BUDGET BUILDOUT - $300 Camper Conversion for Sienna Minivan - TONS OF HIDDEN STORAGE
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 พ.ค. 2022
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Hey Everyone, this is my friend Josh. He just completed a cross country road trip in his Sienna that he built out for only $300 in construction materials. He decided to add a fridge and battery which cost an additional $1,700. I hope you enjoy this new series on my channel, I'll be featuring many more rigs built in a budget conscious manner. Thanks for tuning in! ~ Brian
My awd 2012 sienna was $11k. about $1900 was spent on struts, tires, transmission fluid drain and fill, and I change the oil religiously at 3000-5000 miles. full synthetic. runs amazing with (post trip 135k miles). in one year I went back and forth across the country 3 times one full on Miami to Santa Monica trip over 8 weeks. slept on the shores of both oceans, the gulf, and 3 great lakes and countless mountain vista.
I highly recommend visiting the UP(especially the Tahquamenon Falls/Whitefish Point/Soo Locks area as well as Copper Harbor, the Arrowhead of Minnesota(Grand Portage to Ely) and Sleeping Bear Dune’s NP/ Pictured Rocks NP-everything around Lake Superior.
@@thedjc100 I did run out of time due to family obligations to go to picture rocks but I did go to whitefish Bay and swim in Superior it was awesome and fairly warm in July but it's very shallow where I was
Changing oil every "3000-5000 miles. full synthetic"! That's total overkill. You can double the interval without any issue.
Further evidence that an AWD Sienna will take you any and everywhere. Take care, safe travels.
Great van; how was your time in Miami Beach? Did you have any trouble being stealth?
As a former truck driver I can tell you this guy should be quite comfortable out on the road.
I am!
"We are human beings. Not human doings"...... Beautiful philosophy, dope van. Happy travels ❤
Reminds me of a few Bible verses within the context of being filled continuously with the living water (the Word of God), not drained and lacking because due to the unforgiving demands of the world.
Yes. I've been saying this once I started getting real sick, and having to give up my business. I waa always on the go as a single mom, business owner, pta president, fitness enthusiast!!
@@blackwolf22303 Amen! Definitely _’The #1 Priority’_ too many are missing in this now very crazed life.
All going down exactly as we were told it would, thousands of years ago.
I traveled all over this country twice, around 30 yrs ago now. Sometimes w/company, sometimes solo. Must admit, the solo travel had its own enrichment beyond having a companion. I met ppl & had experiences I would otherwise never...
And for that, & them, I’m grateful.
God/Jesus was my ever constant companion, & protector throughout, whether I was conscious of that fact, or not.
Looking back, I’m _very_ conscious of it all, now. And amazed! 🙌
Overall, it’s beyond me, how one can travel around like that, see & experience so much beauty & _natural wonder,_ & think, ‘it all just somehow, _happened’._
It’s beyond head shaking!
I’ve often dreamed of doing it again, but the _reality_ of things now, especially the safety factor, to _very seriously_ consider, not to mention age...keeps me in a more practical & grounded state of mind.
Instead, _‘Looking Up’_ ...for I know our Redemption Draws Nigh. 💜🙌
And _nothing_ anyone has ever seen, tasted, heard, or experienced, will even _begin_ to compare...
And it will always be safe, secure, full of extraordinary love, & never ending! ♥
Hope to see you sooner, over later....
I can’t wait! 👍
I slept in my minivan last summer 42 days when my landlord sold the house, Loved it, now I'm Temp. living on Pa. farm helping out at 67 yrs old retired.. Town & Country, heading out again in 2 weeks.
What a great guy, I’m in my mid 50, i start to realize that the older you get the less material you need in life, is about finding yourself to make up everything pass you in the past and find harmony.
Doing the whole detaching from material things was and is still hard. I still catch myself yearning for more.
but with less, I find happiness in some.very simple things now. I also gave up drinking, and caffeine, and other dopamine/neurological traps and find pleasure and happiness in the most simple things now.
I still want to shop more often than I should. but now I'll fill items on a cart and push them around and then out them back on shelf. it fulfills my desire to shop and ask myself do I really need this thing. and I most the time will put back.
I'm 23 and im thinking to live in the van life rent is extremely over priced
@@wanderlustoceans8205 how is that?
