

These guys will convert pretty much any van you can think of, including Mercedes Sprinters and Ford Transits. While a Ford Transit isn’t as boxy as a Ram ProMaster, it’s relatively square shape makes it ideal for a DIY conversion kit.įord Transit Conversion Kits for a DIY Build 1) California Custom Vans Photo: California Custom VansĬalifornia Custom Vans is located in Oceanside, California and specializes in producing fully customized camper van conversions. That means you’ll have no problems standing up inside your camper van if you’re on the taller side. A high-roof Ford Transit has the most interior headroom of any large panel van. Also, a Ford Transit offers a smooth and quiet ride. Talk to any Ford Transit van owner and they’ll tell you how well the van handles. Plus, parts are affordable and readily available. In the event that something goes wrong with your van, you can be safe in the knowledge that a Ford Transit can be worked on by just about any mechanic. Furthermore, a used Ford Transit could be a really affordable way to break into van life. There’s no doubt about it: a Ford Transit will set you back thousands of dollars less than a Sprinter van. Let’s take a look at why the Ford Transit could be a great choice for a DIY conversion: This means van dwellers who want the ultimate off-grid adventure machine have an option other than the pricey 4×4 Sprinter van. In 2020, the playing field was officially leveled when Ford released an AWD Transit van. Many folks have chosen to abandon their Sprinter dreams in favor of a van that’s way more affordable, easier to convert, and extremely reliable. More recently, the Ford Transit has become a major player in the van life community. iges, etc.).The Ford Transit cargo van was introduced to the North American market in 2015 and it didn’t take long to become super popular. GrabCad: Very extensive library of 3D models of various formats (solidworks, Fusion 360, Catia.


Probably the most extensive and useful for anything van related. 3D Warehouse: Sketchup’s library (only compatible with Sketchup).Here is a quick list of 3D models libraries: Thanks to the growing community of 3D designers, it’s possible to re-use existing models and save some time. It’s getting quite popular with the 3D printing community, because of the free licence for hobbyist (that might change in the future though). Autodesk Fusion 360: A bit more advanced, but still accessible.Large library of models shared by the community. Sketchup: Free and relatively easy to learn.Here is a short list of affordable 3D CAD design softwares for hobbyist: There is a steep learning curve of learning 3D design, but it can be fun and useful (especially with 3D printing getting more and more accessible, it’s now possible to print functional part for real world usage).
