great build. Simple and clean. I'm curious about the reliability of that vehicle as the transit connect of that year intrigue me. I like your bed, I like that you have space, thinking about doing this for me and my dog. I'd remove the passenger seat completely I think. Make a bin for clothes and platform for pooch in place of it.

[@Lefie]

Hey, Josh! I actually first got the idea to build out this type of vehicle from another guy named Josh, and one of his builds has a dog platform! I'll link that video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5OxlIV5rtyFask&ab_channel=JoshOakes

[@leyah18]

I love the bed it's so cute!!!!

[@Lefie]

Thanks, Ley!

[@edenbreckhouse]

Lovely simple conversion and a well presented and narrated video.

[@MrJaspermyboy]

Well done! This one of those vans that I imagine myself building and using for camping. There are videos ( and there are hundreds of them and growing) that as soon as they try to show the inside just gives me some anxiety: too much stuff and clutter and unsafe to say the least.

[@pawemaz9237]

This Van is awesome. Greetings from Poland Lefie!

[@Lefie]

Whoa, Poland?! Thanks, Pawel! 😊

[@tuanoini]

The woodwork looks so good 👌 Greetings from Finland! 😄

[@faeriesmak]

Nice! I am afraid of fire too. Well, actually I have PTSD from the time someone arsoned our neighbor’s business. He had a large, old, hay filled barn that was 60 feet from our house and some other outbuildings. We ran from a wall of fire blowing towards our house in the middle of the night. We lost all of our outbuildings and almost our house...plus that barn reignited a few times in the weeks after the fire and we had to call the FD to put it out AGAIN. Fire is no joke.

[@joyfaithlove]

Been looking at getting a ford transit connect/citroen berlingo of sorts, this is simple and doable, yet amazing at the same time, Lefie!

[@mendozaconsultation]

Very nice. You can use Cargo Netting for the cabinets face. It would hold things in and keep it light weight.

[@forgivenandredeemed9460]

Love it!!! Couldnt wait to see the final project!! You did a fantastic job!!!

[@susanwillis1143]

Beautiful van. Great job!

[@melissastack5983]

Great Job! Clean lines, great organized storage and tidy! I love it!

[@nicaldridge5132]

Love this video. Beautifully simple and elegant build, adore your humour and what a perfectly brilliant name for your van!! 😊💜 (A shout out from across the pond in Wales)!!

[@nonbinarygoblinonarainbow4672]

That's just adorable, would definitely like more videos about it!

[@GreenlifeFin]

I like the practicality in this!

[@amma7244]

Gorgeous build! Throw a few grandpa Gus packs under the hood to stay squirrel free! Yeah....there’s a story there....

[@cleokey]

Very practical, should work well. Can front seats swivel facing back?

[@MONK-7]

I love your van. Love from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@Jeffreythedrumdealer]

I love this video and your sense of humor!

[@Ens0blu3s]

Just an FYI but you should mount the carbon monoxide detector *low* to the floor, rather than high up on the wall. Love the build!

[@TXGranny2]

Nice job Lefie! Looks like you got everything you need 👍

[@sloburnnn]

Sweet van build. Clean and looks very professional.

[@billhuntillustration3404]

Great job! Rather that putting doors on your cabinets you could put up curtains. They are light, washable and would add some color.

[@RicardoRoams]

This build is brilliant! Great use of a small space.

[@vanlife_dreamer]

Nice build. What brand are your seat covers?

[@davidrivera778]

This best I have seen love how is organize kitchen storage awesome is not that bulky.

[@raysboatingandadventure1277]

Very nice and functional build. Good job!

[@leyah18]

The long wait is over 💕

[@jessielewis6980]

Holy moly that is the cutest freakin first aid kit I've ever seen. Well worth losing a table over. 😎 Your build turned out so good! I just finished installing the ~simplest~ of builds in my little Kia Soul and it took EONS, so I can only imagine the amount of effort you put into this!

[@patyeaman]

Good job! For someone with no building skill (me) this is quite impressive.

[@misdangered4326]

A lovely unpretentious van video! What a breath of fresh air from all the other auto-felating van videos that get recommended by KZbin... 🙄

[@jjoseph_86]

I couldn't help but wounder where is the Norwegian adornment? Hope that would be next!

[@Lefie]

Ah, I didn't add any yet! I was considering painting some rosemaling on the flat area where the American flag is currently, but haven't committed...

[@jjoseph_86]

@@Lefie Baby steps, Lump still young and she'll get prettier with time! ;)