Torn between cargo van and conversion van

[macmccune]

Title says it all, basically the more I think about it the more I cant decide.

The conversion vans commonly have a high top, as well as insulation, wiring, and most have a bed already. This would save me a bit of money.
With a cargo van, I am more likely to find one that is extended in my price range. Most will not have a high top, with the exception of the church bus passenger style. With a cargo van, I would have the freedom to build it around my needs. I can build a dedicated bed with a good amount of storage, the beds found in conversion vans are usually complicated with the folding mechanisms and electric motors. I am pretty tall (6'2") so a high top would help, but I am also very thin, and used to small spaces.

I have seen old conversion vans with the fiberglass top bowing and sagging, is this a common problem? I would check this out when inspecting a van, but I would hate to have to lose my extra ceiling height with a bunch of wooden braces.


As far as price goes, they are frequently listed at comparable prices in and around my area.
Like I mentioned I would save a bit of money with the included insulation and things, but I wont be making a purchase until I have enough for everything I need, as well as an emergency fund, so that is not much of a deciding factor.

I dont even know what I expect to accomplish with this thread, I suppose I am looking for any insight from those of you who have experience with either, why you made the choice, and if you were doing it again what would you choose.

Mac

 

[MK7]

At 6'2", your life is going to be miserable living in a non-hightop. And a hightop is not really that high. It's higher than a regular roof, but I still can't stand in it, back starts hurting if I don't sit and I'm 5'8". Electric gadgets are a plus, well mainly the power door locks and windows. While all the other junk, you can just rip them out. The stock bed is definitely out for your height, besides, it wastes so much space. Conversion trimmings are crap and does waste a lot of space, but if you're good with fabricating your own furnishing then ripping a lot of it out shouldn't be that bad.

The structural stiffness is also compromised by chopping the roof. Same goes for cutting the 3 giant holes on the sides to make the conversion van windows I'd imagine. I'm looking into some subframe connectors ($300) to stiffen my van up. Later, maybe some Koni yellow shocks & struts ($600) and maybe some stiff, high performance springs ($500)....that is, if they even make it for big vans.

 

[user 423]

Most conversion vans have only a 'mid' hightop and not the full-height that you would need. The folding beds are pretty uncomfortable. They typically have several huge windows that you would need to add insulation to; otherwise lots of heat goes right through the glass. Compared to ex-commercial cargo vans, many of the conversion vans can be found in better condition and with lower miles. Extended cargo would be the most versatile. Set it up as you please; have plenty of room. A high top if you can find one.

 

[macmccune]

Eh I plan to do most of my standing outside the van either way, honestly most of my time spend indoors is sitting down. It is difficult to find a large hi top without a ton of windows, short of an ice cream truck. I guess I could look into box trucks like uhauls. I have seen some pretty nice conversions with those. The problem with those, or even a step van, the damn tires weigh more than I do in the event I get a flat. I understand how to do most repairs, I just am not physically capable. Plus I have driven a uhaul, so much more stressful to drive than a van when people dont give you proper space (small country roads etc)
With a full size van, I can at least change the tire solo. I guess it would be beneficial to invest in AAA or something if the vehicle is my home.

As far as the bed, I am on an old twin mattress right now and my feet hang off the end. I figure I could try to lay diagonally on the bed included, but I would probably be better off with it custom set up lenthwise.

It all depends on the history of the cargo van, while a commercial van is 'worked', a fleet vehicle will not have the chance that it went 15000 miles without an oil change. (I have seen this, the oil is closer to sludge/tar at that point)

The structural integrity is compromised when the braces are replaced with fiberglass, no doubt about that. The windows are usually placed where it would normally just be sheet metal, so that doesnt make as big of a difference.
It wouldnt make sense to go for the conversion van if the hi top it has doesnt even give me room to stand up. I guess it wouldnt 'feel' so cramped, but it would have much benefit.


