Hi Everybody!!

[danny819]

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Hello everybody, Im Dan and I have been lurking for a little while and thought I would say HI and tell a little about myself. I have always thought about vandwelling and am thrilled that there are others like me, feels better to know im not the only one when ppl tell me I am crazy for wanting to do it.<br><br>Most of my life I have lived to work instead of working to live. I am a contractor and started out with a small painting company, after a while&nbsp;I started doing remodeling as well, after even longer&nbsp;I started managing propertys and pretty much work 70+ hours a week and I am just completely sick of it. I have been thinking about building out a van for quite a while and decided it was time to stop thinking and start doing. I started my company in 99 and when the trusty work van I had needed to be upgraded I kept her for sentimental reasons, parked it and forgot about it. It is a 97 dodge ram 2500 cargo van, no windows at all, just windshield and driver/pass doors.<br><br>&nbsp;Last week I took a look and she is still in great shape after 4 years untouched,&nbsp;so I put air in the tires and put a new battery in and she fired right up. Has just under 100k on&nbsp;her, I took her to a shop yesterday and had the mechanic look her over, said the frame is fine, had him replace the complete exhaust, ball joints and she passed inspection today no problem. I will be having a full tune up, fluid change and probably a new alternator and fuel pump done as those things will stop a vehicle dead and&nbsp;I believe they are original as I got her when she was 2 years old.<br><br>I have things to deal with like contracts and employees and running a business but I will work that stuff out over the summer as&nbsp;I start to build this van. I wanted to introduce myself as I have been lurking so long.<br>

 

[Guest]

Hi Dan, A big welcome to you from Southern New Mexico. Sounds like a great start platform and you certainly have the skills to do it...have fun and good luck!<br>Bri<br><br>

 

[Simran]

Danny,<br>Welcome, I hope you find a bit of independence inside that old van you've got. I don't know if you found the cheapgreenrvliving.com yet but it is a sister site to this one. Bob has some excelent writings on that site. I mention it because I was here for awhile before I found a reference to it.<br><br>Good luck with the project; this is a great resource,<br><br>gus<br><br>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<P>Welcome Danny, go to the build thread. There are a couple of real good ones. Add yours as you do it. As&nbsp;Cyndi says, if theres no pictures, it didn't happen.</P><P><A href="https://vanlivingforum.com/?forum=186494" target=_blank>https://vanlivingforum.com/?forum=186494</A>&nbsp;<BR><B><FONT color=#00ffff>Dragonfly</FONT></B><BR></P>

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;"><font size="4" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Welcome, Danny!!&nbsp; <img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif"></font></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><font size="4" face="Arial"></font>&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;"><font size="4" face="Arial">Bob</font></p>

 

[yesican]

<p>Welcome to the site Danny.&nbsp; Keep us updated with pics as you remake your van.&nbsp;Rae</p>

 

[owl]

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp; Welcome Dan, some great folks here. Keep us posted on your progress.</P>

 

[Les H]

Hi Danny, welcome to the forum.

 

[danny819]

<P>Thanks for the warm welcome. I wanted to add that I am in Providence R.I. so if anyone is going to be passing thru and would like a place to do any upgrades or remodeling&nbsp;I would be happy to offer a hand, as well as tools and electric. I also have about 15 safe places to park on propertys I manage. I will be sure to document my progress as I do my build.</P>

 

[cascade73]

I look forward to the conversion/remodel.&nbsp; Welcome Danny819!<br>

 

[cargovanconversion]

<p>danny819:</p><p>Welcome and good luck with your plans. In the meantime you may want to look at <a href="http://cargovanconversion.com" target="_blank">cargovanconversion.com</a> I just started to convert a Dodge B-250.</p><p>Van.</p>

 

[danny819]

cargovanconversion:<br>I checked out your page and I have to tell you that is outstanding craftmanship. I doubt I will be that detail oriented, that is impressive.<br>

 

[akrvbob]

Sounds like you are off to a great start! I am a big fan of Dodge vans. Especially with the 318 V8. That is a legendary engine. keep it fairly light and you should get close to an honest 20 mpg. Keep us posted as you do your conversion and start your travels. Bob<br>

 

[Ryan24]

I wish I had your skills! I am eager to see what kind of rig you whip up. Pictures please!

 

[judycmomx6]

Welcome Danny, glad you found us. I'm sure this site will help you, in your build and your goals. These are a really great bunch of people who will be glad to help you in any way they can. Good luck!