@@Outdoor-Adventures a studio that is the size of your close right now cost $2000-$3000 rent cost around $1500 monthly a house dont forget the utilities and the taxes also why doesn't it matter owning a house when is never gonna be yours?
A van i can go whatever i want my jobs are mobile and they are decent pay I rather pay money that I save to travel whenever is in the US or foreign country, thinking to invest in a land on a foreign country and build a house that is extremely cheap(of course close to a city so is safer) if you are old right now God bless you, you were in the most pleasurable fun and nicest generation to live on and extremely lucky, young kids these days are pushed to change genders at a young age, everything is completely woke and over priced if everything keeps raising up USA will definitely be the slums third world country and collapse, also im talking USA I dont know if you from there, im thinking to move somewhere in Europe hopefully
@@wanderlustoceans8205 I agree with you, I miss understood your answer, living in a van is not for everyone, for some is the financial , I know a few friends that are very wealthy financially, they can fly and lived anywhere but they chose the van lifestyle because of the freedom to find something missing in their lives. Best of luck to you on whatever paths you choose.
Good on you for mentioning Eric.
Nice take on Eric Enjoys Earth’s van build
Cool that you gave Eric credit. I also will be using his build. Like your version of it😊 Greetings from Germany!
Hell Yeah, I'm planning an Eric style build in a Mercedes Vito here in Straya.
Josh seems like a stellar guy. While his set up is minimal, it is functional and comfortable and provides everything one needs to "be" in this world.
Pro tip for cutting reflectix: go on the vertical vs horizontal.. they will stay in the windows better (not bunch up and slide out). Also, cut about 1/2 inch bigger than your template. It shrinks AND the extra can be used to push into the crack where the window meets the gasket.
I love this bed/cabinet set up. I’ve been in my’98 Sienna for up to 3 months with everything stored under my bed. Doable, but not ideal. Gonna check out Eric’s build video.
Thanks for the tour!
Eric's videos were a big eye opener for me too. Well done adjusting your van to suit your build. Great clip, enjoy 👍
I’m trying to decide what van would be best for me to travel solo in. I thought a minivan would be too small for me, until I watched this video. Great build!!
This is such a great use of space. Josh did a great job with this build out! ~ Brian
Nice ride. Always like seeing another Eric Enjoys Earth based build. I think his general ideas and priorities are the best balanced in terms of skills/tools required, costs and functionality. For almost anyone looking to build a minivan out who isn't sure where to start, his design is what I'd point at. He even shows you how to build a MacGyver style tool to trace the interior outlines of the walls of a minivan for the side cabinets, something I'd kind of wondered how best to do.
This is my ideal renovation, thank you for sharing. I want to live in a Sienna for a few months before I move to a new city and this is inspiring to kick start the groundwork for a build.
Now this I can imagine myself doing! The big fancy campers are gorgeous, but (besides being crazy expensive) I just can’t see myself driving such behemoths.
Very nice build. Thanks for mentioning the person you got the plan idea from - I always like when people give credit where credit is due. Best wishes to you as you travel.
What an interesting man! I hope he continues to enjoy his adventures car camping.
Hi Brian and Sierra , that was a pretty cool build he had. I love how Sierra just joined in , she is so pretty 😍
Great video and very functional build. I enjoyed the relaxed pace. I have a 22 ft Class C and it is superbly comfy with full kitchen, large fridge, full bath, office, lounge, queen bed and climate control. But it is not stealth and hard to find parking sometimes. I like traveling with my small dog (best alarm system for danger too), and the RV is good for easier climate control. Not sure if a minivan could be easy to leave your doggo in for a couple of hours at the gym, etc. That would worry me.
This model of bed flips into a bench on both sides, so its perfect. This is the right way to build a minivan bed. Lovely tour. Thanks guys!
Great build, Josh. I love your philosophy and attitude toward life. Kudos to Eric for inspiring so many people! Love your rosary and candle. Peace be with you and within you!
It’s so cool seeing various builds inspired by Eric Enjoys Earth and how people are implementing them!!
He’s inspired me for my van
Im stealing the trick of foam board to keep the window covers up. Thats so heplful. Thank you dude!!
Excellent no-harm and reasonably-priced build. I like the big underbed storage that your vehicle has...
Oh my goodness. Sierra is so sweet. Loved how she climbed in and snuggled up next to him and looked at him like you have a nice place here 🤣
I love this design/budget build, choice of vehicle and most of all this man's theory or attitude.
