The Real Cost of Converting a Ram Promaster: A Detailed Budget Breakdown for a DIY Van Build

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My husband Jason and I are in the midst of converting our Ram Promaster into a fully functional camper van to take on the road. The number one question I always get is how much it actually costs to convert a van.

I want to share a detailed breakdown of the costs we’ve encountered so far. I’ll be adding to this list as we continue to build so make sure to pin this post for updates.

Plus, I’m including a link to our van budget spreadsheet, where you can see all our expenses in real time.

Why We Chose a Newer Vehicle

• Avoiding Mechanical Issues: We decided to go with a $20,000 auto loan instead of buying an older van. Our biggest concern was avoiding major mechanical issues right out of the gate. We’re learning as we go, but we didn’t want to start with repairs.

• Monthly Payment: Our loan costs $360 a month, but payments won’t start until the end of August.

Estimating the Cost of a Van Build

• Initial Estimate: We went into this project thinking we’d spend about $10,000 on the conversion. To be honest, we didn’t do a ton of research before diving in, but we’re documenting everything to help others learn from our experience.

Our Budget Spreadsheet: Full Transparency

• Detailed Breakdown: We’ve created a van build budget spreadsheet that lists every item we’ve purchased for the build. It’s categorized by key components like solar, insulation, windows, and more.

• Monthly Tracking: The spreadsheet also tracks our spending month by month. This will give you a clear view of how costs can add up over time.

Key Expenses So Far

• Roof Rack:

  • Estimated Cost: $400

  • Actual Cost: $462

  • Notes: We decided to DIY our roof rack instead of buying a pre-made one, which can cost upwards of $1,000. Despite our efforts to save, we went slightly over budget.

• Maxxair Fans:

  • Estimated Cost: $530

  • Actual Cost: $454

  • Notes: We saved about $76 on our Maxxair fans, but be careful when ordering—one of our fans wasn’t reversible as advertised. Thankfully, Amazon’s customer support helped us out with a rebate.

• Solar Panels:

  • Estimated Cost: $940

  • Actual Cost: $638

  • Notes: We scored a great deal on our solar panel setup thanks to the rebate from our fan mix-up. Always double-check your purchases before installation!

• Windows:

  • Estimated Cost: $700

  • Actual Cost: $729

  • Notes: We opted for two van bunk windows from Flarespace and a non-sliding side window from Van Tek Glass. We chose the fixed window because it was half the price and we plan to keep our doors open as much as possible.

• Tools:

  • Estimated Cost: $400

  • Actual Cost: $222

  • Notes: Tools can be a big expense, but we were lucky to borrow some from our neighbors. If you’re only going to use a tool once, consider borrowing instead of buying.

• Insulation:

  • Estimated Cost: $680

  • Actual Cost: $342

  • Notes: We chose Havelock Wool for insulation due to its sustainability and multiple benefits like moisture protection and sound deadening. We found a great deal on Facebook Marketplace, saving us nearly half the expected cost.

• Walls & Ceiling (Framing Only):

  • Estimated Cost: $750-$800

  • Actual Cost: $199

  • Notes: We’ve only completed the framing so far, so this cost will definitely increase as we move forward with the walls and ceiling.

Total Cost So Far

• Current Spending: As of early August, we’ve spent $2,489.25 on the van build. While this is a significant chunk of our $10,000 budget, it’s less than we initially expected. That said, we still have major expenses ahead, including furniture, electrical components, and new tires.

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We’re not professionals, but we’re learning a lot as we go and are excited to share our journey with you. I hope this breakdown gives you a realistic picture of what it takes to build out a van. If you found this post helpful, please subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Instagram @adventurvan for more updates.

And don’t forget to check out our list of all the materials we’ve used on our van build budget spreadsheet.

Feel free to leave a comment with any questions or suggestions on what you’d like to see next. Your support means the world to us, and we’re thrilled to have you along for the ride!

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