Ford Transit Connect Camper Conversion

This post documents my Ford Transit Connect camper conversion journey. I started the project in September 2020 when I sold my small hatchback car and bought a 2012 Ford Transit Connect long wheel base high roof panel van with 55,000 miles and a lot of potential. I had no DIY skills before starting this, but I’ve learned loads along the way and have had so much fun – this is one of my proudest and most freeing achievements and hope this will inspire you to give your own van (tiny or bigger) a go. Don’t let your perceived lack of skills stop you – you’ve got this!

I’ve tried to keep this post updated along the way, though there are some phases that I’m still writing up. If you have questions about your own conversion, leave a comment or get in touch with me by email at monica at eatsleepwild.com. Also, there are some affiliate links here – thanks for supporting this and my other projects!

Contents:

• Video tour
• Backstory
• Pros and Cons
• My campervan use case
• Phase 1: Gutting and cleaning
• Phase 2: Sound proofing and insulation
• Phase 3: Floor ply lining and laminate flooring
• Phase 4: Building a slide-out bed
• Phase 5: Installing privacy windows
• Phase 6: Wall Carpeting and Cladding
• Phase 7: Electrics
• Phase 8: Overhead storage area
• Phase 9: Slide out kitchen unit
• Phase 10: Interior table / desk storage
• Phase 11: Water
• Phase 12: Interior Shelving
• Phase 13: Rear door cabinets
• Extras: Window insulation, curtains, diesel heater and more comfort upgrades
• Next Steps
• Summary of Costs

Video Tour: Ford Transit Connect Camper Van

Backstory

In 2019 my current car, a Ford Fiesta, was on its last legs. I really wanted a campervan but simply couldn’t afford it without taking out a loan. In the end I compromised on a Ford Fiesta van (basically a hatchback with a huge boot and no back seats). I thought I could turn this car into a sort of super-mini camper. The problem was: once I put all my gear in the car, there was no way I’d be able to sleep in it without some major modifications and probably a roof box. On the plus side, the van was really handy for making local deliveries particularly when I was doing supper boxes during the Covid lockdown.

In July 2020 I took a holiday to Scotland. This was right after lockdown, when campsites and Airbnbs were able to re-open. My plan was to do a bit of hiking and wild camping with the occasional campsite or Airbnb where I could wash up and sort my gear. As I discovered, due to the situation, campsites and Airbnbs were either totally booked, closed, or obstructively expensive. I love wild camping, but wild camping by necessity is a whole different situation. I kept thinking how much better things would be if I’d had a camper van. Don’t get me wrong, I had some awesome adventures (which you can read about here and here) but a van would have been an incredible asset on those days when I just wanted to read, plan, or simply escape poor weather.

When I got back from Scotland I fell into a rabbit hole of research. My Ford Fiesta still had relatively low miles – selling it would give me a good chunk of change to put towards a van. With impatience spurring me on, I impulsively took the car to We Buy Any Car and miraculously got more than I paid for it! And having sold my car, I had to replace it!

When I first started looking, I focused on vans that had already been converted. I have had very few DIY or automotive skills and the idea of doing this myself was really daunting. I quickly learned there was no way I could afford a ready-built campervan, or at least one that didn’t need a lot of work. Small panel vans, however, were within reach of my budget. And the more I thought about it (and the more I researched and watched YouTube videos) the more confident I felt that I could largely convert a van myself. It would also allow me to customise the van to suit my unique needs (more on this below).

Within a few days of selling my car I came across a 2012 Ford Transit Connect with long wheel base (LWB) and high roof at a price I could afford. Victory! Let the Ford Transit Connect camper conversion begin…

As previously mentioned, I had pretty much zero DIY skills going into this. Every step can feel like an eternity as I’m having to spend lots of time on research, learning how to use a particular tool, and getting to grips with my total lack of storage! This is definitely a good project for learning patience. And also the virtues of the Ford Transit Connect Haynes Manual.

