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Richards Outstanding Van Conversion: Part 1
Installing the Solar Power System at Summer RTR.
This post is just an overview of the van and giving you the sales information. In my next post we will look at the details of how he converted the van. He documented it unusually well, so I think it will be especially helpful.
Looking in from the side door. Everything is very well done!
The porta-potty is hidden from sight and easy to get to and use.
His bed is across the back door. You can see the sink (with it’s 12 volt water pump), one of the ARB refrigerators and stove. All are included in the sale price.
The other ARB refrigerator. Most people won’t want two, so you can easily sell one of them and get some of your money back!
The Van Repairs and Maintenance
Dodge Ram 3500 1 ton extended camper van 5.9 liter, automatic,136,000 miles. I’ve lived in this home on wheels for the past 2 months while touring the US almost 13,000 miles. It has been very dependable. I was planning to live in it for up to 5 years so was getting it comfortable and invested over $20,000 for the build, tools any repairs and appliances. However, my plans have changed and i will be moving back to Thailand much sooner than expected. All appliances, stove, sink, fridge/freezers, heater, tools and solar system are all new purchased since June 2013 and I have all receipts.
If you’ve never been in a extended van, the amount of extra room they give you is amazing!! I wouldn’t buy a van without it.
Thank you again Bob for all your help. It was an honor to have met you at the summer RTR and I know that had I stayed in America you and I would have had some really fun and interesting travels together.
Cheers,
Richard
- I bought the van in Texas for $3500 and put another $2,000 into having a new air conditioner and new switch installed which operated the horn and cruise control. I think it was called a clock spring switch as well as a few other minor things. Total at Purchase $5500.
- Change the oil and filter every 3,000 miles.
- I replaced the front ball joints packed the wheel bearings and front wheel alignment ($708)
- I had the PCM (powertrain control module computer) replaced ($674)
- Replaced front brakes $140,
- Replaced both front and rear shocks ($172)
- New tires installed July 12th this year ($717.59)
- An extra large bottle jack and jack stands ($143).
Richard heavily insulated the van. First he put Tyvek against the metal wall, then bubble wrap, then Reflectix, then 1 inch of Styrofoam. All the interior walls are covered with a heavy plastic wall covering called NRP (Sometimes FRP) Waterproof Wall Covering. It will stay very comfortable in heat or cold.Outside the Van
- I sanded primed and painted any small rust spots.
- Installed the roof rack ($454)
- Installed the vent fan.
He built a wall in the back of the van creating a sort-of outdoor shed. At first I didn’t like the idea, but then I realized he carried his propane tank in there and it allowed him to use the entire vertical area I fell in love with it. Because it is an extended van, there is as much interior space as most peoples vans so you don’t miss this area.
He can carry a lot of stuff in here and it can’t go flying!
Inside the Van
- 2-Burner propane Stove
- Under the sink is a 9 gallon water storage tank and a gray water tank. The sink was only $26 and the pump with water faucet was $90 and the water tank was $93.68.That totalled $209
- ARB Fridge/Freezers 37 quart for $710 and a 63 quart for $914 the two together along with the 12 volt sockets, wire, Circuit Fuse box, 100 amp breaker, and misc. wire connectors came to $2,022.97.
- The bed has a 100% Natural Latex Topper 3″ Firm Twin mattress on it as I like the ones that are anti mold, anti bugs and breath real good. That was $339.00.
- The porta potty was a little over $100
- I also have a new Mr Buddy Heater that is still in the box not used yet. $90
Richard installing the two Kyocera 315 watt solar panels.
Solar Power System
This is the single best solar power systems I have every seen. Every component was chosen because it was the best and and installation was outstanding. Total cost on it alone totalled over $4000. I know that for a fact because I was there when he paid for it.
- Mounted 630 watts of solar panels on the roof rack (2 Kyocera 315 watt panels)
- My charge controller is a Tri-Star MPPT 60 amp.
