The Escape Pod – a long wheelbase 2500 4×4 Sprinter van
Solar panels on the roof for power
Van living space
12v compressor fridge
Microwave cabinet with storage below and “pantry” pull-out
Sliding door cabinet, sink cabinet, hot water tank (next to bench seat)
View of cabinets through open sliding door
Passenger seat swivels to make more usable living space
Living area of the van – bench seat moved to third passenger position to make space for cabinetry. Swivel on passenger seat
View from the bed, looking forwards
Driver’s side of cargo area under bed
Storage above rear wheel well, l-track to attach cargo tie-downs
LED work lights in top panels of rear doors
Water tank, rear shower, storage area in rear passenger side of van
Apparently you have to have a picture of a Vitamix blender on your van countertop, so here you go.
The build process
Brand new long wheelbase crew van ready for conversion
First job: take the insides out
Adding Thinsulate insulation to the walls and ceiling
Solar panels and fan installation
Dog planned on sleeping until the conversion was done
Electrical spaghetti
Mocking up cabinet locations using cardboard
First cabinetry – battery box and electrical unit
12v distribution panel wiring
Coin flooring installed over original van wooden floor
The finished flooring surface
The electrical system controller
Interior walls are in place, cabinets are rough-fitted
Drilling the rails for the bed panels to rest on
Removable bed panels mounted in the van
LED lights behind ceiling coving
Hot water heater plumbing
Replacing the seat bases with lower models for the swivels and air ride suspension seats