Pros and Cons of the Ford Transit Connect Camper Conversion

The Ford Transit Connect is pretty small by campervan standards. You can’t quite stand in it, and the LWB model is JUST long enough to sleep in for most normally proportioned people. There are only two seats, so it’s really only an option for the solo traveller, couple, or close friends.

However, being smaller makes it generally more affordable, and also easier to drive.

Don’t let size discourage you; there are plenty of people converting small vans like Ford Transit Connects, Citroen Berlingos, and Fiat Doblos. The web is full of inspiration. Here’s a few posts I found in my research that helped me see the possibilities and settle on a small camper for this project:

• 9 DIY Ford Transit Connect Conversions [parkedinparadise.com]
• Why I chose a Ford Transit Connect for van life [thewaywardhome.com]
• Tiny Van Ford Transit Connect Conversion Tour [youtube.com]
• Custom Tiny Van Tour (2012 Ford Transit Connect) [youtube.com]

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Transit Connect (@transit_connect_camper) on Oct 5, 2020 at 7:31pm PDT

My camper van use case

I have a few unique use cases for the Ford Transit Connect beyond just a campervan. It’s worth noting as they’ll play in role in planning the layout…

1. Commuting / errands. This is my only vehicle so in addition to adventures, I’ll also be using it to get around locally.
2. Wild camping and weekend adventures. Drive up to Snowdonia on a Friday evening, spend the night in the car, then set off for the weekend on a backpacking mini-adventure. I’ll need space to store all my gear. Also, security will be paramount if I want to keep the van parked somewhere for a few days!
3. Longer trips. My hope is that the van will enable longer trips where I can mix up outdoor adventures with time spent in the van working, writing, and planning. I also plan to devote a small area, probably on the rear doors, to a mobile pickle bar / backcountry larder where I can display stuff from the Eat Sleep Wild shop!

Phase 1: Gutting and Cleaning

Probably the least fun part of the whole project but absolutely essential. This involved:

• Gutting: remove the existing floor and side panels
• Cleaning: all the surfaces, nooks and crannies using a combination of broom, hose, and sponge and bucket.
• Rust removal: Clean off any rust using wire brushes for the small patches and a drill with a wire wheel for any tough bits.
• Rust treatment: I used Hammerite Kurust rust converter
• Paint: Not really necessary as the van would be covered but it did give a sense of doing the job right. I used a coat of Hammerite White Metal Paint followed by Hycote XDFD717 Ford Frozen White Spray Paint to colour match (again, not really necessary!).

Fortunately the interior wasn’t too bad in terms of dirt and rust. When I took up the floor and walls it became clear that the previous owner had a black dog! The hardest part of the whole thing was cleaning out all the dog hair (which I still keeping finding). I bought a cheapo cordless wet/dry car vacuum that really helps keep up with messes. Luckily the rust wasn’t bad and largely superficial.

Phase 2: sound proofing and insulation – £250

While doing my research I came across a series of YouTube videos from Combe Valley Campers that were incredibly useful for this project. On their recommendation I went with the Dodo Dead Mat Duo (<£100), a product designed for van floors with combo sound deadening and insulation in one. A few key benefits: it’s easy to install, and it’s very low profile. This is a good thing – the Ford Transit Connect is very small so space saving every step of the way is paramount. One roll of Dodo Dead Mat Duo JUST fit the van floor and took just an hour to install.

I did the sound proofing and insulation for the rest of the van in phases (you can see in the photos below), using a combination of Dodomat’s stick-on sound deadening mats, Dodo Mat stick-on insulation, and Dodo mat Thermo Fleece to jam into the wall spaces. It was incredibly easy to install.

