seeking help in Vancouver/Nanaimo, bc

[kavie love]

Hello,

I am wondering if there is anyone here living in BC that could possibly help me set up my van. I have a 97 Astrovan but am unable to camperize it myself. I would really appreciate it and be willing to pay for your help. Thanks. I am at [email protected]

Kavie

 

[Rugster]

Hi and welcome to the site. What are you wanting to build for your van? There are a million ways to outfit a van, some very very involved and some can be done in an hour or two for very little money.

I love seeing the amazing, highly custom builds but the extremely simpler and functional builds are really cool, too.

There is a blog by someone who was a regular here and he completed a van conversion that covered the basics that you would need to live in your van for $320. I love this post as it shows how quickly someone can be self sufficient in a van. Here is the link:

http://www.vanlifecrisis.com/2015/09/the-320-1-hour-van-conversion.html

Again, not sure what type of build you are wanting but hopefully someone here can help or you can find what you need locally

 

[VanDwellerMod]

Welcome to the CRVL forums kavie love! It sounds like it might be a good opportunity for someone to make a few bucks by helping you build out your van.

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started.

We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[ahh_me2]

Welcome to a fellow Canadian!

I'm in Alberta myself, so can't really extend an offer to help...

I wish you the best in finding someone to help you get started on a van conversion.

Perhaps advertising for a local handyman, while they may not be pros, they tend to want to impress, you might find one that
will do all that you need for fairly cheap!

 

[WriterMs]

There is a blog by someone who was a regular here and he completed a van conversion that covered the basics that you would need to live in your van for $320. I love this post as it shows how quickly someone can be self sufficient in a van. Here is the link:

http://www.vanlifecrisis.com/2015/09/the-320-1-hour-van-conversion.html

I had not seen Martin's blog, but I encourage you, Kavie, to follow the link Rugster provided. He's got some great fish-eye-lens photos that let you see just how easy "can" be. A simple start that can easily be added to later. I don't want to hijack this thread but I have to say I'm going to do a comment on one of Martin's last few posts about the 10 items I'd take if I knew I'd need to survive in the wild without even a van. It's a great "exercise" for everyone to think about.

That being said about a simple interior with the essentials, since you live in BC you may need really good insulation if you are going to be there in the winter??

Keep us posted on how it goes for you!

 

[eDJ_]

What I would suggest is getting your interior dimensions and a sketch pad together first.   Then look around on the internet at Astro Van's that have already been converted to see what appeals to you from those images.

You can find carpenters & carpet layers easily enough.  You may even find custom Van conversion shops in the
yellow pages of the phone directory.  Or,  Van Clubs locally or check out Yahoo Groups or Google Groups for Van Clubs in your general area and join (as you have here)  and ask some questions and see what it turns up. 

If you can sketch out your ideas to where you have a general idea first,  then you can talk with a carpenter and get a much better idea of what can be done that will be safe and solid and then get a realistic bid to undertake the job.  It would be wise to speak with an electrician too concerning the wiring for any power needs for 12 volts dc or 110 volts ac. 

The carpenter could probably do carpeting for you if it isn't too elaborate.  Otherwise you may need to visit an upholstery shop.  Again, if you can find a moonlighting carpenter, or upholster it will be less expensive. 

You may want to start simple and take a year to day trip and gain some experience.  It will help you to better
understand your basic needs and map out your "nice to have's" for a finished Van.

Below are a couple of links to websites I've created to help beginners.  You are welcome to look at them and see if you can get ideas that will help you.  The lower link is like a "Swiss army knife" of useful info for when you go on the road or even before to plan an excursion.

 

[Txjaybird]

Hi and welcome to the site. What are you wanting to build for your van? There are a million ways to outfit a van, some very very involved and some can be done in an hour or two for very little money.

I love seeing the amazing, highly custom builds but the extremely simpler and functional builds are really cool, too.

There is a blog by someone who was a regular here and he completed a van conversion that covered the basics that you would need to live in your van for $320. I love this post as it shows how quickly someone can be self sufficient in a van. Here is the link:

http://www.vanlifecrisis.com/2015/09/the-320-1-hour-van-conversion.html

Again, not sure what type of build you are wanting but hopefully someone here can help or you can find what you need locally

Greetings,   Thank you for this link, I remember running across his van build, somehow and somewhere.  AS I tend to over think sometimes this was a good reality check.
                                                                                 Texas Jbird

 

[One Awesome Inch]

Have you considered hiring a carpenter off craigslist?

 

[bcbullet]

I don't know if you are stuck on doing your Astro or not, but I have an interesting Dodge extended van you might be interested in. Near Kamloops BC.
-1997, B2500 extended van
-factory propane fuelled
-about 160000 KMs
-200 watts Renogy solar
-2X group 31 marine DC battery
-1000 watt pure sine inverter
-12V Dometic fridge/freezer
-12V water pump
-Birch cabinetry
-crosswise or lengthwise bed option
-partition curtains
-LED lighting
-FRP walls and ceiling
-fully insulated
-vinyl plank flooring
-roof top platform
-15 gallon rooftop pressurized black PVC solar gain shower system
-built in toilet/toiletry cabinet with very nice bucket style toilet...not a bucket, much nicer.
Made it for a two week trip last year and a bunch of weekends and then built a bigger cube van.
Would let it go cheap under the right circumstances....would rather someone here get it than put out for the general public. PM if you want more info.