I have been living in my vehicle for close to four years. I started out with what I had, which was, simply put, way too much.
Family treasures in storage, my daily driver (Toyota RAV), a tiny tow behind RV trailer(filled to the brim).
I started out totally prepared mentally to gi for full time van living.
Before I could get organized, dot the i's cross the tees. Get a van and finish downsizing precious family heirlooms, etc. I had to do a cross country road trip to enjoy precious last moments with my Mom.
The most incredibly kind, sweet young man on the face of the planet (my Son).
Sold my RAV and camper trailer for me, bringing me more than I would have gotten.
I bought my van, my Son framed in the walls in the living/house area, the roof vent/exhaust fan was installed, spray foam insulation a tiny bit of wiring directly to the van batteries.
I slide in a cot, mattresses, bedding, camping gear, personal essentials, my dog and his bed and essentials. Three + years later my dog and I have covered a lot of ground in Canada and the USA in the van and also a few short miles on foot in Mexico.
The van evolved to have all the functionality of a full time year round home. It could only function better if I had less "stuff".
Despite the pandemic, travel restriction and all the hoopla in Canada 🇨🇦 My dog and I have enjoyed our best lives. Mountains, prairies, desert, oceans, islands, rivers, lakes, valleys, wind, humidity, extreme cold, heat, ...
life!!!
Every breakdown, hiccup, soft tire, threatening drop of doom, pending disaster has been narrowly escaped, survived or miraculously avoided.
The van itself is far from perfect, design flaws galore and one very costly incompetent, unscrupulous service repair later. I've learned that Pawpa was bang on correct when he said they don't build them like they used to.
As much as I love living in and driving my Ford Transit Cargo Van, I have to admit if it weren't for the add ons that make it a comfortable home even on the roadside shoulder. My dog and I would have faced a lot of discomfort when it broke down, again and again.
Did Ford deliberately design this to fail, or was it careless incompetence.
I am sticking with this lemon 🍋 on a wing and a prayer. It is my home, I love this life and I am going to enjoy living van life as long as I possibly can in this unit.
Then maybe..... I'll be blessed with a Toyota Sienna and much less baggage!
Long read...but you write well. 😁 I have been practicing in my Durango for the past 6 months.
I'm working the bugs out as I will be full timing it in the spring.
I love to hear the stories of seasoned nomads.
Do you have a channel?
Safe travels and best regards Jim 👍
I am a BIG fan of what he is doing, how he is living! Happy trails to you!
Thank you for sharing this guy's life style, living free mindset.
Peace 😊
Sierra is so beautiful and enjoying company 💕 So full of life and content. Hi Brian and company! Love this.
Hi Vivian! Yeah, Sierra sure has been full of energy lately, it's so nice to see her enjoying herself around here. Have a great evening! ~ Brian
Love the simplicity, yet very functional. I'm jelly
Great build! It looks a bigger van on the inside.
And I liked the rosary. God bless you, brother!
Thank you. Best way to start a day is in prayer or meditation.
@@whaterfoo excellent build and I like your attitude. Hope you get to enjoy more journeys
Wow! Love the simplicity yet utility of the build. I can really use his table on a rail idea for my on board art studio. He has as nearly as much room for stuff as I do in my 29ft. 5th wheel except for my fur kids. 15 years as a nomad and still counting. Happy trails.
Sierra looks lovely and spunky! Great zoomies! Really cool van👍
She really has been full of life lately, I LOVE to see it! Have a great evening, Angelique!
Great build, awesome tour, and amazing words of wisdom. Sierra was like where you going I like you. 😁
I’ve been a fan of the spaciousness of the sienna. That’s what I would get if I ever get a van.
Love love your setup!!! Agreed on what you said about wearing the same cloths everyday…I hiked 4 months on the Appalachian Trail with my dog 2 friends and support from my husband following along in our Sienna van. Everything I needed I carried on my back. We are now starting to use our van to beach camp and travel so I got some great ideas from you!!! Again thanks a ton and happy trails! Just love your set up…we are traveling 2 humans and our dog!
Such a great character. Amazing conversion. But his mindset is the gem here❤
What a great van setup! He is set to go anywhere. Thank you for sharing this video.