For reference, this was enough to cover the entire van:

• 1 x Dodo DEADN Hex 50 Bulk Pack (4.7sq.m)
• 2 x Dodo Thermo Liner 3m Rolls (6sq.m)
• 1 roll of Dodo Thermo Fleece

You can order Dodo Mat bundles for small vans containing all the materials you need via their online shop (about £140). Highly recommended – great products and really great customer support if you have any questions. I certainly had a few – largely around vapour barriers and condensation – they came back to me with loads of detail which made me feel much more confident in what I was doing.

Phase 3: Flooring

The insulated floor was covered first with plywood to provide a stable base, then laminate flooring for practical style and protection.

I went with 9mm plywood for the floor which so far seems to provide sufficient stability without taking up loads of height. The old floor provided a useful template. We traced the old floor onto the plywood, cut it out with a jigsaw, then sanded everything down. Luckily it fit the first time!

HOW TO VIDEO: How to professional fit a ply floor in your camper

I didn’t bother attaching the plywood to the van with screws or anything. It just sits on top of the sound deadening / insulation, and the laminate flooring was laid on top of it. This was a surprisingly easy and rewarding job. With a real floor in place, the van already felt more homey!

Phase 4: Building a Slide-Out bed for the Ford Transit Connect

I built a slide-out slat bed popular with small camper van builds. It’s not perfect but it’s worked for years and set the fire in me to build more furniture! For more info, read my dedicated posts on

• How I built my Ford Transit Connect slide-out bed
• DIY camper cusions

Phase 5: Installing windows – should you do it yourself?

You might have noticed in the picture above that the van suddenly has a window! (Two actually, one on the wall and one on the sliding door.) Given my DIY-phobia at this stage, I did not install the windows myself. I was grateful to finally find Conrad from Van Window Installations Telford who sourced and installed the windows for me. Friendly guy, top job, and he even came to my house in Wiltshire to install it.

That said, I have since installed windows in a Ford Transit Custom using a window kit from Van Pimps. It was WAY easier than I imagined. So to save yourself some money and build your confidence with van builds, I’d totally recommend giving it a go yourself.

• Read my post on DIY window installation – written for the Transit Custom but equally applies to the Connect
• Van Pimps UK stocks rear windows and sided windows for the short wheel base (SWB) Connect. I found some LWB windows over on vanwindowsdirect.co.uk. Depending on the year of your Connect, it’s probably best to shop around and double check stock before you purchase.

Phase 6: Cladding and carpeting the Walls

I wanted a rustic look so opted to clad the walls in pinewood cladding that I bought at my local hardware store (Wickes). You can see below

• Where I attached battens to the wall to which I fixed the cladding
• How I carpeted around any exposed wall areas to create a finished look.
• How I worked with the natural recess in the Transit Connect to keep that bonus space (the backing is a thin piece of ply I covered with a coffee sack using spray adhesive)

Extras

Diesel heater – game changer – £600

If you’re serious about using your van all year round, then a diesel heater is a must! I bought a 12V 5KW diesel heater on Amazon for less than £100. The big expense was the installation: I had it installed professionally by Slipway Autos near Fort William who fixed the heater externally under the van and connected it to the fuel tank. They did a super job. Cost for their labour and materials: £497. Totally worth it for the toasty comfort it brings.

Insulated window covers for those cold nights

Window curtains for quick easy privacy

Roof Rack and Roof box for extra storage

Ceiling storage for fishing poles / walking poles – <£5

A simple mod using terry clips installed in the ceiling panels. Cost: <£5

Seat covers for extra style and easy cleaning – £114

Totally Covers makes all kinds of funky designs and they fit the Ford Transit Connect seats like a charm (apparently their covers fit any car, truck, van, SUV, etc)! They are also machine washable which is handy when you have two dogs who like to ride shotgun. They’ve held up pretty well – I purchased them in June 2021 and they’re still going in Nov 2024. They currently sell for £114. For those less worried about looks, there are cheaper seat cushions out there (like this single seat cover for £13.99), but I’m not sure how robust they are.