Does anyone have experience with the 4.3 chevy v6? I hear the gas mileage isnt any better over the v8 in the full size vans, but still most of the cargo van that are around are v6.

 

[One Awesome Inch]

In my opinion the only thing the conversion van has going for it is the extra bit of head room. Other than that I would much prefer to go the cargo van route. More stealthy and you can build it anyway you want.

One idea I had to save from being hunched over alot is to put hard floors in and either build or buy a small wood box (size of a milk crate or a tad bigger) that can be used as a seat. Put some casters on it then you can roll around from area to another... as long as the floor is clear of debris.

 

[macmccune]

In my opinion the only thing the conversion van has going for it is the extra bit of head room. Other than that I would much prefer to go the cargo van route. More stealthy and you can build it anyway you want.

One idea I had to save from being hunched over alot is to put hard floors in and either build or buy a small wood box (size of a milk crate or a tad bigger) that can be used as a seat. Put some casters on it then you can roll around from area to another... as long as the floor is clear of debris.

I hadnt considered that, thats a great idea. I will have to see how much space is left when Im through, as it might not be worth it.

Cargo is probably my best option, I just need to find one that hasn't been abused. Thats easier said than done, esp in the price range under 5k.

Seems like every craigslist ad claims a bunch of replacement parts and rebuilds, but the asking price doesnt reflect the money put into it..
Maybe Im just afraid of a good deal, maybe my intuition to stay away is correct.

I still dont know what years I will be looking at, obviously newer has better efficiency and safety, but a well maintained early or late 90s van is better than an abused early 2000s. I plan to autocheck the vin of every van I look at, and any discrepancies between the report and what the seller tells me are red flags..
I would just hate to get a van and end up using my emergency money to replace/rebuild a transmission or something.

 

[stude53]

For a wheeled seat, you might look at a padded mechanics creeper. Many variations available, including one with a tool box included at this site:

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/MAS4/MECHANICS-SEAT/?source=igodigital

 

[macmccune]

For a wheeled seat, you might look at a padded mechanics creeper. Many variations available, including one with a tool box included at this site:

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/MAS4/MECHANICS-SEAT/?source=igodigital

Thats the first thing I thought of when I read that. Storage in the rolling seat is a good idea too, though they want 120 dollars for their version.. I bet I can make something comparable for like 30 dollars.

 

[SoulRaven]

Greetings!

My van is basically a church van, 15 passenger, 1982 Dodge Ram, with over 500k miles.

Yes it has all of the windows, it's a glass house, and I LOVE it. I never block them, I enjoy the view, plus I've found that by leaving the windows untinted and uncovered, for some reason it seems to become invisible even when lit up like a Christmas tree inside in the middle of the night.

My guess is the cops figure if you don't care who's watching you, you're not worth hassling, and they HAVE to know I'm living in it too. I hide in plain sight, and even most of the neighbors wherever I'm at know I'm a van dweller, and some even invite me to park on their properties, and to BBQ's etc.

I think you'll enjoy the added space of a church van, and most have been pretty meticulously maintained. I convert them regularly.

Furnishing them can be cheap and easy as well. My normal costs of conversion is $200-$300 all inclusive, and it will be totally set up for off grid living, with a total household running cost of under $25/mo.

And those prices include all systems to make you totally comfortable in most any weather condition, and you will never run out of power either.

To me, it isn't about surviving, it's about thriving and be comfortable. My van is literally my home, and the ones I build are also people's homes, not just to be used as campers.

I can give you as much help as needed with any aspect of your build, including how to do it extremely cheaply.

Cheers!

The CamperVan_Man

 

[macmccune]

Greetings!

My van is basically a church van, 15 passenger, 1982 Dodge Ram, with over 500k miles.

Yes it has all of the windows, it's a glass house, and I LOVE it. I never block them, I enjoy the view, plus I've found that by leaving the windows untinted and uncovered, for some reason it seems to become invisible even when lit up like a Christmas tree inside in the middle of the night.

