What Did It Cost To Build Our 2023 Ram Promaster Conversion Van?

Complete breakdown of how much our 2023 Ram Promaster conversion camper van cost to build. The video is divided into four main topics: finding and purchasing your van, creating a budget spreadsheet for you to set spending goals, vehicle modification expenses, and lastly, a detailed cost breakdown of all the major systems for your van conversion. Featuring bamboo cabinetry, Victron components and 80/20 aluminum framing.

Throughout the video, I have referenced several specific products I used. Listed below are most of those items. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You’ll still need to take some time and do the necessary research to make sure these items will work for your particular application.

🔸 Electrical Components

🔸 Appliances and Electronics

🔸 Plumbing

🔸 Hard to Find Items

🔸 Tools I found very useful

00:00 Introduction
02:48 Finding and Purchasing a Van
04:22 Creating a Budget Spreadsheet
06:12 Vehicle Modification Expenses
07:16 Major Systems Cost Breakdown
18:57 Summary

[dylanmartinez]

Awesome video thanks for sharing! Please make more guides for novices!

[Tikitanedad]

I’ve been researching a van built for a few years and watched a lot of videos. This one was one of the best. I would’ve never thought to do a budget this way without watching this. Thank you for putting it together and I will be checking out the rest of your videos. This is really going to help me in the process of my build.

[dennisandrews]

As far as getting the job done...you did a great job. From the electrical to the cabinets, everything turned out great. Your choices of materials were spot on if you had a customer that didn't want a cheap conversion van but not the Mercedes of conversion vans. Personally, I would not have done the bamboo...that was like 4 times the cost of some decent birch. Using Victron was a great way to go, but you skimped on the inverter which when you are boondocking for a couple days you'll find you needed more power. The insulation was way to expensive for me. If I'm going to spend that much on insulation I'm going to do closed-cell foam. Foam fills every crack, and you wont have drafts. Lastly the bed, I would have made into a elevator bed. It's 4 linked post and all you have to do is press a button when you wake up and the bed goes all the way to the roof and out of the way.

[TwoTravelingTeachers]

Very thorough and informative. Excellent video!

[doncuro]

Thanks for a great video! Can I get a copy of your spreadsheet? I’m not very Excel savvy. Thanks!

[themaxgo]

for the fridge / freezer, there are some options, initially i'd get a cheap (used) chest style one for a few 100 bucks, then make it a project to convert it into a custom built-in solution, maybe a small walk-in closet-style design

[themaxgo]

the whole budgeting out is one way to do it, but only necessary if you are planning a "go" date AKA have a deadline for everything to be ready. if not, then you can just do per-category and create several sheets, one per implementation cycle that follows a continuous improvement process

[themaxgo]

another benefit of buying a used van (as long as records show it's been always well serviced) is that you can eventually (unless you can spend the $$ and time immediately) convert it into a fully electrical (or could even do a hybrid) vehicle, saving lots of money on fuel and ICE wear and tear (in case of hybrid)

[themaxgo]

i think something that needs to be added in the budgeting is the hardware you'd have to purchase to use for all the installs: table saw and blades, drills and drill bits, ...

[OKFrax-ysop]

Excellent video, would like to see how you dealt with the propane, floor and side and ceiling also. And how did you heat the van? I just purchased a Pro Master also and am doing a diy built. Thanks

[willraff]

when is the cabinet video coming out? curious how you did the hinges and things with the 80/20 structure

[themaxgo]

your security system, although cheap and is an option, is not expandable to something like running object detection via computer that would prevent false alarms being sent out, also allows for remote monitoring / notifications

[DavidBergeron]

0:56 The solar panel covers only 1/3rd the roof? The solar panels only charge the 2 batteries you bought? How long to charge fully? Great video!

[themaxgo]

i'd also not use aluminum as a frame structure but rather composite, much lighter and cheaper, but the downside is it's DIY / custom made, so it takes time to fabricate

[susans]

I am curious how long you have lived in your van ? What changes would you make after living in it for a year?

[themaxgo]

this looks neat inside, but i could not live in it, or at least not happily, because i'm tall and everything is too narrow (especially the bed is not long enough), so for someone who is taller, a completely different configuration would be necessary

[themaxgo]

dvd player... this is 2024, everything is streamed over the internets, which you should have anyhow nowadays, especially if you intent to work from it and not just for entertainment (for that i rather go out into nature anyhow)

[themaxgo]

the gas cooktop is pointless, i use only instapot / air frier / microwave instead the electrical cooktop of the stove that's in my place - no cooking pots to clean, it's just 1 pot / instapot or similar for the airfryer, all ceramic coated or stainless steel, super easy to clean if not cooking with any fats, which nobody should be doing in the first place

[themaxgo]

why even buy new if you can get a van for a few k