Thank you for sharing your build and experience! This is more affordable than I thought and that is encouraging. Happy trails and safe travels to you!
Very nice rig. Thank you for the tour!
It's always good to have good friends and you guys seem like you are. Safe travels to both and nice stealth rig.
It is better to have more than less, then every trip you learn what you need and what is excess and that changes seasonally and destination. I think you did just right! I've learned what I essentially need to camp (for weeks) and that changes when in bear country. Your table extensive is brilliant!
I enjoy the stealth of my Toyota van, but I love my truck bed camper. Thank you for showing the build Brian.
I agree...I'd love to have the stealth aspect but with the 4x4 capabilities of my truck we can get far enough away from everyone to where stealth doesn't really factor into our camping decisions. Have a great Sunday, Brian!
I have a 2013 sienna awd limited....love it. Best van ever made.
Transmission replacement..$5000 plus...ask me how I know
Love the way you treat your little girl
Nice build! Great attitude Josh !
We love your Minivan Camper and thank you!!!❤👍👍👍
That is a great build. Thx for sharing this. Josh, glad you’re having great travels.
Just stealth info for general travel is fantastic.
I agree Karen, this is such a great build yet simple to execute! Josh did a great job with his van. :)
It really is the easiest way to travel. Too bad gas prices are hitting hard. That's why I didn't a sienna, I get 22mpg, can't imagine what a heavy sprinter would be.
I really enjoyed this video. I love your build. Love your philosophy. We are "human beings, not human doings"
I LOVE YOUR SWEET DOGGIE ❤ she looks at you with such love.
Happiness is not shopping - this was the most important sentence!
I love stealth build campers.
Great dog!
Thanks for sharing this great build and Sierra is enjoying life and so cute!! 💜
Good job, especially the folding table (good at 2 positions!) & folding bench/bed.
Great build and attitude. " Life is about Being " AMEN Brother. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks 🙏 for sharing amazing idea 💡
Wow great setup, reasonable prices 👍👍
Very much so, I'm impressed with how functional this is without needing to break the bank!
I just got a 09 Sienna with 93k miles for $10k I’m really looking forward to making it a camper van someday soon. That’s a nice set up for a really great price you got it all done for. There are companies to at will do the work but charge a nice premium. I live in a small studio and can’t do all that work from here but hopefully I can get it all done someday for a good price too.
Great setup. Well worth the watch.👍👍👍👍👍👍
letssss goooo, I see that rosary!!
Awesome!!! I saved it so I can go back to this video for future build for my Sienna! Thank u! Asthetically clean, n practical n very minimal! Happy journeying!
Before you choose a sienna.. transmission $5000
@@clarktferrill Do you have mental problems?
I loved this video! The guy was everybody's 'Best Friend'. What an inspiration.
Man what a simple but great build thank you so much for sharing
Eric is amazing with his design, and I will use his design for my Honda Odyssey. I have been using and living in a 2015 Prius, converted to a camper for over 4 years, Simply amazing with its amazing 50 to 60 miles per gallon, and climate control air conditioning or heating using not quite one gallon of gas in the whole evening
love this design, especially the big table and folding bed
This is perfect! I like Eric Enjoys Earth, too.
I'm planning to give my 2012 Sienna awd a 3" lift and throw in some beefier A/T tires so I can get a little deeper in those back country dirt roads.
Great content, thank you for sharing.
Awesome! JUst got a Honda Odyssey and looking for inspiration. You gave it to me. Appreciate your attitude and philosophy. Yes less is more. I pretty much live this but you are correct, old habits die hard and most of America is caught up with MORE, BIGGER, FASTER, NEWER. THanx for the practical advise and ideas as well. THe ability to slow down appreciate what is around you is huge and speaks to mindfulness and gratitude. JUst got back from trip to Panama ,Colombia and south Florida. Yes I packed probably 40 % more than needed. And the strange thing is they sell same stuff I brought in those places. THat fear of not having enough dies hard. Again thanx for your candid, honest, humble, approach and practical advise. I wish you many miles of safe happy exploring
Great design and an amazing perspective on real living!
Great video! Simple build out (although the curves are not so easy) Glad he references Eric Loves Earth. So true materialism is not important, experiences are. Enjoy. Just found your channel, will watch more!
