30 DAY VAN BUILD | DIY Chevy Express Camper Van Build
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- čas přidán 10. 10. 2020
- During quarantine I converted a Chevy Express cargo van into my home on wheels. It was such a fun and challenging process converting this van by myself. I have been on the road for a few months now and have been LOVING this new adventure. Follow along on my blog at www.jetlaggeddirtbag.com
Instagram: emily_mcdo - Zábava
Great job! I would suggest to always, always keep your eyes covered with protection. I was so glad to see that no metal shards flew into your face or eyes!
I'm impressed with the build. Worth so much more when you do most of it yourself. Thanks Mom for the assist. 😊👍
You are awesome!!! Thank you for sharing. I am starting my own conversion is so exciting!!!
What a great job you have done with your build, and your video presentation is excellent as well. Happy Trails to you!
You are fantastic! Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to more about your van.
Another instructional van build video that I can take some things away from. Thanks.
Thanks for watching Mark 😊
What impresses me the most is that these people have time and money to go to these places. I've been working since I was 16 years old, I've never had more than 2 vacations in my whole life
Yep makes you wonder.
Well, in my case, I have not subscribed to cable or Internet services for at least the last 20 years. Overall, that has saved me *at least $24,000* which I was able to apply to other, necessary, expenses. I don't buy lottery tickets, alcohol or even a cup of coffee from a gas station when I can make my own coffee to take with me.
It's all about choosing one "want" for another. Over time, those seemingly small, but frequent expenses add up over time.
It’s all about the life you create for yourself and your priorities. You gotta chase after what it is
you want. At 21 years old when working for another company I realized
•I’m over worked and underpaid
•I’m really good at what I’m doing for this company
•I need more time to enjoy myself and the things I love to do.
•I don’t want to be stuck in a job working for someone else forever.
This started a fire in me to begin starting my own business, I had to go through some big bumps to get it up and running, however it was so worth it. Here I am today at 23 waking up on a Monday morning deciding when I want to work and how much and how little I want to work. Freedom is #1. You can do it! Get out of the rat race!
@@mariolucero4269You're still part of the rat race. However, now, you've positioned yourself in a better position to come out a winner! 🙌 Good luck in your business!
You don't have rent ... If u don't move states every 3 days it's very do able
I'm so glad I came across your channel. This is exactly the build out I was looking for to build out my van. Great video!
Ahh Yay Devilyn! Glad you came across it too :) Message me on IG if you have any questions!
Spray foam, vaseline is what gets it off your hands. I learned from experience . lol
Good to know!
Thanks!! 😊
I wish ican afford one to live in it..I am retiring and can't afford to have a house.
I like your van build and videos. Keep up the good work keeping it real!!!
You explained it so well, Thx.
You did a really good job, you should be proud of yourself.
Thanks Mike!
From what I can see, I love your van build. Looking forward to seeing the tour. I'm in the process of trying to find a van to build, too. Tired of sleeping in my CRV. Good luck to you. Great job on the video.
I used to travel and sleep in my Jeep Liberty, so now this van feels luxurious haha!
Great job Emily!!! Looking forward to the van tour video! I also have a Chevy Express temporarily built out and will start my traveling adventure in 2 months! Nice buildout!!!
Anna, thats so exciting!! If you have any questions feel free to ask.
Wow you make this look easy!
Excellent build and details-thank you!
Well done little lady. Love it.
Looking forward to the tour!!
GREAT job! Thanks for sharing.
Well done young lady👏🏼 Hope you’re enjoying your big accomplishment 😊✌🏼
Best of success to you. I will be on road full time in spring 2021.
Excellent !! Good luck with your adventure, and stay safe 👍
Hey Dave, thanks for the kind wishes!
Great job and thanks for sharing!
great video, very helpful. thanks for sharing!
U gave me confidence to do it!
You have really encouraged me! Thank you!
Thanks so much Mariam!
