The Ultimate Chevy Express/GMC Savana Camper Van Build
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ต.ค. 2024
- The ultimate stealth camper van build! After a long 4 months of building out my GMC Savana camper van, It's finally done! Come check out my cabin on wheels I'll be living in for the next few months with my Lola pup!
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#vanlife #vancamping #campervanbuild
Kermit the frog here..
yoooo!!! im waiting for his arm to appear when he points..lol
😂😂
you beat me to it. 🐸🐸🐸
Those wheels❤
I can verify how awesome diesel heaters are,sell that propane little buddy heater and get a diesel heater...DO IT
That's an awesome build in your van man like what you did
Nice van Kermit
clean and simple...awesome!
Oh my goodness I love the wood around the windows
Awesome setup! Love all the wood, the kitchen counter, and the hydraulic lift in the back.
Thank you! It was a fun project for sure!
Cool, but I would've got a gasoline heater from the German manufacturer. Because it's even more efficient than the diesel heater and it's cheaper to run gas. And you can it even comes with a special module setting that has a thermostat built into it. So it once it stops when it hits the temperature, and you can run it off of your gas tank if you're running a gasoline car.
Thank you so much for your video. I just purchased a 2022 GMC savanna 3500 an extended passenger van with the new 6.6 L V8. I look forward to doing the same that you are.
Nice! I wish I could get a newer van
This build turned out amazing. Nice job on it.
Thank you!
I'm excited to meet up with you in a few weeks Taylor! Safe travels and keep us all updated. Love you!
How did the meet up go? Just asken.
You really did an awesome job on the van. It dosent feel that long ago you were camping out of it for the first time. The paneling looks awesome along with that counter top. Great job! I'm looking forward to the Canadian road trip!
Thanks man! I should be at the Canadian border in 2 weeks if all goes to plan!
New sub
No water at all from what I saw, ither then that i like it.❤❤
Yes, no running water yet but I am actually working on that this week!
This build is awesome, great work 🏔🚐💨
Thank you!
Love your beautiful wood 🪵 work
Thank you!
Magnificent.
This is a super cheap build that really looks nice. It’s not luxurious looking but it is super comfy looking. The Dometic fridge and the fancy MaxAir fan look like where you spent the most on upgrades. Both good choices though. It’s super sharp looking outside too. Very nice job on a tight budget. Impressive!
You have done a really nice job with your build
Thank you!
Looking good, man. Enjoy the open road!
Thanks brotha!
Dope
Yeah I'm not a solar panel guy because I wouldn't have much roof space for them. I like to haul kayaks on my roof rack all the time which would take away from the solar. I just let my DC to DC charger charge the batteries while I'm driving.
i recommend agm batteries if ur gonna have them right under where u sleep
Great build. Now do one with a Kermit the Frog puppet please.
You're funny. You have a great personality. Go apply fot tv hosting, radio etc. You'll make money. Good job on your van.
Thanks!
The extended is plug fitting full size mattress in there with still room left over!
Love it!
Thanks dude!
Nicely done man. I mounted my diesel tank right behind my driver seat too. So far not too bad on the fumes and I don’t smell like diesel after a long drive.
Yeah I love where I’ve got mine. I haven’t had any smell of diesel yet! Ran the heater for about 20 hours now and seems to be doing an awesome job!
This is a great build!
Thank you!
Very nice 🔥🔥🔥
Thanks 🔥
Nice setup!
Thanks!
Van build is awesome my friend. Navy Mark...
Thanks man!
You can get a portable solar system and perhaps a bluetti type set up for reserve power
@@mrs.onyango6504 Yeah I've thought about it but honestly, I haven't even come close to using my whole battery system yet. Farthest I've drained the batteries was to 83% after camping for 3 days with no driving. Once I started driving, I completely charged the batteries up again with the DC to DC charger
It is a very nice build.
Thank you!
Pretty good build bud
Thank you!
Love it no back camera for a upgrade
Yeah I should add one but I'm so use to not having one now.
I wish we were friends so I could just give you the money and you do the exact same thing for me 😂
It was a fun build for sure! My first time building a van like this!
Nice build!
Thank you!
Put some solar panels that a upgraded
I just bought a savana 1500 I want to convert ...