My guess is the cops figure if you don't care who's watching you, you're not worth hassling, and they HAVE to know I'm living in it too. I hide in plain sight, and even most of the neighbors wherever I'm at know I'm a van dweller, and some even invite me to park on their properties, and to BBQ's etc.

I think you'll enjoy the added space of a church van, and most have been pretty meticulously maintained. I convert them regularly.

Furnishing them can be cheap and easy as well. My normal costs of conversion is $200-$300 all inclusive, and it will be totally set up for off grid living, with a total household running cost of under $25/mo.

And those prices include all systems to make you totally comfortable in most any weather condition, and you will never run out of power either.

To me, it isn't about surviving, it's about thriving and be comfortable. My van is literally my home, and the ones I build are also people's homes, not just to be used as campers.

I can give you as much help as needed with any aspect of your build, including how to do it extremely cheaply.

Cheers!

The CamperVan_Man

The windows would be nice when I am out in the woods camping, but I know I would cover them if I near people. If I didnt mind people knowing I was in there, id consider a class c rv. Crazy low miles on some of them for cheap.
I might go for a passenger van like yours, but only if the price is right & I know it was maintained.
Is your van the 318 or the 360?

 

[decodancer]

Welcome. I just found this forum recently and have gotten so much help already. My 6 cyl Ford actually was an ice cream truck before I got it. They must not drive too much because it had only 60,000 mile on it. I paid $1500. I'm only 5'2 but can't imagine not having a high top. The extra storage is the best part. My mattress is 32"x80" and runs down the side so it would be great for a tall guy. I got it from a site on ebay, they sell mostly for semi trucks. I can't remember what I paid but I think around $125 and it's comfortable. The pics are of the van the day I got it and as I've started my conversion. The paint job I did with spray cans. Got the decals from e-bay too but I think I'm going to replace them with paint as they look shitty up close. You can still see ice cream truck on the roof at this point.

 

[wagoneer]

My take on this issue is an older conversion will have older less efficient components I can only stand in half of my high top but this is helpful I am 5,9. putting your pants on standing up is great, it was a bus and the previous owner gutted her. I like the light the windows even though they all have limo tint like wearing sunglasses.

 

[SoulRaven]

Greetings!

Here are some floorplans for you.

The one with the toilet in the rear is what would fit in a sprinter.

The one with the toilet in the middle is an example of the ones I put in 15 passenger church vans.

Cheers!

The CamperVan_Man

---

The windows would be nice when I am out in the woods camping, but I know I would cover them if I near people. If I didnt mind people knowing I was in there, id consider a class c rv. Crazy low miles on some of them for cheap.
I might go for a passenger van like yours, but only if the price is right & I know it was maintained.
Is your van the 318 or the 360?

Greetings!

Mine's a 318 Automatic, and averages 12 mpg in town and just over 15 highway. While the mpg isn't great, when you figure the operating costs of the house part are roughly only $15 per month, vs. rent/mortgage + utilities elsewhere, that will buy a lot of gas.

I know a lot of people like zero visibility of the inside, but when I tried that it seemed to attract both cops and thieves. Same thing with cargo vans in most neighborhoods, cops and neighbors think you're a thief, and thieves think if they can't see in, there must be valuables, tools, etc. inside. When I had a Step Van, it got broken into so many times, I finally put signs on it saying "Septic Tank Cleaning". Never got broken into again.

Cheers!

The CamperVan_Man

 

[decodancer]

Those are great Campervanman. I can get a lot of good ideas from your floorplans. Where is the entrance on the church van layout? Do you come in from the back? Thanks

 

[MK7]

Eh I plan to do most of my standing outside the van either way, honestly most of my time spend indoors is sitting down. I understand how to do most repairs, I just am not physically capable.

If you're an old guy with disabilities and joint problems, then it's going to be a huge factor. Have you ever lived in a van full time? I haven't and only play-timing it right now, and there's somewhat, a lot of crouching around in a cramp space. It hurts your lower back to not be able to standup up, and I'm extremely agile; at the athlete level of physical fitness.

