Custom Camper Vans
I build custom camper vans.
Whether you provide the van or we purchase one, we will work together to define your dream travel van.
I am a retired engineer in St. Louis who likes to work with my hands. Contact me at john@jcconversions.com for a quote.
I am available for consultation through email.
Rushmore – Sold
A new conversion on a used (48,247 miles) 2019 RAM 2500 Promaster 136” Hightop cargo van. Includes Driver Side Sliding Door, 220 Amp Alternator, Fog Lamps, Power Folding /Heated Mirrors, Parksense Rear Park Assist System, Uconnect 3 NAV with 5-inch display.
Rostra 250-9642 Cruise Control Kit System added. Steelcraft Running Boards Driver and Passenger Sides for easy access.
Conversion includes installation of 2nd row removable Bench Seats with integral Shoulder Belts (Ford Transit 37” wide bench). A bunk bed system adds an Upper Bunk (56” Long x 34” Wide) to a Lower Bed (72” Long x 46” Wide). Rustic wood look throughout with black hinges and barrel bolts for secure door closure. Overhead and under bench storage.
– 100Ah 12V Lithium (LiFePO4) Battery, Built-in 200A BMS, Max 2560W Power Output
– Renogy Battery Monitor with 500A Shunt
– Renogy 30A Battery Charger for Alternator and Solar Charge Control
– Renogy Bluetooth Module for Battery Charger Control
– 195W 12V Solar Panel
– Custom Roof Rack for Solar Panel made from 1″x1″ Aluminum tubing
– 15 Amp Inlet Port and Power strip in kitchen for Shore Power
– 1500 Watt Pure SINE Wave Inverter and Power strip in kitchen for Inverter Power
– 4 Ceiling LED light strips controlled by 4 switches
– 12V Ventline Reversible 6-speed Roof Fan
– OEM style Windows in sliding doors and rear doors, Driver and Passenger side Half Slider Bunk Windows in back
– Privacy curtains front and back, Flannel window coverings for sliding doors, Flannel curtains in bunk windows
– Air Movement Blower under driver’s seat to move air from the Cab to the 2nd row seat area
– USB connection in front of 2nd Row bench seat
– Kitchen cabinet with sink, pocket for 38Qt. Cooler, one drawer
– Natural wood edged counter with Clear Epoxy coating
– White sink with USB Charged Water Dispenser
– Clear 3-Gallon Clean Water Container, Clear 3-Gallon Grey Water Container
– Two section Table Tops
– Thetford Porta Potti 135
– Insulated Vinyl Floor
– Wall and ceiling Insulation installed with 3M Thinsulate™ , RMAX Polyisocyanurate, and Great Stuff Sealant
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Van6 (Chris) Chris and Erin had a specific layout and style for their build. The main features are a partition with sliding door, a pull out table, and a 24″x36″ shower.
Van Features: RAM 2500 159″ Wheelbase High Roof
Camper Features: The electrical system starts with a 200 Ah LiFePo4 battery. 2x 200 Watt Solar Panels connect with a Renogy DC DC Charger that is also connected to the alternator for charging while driving. A Renogy bluetooth module was added in order to program the charger with the specific settings required by the Lithium battery. A 1500 Watt Inverter provides power for a 4 gallon Bosch Water Heater. They requested an on board water tank so a 30 gallon tank was installed. A pull-out table creates a short bench seating area. A fold up counter extension provides additional space next to the deep sink. Ceiling panels were cedar planks stained Golden Oak and layered with polyurethane. Maple Butcherblock was used for the kitchen counter and the table. The walls were made with tongue and groove planks. The bed area has two CRL bunk windows for creation of a cross breeze. Reading lights on both sides provide separate control as well as USB charging. Dimable lights were installed over the bed, the benches, and the kitchen. The shower has its own light. A Fiamma roof rack and awning were also installed. The two rear doors have fold down tables for extra staging space.
Van5 (Nancy) I assisted Nancy in building out her dream van. She contacted me after starting her build. She already had her design in mind and just needed a worker. Her friend Danny did the cabinets and she did most of the painting and staining as well as installing the insulation. I did the rest of the structure and electrical. I think it turned out great.
Van Features: Ford Transit Medium roof van with Eco boost.