- Four 6 volt, 220 amp hour deep cycle Crown batteries (total 440 amp hours)
- Monitor for Tri-Star
- 2000 Watt Pure Sine Wave inverter
- 300 Watt Pure Sine Wave inverter
- Built a ventilated box for the batteries.
The electrical center behind the drivers seat. All top-quality components.
Wow! Think he’d take a (bad) check? *sigh*
laVonne, probably NOT if you tell it is bad first!
Bob
Aww, sorry to see you leave the tribe, but I’m glad you get to see your wife. Nice job on your rig, we’d totally buy it if we didn’t already have our van. Good luck and safe travels, Richard!
Wow,
That is an amazing van and who ever invests in that will be set up for a long time.
Unfortunately it will not be me this time.:)
Yeah, it is out of my price range too!
Bob
I can confirm that extended vans are great for space. In my brief (and not-so-successful) venture into vandwelling that’s what I had; if/when I do it again I will look for another one.
Richard, just wondering – What year is your van? I didn’t see it in the post.. Oh and one more thing – I’m glad you got to see some of our country, have a safe trip home to Thailand.
Oh, Dude! Underpriced! It’s really too bad you’re in such a time crunch, but understandable. I do hope you find a home for it.
Richard,
Cheap to ship it to Thailand. That might options worth look into.
139,000 miles and no report on the engine condition? no compression test? no oil chemical analysis? no records of coolent fluids, last time the water pump changed? good job on shocks replacement!! good on tires and brakes!! muffler? timing belt chain inspection? any recalls or alerts on this brand-model? Chevy is great (cheaper than ford).
i suggust all this information as i might have missed it, and want this van to sell faster. can not buy it myself, but looks like a good deal.
If my lottery ticket hits, you’ll get a call. Otherwise I can only envy whoever gets the van. Richard, you did a great job. I wish you all the best on your return to Thailand.
also thinking do an oil pressure check, compared to factory original. and pull a carfax on it. maybe some recommended 20 point inspection ( use whatever the local dealers brag about for inspection lists ). since this looks like a great van, it should be strongly backed up by facts.
your limits on information are time, and inspection costs.
Thank you, Bob for the nice article.
One correction is that I found that I didn’t need the 300 watt sine wave inverter as the 2000 does it all so I returned the 300 watt. So not part of the deal.
Hi LaVonne. Ha ha ha, I prefer no bad checks.
Thank you, Christine.
Happy trails to you too.
Hi Meg, it’s a 2001 Dodge Ram 1 ton
Patrick, customs is brutal on vehicles and solar. And they drive on the other side of the road, and not very good!
Offroads I’ll try to work on that soon to get that. Thanks for your interest.
Looks like a beauty. What kind of mgp are you getting?
Sweet van…..someone will swoop it up. If I had the cash…I would. Good luck to you in the future.
my fav saying… “If I had the cash!”
Lol Swankie I think we have all said that at one time or another.:)
Me too charlene!
Bob
Thank you all for your kind words and compliments.
CAE the best that I’ve ever gotten was 16.6 mph and the worst was 12mpg some of that was city driving but most of it was open highway. She’s got a big engine and whenever I needed the power to pass uphill she never let me down.
that’s 16.6 mpg. It does go much faster than that!
I am really interested in this van. I will be talking to my loan company tomorrow when they open. If I am approved for the loan, what airport shall I fly into?
Hi Whatzernaim,
I’ve been telling people they can fly into either LAX or SF as I’m staying about halfway between them. Your choice.
Call me before you come and I’ll meet you there if I possibly can. 903 573 2982
Cheers,
Richard
Richard,
Has this van been sold? I’m in Morro Bay and it sounds like you’re probably fairly close. I’d like to take a look at it, if possible.
Thanks…. Don
Hi Don,
Sorry, I didn’t see your post until just now. Yes I am close to Morro Bay. Come take a look.
Call me soon, 903 573 2982
Grover Beach is only about 28 miles from Morro Bay
Cheers,
Richard
I have very good news today, a fellow traveler from Washington has purchased the van.
Thank you Bob for all of your positive help and energy.
Cheers,
Richard