Tiny Camper Decorations

• Heavy duty velcro is super handy for hanging up pictures and also fixing gizmos to surfaces. It’s even strong enough to hold my everything bowl in place! 1m of velcro costs < £5
• Fairy lights (battery or solar-powered) are fun and add ambiance. A short length of fairy lights typically costs < £10
• I used a colourful hessian coffee sack for covering some boring plywood and decorating one of the wall recesses (if you live near a coffee roaster, they often give them away or sell them for cheap, or you can find them on eBay)

Next Steps

Update this post with all the new van mods I’ve completed since I started this project!

Materials and Costs

The nitty gritty! Since purchasing the vehicle I’ve had to have some mechanical work done such as new tyres and resolving some annoying issues with the diesel particulate filter (DPF). I’ve also had to spend a lot on basic tools as I pretty much only had a couple screw drivers and a hammer to work with! I’ve invested in quality products that should hopefully last for years and years, so I’ll consider that part an investment. However you frame it, a Ford Transit Connect camper conversion isn’t a cheap project (though definitely less expensive than converting larger vans!). But if all goes well the rewards will be priceless!

	Total Cost
Materials	£        338.27
Mechanical work	£        540.91
Tools	£        434.85
Van	£     6,186.00
Grand Total	£     7,500.03

Item	Cost	Category	Date
2012 Ford Transit Connect (used, 55k miles)	£ 5,800.00	Van	27 Sep 2020
New tyres	£    315.91	Mechanical work	28 Sep 2020
Ford Transit Connect Haynes Manual	£      16.67	Tools	30 Sep 2020
Hycote XDFD717 Ford Frozen White Spray Paint	£      10.99	Materials	04 Oct 2020
Safety Glasses	£        9.99	Tools	04 Oct 2020
Work Gloves	£      12.98	Tools	05 Oct 2020
Hammerite Kurust rust converter	£      10.40	Materials	06 Oct 2020
Van Windows	£    386.00	Van	07 Oct 2020
Wire brush set	£        4.80	Tools	08 Oct 2020
Bosch Wire Wheel	£        3.72	Tools	08 Oct 2020
Stanley Knife	£        6.42	Tools	08 Oct 2020
Car Vacuum	£      32.99	Tools	08 Oct 2020
Small Van Extreme Bundle (sound proofing and insulation)	£    144.99	Materials	09 Oct 2020
Dodo Mat Duo (floor sound proofing)	£      89.99	Materials	09 Oct 2020
DPF diagnostic and forced regen	£      90.00	Mechanical work	09 Oct 2020
Einhill Classic Heat Gun	£      25.00	Tools	11 Oct 2020
Hammerite White Metal Paint	£      17.00	Materials	11 Oct 2020
Drill Bit Set suitable for metal	£      11.00	Tools	11 Oct 2020
UniBond Extreme Repair Sealant	£      12.00	Materials	11 Oct 2020
Cartridge Gun	£        5.00	Tools	11 Oct 2020
G Clamps	£      20.70	Tools	12 Oct 2020
Jigsaw Blades	£      13.00	Tools	12 Oct 2020
Masking Tape	£        2.50	Materials	12 Oct 2020
Tapping Screws	£        1.34	Materials	12 Oct 2020
HSS 75mm Drill Bit	£        4.00	Tools	12 Oct 2020
Sandpaper	£        9.00	Tools	12 Oct 2020
9x1220x2440mm Plywood x2	£      49.06	Materials	12 Oct 2020
Makita Drill / Driver Accessory Kit	£      24.99	Tools	13 Oct 2020
Makita Combi / Impact Driver Twin Pack	£    179.95	Tools	13 Oct 2020
Bosch Orbital Sander	£      42.95	Tools	13 Oct 2020
100pcs Sanding Discs	£      11.69	Tools	13 Oct 2020
DPF Clean	£    135.00	Mechanical work	19 Oct 2020

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