Happiness is not keeping up w the Joneses absolutely right
All about Jesus.✝♥Sharing the _Best News Ever_ w/those God places in our path, w/ears to hear, along life’s way.♥✝
And the awesome Creation we were given, to be good stewards of.
*Jesus is everyone’s Only Hope.* 💜
Nice set up. I just bought a 2011 Sienna that I plan on converting. Thanks for the video, it will help with some ideas I have squishing around in my brain. These AWD vans have run flat tires. No spare. They don't last very long, are expensive and if you drive more than 200 miles on a flat they are toast. Put regular tires on, and store a spare on the roof. Two inch lift, good set of chains, and the right tires, is all you need. I guess where you are, getting stuck in sand is the main concern, so traction mats would be a wise thing to have.
Cool rig, even cooler dude! Thanks for sharing!
I just started watching ur channel and it’s great that ur showing a minivan conversion! I’m wanting to start camping in my suv with my daughter and dogs in Colorado and Wyoming and I’m searching for ideas. Sienna looks great in this video. You’re doing a great job at keeping her healthy. I can tell you care for her so much ❤. Your property is awesome too. Northern Arizona is beautiful!!!
I liked how he cut the queen-size mattress into 3 same sized pieces.
Happy trails and safe travels
This was a good tour! Too often people identify themselves with the objects around them. Without those objects who are they? Minimalism forces one down a serious path of identifying one's authentic self for sure.
Beautifully written.
And forces you down a path of....what do I really need to be happy.
All of our things speak to us in some way. Even if we don't care what they say to others, what is the clutter saying to us? How is an item cluttering up ones mind, trapping us from being happy.
Minimalism is also a good way to start looking at how our dopamine receptors are being hijacked by other things, tv, internet, likes, food, sugar, sexual images, legal and illegal drugs, even God forbid coffee and caffeine.
Truth.
There is less to maintain, insure, fix etc....Minimalism is fantastic. It frees our time and brain.
Like it,Very nice,Very cozy.
One of the best conversion mini vans
FYI....from Hobo.....I took regular screening and wrapped it over the top of the slidding door and used magnets to hold it around the inside of the door. Then I placed a row of magnets along the outside, at the bottom of the window. The door holds it while I drive. I put a sign in the window of a "dog paw" so people will think it's there for the dog. Because the screen is on the outside, no critters can get in and I can close the window when necessary. Keeps things cool ;)
Could you be more specific with what you used? Thanks
Looks super easy. This vid just gave me some ideas for my chevy traverse.
Bro!!!! This is the best build Ive seen.
I love this! Resetting life goals at this moment. 🤩
You have an awesome setup. Love it that you pray the rosary!
Thank you
One word: GENIUS 👍
Great idea for an older Sienna van.
Great van and video! Thanks!
Nice, Josh -- rosary and candle.
Love your van setup. You dressed it out well without going overboard with extra add-on items. I have a full-on Motorcoach and a Chevy Conversion Van. Both serve different needs... BUT MY VAN IS MY "BABY 😂" I love taking the van to places the Motorcoach can't get to. CONGRATS TO YOU 👏🤝🍻🎉! BE WELL AND SAFE TRAVELS ALWAYS.
Thanks for sharing!
I have really been eyeing a sienna van for this. Very cool.
I love how functional this multi use space is with a simple design. Minimalism at it's finest!
Really cool!! Thanks Brian!!
Happy Memorial Day, Cheryl!
Minimalism ❤. I loved my 4 weeks no-build tiny van trip in the summer in Finland. I miss it.
Great video, Nice build. .I love the table that he can put in different places. Also like about too many clothes. I always seem to over pack , Nice reminder.
Yeah, I really like the functionality of the simple buildout! Josh has really got it dialed in, I look forward to meeting up with him again to see if he's made any changes. Have a great evening! ~ Brian
Great diy, friends and views! Blessings 🌱
Sierra zoomies make my heart happy 😊
great idea with the wind guards.
Awesome build
Exciting, I'll definitely see it👍
Really impressed with your indoor table / rear bumper table. What kind of metal channel or hardware would I search up for that? I may adopt that system in my build but not sure where to find that.
Looks like a french cleat
Thank you ❤
he has a really nice build
Love your set up....safe travels 👍👍
Totally agree. Minimalism is the way to go.. we have to appreciate Nature and have less carbon footprint. We got to take care of our Home Planet.
Cool !