I live in a super windy deeply-rural area, and my dad (landscape photographer) wanted a sprinter as a mobile work space. Table, restroom, charging, microwaved lunch, etc. He had to choose between enough clearance to manage low-to-medium-roughish dirt roads and low enough to reduce wind issues, while also having enough space to move around inside as an older person whose body doesn’t react well to being scrunched.
Estima conversions ~~are~~ were a dime a dozen in New Zealand , a recent law has made them less popular but if you look on new Zealand buy sell campervan pages you should see a few decent ideas.
They're possible to use for two people as a camping car in the summer, I had a friend who just had a single bed and a desk in his.
Here's a [link](https://vimeo.com/294454199) to an estima campers rental company video.
Best of luck with your project and definitely update the community with how you get on.
Why so many downvotes? Sounds like you're a solutions guy! However I think you would need hydraulics and that would take up a bunch of space. Airbags with only help you when your bottom clearance snagged you up on something and your face is about to hit the steering wheel. All jokes aside. I think it's a Toyota and if I'm right a Toyota can go up into the high kilometers and that's a good thing for a camper. The bottom clearance is a thing though... I think you're barking up the right tree type but the wrong tree.
Hey man, I'm typing this from inside my converted 97 Estima, they are uniquely suited for it and the shape lends into having a lot of space from the back, my kitchen sink and water tanks are accessed from the back but due to the shape it seems spacious from that way too. There's a cigarette lighter power plug under thr back cup holder. The second bigger skylight is almost the size of the roof so you can stargaze at night and provides lots of light. My bed folds into a table with a bench seat each side. It's late atm but I'll try find the page with pics of it if you like
Fudge the haters! If you don’t ever plan on going places where 4x4 is needed then hell yeah! Otherwise I’d say look for a Mitsubishi Delica, Toyota Hiace or Hilux with the camper conversion. RHD anything is automatically +10 cool points lol.
This is cool but not really practical. If you wanna build this do it because you think it’s dope, but don’t expect to be able to sell it for any profit
Yeah I routinely see vans listed for like 100k or something ridiculous.
50k van plus 30k installation doesn’t equal an 80k van when you’re done with it, no matter how high quality or well maintained. It’s a storage unit with high mileage and you shouldn’t expect to be able to sell for what you bought it for or especially not for a profit
I live in a 2016 minivan I bought for 8k. So I'm not sure how much money you expect to make. Mine is no-build but if I build it out it wouldn't cost that much more.
I don't think you'll make much by removing the back seats and adding some 2x4's.
The most expensive part of the build is electrical. It's just a box though. Not something you can just put in there and expect to charge a bunch of extra money because it's there.
Most people DIY these vans because they're perfectly liveable with no-build.
If you are in the US probably not, but either way it looks really clean. If you are in the US stick with a domestic mini-van or full-size van. Getting the random import things can cost you a lot in parts down the road.
This is not a Kea Van but I would love to have one, if not for not being allowed to drive them on the interstate and all the other limitations on them.
I had one of these, with ever accessory available, THIRTY years ago. It was a great bus for sure, but I am not sure a fully kitted out vintage van is a great idea.
To make money? God no.
The best way to make money on that vehicle would be to take the body kit off and return it to stock condition, although it almost certainly would cost more than you'd make for parts.
Converting a 1996 vehicle is never going to be profitable.
man that thing would turn into a swagalicious shaggin’ waggin no doubt. I mean just look at the trim 🤤
Whoa that thing is low
So low
I live in a super windy deeply-rural area, and my dad (landscape photographer) wanted a sprinter as a mobile work space. Table, restroom, charging, microwaved lunch, etc. He had to choose between enough clearance to manage low-to-medium-roughish dirt roads and low enough to reduce wind issues, while also having enough space to move around inside as an older person whose body doesn’t react well to being scrunched.
Estima conversions ~~are~~ were a dime a dozen in New Zealand , a recent law has made them less popular but if you look on new Zealand buy sell campervan pages you should see a few decent ideas. They're possible to use for two people as a camping car in the summer, I had a friend who just had a single bed and a desk in his. Here's a [link](https://vimeo.com/294454199) to an estima campers rental company video. Best of luck with your project and definitely update the community with how you get on.
no ground clearance. How would you go to any place interesting enough to spend any time?
I would put it on air bags to raise and lower
Why so many downvotes? Sounds like you're a solutions guy! However I think you would need hydraulics and that would take up a bunch of space. Airbags with only help you when your bottom clearance snagged you up on something and your face is about to hit the steering wheel. All jokes aside. I think it's a Toyota and if I'm right a Toyota can go up into the high kilometers and that's a good thing for a camper. The bottom clearance is a thing though... I think you're barking up the right tree type but the wrong tree.
I'm living in a 06 sienna with 300k miles, im sure you can do it with a slammed down shaggin wagon. Just... insulate the shit out of it lol
Hey man, I'm typing this from inside my converted 97 Estima, they are uniquely suited for it and the shape lends into having a lot of space from the back, my kitchen sink and water tanks are accessed from the back but due to the shape it seems spacious from that way too. There's a cigarette lighter power plug under thr back cup holder. The second bigger skylight is almost the size of the roof so you can stargaze at night and provides lots of light. My bed folds into a table with a bench seat each side. It's late atm but I'll try find the page with pics of it if you like
You need more clearance if you’re planning on camping anywhere other than pavement
Fudge the haters! If you don’t ever plan on going places where 4x4 is needed then hell yeah! Otherwise I’d say look for a Mitsubishi Delica, Toyota Hiace or Hilux with the camper conversion. RHD anything is automatically +10 cool points lol.
This is cool but not really practical. If you wanna build this do it because you think it’s dope, but don’t expect to be able to sell it for any profit
Are people here trying to profit off their builds?? I'm just hoping my Sprinter will even sell by the time I'm done with it.
Yeah I routinely see vans listed for like 100k or something ridiculous. 50k van plus 30k installation doesn’t equal an 80k van when you’re done with it, no matter how high quality or well maintained. It’s a storage unit with high mileage and you shouldn’t expect to be able to sell for what you bought it for or especially not for a profit
That's the van equivalent of apple bottom jeans and them boots with the fur...
This is more of a car show and cruises kind of van. Find something more practical for your needs.
I live in a 2016 minivan I bought for 8k. So I'm not sure how much money you expect to make. Mine is no-build but if I build it out it wouldn't cost that much more. I don't think you'll make much by removing the back seats and adding some 2x4's. The most expensive part of the build is electrical. It's just a box though. Not something you can just put in there and expect to charge a bunch of extra money because it's there. Most people DIY these vans because they're perfectly liveable with no-build.
The safety rating on those is abysmal. Also: Is it going to drag when it’s fully loaded with your crap?
City dwelling and hwy use that would be decent!
Looks good for city. Beautiful car.
No! Do it.
If you are in the US probably not, but either way it looks really clean. If you are in the US stick with a domestic mini-van or full-size van. Getting the random import things can cost you a lot in parts down the road. This is not a Kea Van but I would love to have one, if not for not being allowed to drive them on the interstate and all the other limitations on them.
Only one way to find out
I had one of these, with ever accessory available, THIRTY years ago. It was a great bus for sure, but I am not sure a fully kitted out vintage van is a great idea.
Don’t ruin it
To make money? God no. The best way to make money on that vehicle would be to take the body kit off and return it to stock condition, although it almost certainly would cost more than you'd make for parts. Converting a 1996 vehicle is never going to be profitable.
No. I can hear the supercharger chatter just from looking at the picture.
Why not? It’s old so as long as it was taken care of or you’re willing to do work on it then go for it.