Step-by-Step Build Order for RV Conversion Projects

[Richard digirolamo]

My ADD has me all over the place. Demo is done and if it ever warms up I will start the build but when I think I have a good place to start I come up with a reason why I should do another project first. It seems I’m going round and round. So,I’m sure there is a “list” or “order” that most builders follow. If you guys could help me out that would be great.

 

[Rucker]

Here's my take:
1. Rig mechanical. Make the vehicle roadworthy. Develop a preventive maintenance plan.
2. Rig body. Seal leaks, fix windows.
3. Strip unwanted interior.
4. Lay out floor plan with blue painter's tape.
5. Document your whole process for posterity.
6. Figure out where your blackwater/graywater tank(s) will go.
7. Re-lay out floorplan to put the bathroom in the right place.
8. ....

 

[Richard digirolamo]

Here's my take:
1. Rig mechanical. Make the vehicle roadworthy. Develop a preventive maintenance plan.
2. Rig body. Seal leaks, fix windows.
3. Strip unwanted interior.
4. Lay out floor plan with blue painter's tape.
5. Document your whole process for posterity.
6. Figure out where your blackwater/graywater tank(s) will go.
7. Re-lay out floorplan to put the bathroom in the right place.
8. ....

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[AlphaHare]

3.5 Plan, plan, plan. Make sketches, capture ideas, use graph paper and post-it notes trimmed to scale. Look at other busses for ideas, search pintrest, Youtube, what ever it takes.

Then stew on it for a bit.

Rinse and repeat.

It's easy to change things at this stage. A bit more painful once you've started cutting holes.

3.6 Seriously evaluate your skill set and time commitment. Only Youtubers get it done in a few days and it's often a hack. Think about what you might need help with (welding, wiring, spray foam) and what you can competently do yourself. Think about the time to completion - for many of us (myself included) several years. Make sure the plan in 3.5 supports your evaluation. Adjust as required.

 

[Richard digirolamo]

3.5 Plan, plan, plan. Make sketches, capture ideas, use graph paper and post-it notes trimmed to scale. Look at other busses for ideas, search pintrest, Youtube, what ever it takes.

Then stew on it for a bit.

Rinse and repeat.

It's easy to change things at this stage. A bit more painful once you've started cutting holes.

3.6 Seriously evaluate your skill set and time commitment. Only Youtubers get it done in a few days and it's often a hack. Think about what you might need help with (welding, wiring, spray foam) and what you can competently do yourself. Think about the time to completion - for many of us (myself included) several years. Make sure the plan in 3.5 supports your evaluation. Adjust as required.

Analysis Paralysis is hitting hard. Thanks

 

[Mr. Beefy]

Our general approach was outside->in, top->down, mechanical->aesthetics.

The hard part about doing things this way is nothing 'fun' happens fast. So if making visual progress is a requirement to stay motivated, this can be tough. But it was my desire to do things the 'right' way, in the 'right' order, in order to maximize efficiency, lay down a solid foundation upon which to build, and minimize regrets.

The cool thing about doing things this way is that when you do get to the 'fun' parts, they seem to happen so fast! All the infrastructure is there from the months (err... years in our case) of 'grinding'.

 

[nikitis]

I spent first 1.5 years getting the bus in great running condition. I found enjoyment in it's base state (Minus seats). Took it on campouts as a steel tent and blow up matresses with the family.

I'm 3 years in now, done roof raise, insulation, Many electrical modifications. Outside mods done for solar mounts (Panels not mounted but mounts are mounted). Paint left, and the rest of the inside is left which is a lot, but during that time prior I went over all of the bus including the underside and painted it to make it last even longer.

Fast forward to today, i'm a bit on paralysis but mainly cause I had lost my job and needed to move, but I will be resuming in a couple of weeks and going full bore to completion as we want to live in it. Necessity breeds invention.

 

[Mr. Beefy]

Here's my take:
1. Rig mechanical. Make the vehicle roadworthy. Develop a preventive maintenance plan.
2. Rig body. Seal leaks, fix windows.
3. Strip unwanted interior.
4. Lay out floor plan with blue painter's tape.
5. Document your whole process for posterity.
6. Figure out where your blackwater/graywater tank(s) will go.
7. Re-lay out floorplan to put the bathroom in the right place.
8. ....

LOL @ #7.
Even more LOL at #8