Campervan Conversion Product Recommendations • Engineers who Van Life

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DIY Van Building and Van Life Product Recommendations

After 2 DIY campervan conversions, we have experienced lots of different brands, tools, and products. This page is a collection of things we have tried, and recommend for your building, and van life journey. We hope it helps!

Disclaimer: Some of these contain affiliate links that provide a small kickback to us at no additional cost to you and we appreciate your support!

For DIY Van Building

Water System

Fresh Water Tanks (over the wheel well) : NW Conversions
Water Filters: Blu Technology
Water Pump: USA Adventure Gear
Piping: PEX (we use A fittings)
Fittings: Brass (Home Depot)

Electrical System

Lithium Ion Batteries: Victron or Battleborn
Solar Panels: Renogy
Inverters and Charge Controllers: Victron Energy
Distribution Panels, Fuses, Breakers: Blue Sea Systems
Wire: Copper Stranded and Marine Grade (battery cables, duplex, triplex) We generally like Ancor and TEMCo.

Insulation

Havelock Wool (we like this for cavities)
3M Thinsulate (we like this for the walls and ceiling as its easier to stay up)
Lizard Skin (we used this for sound deadening and ceramic insulation)
Van Made Gear Insulated Window Covers

80/20 Van Building

Bed, Roof Rails, Large Galleys –> 15 Series smooth
Upper Cabinets, Small Modules –> 10 series smooth

Water Filtration

Point of Use: Acuva UV LED 2.0 Water Purifier
Inline Water Filtration: Blu Tech 3 Stage Fixed Water Filtration
Off Grid Water Pump/Filtration System: Blu Tech ARX+

Exterior

Side Mounted Ladder – High Roof Transit
Flarespace flares for “bump-outs”
Ford Transit Nudge Bar
Safari Roof Rack for EXT Ford Transit
Quigley Q Lift

Interior

Bug Screens (read: DIY vs Professional Bug Screens)
Overhead Shelf: Vancillary (EWVL for 10% off)
Non-stick gel pads (for holding things on counter): Amazon
Wall Fabric: Nassimi Fabric + PAD5 foam
Swivel Seats: (read Alpine Mechanisms or Scopema)

Tools

Craftsman Hex Key Set (allen wrenches)
DeWALT Socket Wrench Set
TEMCo Hydraulic Crimper
Astro Pneumatic Tool (Plusnut tool)
DeWALT Nibbler Metal Sheers (finer, more controlled metal cutting than a jigsaw)
Milwaukee Propex Expansion Tool (if using PEX A expansion fittings)

For Van Life

Toilets

$ DIY –> JohnnyCompost on Etsy

$$ Compo Closet Cuddy

$$$ Nature’s Head

Internet

Ultimate Road Warrior 2 Bundle
Starlink (sometimes, read review)

Discounts for YOU!

5% off MobileMustHave.com (internet + off grid water filtration) (code: engineerswhovanlife)

$50 off Battleborn Batteries (code: Engineers)

10% Bug Screens The Bug Wall (code: EWVL)

5% off 8020.net (clicking through this link applies discount to your cart)

$10 off Coava Coffee Roasters (code: ENGINEERS10)

5% off The Swivel Shop (code: EWVL5)

5% off Vancillary Overhead Shelf (code: EWVL)

Our second DIY camper van conversion is FOR SALE! Check it out here. Next up? Transit Trail buildout!

Thanks for being here, C+E

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