By: Dwayne Parton

Converting a Van : Getting Started

We are all different. We each have different needs and wants. We have our own ideas and well since there are a lot of us, there are A LOT of ideas. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you have a blank canvas in front of you so let me give you a little advice. Don’t rush the process. Don’t plan start to finish when the first problem you have to solve is the insulation. Don’t overthink the layout when you still haven’t installed the sub-floor. Don’t get ahead of yourself. Look at what others have done and allow them to inspire you, not define you.

![Converting_A_Chevy_Express](/2016/04/27/Converting_A_Chevy_Express.jpg)
I wanted to show you some of the people who inspired me, and let you see how my ideas developed. This is hardly an original concept, but by taking the ideas of others I was able to create something original. Something that [I am proud of](https://dwayneparton.com/2016/04/25/a-truck-for-a-van/).

The Inspiration

David Sandel
I took a ton of ideas from David. He did a really great job documenting how he built his van from start to finish.

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Chasing the Stoke They were incredibly inspiring and creative.

Alex Honnold If you don’t know who Alex Honnold is you should take a minute to watch this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itIRdx1pJ2I
In the end I chose a layout very similar to Alex’s. And that’s why he’s in here.
**Sports Mobile** If you want to see just how far you can take a van check out these guys. Be careful though, if you’re goal is cheap then by the time you’ve added up all the luxuries you will be far from that. They are also a great source for DIY solutions and a huge inspiration!

Some Other Links

If you’re like me you have more ideas than you will know what to do with. You’re thinking 10 steps ahead and trying to solve every problem that you can imagine. You keep piecing together solutions and the van keeps getting more and more crowded. First, the trick is to figure out what you need. Get to know yourself? Are you really going to use a stove? Do you really need a heater? Through out the process you will start to learn what’s important to you. Perhaps that’s being minimal or perhaps that’s having every amenity. It’s all part of the process, enjoy it. Let the ideas simmer.