Thoughts on this van?

[Reno]

Nothing wrong with a conversion van: I got mine 3.5 years ago, hit the road, and have been well served by it. Left the seats in it; they come in very handy for putting stuff on or under, or for sitting in(!).

The carpeting keeps my bare feet from getting cold, the interior lights are a benefit, the walls and woodwork are nicer to look at than bare metal, and the high top allows me to stand up.

The backseat is permanently folded down into a bed and is very comfortable with the addition of a crib mattress from Walmart.

Pretty much a turnkey operation.

If you have the time, the money, tools and materials, and skill to "roll your own", however, buy an empty cargo van with no windows and have a ball

 

[Cheli]

Nothing wrong with a conversion van: I got mine 3.5 years ago, hit the road, and have been well served by it. Left the seats in it; they come in very handy for putting stuff on or under, or for sitting in(!).  

The carpeting keeps my bare feet from getting cold, the interior lights are a benefit, the walls and woodwork are nicer to look at than bare metal, and the high top allows me to stand up.

The backseat is permanently folded down into a bed and is very comfortable with the addition of a crib mattress from Walmart.

Pretty much a turnkey operation.

If you have the time, the money, tools and materials, and skill to "roll your own", however, buy an empty cargo van with no windows and have a ball

Do you live in your van full time?  You don't find the back seats take up too much valuable space for van living?

 

[Reno]

Do you live in your van full time?  You don't find the back seats take up too much valuable space for van living?

Yes, full time. Never thought to myself, "Gosh, I wish those seats weren't here." But my needs are simple: Sit, stand, and lie down.

 

[steamjam1]

Nothing wrong with a conversion van: I got mine 3.5 years ago, hit the road, and have been well served by it. Left the seats in it; they come in very handy for putting stuff on or under, or for sitting in(!).  

The carpeting keeps my bare feet from getting cold, the interior lights are a benefit, the walls and woodwork are nicer to look at than bare metal, and the high top allows me to stand up.

The backseat is permanently folded down into a bed and is very comfortable with the addition of a crib mattress from Walmart.

Pretty much a turnkey operation.

If you have the time, the money, tools and materials, and skill to "roll your own", however, buy an empty cargo van with no windows and have a ball

That is true. Conversion vans need minimal work to get them ready for dwellin. They are already insulated, carpeted, usually equipped with a fold out bed in the back, and usually has a hightop of some kind. I started out with a passenger van and I had to build the interior from scratch. A conversion van would have just been a matter of removing the middle seats, adding some stacking plastic bins, throw me stuff in, and drive off. You're right in that way. It's a turn key operation.

 

[Lalyly]

In my area 1998-1999 conversion vans sell for around 5k. So that price is way off. I found some with around 80k miles for 4,5k and in good condition, one owner.
I would consider a conversion van, also because they are more homey. It might sound silly, but the interior of a car doesn't seem so inviting to live in for longer periods of time. I've test drove a '95 Dodge 1500 and a '05 Chevy Astro and I liked the inside of the first one (a high top conversion) even if it was older looking and not in a great shape. But I can almost stand in it and I could find good use of the space, I guess. On the other hand, I don't plan on fulltiming, yet. And also I consider spending some nights in Walmart parking lots, but not stealth parking on city streets.