They sell the kit so your door doesn’t hit the tire
Yeah I know but I actually like the door hitting the tire. I can jam it into the tire and the door won't move. Door opens up like 75% of the way
How much did the audio set up cost? You got a Sub as well?
No subwoofer yet. Planning on building a bench seat right in front of my bed and going to mount a sub underneath it. I replaced the head unit for $175 bucks. And bought kenwood speakers from walmart for $60 bucks and replaced those. Made a huge difference in sound quality.
Awesome setup but seal and vent out your battery bank lead acid batteries off gas
The reason why they pull it out is because the A/C lines are usually rusted out.
i know that you have the windows tinted pretty dark, but are you paranoid about people seeing you at night if you have any light on in the van? also, do the police bother you having the windows tinted so dark?
So if you have light on while it’s dark, yes you can see in. But I normally pull up to a spot and go right to sleep. No lights on. If there’s no lights on, there’s 100% no way they can see inside. And I have not had a single issue yet with the window darkness. I think it being a passenger van, they’re a little more laid back.
This may be a dumb question but where do you camp with this? Without bathroom/water I feel like you’re limited to campgrounds
I camp all over with it. I keep bottled water to drink, I shower at gyms or out in rivers/creeks if I'm out in nature and I use the bathroom at gas stations or out in nature
Dude this is awesome! I’ve been wanting to do this ever since I got out of the military. Do you have a video, or is there anyway you could go over expenses/how you went about building yours up?
I don't have another video but maybe I'll make one here soon. I've got about 15k into the build total including the purchase of the van. Paid 9k for the van and put another 6k into building it. It's a super simple but functional build!
Hi. Did the insulation you told came from fabric or you did? Thanks from Italy 👋
The insulation is foam board. I bought it from Lowes
This is very similar to what I want to do. How big is your battery/how long can you run the fridge? Can you sit on the bed? How many inches head space to sit? As soon as I get thru my son's wedding, I'm looking for a Savana /Express.
I've got a 500 amp hour system. I'm sure the fridge could run for at least 2 weeks without dying if that's the only draw on the system. And no I can't sit fully up on the bed without hitting the roof. I'm 6'1" tall and I'd probably need another 6" of head room to sit up straight.
did you remove the side curtain airbags or are you expecting wood splinters if they ever go off
There were no side curtain airbags on this van. This model is a 2005 and did not come with them.
Would have went with solar panels instead of those batteries.
@@markolive2009 you need batteries in order to store the power from the solar panels still. Otherwise you would have zero power at night
Great job! The wood is beautiful. How did you attach the ceiling planks to the van? I can see the screws, but I’m wondering what type you used and how many per plank. Thanks so much for the detailed video. I’ll be starting my own van soon.
I ran furring strips along the metal studs for the wood plank to attach too. There just normal 1.25 inch wood screws. Probably around 10 screws in each plank of wood
@@TaylorVanBeek Thank you! I appreciate it.
Where do you recommend custom builds? I have a van I would like to convert. TIA
Beachside Custom Vans is amazing. They're out of Atlantic Beach, FL. Tell them I sent you and they'll hook you up for sure.
Overall what was the total build cost including van purchase? Considering on doing the same. I'm in fla too. No portable ac just the van ac?
I've got an ac in here now. If you scroll to the newer videos, it'll show my ac set up. I've got about 17k total into this one. $8500 for the van. 5k for the build. Around $3500 for lift, rims and tires.
Do you think it’s possible to install a sit down shower?
I mean I guess you could but definitely wouldn't be convenient or comfortable. Would take up a lot of space as well.
Great video, great setup ! When you say you have a DC to DC charging system, does that mean you're charging your house batteries off the van's battery and/or alternator?
The charger is attached to the starter battery. While the van is running, the charger will kick on and charge my battery bank
@@TaylorVanBeek Thanks! Which is it that is actually charging your battery bank? Is it your van's starter battery that is charging your battery bank? Or is it your van's alternator that is charging your battery bank? I THINK (correct me if I'm wrong) that your van's battery can't or wouldn't charge a battery bank, but your alternator can/would.
@@tc3imagery So the alternator charges the starter battery. And then my charger is hooked up to the starter battery. So the starter battery then powers on my charger and that charges my battery bank
@@TaylorVanBeek Ah, that makes sense. Thanks!
how much was your build also did you have help with your electrical as im not very savvy. got a 2014 chevy express van im interested in outfitting like this
I've got about 6k into the build of mine not including the van. And no, I learned how to do all of my electrical off of youtube! It's really not hard once you learn the concept!