The structural integrity is compromised when the braces are replaced with fiberglass, no doubt about that. The windows are usually placed where it would normally just be sheet metal, so that doesnt make as big of a difference.

Well if the roof's structure has been compromised significantly, then any further cutting of the walls would make it more so worse then had the windows be installed without the hightop.

 

[SoulRaven]

Those are great Campervanman. I can get a lot of good ideas from your floorplans. Where is the entrance on the church van layout? Do you come in from the back? Thanks

Greetings!

If you turn the recliner so your back is to the kitchen, the side door is directly in front of you. Where the wording saying gas can is.

If you want the bed across the back, here's what mine looks like...

Cheers!

The CamperVan_Man

 

[MrNoodly]

With a cargo van, I am more likely to find one that is extended in my price range.

That wasn't true when I was looking. Extended cargo vans were either too new and expensive, or beat to crap with very high mileage.

As for conversion vans, there's a lot of useless crap in them, a bunch of unneeded wiring to run obsolete entertainment systems, and (typically) filthy carpeting & upholstery. It's harder to black out the windows (for stealth and/or privacy) and insulate them. And mounting a decent sized solar panel is trickier. On the other hand, they blend in better in residential areas.

 

[decodancer]

Thanks again Campervanman. On a different subject is it really safe to carry a gas can? My gas gauge doesn't work and I would love to carry some just in case. I had the worlds greatest tow vehicle until it burned to a crisp. I had just returned home from a Christmas trip to Florida the day before. I had a box of kitchen matches on the console (my lighter quit and they were in my kitchen stuff) and if that wasn't the cause of the fire it certainly fueled it. I lost all my gifts on top of everything else. Luckily the dogs were not in it. We watched it from the door where I worked, by the time the fire department got there it was a total loss.

 

[SoulRaven]

Thanks again Campervanman. On a different subject is it really safe to carry a gas can? My gas gauge doesn't work and I would love to carry some just in case. I had the worlds greatest tow vehicle until it burned to a crisp. I had just returned home from a Christmas trip to Florida the day before. I had a box of kitchen matches on the console (my lighter quit and they were in my kitchen stuff) and if that wasn't the cause of the fire it certainly fueled it. I lost all my gifts on top of everything else. Luckily the dogs were not in it. We watched it from the door where I worked, by the time the fire department got there it was a total loss.

Greetings!

Well, I originally carried it outside on the back, problem was every time I'd go to use it, it was empty. Finally someone cut the chain and stole the whole can. So I got a metal military style Jerry Can, and placed it just inside my side door. The metal lid with rubber gasket screws on very tight. While I'm not sure I want to recommend it to anyone, mine has been there for about 3 years now with no problems.

Sorry to hear about your SUV. I doubt it was the matches. I carry a full box of stick matches, and numerous lighters at all times... A lot of SUV's have wiring problems which cause them to catch fire. They fall into a category that has basically no safety or other regulations, which is why the manufacturers love them. I believe it's also why so many are involved in fatal roll overs.

My gas gauge works fine, but I'm always double checking it against my mileage. If you write down your mileage and keep track, you should be okay. In some vehicles, the fuel gauge sending unit can be cheap to replace too. Some will have an access door in the floor right above the sending unit so you don't have to pull the tank. Before you do that though, check your fuses, and make sure the wire is connected on the back of your gas gauge.

Cheers!

The CamperVan_Man

 

[Patrick46]

I had a box of kitchen matches on the console and if that wasn't the cause of the fire it certainly fueled it.

seriously??

matches are an inanimate object, and won't do anything until you strike them against a coarse surface...unless you introduce an already lit fire to them.

in other words, your SUV had to be completely engulfed in fire BEFORE these matches ever lit up...in which case they basically added NOTHING to the pire.


(I AM sorry for your loss though, and hope you were properly insured.)