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REAL BUILDS
FROM REAL PEOPLE

Every build here is documented by the builder — full cost breakdowns, honest mistakes, real photos. No staged shoots, no paid placements.

Mike's Ford Transit build interior
📸 img1 6 : 9 landscape
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⭐ Featured Build
$6,247
Total build cost · Van only

MIKE'S NO-BUDGET-
LEFT-UNTRACKED
TRANSIT BUILD

One Ford Transit 148" high-roof, 8 weeks, zero prior construction experience. Every single receipt photographed and published — including the $340 spray foam disaster that teaches you to never buy foam from Amazon.

2019 Transit 148" 400W Solar 200Ah LiFePO4 Diesel Heater Full Kitchen 8 Weeks
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Sarah and James Sprinter build
📸 img2 6 : 9 landscape
🚐 Van $11,400 Read Build →
Van Build· 2019 Sprinter 170"·5 months

Sarah & James: Remote Work in a High-Roof Sprinter

Two remote workers who needed a real standing desk, reliable connection, and enough power for two laptops all day. Their electrical system is the most thoroughly documented setup we've published.

600W Solar 300Ah LiFePO4 Standing Desk Shower Couple
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Rodriguez family skoolie build
📸 img3 6 : 9 landscape
🚌 Skoolie $24,800 Read Build →
Skoolie Build· 1998 Blue Bird 40ft·14 months

The Rodriguez Family: Denver Apartment → 40-Foot Bus

A family of four — two adults, two kids, two dogs — traded a Denver apartment for a fully converted school bus. Raised roof, full bathroom, separate kids' sleeping zone. The most ambitious build on the site.

800W Solar 400Ah LiFePO4 Raised Roof Full Bath Family of 4
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Budget ProMaster van build
📸 img4 6 : 9 landscape
🚐 Van $3,800 Read Build →
Budget Van Build· 2016 ProMaster 136"·3 weeks

$3,800 ProMaster: Full-Time Van Life on a Real Budget

Zero experience, three weekends, $3,800 including everything. Not pretty — but fully functional and livable. Proof that you don't need a big budget to start. This build gets more questions than any other we've published.

200W Solar 100Ah AGM No Plumbing Solo Budget
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Winnebago Revel solar upgrade
📸 img5 6 : 9 landscape
🏕 Camper $4,200 Read Build →
Camper Upgrade· 2018 Winnebago Revel·2 months

Upgrading a Revel: Better Solar, Real Off-Grid Power

The factory Revel solar is badly underpowered for serious off-grid use. Sam and Alex replaced everything — MPPT controller, lithium bank, added 200W of panels. Now they run for weeks without hookups.

Solar Upgrade 200Ah LiFePO4 MPPT Mods Only
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Jess short bus conversion
📸 img6 6 : 9 landscape
🚌 Short Bus $16,500 Read Build →
Short Bus Build· 2004 International RE·11 months

Jess Converts a Short Bus — And It's Perfect

A short bus is ideal for a solo traveler — easier to park than a full-size, cheaper to fuel, and still 170 sq ft of standing-height living space. Jess documented every step with photo logs and running cost totals.

500W Solar 200Ah LiFePO4 Composting Toilet Solo
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