This is so cool Tysm for giving us this video
Totally amazing wonderful build
Great job. Can’t wait for the tour. 👍🏾 up. New subs.
You did a great job! Looking forward to more vids!
Thanks so much Laura! A new video is coming soon :)
Very nice van build!! Greetings from Jamaica.
👍 nice job. Safe travels 😎
what a clean 2005! Nice!
geesh girl, your are definitely a keeper!
You made that job look simple, which will give me confidence to start mine... thank you.
I have a 2020 express cargo van that's empty right now, but im waiting for covid to settle down and the border opens back up.
I have a 13' v nosed cargo trailer that I converted into a camper that I pull with my van, so it will be a combo unit.
I do want the van to be a stand alone unit as well.
great job, see you out there on the road... stay safe
so proud of you, great job! you have truly inspired me to DIY, I will be joining VanLife 2022, so I'll take my time and be ready by Feb 2022
That's so exciting! Reach out if you have any diy questions along the way :)
It’s feb 2022 how’s the van life?
Great build and enjoy😉 safe driving
Great job, is a very nice home 👍
Well done ,good job Emily 👍
Thanks!
Job well done can't wait to see the tour of the finish product.
I agree with Johnny 155.
Thanks Johnny!
I’m impressed. Well-done. Subscribed.
Thanks so much Mitch I appreciate it!
Great I'm 65 did a van in 1974 trying again Me too been around this world 3 times only seen California Arizona new mexico and most all of Texas being a Texan My golden years ain't so golden I'ma widower but gotta explore it's in my blood
Nice job thanks for sharing now I know what to do,
Thanks Armando! :) Glad I could provide some inspiration.
Nice job!!!
I turned my Express into a camper this summer :) Might switch the permanent bed I made into the style you have for more room but my dog really likes the bed so I'll have to think on it.
do you have the extended or regular size? I can't tell but hers looks like the regular size. Im considering an express but the longer wheelbase
What a cool person. Wow. I'm not even a minute in and I had to pause and type this. What a great vibe she gives off. At this point I don't care what the rest of the video is. But I'm sure I'll like it. I'm serious. My pause time is 1:10
Thanks so much!! :)
That's awesome. 🥂
So great 👍
Great job girl. To get on more power to you
Thanks Seth!
the HIppie spirit lives !
Great job I'm new to your channel, looking forward to van tour.
great job happy trails
Thanks al!
You are so inspiring. I am looking for a van and making lists of materials.
First time viewer, but definitely like the first view!!
You go girl!!!
Thanks David!
Looks nice and cozy. Go Girl! :-)
Thanks Bruce, glad you enjoyed the video :)
Just subbed and i am excited to see what you do in your adventures. Stay safe😀💜
Thanks so much Jenifer, I really appreciate the support!
Nice to see you
Your mom is wonderful
Ok.. I ain't gonna lie.. When I heard "Chop Saw" & 2×3 ...... I said ( oh helll naw!..) 😎
Awesome Awesome Awesome job! 💯👌🏻
Thanks!
I wish U showed how to make the sliding bed, great insulation job.
I Love it 💖💖 its super fun it’s a wonderful experience thank you for sharing
Nice job, best of luck
Thanks Frank!
Think you did a great job!!
Thanks Melvin!
Love the content❤️
Thanks Michaelle!
Great video! I'm in the exact same position as you - down to the same vehicle - I just bought a 2005 Chevy Express, and have minimal building experience (although I'm certainly competent!) so I wasn't quite sure where to start! Hoping to do my own sort of layout but this was a good starting point to watch. Be well :)
Hey Lindsay, thats so exciting! I'm glad you found this video to hopefully spark some inspiration for your own build. Feel free to reach out to me on ig if you have any build/van questions :)
Nico❣️😍
wonderful
Freaking love your video!!!
Thanks so much!