Camper features: Electrical system supplied by AM Solar. Victron SmartSolar 20A controller attached to 2x 100watt solar panels and a Victron 30A Orion Alternator Charger Kit for alternator charging of the 2x 100 AH Battleborn LiFePo4 batteries. A Victron MultiPlus 12/3000/120-50 120V VE.Bus Inverter/Charger was installed to manage the shore and inverter supply with 2400W of pure sine wave 120V. A BMV-712 Smart Battery Monitor and a Smart BP-65 Battery Protection device was installed. The ceiling was installed cedar planking stained and coated with polyurethane. The linoleum floor was placed first. Walls and cabinets have latex paint with 3 coats of polyurethane. Butcherblock countertops stained and oiled. The one window in the sliding door is from Wilderness Vans in Canada. It is a Black acrylic dual glazed DOT approved window that comes with a screen/shade assembly inside. The fixed bed provides a good sized garage area. LED puck lights and reading lights as well as a red/white led strip above the sliding door were provided. The cooler style refrigerator provides extra counter space and a dog house underneath.
Van4 (Edith) was designed and built for a winter Texan client as a travel van.
Van Features: RAM Promaster 1500 High Roof 136″ wheelbase, Cruise Control, Rear Park-Assist, Side Running boards and Class IV hitch. All speed traction control, Remote Keyless Entry, Hill Start Assist, Uconnect Bluetooth connection, Trip Computer, Power Windows and Air Conditioning. Passenger seat swivel.
Camper Features: 30 Amp hook-up wired for shore power and a water heater using a Converter/Charger. The van is also wired for future installation of an Air Conditioner. 200 AH Battery for off grid DC. Renogy Charge Controller for alternator charging with solar charging from the 200 Watt Solar Panel. 1500 Watt Pure Sine Inverter for off grid AC. Stainless sink, water pump with 4 gallon tank. Roof vent with bi-directional fan. Bodega 38qt dual zone compressor Cooler/Refrigerator. Overhead and under seat storage with cargo net over bed. Fixed bed area (68” x 44”) with reading lights with USB connection. Thetford 92860 Porta Potti 135 . Privacy curtains front, side, and back. LED lights, USB and 12v DC ports, battery charge meter. Mid-van windows with sliders and screens. Rear windows over bed with sliders and screens. Shower enclosure for use when shore power and water are available.
Van3 (Charlotte) was designed and built as a 2 person travel van for a specific client.
Van Features: RAM Promaster 1500 High Roof 136″ wheelbase, Cruise Control, Rear Park-Assist, Side Running boards and Class IV hitch. All speed traction control, Remote Keyless Entry, Hill Start Assist, Uconnect Bluetooth connection, Trip Computer, Power Windows and Air Conditioning. Passenger seat swivel.
Camper Features: 30 Amp hook-up for Dometic 13500 BTU Duo Therm Brisk II Air Conditioner, shore power and Converter/Charger. 200 AH Battery for off grid DC. Thunder Charge Controller for alternator charging with solar charging from the 200 Watt Solar Panel. 1500 Watt Pure Sine Inverter for off grid AC. Stainless sink and countertop, water pump with 6 gallon tank. Roof vent with fan. 800 Watt Microwave. Donmende 54qt compressor Cooler/Refrigerator. Overhead and under seat storage. Seating area with two tables and seat belts converts to 68” x 60” bed. SeaLand 2.5 Gallon SaniPottie 964 Portable Toilet. Privacy curtains front and back. Dimmable LED lights, USB and 12v DC ports, battery charge meter.
Sold!: Van2 was designed and built as a 2 person travel van for stopping at different places each day.
Van Features: RAM Promaster 1500 High Roof 136″ wheelbase, Cruise Control, Rear Park-Assist, Running boards and Rear Bumper Step for easy access. All speed traction control, Remote Keyless Entry, Hill Start Assist, Uconnect Bluetooth connection, Trip Computer, Power Windows and Air Conditioning.
Camper Features: 30 Amp hook-up for Dometic 13500 BTU Duo Therm Brisk II Air Conditioner, shore power and Converter/Charger. 100 AH Battery for off grid DC. Thunder Charge Controller for alternator charging with solar connection available. 1500 Watt Pure Sine Inverter for off grid AC. Stainless sink and countertop, water pump with 6 gallon tank. Roof vent with fan. CX40 Cooler/Refrigerator. Overhead and under seat storage. Seating area with two tables and seat belts converts to 68” x 60” bed. SeaLand 2.5 Gallon SaniPottie 964 Portable Toilet.
Van1:
This was the first van that I built. It is also a RAM Promaster 1500 High Roof 136″ wheelbase. I currently have over 30,000 miles traveling to Utah and Wisconsin, mostly. “Keep it Simple” was the basic concept of the design. Built with 1×6, 1×4, and 1×2 furring lumber and plywood, insulated with RMax and Great Stuff. Covered with 3 coats of Polyurethane, the surfaces are very tough. It has a Maxx fan which we rarely use. I originally installed a hand pump faucet but we now have a USB charged water bottle pump for the sink. I made sliders for the overhead storage spaces instead of doors with pistons. So far, the 100 Ah battery has been sufficient. We usually stop at State Parks with electric hookups.
