One of the first things I did, last fall before cold weather arrived, was to install some windows.
This particular van was owned by a garden supply company and there were no windows in the back at all. Not even the rear doors. A bit of time on Amazon followed by a quick trip over the border and I had most of my windows. Now the fun could start.
I have to admit to a wee bit of trepidation before cutting big holes in the side of my new van, but with careful measuring and a new metal blade in my saber saw, the holes were soon cut and the new windows were installed.
All in all, to this point, I've cut 9 holes of various sizes in the van, for electrical, the furnace, windows, a roof vent and a solar panel wire access box.
Over the past couple of months, I've been working on the inside. The whole shell has been covered inside with 2 inches of blue Styrofoam, then a layer of 1/4" plywood. Then the various cabinets could be constructed.
This has been a bit slow. The main issue has been deciding where things need to go, how they will be hooked up, how the various parts connect to each other, and so on. As I mentioned before, lots of time looking at YouTube videos for ideas. However, by now, it's starting to take shape and I'm running wires and making various connections.
Everything is held in place with a combination of expandable foam, a polyurethane adhesive and some screws. I've installed the swivel seat base on the passenger side, put my two deep cycle batteries into their place (all 200 pounds of them), installed the furnace and am now building drawers and two butcher block style counter tops.
Still left to do is the propane hookup, cupboard and drawer doors and fronts, flooring, finish the bunk, make the dining table, install the stove and fridge, glue the solar panels to the roof and probably a few dozen other things that I haven't thought of yet.
There is also going to be a hot water heater with water pump, back door shower, water tank and grey water storage. But I'm saving that for last.