Hi I just subscribed to u Chanel can't wait for Moore from Richard in the UK ❤️ stay safe
I just figured up prices for spray foam insulation and believe it or not the retail 16 oz cans are cheapest per cubic foot of foam. The home type system is 3 times more expensive per cubic foot than cans. However I haven't tried it yet, so it will all come down to if there's actually 0.8 cubic feet of foam in a can. I calculated it would take about $90 to do the entire inside of my van with 2 inches thick. I'm going to experiment with one can and see how difficult it's going to be to get consistent thickness
Good insulation job! I like how you covered your wheel wells. Did you spray that nifty expanding foam along your floor/wall joints? I'm concerned about rodents eventually getting in. Everyone seems to get that problem no matter what type of rig or how new it is. I'm going to spray that everywhere that I can before I start the insulation. I don't want my bed across my back doors either (like most nomads do) even though it makes a neat garage. I'd rather be able to go in/out my back doors. I see you used a jigsaw. It's probably easier on the arms than a reciprocating saw. I'll need to decide on the best one. Nice job and thanks for sharing!
Awesome!!!👠🚌👠
I wanted to get a van, but man they're so expensive. Even old ones are too much. Oh well, maybe someday the prices will come down.
New Subbie! Great van planning on doing mine soon have fun
Thank you
Thank you so much for this video❤what tool did you use to get the bulkhead out?
Nice van!
I'm starting the same thing and was wondering how many sheets of plywood did you use for the floor, and where did you put the seams?
I;am Your Newest Subscriber Great Videos
Thanks so much!
👏👏👏👏
Safety glasses..... always.
Quite impressive work for the van build up idea ! Very simple and efficient. Good job. It's good to have contacts that can help out. And btw how much mileage is on that Chevy Van ?
Thanks Mayssa! It had about 75,000 miles on it when I bought it and now is over 92,000.
👍
Now there is a girl you can work with! Good job there lady.
Seems like those plywood boxes might add alot of unneccesary weight? Lots of totes of all different sizes available that are light and inexpensive. If your build ends up being overweight that is one place you could save a bit of weight.
Something I've been wondering (and I haven't pulled my interior panels off yet): when you screw the first wood studs into the van's vertical frame beams (DAY 4), are you using a special screw or some kind of anchor on the other side of the metal?
Thank you so much for this!
Hey Kris! I used metal self tapping screws. They have a sharper tip and kind of grab into the metal of the van better.
Amazing job looks great .What was your total cost of your build I'm thinking of doing this .
Awesome DIY! How much was the project excluding the van?
Did you drill the studs right into the metal? I have a chevy express and mounting the studs was my biggest headache.
do you know the width of the van at the "beltline" (above wheel wheels, max width)
Great work, you turned that van into a nice camper. Can I ask you how much was the transformation without the labor? Also I noticed you used foam and polystyrene for insulation, aren’t you worried about any potential toxic air you might breath when you sleep with inside the van? A last question, what engine van has and what gas mileage you get on the highway. Thanks and have great trips
second all of those questions
What a great build in so little time! Mind telling us the final cost of the build?
How does it do in ice and snow with rear wheel drive only?
I'm about to buy a cargo van probably a new one since I don't want to deal with the mechanics. And I don't have woodworking skills or the equipment for cutting. I'm trying to figure how can I do this on a budget with out skills
That's so exciting Sherry! I had very little skills going into this build. I am going to make a van tour video soon and I hope that will give you some budget friendly ideas.
Why didn’t you use the mat that came with the van as a template for your installation as well?
She did 3:00
@@OffTheBeatenPath_ 😂
Do you have an drawings or mock up floor plans you can share? I have a 2011 chevy express 15 passenger with chairs and rear air. I paid $6000 for a van with 40,000 k miles.
I'm going with plastic.
What mattress are you using here?
Do you mind sharing the dimensions for bed and boxes etc? I have the same van.
How much should I expect to pay to get my carpet pulled up, and get your kind of floor put down in my 99 Chevy Express Van? 🤔
Did you go by cruise ship or airplane?
After watching the build ... shame, we didn't get to see the anticipated reveal ... 😢