Van conversion, Order of build.

[idrankwhat]

I've watched several YouTube videos and I'm not sure how or when people do their wiring for solar and electrical panels. 
Curious if there are steps to building things.
Would you get all your vents done first, then maybe electric/solar etc, then insulation, then paneling, then begin installation of bed and storage etc?
How do you organize all of this to happen at the right time so you don't have to remove things to get at something. :s

 

[Almost There]

The order one does things in has a lot to do with the layout you want to build so that has to be decided on first.

I did my version of 'insulation' first - reflectix with an air gap. Then put the strapping where I wanted it based on MY layout. Base floor came next then boxed in the wheel wells. Since some of my cabinets also formed the walls I started with them next. I started at the front because the sizing was definite - the back cabinets behind the bed were negotiable....we all know that what is on paper may not be exactly what ends up in real life.

I did my wiring just about last but how and where it was going to go was already planned for and I made sure that I had access to everywhere I needed. Personally, I don't like having wiring buried so deep that one has to rip apart an interior to get at something. Mine came almost last because of pricing differences between Canada and the US. My interior had to be livable before I headed south for the winter and I could live with an ice chest and a rechargeable lantern - I could not justify the insane costs of electrical parts in Canada.

I detailed my build in the thread that is linked in my signature if you want to take a look at it.

 

[John61CT]

Nice!

Then put the strapping where I wanted it based on MY layout.

What is this "strapping"?

 

[Almost There]

I used 1x3s horizontally bolted to the ribs of the van so that I had places to anchor cabinets and wall panels where I wanted them.

I also used some 1x3 installed with Kreg pocket screw method, running vertically between the strapping where I needed them to attach panels to.

 

[dr_nelson]

My order would be:
(Note: I have not done this, yet. So, others that are more experienced will know better)

PREPARATION

1. Figure out the basic layout of the inside.
2. Figure out the placement of solar panels on the roof.
3. Figure out where the house battery will be.
4. Figure out where the propane tank would be.

ROOF

1. Now you know where the roof vent/fan goes
2. Check if roof fan works and then Install roof vent.
3. Install Solar Panels, and know where the charge controller and the house battery will be.
4. Insulate Ceiling.

FLOOR

1. Insulate Floor (experienced vandwellers say it is almost impossible to keep the floor warm in winter). I will probably do more acoustic insulation than heat/cold insulation on the floor.
2. Optional: If you want holes in the floor, I would do them now (e.g. for battery box venting, propane tank, floor vents for air circulation, water pipes etc.).
3. Put in floor (and know where the holes in the floor need to go). I have over 100 holes in my van; it was a wheelchair van. I will use a couple of them to secure my floor to the van floor.
4. Add floor finish (vinyl or laminate or whatever)

ELECTRICAL

1. 
   You have all the space now, so I would...
2. Install house battery.
3. Do the basic wiring, i.e. install tubes/channels for wiring.
4. Optional: Install house battery and charge controller, inverter etc. (to check if it works)
   The idea is to build the interior layout around the battery, propane tank, and water containers...

WALLS

1. Insulate walls.
2. Add furring strips to anchor your furniture to it later (at this point, you still know where holes in the ribs are, that you could use)

FURNITURE

1. Build and install.

 

[Trebor English]

My suggestion, what I did, was start with a corner of a room and begin stacking things.  I got some rubbermaid tubs, camp stove, 5 gallon bucket, and a camp cot.  The 4' by 7' space got really full quickly.  After staying in just that space I carried it all out to the minivan and put it in.  I got tie down mesh for driving.  The rest just takes time.  The cheap inverter powered by the starter battery worked fine for my electric shaver and for the drill and jigsaw to cut the hole for the Maxx fan.  The solar panel came after the fan because I didn't have any need for it before.  I still have corrugated cardboard for the windows.

Before I started stacking things in the corner to just do it, I was suffering from analysis paralysis.  I just kept overthinking everything and not doing anything.  Later as I started installing stuff in the van I tried to think of what would come later to try to not make that harder.

Almost There did electrical last due to the late availability of materials.  The order I used was what would most make life comfortable.  Before I went out in the van the first time I had the electric shaver, propane camp stove, ice chest, cell phone charger, some flashlights, an empty laundry detergent bottle and a 5 gallon bucket for a bathroom and a bed that eventually was given away because I couldn't make it work.  Just a one gallon plastic water bottle is enough to not get dehydrated, running water came later.  When some aspect of life gets unpleasant or difficult I upgrade something.