Can you tell me where you got the lift or leveling kit for the van? Did you have to do any trimming in the wheel wells to fit 33" tires? Any problems with ride/handling/steering afterwards? I have a 2019 Savanna 2500 campervan.
The 33's that were on the van in this video did rub even after trimming. I stepped down to 31.5's and now I've got no rub. If you put 33s on the stock wheels, you should be good with no rub. It's the offset on the wheels that will get you. I ordered the leveling kit from weldtec designs. It was $300. It's an aluminum spring spacer. I thought the van actually road better once i put the leveling kit on. It stiffened up the front since it was compressing the spring more with the spacer.
@@TaylorVanBeek Just to be clear, you said 33"s could/should work with the stock wheels, but I'm assuming that does include the spring spacers for a little lift. Also, it's a leveling kit, so its just the front spacers, and nothing out back.
@@David-rx2to yes exactly. 33s should work on stock wheels with the 2 inch leveling kit. Nothing in the rear
What does it look like when you take the van panels out
It's just bare metal. I've got another video on my channel of what the van looks like with nothing in it
@@TaylorVanBeek ok thanks will watch it
Hey! Cool build! what model max air vent do you use? Looking for one for mine thanks!
It's a Maxxair Fan Deluxe. The 10 speed model
@@TaylorVanBeek Awesome thank you so much! 👍
Did you drill through the heat shield underneath the van for the diesel heater? Thinking about the same location for my diesel heater
Yeah I ended up cutting a big hole in the heat shield to install it. It's a great spot for the heater
❤❤❤💕😍😍😍🥰🥰✌️
Say "go ahead" one more time...
Go ahead
@@TaylorVanBeek Seriously, thanks for the info.
@@hughseagraves7036 No problem dude!
Hey Taylor how do you hook up the heater
It’s just a 12v heater. So it’s got a power wire and a ground wire. I’ve got the two wires ran into a fuse box. Then the fuse box is hooked up to my battery bank. There’s a 2 gallon diesel tank right behind my drivers seat for the heater since my van is not diesel
16mpg out of a 6.0? Damn!
Yeah it's surprisingly pretty good! Way better than the 4.8 I had in my old van
How is the head room or how tall are you and can you stand all the way up?
No you can't stand up in this model van. It's probably only 4.5-5ft tall maybe inside. It's more of a van that you just sleep in at night and then hang outside during the day. Now my bed is a full size bed. I'm 6ft tall and the bed is a full 6ft 2in long bed
How much did it cost to build out?
Around $4500!
@@TaylorVanBeek not bad! It’s a great build!
What size is your heater?
It's a 5kw heater. It's for sure overkill if you're not going into super cold areas but I knew I'd be in Canada for a while so it works perfect for me. 5 degrees outside right now and its 67 inside the van with the heater on medium.
@@TaylorVanBeek Thanks. I would probably camp down into the 20's. I'm wondering if I should opt for a smaller unit that runs on medium heat most of the time or a larger one that I might need to cycle on and off? Going into a Chevy Express hi top.
Jesus died for us all, and rose from the grave to defeat death, so we can have eternal life. please give your lives to him, and repent, he loves you!🙏🙏❤️
Amen! I gave my life to Jesus in March of 22. John 14: 6.
No kitchen, no wash machine, no dryer, no shower, no toilet, no freezer.... A waste of space.
Get out of here karen
@@TaylorVanBeek I am not a karen. I am male. Look how thick and heavy his woodwork is - you can insulate with much lighter materials, have more stylish look and still have much more space, that is precious as you have this specific vehicle.
Nice! I have a starcraft Hightop and since I'm short i can stand in it. I haven't built it out because i love the interior so much! Can't even bring myself to remove a seat 🤣
It was tough for me to remove everything out of my van too! But so worth it in the end
Awesome! Im taking notes on how youve panelled the interior... Did you finish the sliding door too? Also!! PLEASE PLEASE purchase a carbon monoxide detector if you dont have one. Especially if youre running the van or diesal heater for heating/cooling. They can run on batteries and will literally save you/your dogs life.
Already have a carbon monoxide detector! And I did not finish the sliding door.