I spent most of 2021 endlessly searching for the right van, but mostly found DIY builds of unsafe and poor craftsmanship, or insane pricing. So in 2022, my family and I restored a 2001 stepvan. We designed and built it to be a secure and reliable home for nomads, complete with high speed internet and an electrical and plumbing system that can operate easily off-grid while providing the comforts of home. We started with a brand new V8 engine, then used materials designed for mobile living. Four years and 18k miles later, it’s still rock solid, registered as an RV in southern California and ready for its next owner.
Stealthy without sacrificing quality
While it functions as an RV, from the outside it still has the appearance of a work truck, giving it a high stealth-factor that allows it to blend in and not stand out. It has the living and working space features found in most homes – plus Starlink for internet wherever the road takes you. While a perfect fit for the solo nomad, the memory foam full-size bed, seating for two, ample storage, and 6.5’+ interior height make it comfortable for two adults or those traveling with pets.
Insulated with a combination of polystyrene and wool, and ventilated with two Maxxair fans, the van resists outside temperatures to stay pleasant indoors without the expense or power drain of AC.
Below I’ve listed out the highlights and features, including what it does NOT have and what could be added. If you’re interested, let’s set up a call or video chat. Serious buyers will have access to the entire photo library of the build process. The van will be available for in-person showings from August 5th to 9th in the Los Angeles area.
Highlights:
- 2001 Grumman Olson Workhorse (P42) w/automatic transmission
- New 5.7 liter 350 V8 crate engine installed Feb, 2022, along with new tires and front brakes. Approx 18k miles put on since. Averaging 7-8 MPG.
- Exterior measurements: 20’4 length, 7’3.5” width (add 22” for side mirrors), 9’6” height
Living Space
Water system
- 60 gallons of fresh water – two 30-gallon tanks mounted between rear wheels
- 12v Shurflo RV water pump w/accumulator
- Room temp water, plumbed to shower and sink
- Tanks fill from gravity-fill locking door on the outside of the van
- Two 20-gallon gray water tanks for sink and shower, mounted underneath van
- 32″x24″ shower, w/Lippert Components shower pan
Electrical system
- 600-watts of solar (three 200w panels)
- 5,000 watt hours of storage (two 206AH SOK Lithium Ion batteries)
- Renogy 60 MPPT Charge Controller
- 2000 watt pure-sine inverter
- Shielded, marine-grade, stranded copper wire securely run behind walls and ceiling
- 120v and 12v outlets in multiple locations
- 12v LED dimmable lights throughout
Heating/Cooling
- Two Maxxair fans, intake & exhaust
- Diesel heater, w/external fuel tank in a custom-fabricated external box
- 12v Sirocco II fan
Kitchen/Living
- ICECO JP50 12v Fridge/Freezer in a slideout cabinet
- Portable induction cooktop
- Shaker-style lower and upper cabinets
- Under-counter LED lights
- Butcher block counter
- Slideout dining and work table
- Birch closet w/sliding door and separately switched LED lights
- Full-size 8” memory foam mattress w/infused cooling gel, fiberglass-free
- Two hinged bench seats w/storage inside
Safety/Efficiency Features
- Four recordable security cameras for a near-360 degree view outside the van, hooked into a 4-screen monitor inside the living area
- Always-on rearview driving camera
- 360-degree floodlights
- We installed 150 “cross nuts” to securely mount internal structure to frame on floors, sidewalls and ceiling
- Flammable-resistant insulation consists of 2” polystyrene on floor and walls, and 2” of Havelock wool on rear wall/doors and ceiling
- Sub-floor is 5/8” plywood, bolted to floor
- Roof painted with reflective RV roof paint
- Mildew resistant – all wood inside the living space has been primed and painted
- Co2/Smoke detector
- Internal locks on passenger and rear doors
- Internal exits from front and rear
- Solid-wood bulkhead door w/electronic deadbolt lock
- Mirrored window tint on rear door windows
- Significant storage in the living area and “garage”
Technology Features
- Gen-1 Starlink dish setup, including a custom–built external waterproof plug and roof-mounting position
Driving Cab
- New driver’s seat with dual armrests
- Passenger jump seat reupholstered
- Butcher block dashboard w/quick-release features
- Sound-dampening foam on walls
- Tinted side door windows
- LED headlights
- Separately wired and switched dome and porch lights
- Red LED lights mounted under the dash
- Rearview driving camera with in-cockpit monitor for 180-degree view of what’s behind you at all times
Why a stepvan?
- The van has an aluminum body – lighter than steel and rust resistant, it will still be watertight and on the road when most RVs half its age will be in the junkyard.
- With an interior height of over 6.5 feet and 90-degree corners, it has a more roomy interior than standard vans.
- At first glance, it looks like a delivery truck. Great if you’re looking for a stealthy camper.
- What it lacks in modern driving features, it more than makes up for in the living environment.
No van is perfect!
- No AC, no cruise control, no stereo (but open windows and airpods work wonders)
- Cockpit heater not functional (never explored why due to southern climate)
- Some rust on the rear bumper (bumper is steel, body is aluminum)
Potential upgrades:
- A hot water heater could be added and plumbed to the sink and shower (plenty of room for an IsoTemp heater in the garage)
- There is more space on the roof to add additional solar panels, and room in the garage to expand the battery bank
- A rooftop AC could be swapped in for one of the Maxxair fans (fits the same size roof opening)
